OOC:

Sorry this took so long, work and school have been keeping me pretty busy.

“Attention, Attention; All Kaph and Devil Squadron Pilots and Personal, Report to Briefing Room Echo immediately.” The announcement said.

Warrant Officer Second Class C-3PX2 stood in a small room off to the side of Briefing Room Echo. He was awaiting the arrival of the two Squadrons, to begin the briefing. There had been a few recent changes since the end of their training Operation. The squadron was now Two Flights full. Some were new recruits and Crewman; others were pilots who returned from Leaves. The squadron had a nice mix of new and old, one that would help keep the face of the squadron never the same.

On the other side of the room was, Ensign Fox, the squadron commander of Devil Squadron. Their Squadron, also as small as Kaph, was made up by regular pilots. Most were recently out of the academy, ranks from Senior Crewman to Petty Officer First Class.

Slowly, the Briefing room began to fill up with pilots and personal. Most took their time getting there, they were in no real rush to get there. They did not even know about the mission they were about to embark on, or of its importance.

****


“Alright, we should just get right to it. There is a bit of information to go over, in a short amount of time. We are about Two Days out  from our destination, the Yetton System.” Warrant Officer Second Class C-3PX2 stood at the podium and said as he started the briefing.

He looked across the room, seeing both squadrons. They looked ready, ready to serve, ready to die if necessary.

“Recently, the Vast Empire Imperial Naval High Council received a Code Zero Alert from the Vast Empire Naval Listening Outpost Viverro. This alert matches recent alerts from other systems of hostile forces attacking the outposts, and attempting to take over the area.” He said and then pressed a button on the console, the view screen changed to a map of the Yetton System.

“The Outpost is lightly defended from hostile forces, with only Two Lancer Frigates and a TIE Interceptor Squadron as its garrison. It is not equipped enough to fight off the hostile forces that were detected from the outpost the first time it detected the Hostile Fleet.”

A hand was raised in the groups of pilots; it was Senior Crewman StOrMz.

“Yes, Crewman; you have a Question.” C-3PX2 said to the Crewman.

“Yes, Sir; Do we have any idea who exactly the hostile forces are?” Senior Crewman StOrMz asked.

“Glad you asked. We have limited information at this time about who exactly the hostile forces are. From what we have gathered, the ships are Imperial in design; Intelligence believes that we will be going up against a Post-Endor Imperial Warlord, still in the system.” C-3Px2 answered.

The Crewman, satisfied with the answer, Sat down; C-3PX2 continued.

“Personally, I really do not have an issue with an Imperial Warlord. I would rather it be an Imperial in the area than a New Republic Fleet. The Issue is, this Warlord is showing hostility against fellow Imperial Factions. It cannot go unanswered, we have been sent, along with the Task Force, to sweep the system for hostile forces. We need to Clear the area, and make it surely in our possession again. With more Details on the Forces in the area, I give you Ensign Fox of Devil Squadron.” C-3PX2 said, and then took a step away from the Podium.

Ensign Fox stepped forward to the podium and began, “Thank you; There is no way to sugar coat this, it will be a tough fight. Between the ships we are arriving with, and the ones already there in the system, we should outmatch the Warlord’s Fleet in the area. We almost double the ships that were originally reported to us, but reinforcements could have arrived, making their fleet stronger.” He said as he changed the screen to the readout of the fleet.

The View Screen read:
Vast Empire Imperial Naval Task Force
* Dreadnaught Lobo (Taskforce Flagship) – Kaph / Devil Squadrons
* Dreadnaught Serenity – Twilight / Crimson Squadrons
* Carrack Cruiser Demon Lust
* Carrack Cruiser Lilith
* Carrack Cruiser Cockroach
* Lancer Frigate (x2)
* CR90 Corvette (x4)

Reported Imperial Warlord Forces
* Dreadnaught (Flagship) – Identified as the “Amaranth”
* Carrack Cruiser
* Lancer Frigate (x3)
* CR90 Corvette (x4)

“As you can see, it is off balance a small bit in our favor, but I would expect that there would be reinforcements waiting for a signal to jump in at a moment’s notice. Also, it is unknown of the skill of their pilots and crew. We may be going in with more ships, but they may have better technological improvements on their ships; such as engine power, shield protection, and improved weapon power. Anything could be expected, and Everyone should be ready to adapt their tactics at a moments notice.” He said, and then stepped down from the Podium.

“Any Questions?” C-3PX2 asked, to see no hands raised.

“Alright, there are Datapads in the back with the mission information in them. Grab one on your way out. We will be arriving in the system in Two Days, get yourself ready to go into action the moment we come out of Hyperspace.” He said.

He looked around the room, at the faces of the pilots, “Dismissed.” He said, and then walked out the side door of the room.

OOC:

Alright, thats the braifing, the Mission is (Hopefully) outlined in there, if not ask and I can give you the details. I will be creating a Wikipage for the Story soon, to help spell out exactly what is going on.

So, begin posting; but remember, we arrive in the Yetton System in Two Days, so make your CD accordingly to that ammount of time (ex: dont have something that would take five days). If you make the Transition into Your Second day, time stamp it with "T-1 Day until Arrival in the Yetton System" so that we can keep track.

Ph'rranix was sitting in the cafeteria at a vacant table when a man walked up.

"I think I know you," the sentient said. Ph'rranix looked up to find a person whom he had once collected a bounty on staring him in the eye.

[No you don't,] the Wookie rumbled coldly.

"You were the bounty hunter who almost killed me, aren't you."

[Ah yes, now I rrememberr you,] Kaph 3 growled in a slightly humorous tone, [You arre the one who rran frrom me, then thought he lost me in the crrowd on Abrrae. Howeverr, I only lured you into me closerr by doing that.]

"What do you mean."

[I knew the only exit forr that the alley you took.] Ph'rranix replied smuggly, [All I had to do is stand and wait forr your pitiful attempt to escape frrom me.] The Wookie took his eyes off of Scaridian and returned to eating his food. [Sit if you would like. And don't worrrry I won't hurt you again.]

"That's very kind of you," Kaph 2-4 responded with a hint of sarcasm. Mork sat for a moment before asking his former enemy why he allowed him to live.

[You werre worrth morre alive to me than if I had killed you,] Ph'rranix responded sending a chill through Scaridian's body. [I did howeverr begin contemplating ways to publicly torrturre and humiliate you while I slowly exterrminate yourr existance afterr you kicked me in the grroin.] He finished with no emotion on him. This was truly a cold blooded murder, and one of the finest bounty hunters he'd seen.

"Well, that changes things I presume." Scaridian said in a flaberghasted voice.

[Not rreally, it was only a job. I have no prroblems with you. I was only making a living.]

"I thank you for that, sir."

[I am not a "sirr".]

"Oh, sorry." There was a long pause before either spoke again. "Is this going to hinder our comaraderie?"

[No, I said I don't have a prroblem with you, just don't push it.] Ph'rranix retorted as Bacredi passed his table. He tried getting the new recruits attention but Zhar kept his pace towards the door.

OOC:

WC= 359

Scaridian sat, poised in a professional manner as he looked on the flickering screen before him. Streams of data were collectively being entered into various terminals which then flew about the screen at rapid pace, testing it for the actual prelude to Operation Iron Sweep, or so the bold title on their holo-pads so cleverly suggested. To either side of the screen stood a collective group of officers who muttered amongst themselves, clarifying tidbits of data and checking on the terminals every so often. More familiar was Warrant Officer C-3PX2 standing off to the side, no doubt awaiting for the pilots to file in before beginning the briefing.

Briefing Room Echo itself was not large, and had no such reason to be. As a temporary point of conglomeration on a Naval Flagship, it stood to be one of the larger rooms, which of course was relative. In fact, about almost everything luxurious and not involved in the actual function in the ship itself seemed rather temporary and nomadic in the most extreme of notions. Many of the stagnant objects were buckled into place with few chains, and they comprised the force of hand-me-down items. The advanced technology which served to function the actual ship must have gleamed a pretty silver though. Judging even from the sleek frames of the terminal and the instantaneous transmittance of information from one computer to another told its story.

The briefing began not 10 minutes after Scaridian's arrival, which had been apparently rather early considering he'd received the message en route to his routine training sessions. Such a meeting took precedence over such events, however, and his absence was dully noted from those not in Kaph or Devil squadrons. Warrant Officer C-3PX2 approached the podium and the lights dimmed as per a few simple commands via terminal. The embedded holo-pads began to glow a faint blue in front of each seated pilot and recorded every word that had been uttered by the Warrant Officer, allowing for those pilots with wandering eyes to stay focused on the current situation at hand had they not already.

C-3PX2's voice was clear and crisp and projected unto the pilots with relative ease, his commanding tone evident of his many years of veterancy, a title held in highest regards within the Imperial Navy.

“Alright, we should just get right to it. There is a bit of information to go over, in a short amount of time. We are about an hour away from our destination, the Yetton System.”, the words transferred near instantaneously onto the blue holo-pads, and immediately the Yetton System struck the young pilot as an odd phrase. In his mild studies into the different sectors he'd not come across such a place or if he had it was not a memorable place. However, to hold such an operation of it there had to be some vast importance...

“Recently, the Vast Empire Imperial Naval High Council received a Code Zero Alert from the Vast Empire Naval Listening Outpost Viverro. This alert matches recent alerts from other systems of hostile forces attacking the outposts, and attempting to take over the area.” The officer's palm clicked upon a single button and immediately the system came unto the screen, it's vivid detail giving large scope to the area in which they were heading. It did not seem so alien to Scaridian from there.

“The Outpost is lightly defended from hostile forces, with only Two Lancer Frigates and a TIE Interceptor Squadron as its garrison. It is not equipped enough to fight off the hostile forces that were detected from the outpost the first time it detected the Hostile Fleet.”  Scaridian nodded, scanning over the information relayed to him in his holo-pad.

An interesting question fell upon deaf ears as Scaridian became pre-occupied within the information, but soon caught its transmission unto him. He was indeed surprised at the enemy Kaph squadron had faced, especially with what seemed to be a very great amount of newer pilots being involved. Perhaps it was the word... “Warlord” that had such a strong connotation that made the pilot feel meager. If it did, he did not let it show, merely intensifying his features and buckling down.

“Personally, I really do not have an issue with an Imperial Warlord. I would rather it be an Imperial in the area than a New Republic Fleet. The Issue is, this Warlord is showing hostility against fellow Imperial Factions. It cannot go unanswered, we have been sent, along with the Task Force, to sweep the system for hostile forces. We need to Clear the area, and make it surely in our possession again. With more Details on the Forces in the area, I give you Ensign Fox of Devil Squadron.”

The man stepped onto the podium and gave a vigored speech, one of no charitable value. He told the situation like it was and fed the hard facts unto the pilot's. Call Scaridian fresh, but the unwavering fortitude was unnerving and the challenge presented created a sort of knot in his stomach. For the first time he failed to realize the threat of death. Even as he faced it day by day in slavery, the novelty of that began to wear off. Encapsulated in the luxuries of safe-haven that constant lust to survive had died down and his life seemed all the more valuable. By the end of the meeting Scaridian was left shaken, feeling unprepared. Luckily he had two days to circumvent any trouble this would cause him on the mission.

Scaridian grabbed a transportable holo-pad and pocketed it and headed down towards the mess hall. The pit in his stomach had been growing and it wasn't until that meeting had he realized how hungry he was. The walk took him through a few twisting paths, but luckily there were a number of pilots who shared the same interests towards him so it hadn't been all that difficult to find. One of his squad mates, StOrmz had also taken to the cafeteria. Their pasts had intersected once, not quite on friendly terms, however.

Their meeting in the cafeteria was, interesting to say the least. Ph'rranix, who Scaridian later came to realize was StOrmz actual name had taken pride in his job , and, as fate would have it, never actually screwed up in his attempts to hunt Scaridian down. Their conversation buckled down simply to silence, in which Scaridian added a few more interesting tidbits.

“I always had assumed I was safe on Abrae. It seems even after the death of my old master there were still vendettas against me to be had.”

[You would be surprised, Morrk. Therre arre morre thrreats out therre in the worrld than you have faced in the past.]

“I expected that I should be able to face them. Yet, fallen into this false sense of security I've come to realize no place is truly safe and that I should value my life a little less so the repercussions of death are not so brutal.”

OOC:

1188 words.

Walking out of the room, Warrant Officer C-3PX2 left the Pilots to fend for themselves in there, to rabble on about the mission with each other. He decided to go and find the status of a recent member of Kaph Squadron, Senior Crewman Saul Xacto.

He wandered down the hall for a short bit, before noticing the Crewman standing near a Turbo Lift, waiting for it to arrive.

“Crewman, a minute of you time, please.” C-3PX2 said to Saul.

“Yes, Sir; what can I do for you?” Saul asked.

“I would like to request the status of your placement within Kaph Squadron.”

“You didn’t get the data pad I sent to you?”

“It might have been sent to my quarters instead of my person.”

“No Problem, I shall transfer you the contents.” Saul said as he handed C-3PX2 a data chip.

C-3PX2 took the data chip, and inserted it; he began to read the data.

“Hrm… It says that you have been transferred from Kaph Squadron over to the Dreadnaught Lobo. You are to become the Communication Officer for the Ship.” C-3PX2 read.

“Yes Sir.” Saul Replied.

“Congratulations.” C-3PX2 said, as he handed Saul the data chip back, as well as a folder piece of parchment.

“What is this?” Saul asked.

“Along with the change of Position, you have been promoted to Petty Officer Second Class. Again, Congratulations.” C-3PX2 said, as he stuck his hand out to shake Saul’s.

Saul shook C-3PX2’s metallic hand, and then said “How goes the Squadron, Sir?”

“We shall manage, no thanks to you.” C-3PX2 said jokingly.

“Oh wow, a droid making jokes. What is the Galaxy Coming to?” Saul replied.

“Well, they also put me in command of a Squadron; so who knows.”

“Heh, yea.”

C-3PX2 looked over Saul’s shoulder, and saw that the turbo lift had arrived.

“There is your lift; you would be best getting to the Bridge and reporting in.”

“Good Idea, Thank you Sir.” Saul said, and then Saluted. To which C-3PX2 returned the Salute. Saul entered the Turbo Lift, and the door sealed. C-3PX2 walked away, headed towards his quarters.


Saul pressed a button on the inside of the turbo lift, taking him to the crew quarters deck. He wanted to get into full uniform before going to report in at the bridge. It was a good idea, one which would make a better image of him to his commanding officer.

The Turbo lift made a humming noise as it lowered down through the decks of the ship, it was nothing out of place in a turbo lift, and it was almost a standard noise. Once the turbo lift arrived at its destination, the door opened and Saul exited it.

He began to walk down the hall, making turns where appropriate to make it to his quarters as quickly as he could. He decided to take the short cut through the escape pod area of the deck, a short cut that would end all short cuts.


He walked into the Escape pod section, and past a few escape pods; he was making excellent time. He continued, and walked pas t the final of three escape pods.

Without any notice, there was a small popping noise. Then all hell broke loose. The Emergency Stud on the Escape Pod inadvertently triggered, setting off the explosive bolts that would have been used to jettison the pod. This would not have been a problem, except that the docking clamps on the pod had not been released, so it was jammed onto the hull of the Lobo, with Saul on the other side of the hull. The explosion of the bolt burst through that section of the hull, sending a fire-ball through the immediate area, and triggering a lock down procedure in the hall way.

The hatches in the hall all began to close, sealing off the explosion, and the hole in the hull. Saul was trapped; he did not have a chance. The explosion blasted him back against the wall of the hallway, he was badly burned. He had Third Degree burns all across his left side of his body, and severe second degree burns across his right. He also could not stand up, due to the burns on his legs, he was complexly immobilized. Saul began to attempt to crawl towards the hatch.

Meanwhile on the Bridge, an alert popped up on a computer screen.

“Sir; we have a small explosion and Decompression on deck Seven. The Lockdown procedure activated.” The officer said.

“What caused the explosion?” the Capitan asked.

“An escape pod jettisoned, while still clamped to the ship.”

“Is it still clamped to the hull?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Remove the Clamps and let it loose. The hallway will vent out, but we should be able to repair the area without any problems.”

“Yes Sir.” The Officer said, as he did just that. Without knowing it, they had just killed Petty Officer Second Class Saul Xacto.

He was crawling towards the hatch, and finally reached it. He was sticking his arm for the panel to override the lock and open the door, as the Escape pod’s clams were let loose. He had managed to put three of the four numbers into the lock, which was needed to unlock the seal; it was no use. The Escape pod flew off the side of the Lobo, and the hallway began to vent into Space. Saul was picked up off the deck and thrown into the air. He then was pulled out the hole that was now in the hull, he had vented into space.

Twenty Seconds. That was the longest he could possible survive out in the vacuum of space. He made it about fifteen, and then things got a bit messy. One day after being transferred to the Lobo as the Communications Officer, and hours after being promoted to Petty Officer Second Class; Saul Xacto was dead.

"What the hell!" Bacredi screamed through the service hallway, the bright white lights dimmed and were replaced by emergency red lights. A explosion had sounded on the port of the ship, from the schematics Bacredi had seen it was probably the Escape Pod Hatches.

"Alpha through Echo, report!" A female voice flowed through Bacredi's ear COM.

"This is Echo, no damage starboard!"

"This is Beta we have damage on the port, a Escape Pod Hatch has exploded! We are currently closing blast doors so no more damage will come!"

"Copy that Beta, we are sealing off the explosion here..." A buzz sounded in Bacredi's ear. "Copy, emergency stopped. Good job squadrons."

Bacredi moved over to the nearest turbolift. R3 was right behind him, they immediately headed for the hanger. Once to the white hanger Bacredi moved over to his Raven-Class Starfighter, there were scratches were on the sides.

"Damn wookie." Bacredi cursed, R3 quickly removed the metal shielding. The main fuel valve was disconnected. "R3?"

"Beep-boop-beep." R3 responded, he quickly moved out his Mechanical Arc-light Spanner, and now sparks began to fly. "Boop-beeep?"

"Yeah R3, I will call them." Bacredi then picked up his COM, and began to call. "R4, R2, R5 please make your way to the hanger bay immediately."

Five minutes of waiting and the three astromechs popped out of the lift. "Beeeep?"

"Yeah R5, we got some shields to repair."

-- Quarters --

Bacredi lay on his top bunk bed stealthily listening to the two Senior Crewman, Kaph 3 and 4 were bickering. Bacredi then heard them get up and leave.

Now Bacredi grabbed the papers he had gotten off Bastion, reaching under his pillow he grabbed them, eighty three pages in all Bacredi flipped to a random page.

During the Battle of Endor Emporor Palphatine ordered his fleet not to fire. This was because, the Empire's brilliant tactician and leader, the Emperor himself "Had something special planned" according to Admiral Firmus Piett. The Emperor did indeed, he had the Death Star II activated. This was done under the rebel's nose, as they attacked the Death Star II with a sizable fleet under the impression that the Death Star II was not activated.

Once the Death Star II showed its full might it destroyed one of the Rebel's Command Vessels. The rebels then found a daring plan, and moved closer to the Star Destroyers. This tactic caused the Death Star II's gunners to cease fire, but they were able to destroy one CR90 Corellian Corvette before they stopped firing.

Now with the Battle raging on both the Forest Moon of Endor, and Endor space. The Rebel platoon, lead by Han Solo was able to take down the Shield Generator protecting the Death Star II. This let General Calrissian, Commander Antilles, and a few other high ranking rebels to enter the Death Star II's reactor.

When Red Squadron, Gold Squadron, and Blue Squadron, all squadrons of the rebels reached the Death Star II the Death Star II's turrets began to fire rapidly. A log from a Death Star II's gunner displays:

When the Death Star II began to get under fire we all began to fire back. Five sluggish Y-Wing's came near my turret, I took two out and another gunner took out another. Three were let escape.

When Red Squadron moved into the breach a few of there pilots stayed out to cover there escape, one such was Captain Igno. He was later killed when the Death Star II detonated.

Now that Red, Gold, and Blue Squadron were all in the Death Star II. TIE Fighters, and Interceptors followed them in. General Calrissian took notice to this and quickly told some of his fighters to retreat back to the surface, and take some of the TIEs with them.

This worked, and took some of the TIE Fighters with the Red, Gold,and Blue fighters that had headed for the surface. But then the odds changed, Red Leader, and Gold Leader were all that were left. Against numerous TIE FIghters and Interceptors.

But they reached the power core and destroyed the Death Star II. Admiral Palleon ordered a retreat for the Empire Navy from there on out.

Bacredi was fascinated on how the Battle of Endor took place, and how his Father and Mother were killed as well. Now getting of his bunk Bacredi headed over to the doors. Going through them Bacredi took a short breath, and exhaled.

-- Briefing Room B --

This Briefing Room was smaller than the one that he had participated in earlier, this meeting was just for Lobo's Security Teams, but Bacredi had snuck in.

"Ok. Today we are going to discuss the fact that we might need to repel borders." The Human Security Chief began, "We are spread thin. But we do have some nice weapons, we have been given DC-15s Blaster Pistol Sidearms, A280 Rifles, and DLT-20A Repeating Blasters."

A hand was raised in the circular meeting room.

"Yes Private?" The Chief said.

"Sir, were would our stations be on the Lobo?" A female human asked, from Bacredi's eyes she looked close to 20.

"We will set up-" The chief stopped, the rotunda shaped meeting room's center lit up. The Lobo's Schematics popped up, a few places began to flash. "Here, here, here, here, and here."

The chief pointed to 5 of the blinking spots.

"Zeta Squadron, you are going to move near the Hanger Bay's doors. Beta Squadron, you and Nerf Squadron would move to the Security Checkpoints. This means that you two squadrons will be spread out. And Plym Squadron, you stay near the quarters and the bridge to repell any borders that make it that far." The chief stopped, and then exited the building, flanked by four men in Stormtrooper Armor, but no helmets.

"What do you think about these A280s?" A Private said in a hushed voice to another one of his Squadmates.

"I like them, they can kill a lot of people. But these DC-15s are good, we only need to replenish them every 1,000 shots!" The Squadmate replied back.

"I hope we don't have to use them though. That is... if our Pilots here can keep them off of us."

Bacredi walked out of the room, he had just grabbed a DC-15s.

Bacredi flung his TIE around, the little maneveur he had just tried would not work twice. The planet he was fighting over stayed in the same place. Scari was nowhere to be seen.

Hitting the accelerator Bacredi did a barrel roll, then it hit him. Mork was in his sensor, but playing it low. Now Scari was heading closer to Bacredi, and he used this to his advantage. With his XO on his tail, Scari came close to his Interceptor. At the last moment Bacredi pulled up, and allowed his two squad mates to fight.

Moving out into the abyss Bacredi hit port and killed the thrusters, and turned with Engines at 5 percent. Now having both his guns facing towards his squadmates, but out of firing range. Bacredi hit the engines to 110 percent, and downed the electrical equipment to 30 percent.

Heading straight towards the two squad mates fighting, Bacredi was 5 seconds away... 3... 2... 1... Bacredi let both of his lasers go. Piercing Mork's wing and his XO steered away. Knowing that the Wook would be to much of a challenge Bacred steered his Interceptor in the direction of Mork, Mork was retreating.

With both of there engines way above there maximum capcity there shields were dieing, Bacredi didn't need shields though. Only Mork did.

Two green blasts came from Bacredi's rear guns, one of them was dodged by Mork, the other hit his shields and was absorbed.

StOrMz came out of nowhere, catching Bacredi off guard he had no choice but to panic and pulled out. "Nice try you-"

Five blasts made Bacredi go off balance.

Ph'rranix took a back seat for a moment to assess the situation while Scaridian and Bacredi slaughtered eachother.

[Maybe they will just blow eachotherr up.] StOrMz thought to himself as he checked his shields and hull. Suprisingly, the shields had only been depleted a few percent and the hull had no damage what-so-ever. [I finally get a lucky brreak.] The Wookie slammed down the accelerator en route to rejoin the confidence booster type of simulation that he was currently engulfed in.

Kaph 5 targeted Bacredi who was the closer of the two, and faced away from StOrMz fighter. He lowered the shield recharge rate slightly for that little edge on the two Kaph flight members. It only took a handful of seconds to come into firing range of his first victim. Caught completely unaware of what was behind him, Kaph 2 was sandwiched between his two enemies yet again. The problem this time was that Scaridian was flying with not against them. Bacredi began the normal break turns not gaining an inch over Ph'rranix. His TIE began shaking violently as the Kaph XO began raining laser blasts into his shields, lowering them drastically with every direct hit. The crewman glanced at how his shields and hull was holding up. Things didn't look good. Kaph 2's shields were down to three percent and his hull was at seventy eight percent. StOrMz then began his next bombardment on him. This time only one shot was allowed to hit Bacredi's ship before he barrel rolled out of the line of fire. Scar wasn't so lucky. He left his fighter directly in it allowing the other 3 shots to score each of his wings and his coolant tube, incinerating the pipe and allowing coolant to spray through the emptiness of space.

"What the?" Scar said in disbelief. "I don't have any coolant. You shot my coolant tube!" was the next comment out of his mouth. Left helpless now, StOrMz finished his fighter off with a few well placed shots to the enigine compartment.

[Nice flying Scarr.] Ph'rranix growled into his comlink. He had barely gotten that out when his cabin began shaking horrendously. In disbelief, Kaph 5 spun into the ever so common barrel roll. Bacredi followed him beat for beat. Half way through however, and StOrMz jerked the stick the other way causing his TIE Interceptor to begin a barrel roll in the opposite direction. As he spun, the G forces pressed on his temples almost making him black out. Ph'rranix finished the roll and went directly into a tight right hand turn, hoping like hell that Bacredi wasn't already coming for him. Approaching the one hundred eighty degree mark, Ph'rranix found Bacredi just beginning to turn around. StOrMz was somewhat puzzled. Did Kaph 2 think he had ample time to make a turn because Kaph 5 was probably unconscious? Or did he make an error while StOrMz was faced the opposite way?

It didn't matter, what mattered was that the enormous Wookie had the upper hand for the time being, and now was a great time to exploit Bacredi's weakness. During his turn, Bacredi left a perfect shot directly where the fuel cell was stored. StOrMz lowered his shield recharge to zero and gained all the speed he could. He aimed all four laser cannons at the fuel cell and lit them up, turning Bacredi's TIE into a brilliant pyrotechnic show before the walking carpet's eyes. Belated to have survived, StOrMz took a deep breath and realized just how much energy that little stunt he performed to escape Bacredi took from him. A pair of heart beats later he closed the simulation down and exitted his over-grown simulator.

******

The air outside of the simulated cockpit was cool compared to what he'd just come from. StOrMz took a brief look around the room for his squadmates and set off towards them.

[Excellent fighting today guys. I am verry prroud of you.] Ph'rranix roared to them as he approached.

"Thanks sir. And nice shoot too if I may add," Scar said in an exhausted tone.

"Yeah, how did you get me so fast?" Barcedi asked with a high amount of suspicion.

[You left a perrfect shot to your fuel cell comparrtment frrom my angle.]

"Oh, that explains it." the crewman replied in a disappointed tone. An ackward moment passed as they stood there, still sweaty from the sim.

"Well I am gonna hit the shower then get some sleep. See ya 'round boys." Mork said to his squadmates.

"Goodbye," came the reply from the other two as they began a little conversation of their own. Mork walked out of the room and turned to the right heading to his barracks.

"So I went to check on my fighter this morning," Bacredi started, "as I opened the hatch, an abomidable stench escaped the cockpit. Do you know what it could be?"

[Not a clue,] the Wookie replied keeping his all to familiar frown on his face.

"Oh, well the mechanics said that they saw a Wookie messing with it. and you are the only Wookie I have seen on this ship." Came Kaph 2's response.

[Arre you accusing me of something?] Ph'rranix growled as he rose himself to his full hieght and began towards Bacredi.

"N-no I-I was j-j-just wo-wondering if you had s-s-seen anything." Bacredi stuttered.

[I have not,] StOrMz roared as he stomped off. The crewman stood their frozen for a few moments longer. Just long enough for him to be sure that the angry Wookie wasn't planning an attack just outside of the simulation room.

******

[Scarr!] StOrMz growled toward his squadmate that was halfway down the hall.

"Yessir?"

[If Bacrredi asks. I am verry mad, and am close to rripping his scrrawny little arrms off.] the Wookie growled then chuckled.

"Ok, but why Ph'rranix?"

[He accused me of putting something in his fighterr. Which I did, but he won't find that out. Will he?]

"Nope."

[Good. I will see you later Scarr.] Ph'rranix said as he turned back to where he came from.

OOC:

WC= 1003. It's my highest squad story word count! Woot! more drinks on me

End of Day One

It was dark, or so the dim, shadowy hallways implied with their natural simulation of the human response to light. An interesting concept whose origins could be drawn back to plant, which went through phases according to specific variations of light it received, not unlike the human "clock" function that worked variably according to the schedule of the adaptive, dynamic specimen. And in this darkness Scaridian felt despair. The despair was not of grief but of grogginess, his blurred vision and aching joints for rigorous overworking of the bones and the flashing lights which still radiated from the training session. Such an experience left Scar feeling as almost as inactive as Urbaan. Had there been anyone nearby, the Senior Crewman would have whined their ear off to relieve the tension which had pent up through the course of the chaotic day. Extensive preparation was fine, but best not used in moderate portions.

As Scar approached his barracks he nearly fell through the sliding doors, stumbling into the cool darkness, the hushed whisper of peaceful breath was rhythmic and created a very peaceful ambiance. The quiet caused the fatigued man to grin as he headed for a final shower, totaling three today and no doubt docking from his pay the bill required to compensate for the over-usage. Common practice within the navy suggested a single shower would suffice. Common practice did not account for other circumstances, however, circumstances which Scar felt were relatively just. What did he know, though? The fact he'd been taken out first in a match versus Bacredi and Phrr'anix and gotten to him and he choose to allow that bitter taste to reside.

As he'd finished cleaning, Scar stepped from the steaming vapors in a towel, yawning a bit and checking his comlink. A number of radio interferences had caught within this small piece of technology and he relayed them onto himself whilst he dried in seclusion, taking note to the somewhat substantial event he had been oblivious to. Interesting that an escape-pod could have jettisoned so erratically like that. Had someone been in there, the results would have inevitably proved fatal. Not having realized how truly oblivious he was, Scaridian figured that if analysts had cleared the debris to vent into space there was no harm to speak of.

The man fell upon his bed in dry, night attire, sinking his head into the pillow from a long deprived rest and yawned before pulling the covers over himself. It was not until the relaxant effect surged through the pilot's body did he truly realize what pain he was in. The aching joints and muscles pulsated with each beat of Scar's heart and the migraine's from the dehydration to make up for extensive perspiration did little to help him rest. He groaned once, snapping his eyes shut and falling into a troubled sleep.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Two

That ever constant ring of the comlink began the day. As per usual practice Scar put the speaker to his ear and half-consciously began  to interpret the message. It took a few relays to get the gist of it, but finally he'd had realized there had been a meeting in no later than 10 minutes as he'd expected. Stretching and groaning in relief, Scar took a moment to examine the pilots comfortable in their sheets, some early risers simply looking onto the barracks ceiling or reading their texts from their holo-pads. This guy had a meeting to go to.

A few hygienic means were settled and the pilot had been on his way, stepping through the doorway onto what could be displayed as a solemn scene. There was an unusual silence in the hallway and puckered lips from officers, moreso those reporting from the bridge room. They spoke in hushed whispers and perked the brows of those unsuspecting. Scar felt obligated, no... tempted to ask what the hubbub was about, though he soon realized that his comlink was indicative of time constraints and Scar hurried on his way, jogging briefly to room ECHO, where all of this had truly begun.

Scar had entered at a fair time. There were other pilots who had beat him to the punch but for the most part he was happy with the current situation. SC C-3PX2 and LC Bacredi and Phrr'anix were bustling lively about an espresso machine, sipping the amber liquid whilst high concentrations of caffeine pumped through their system, widening their droopy eyes and invoking certain habitual twitchings to incur. The man had to get some of this.

He slid past the wookie and Bacredi, pouring the JOE as so cleverly labeled on the pot into a small metal cup, which seemed cool to the touch. It remained cool as it retained the hot liquid, but seemed to somehow incubate the espresso whilst venting out unnecesary steam. Scar sipped the drink with a wince and received immediate reply.

"Strong, isn't it?" Bacredi asked, huge grin spread about his face. Scar chuckled merrily and continued to get used to the bitter taste.

"Yeah.. surprisingly it is. Wouldn't suspect it from the way you guys seem to chug it down like nothing."

"I'm assuming you aren't a heavy drinker of coffee then?"

"I don't drink the stuff frequently. But I must admit, I do feel a tad more... invigorated now."

[Rr.. don't get used to it Morrk. You'rre gonna feel some negative afterreffects laterr. Best to get some waterr in yourr system afterrwarrds.], StOrMz chided in, still unaware of his promotion at this point in time.

"Well... that is a disheartening thought."

The wookie shrugged and went onto to gulping the drink down like nothing. Scar suspected it did little to the massive beast's enduring stature but one never knew. StOrMz could have been pulling a clever facade.

That was irrelevant, however! All pilots had filed in and begun chattering amongst themselves about what the meeting could have possibly been about.

"I hear we're gonna be aborting this mission because the warlord sabataoged our flagship!"

"Nah, we're just gonna get more information those guys at the bridge have collected."

Scar took his seat, cup of espresso in hand as the droid Squadron Commander had walked forth to the front of the room, looking as formal and astute as he possibly could for his disposition of lack of humanism. The Senior Crewman eyed him warily and recognized that he did not share the same grave features as the others in the hall. Whether emotions were not part of his internal function or he simply felt apathetic to an unspecified plight had not been revealed until he spoke and the chattering died down.

“Alright, I have two major announcements for today. Senior Crewman Stormz, will you please come forward.” Scar quirked a brow, unaware of the situation at hand. He simply observed as the great beast lumbered forth, his stance as intimidating as ever, yet more sophisticated as he approached the higher ranking officer, seeming as confused as everyone. There was subtle chatter about the room and the commander gave them a cross look which hushed any such stray thoughts.

“This is a Message from Command, I was told to read it to the squadron at the meeting scheduled for today.” The commander picked up the pad, working a few nozzles before some text lit up onto the screen and he gave a nod of approval before relaying the message onto the entire squadron, one which excited some emotions amongst the majority of the group.

This is to notify you of the promotion of Senior Crewman Stormz to the NCO rank of Petty Officer Second Class. He has shown his experience as a Fighter Pilot in the Imperial Navy, and has fully earned this promotion. In addition, this is also to notify you of the now Petty Officer Second Class Stormz’s change of position within Kaph Squadron. He is moved from Kaph 1-3, Flight member, to Kaph 2-1, Flight Leader and Executive Officer of Kaph Squadron. Congratulations.”

There was a small round of applause from about the room as the wookie accepted the position with the utmost grace, attempting his best not to seem astounded but also a result of his smug nature. No doubt he felt he deserved the title, having been one of the more active pilots and more experienced, though outranked by the Senior Crewman, a rank variably decided by performance at the Academy as well as for few Leading Crewman who were scrutinized on their ability and were given the extra chance before stepping into the ranks of an Officer.

Once the clapping died down C-3PX2 cleared his throat and began again.

“Next, the bad news at this meeting. A recent member of our squadron has recently died. Petty Officer Second Class Saul Xacto was caught within a mechanical failure involving Emergency Bolts on an Escape pod on the port side of the Lobo. By the end of the incident, the hallway vented into space. The details are still being compiled together to get a full picture of what happened, but it is not good. He will be remembered as a Loyal Pilot of Kaph, and the Imperial Navy of the Vast Empire.” Now, there was silence. That same solemn face seen from the commanding officers at the brig could now be seen plastered onto the expressions of those Naval pilots of Kaph squadron. It had come in such shock that some were at a loss of words. It half-explained why no one had questions.

“Alright … Dismissed.”

The sound of shuffling feet against cold hard ground could be hard. Not a single word was uttered even after the briefing was ended. Scar's espresso had not seemed as delightful now with the news which provided such contrast. It made the pepped drink seem bland and he quickly disposed of it in the nearest washer, looking down upon the ground as he dragged his feet onwards to any place. The respectful silence seemed redeeming of the unnecesary death of Saul. The transmissions last night seemed to click and everything fell into place perfectly. Phrr'anix's sudden promotion as his abilities were recognized, the need for an active driving force. One could have considered the entire thing a damned conspiracy controlled by otherworldly forces. Scar just called it bad luck and headed to the mess hall for breakfast.

There was chatter amongst different squadrons who had not yet received the message, but those Kaph which resided there knew of the sad story and felt almost awkward in the cheerful environment, barred off from any such bright situations. Scar could not swallow the pride he had enough to utter any word, even from grief he struggled. He merely took his seat with the others and ate in his own private seclusion, therein somewhat more comforting yet only within relevance.

Of course, the ice-breaker Urbaan had intruded upon the gray cloud upon the others and ushered it away, sliding into a position next to Scar with a meek smile on his face and a pale expression, not afraid to venture onto the Taboo and speak, which perked the attention of many.

"It's a shame... you know. Bad things happen to good people, and life has a funny way of doing that to you. Some.. just die from other reasons, contrary to what their position would suggest. The bitter irony is sad but we cannot let this weaken the bonds of our squad, but use it as a premise to make us stronger..."

"And how do you suppose we do that..?" A pilot replied angrily.

"First of all you could gain a better mood and pay your respects to the man. I sure as hell wouldn't want to die knowing that I struck a crippling blow to the Squad, would you?"

There were whispers of agreement and it seemed the beacon of light had accomplished his message. Jax gave that sly grin and bit into a muffin, peering at Scar through the corner of his eye, Scar exchanging glances. No words were said, but Urbaan knew it best not to get into a troubling argument with Scar when he was deep in thought. Lest an argument break out between them that was detrimental to the social environment around them.

"Annyways.. I've got to go do some routine training before I can start taking advantage of my considerate offtime. Make sure to get some rest, wing-mate, you sure as hell overworked yourself yesterday, can see it in your eyes." The lively pilot bit into his muffin before wandering off in a pleasant stride, having coped with the situation very differently than Scar would have expected him to. People never failed to surprise, however.

"Whelp, I'm gonna be heading off too, got some training I've got to make up with Urbaan," another Kaph pilot added.

Slowly but surely they began to file out whilst Scar toyed around with his food. He took death as a very serious matter, no matter how brainwashed he was to believe so. The many deaths of overworked slaves had traumatized the pilot as a boy and he empathized for them, having been in relative proximity whilst slaves gave their final breath in service to Hunguk and Abaca the Hutt. Two underground palace Hutts who Scar felt no need to interact with ever again. Also, there was the fact they'd both been killed, but that was a minor detail. It was what they had accomplished in their lives which scarred the boy.

Having realized that he was simply not hungry he dumped the scraps into a processor and headed out to the small archives that were in this ship. A number of plush chairs about a heater with shelves of cluttered datapads comprised it. Not a very promising prospect, but served the man well as he grabbed a few training manuals to read over again and sunk into the chair, relaxing and beginning to study...

OOC:

2335 words

Bacredi shuffled out of the quarters room, Saul used to be Bacredi's friend and wingmate. But now he had been shoved out a Escape Pod hatch, by a mistake from the Captain of the Lobo.

The Simulator had ended badly, if Bacredi ever got his XO in a Raven-Class Snubfighter, X or Y-Wing Bacredi would be the victor. His experience at the Battle of Taris, Second Battle of Taris, Battle of Olio, Fourth Battle of Telos IV, and Ninth Battle of Caecus had given him intelligence on those ships, but no TIEs as he had usually been the one destroying them.

Moving down the vast hallways, Bacredi entered the hanger. It seemed that Scari had come down from his Coffee Break, and to the Hanger

"Hey," Bacredi exclaimed to Scari, raising his S-5 Blaster. "Tell me, did or did not Phrraanix touch my starfighter?!"

"U-u-u-uh-u-h-h..."

Bacredi pushed his blaster into his chest.

"Yes! He did it! Please don't tell him!"

"Oh, thanks. Run along."

Bacredi moved over to his starfighter, all of his astromechs were by it, working around the clock. Even Empire Enlisted astromechs were there as well.

Suddenly his COM rang, picking it up it was a text.

Commander Zhar Bacredi of the Rationale-
This is Tarisien Admiral Uiett, we are informing you that you have been assigned to a new ship of our new armada. We have purchased 12 Venator-Class Star Destroyers and support ships. The Corellian Frigates will be used as support vessels, your ship can be named by yourself as your services with the Tarisien Navy. We have also assigned you two new Squadrons of ARC-170 Starfighters, and Tarisien Ground Troops!

Admiral Uiett- Out.


Bacredi laughed at this, the Tarisien Navy and Army were spending there money like crazy, but it was worth it. Bacredi thought of a name for the ship... Irrational, it was perfect. Hopefully his old ship the Rationale would be placed with him as a support vessel. But no one knew for sure. But 12 Venator-Class Star Destroyers, that is crazy even for the Tarisien Navy.

-- Simulator --

Turning around the Hanger Bacredi could see the squadron of troopers, and the LAAT Gunships, along with the Transport LAATs and there AT-TE Counterparts.

"Move along." A white stormtrooper said to Bacredi as he came to close.

"Hu-" Bacredi was stopped.

"Move along now!" Three troopers near him raised there DC-15 Blasters.

"I suggest you dearly follow that order citizen!" Another one of the soldiers spat at Bacredi.

"What is the problem here?!" Two soldiers came from behind Bacredi, behind a personal starfighter. They both raised there rifles as well.

"Trooper, call for reinforcements!" The Commander ordered one of the troopers.

"I am afraid this is a bargain on my part!" Bacredi said, raising a thermal detonator and his Blaster.

"Drop it!" Four more troopers, blasters raised came near Bacredi. They moved in on him.

"This will blow us all to bits!" Bacredi screamed. Pointing his blaster at the commander.

"Drop your weapon!"

"No."

"Well then-"

Bacredi had shot the trooper that was talking to him and ducked behind one personal starfighter and in front of another Shuttle.

"Come out."

"Make me." Bacredi had mearly stunned the trooper. He pulled out his newly acquired DC-15s Pistol. And then raised his S-5 Pistol at the DC-15 Rifle, and shot the harpoon. Grabbing onto it it came towards him, Bacredi picked the sturdy weapon up.

Two troopers came into Bacredi's view. Two shots from his DC-15s Pistol stunned them to the ground.

"Goodbye." Bacredi said, exhaling as he left two flashbangs on the ground. Both going off as Bacredi jumped over mountains of laserfire. The troopers were blinded with out their helmets on.

Now he ran out of the hanger, three guards attempted to stop him. A punch put one on his feet, while the other two shot at Bacredi and missed. Unfortunately for the soldier he had closelined, the blasts hit him.

-- Hanger --

Bacredi ran up to the COM Room. With Bacredi's message from Uiett he had also gotten a few holograms.

It displayed in the circular room. 12 of the new Venator-Class Star Destroyers, 33 Corellian Frigates, 23 Blockade Runners, 5 Acclamator-Class Star Destroyers, 890 Raven-Class Starfighters, 400 Y-Wing Bombers, and 600 ARC-170 Starfighters displayed in one huge fleet formation. This was one of the biggest planetary defence force Bacredi had ever seen, but Bacredi was also afraid of what the Tarisien Navy would do with it.

Next was the Tarisien Planet Overview, it showed thousands of Defence Turrets, bunkers, and bases. This was good, they were making defences on the world at least.

Now the Tarisien Army came into view: 400,000 Troopers, 200,000 Scouts, and 100,000 of various other types of troopers. This was also very impressive.

"Here you are getting a suite eh?" Bacredi said, in a somewhat sarcastic tone.

[That is about the last thing it is. The only differrence is that it has a desk.] The wookie replied to Bacredi. Even with Bacredi's fluent skills in Shyriiiwook he couldn't understand a few words in StOrMz speech.

"Well I hope you have fun up there," Bacredi said, snorting. And then muttering, "Your going to leave me alone with Scar. Scary."

Bacredi could realize that the Wookie was thinking something along the lines of: I will. StOrMz then exited the room, his few belongings with him.

Bacredi moved over to his bed, and reached under the mattress. He grabbed a flask of Tarisien Ale. Two swigs was enough for him and he put it back under his bed.

Now he reached for the Corellian Ale. And then headed for the Armory, he had to pick up a few new toys. Once in the armory Bacredi grabbed a DC-15S Blaster Rifle, he needed a new-good-rifle.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[Hey bud, come sit down with me,] Ph'raanix, Bacredi's old room mate motioned for Bacredi to sit down just as he was bout to grab some food.

"Alrighty, whats up you big fur ball?" Bacredi replied jokingly.

[Nothing much, my new suite is small. But I like being alone sometimes.]

"Do you now," Bacredi said. Raising a cigar and lighting it."You care for a cigar?"

Bacredi offered the wookiee a cigar, but he politely refused.

"Ready for the battle?"

[Am I ever!] The Wookiee spoke, sounded more like he was screaming though.

"Yeah I find it strange that an Imperial Warlord is in the Yetton Space, no reason I think."

The conversation carried on from there. And next thing Bacred knew he was at the shooting range, again.

"Pull." The Army Officer present said, pulling a hologram in the air.

"Hit." Bacredi said, two shots from his DC-15S 'hit' the hologram.

"Pull."

"Hit." Bacredi said, he fired from the hip this time.

Bacredi looked back upon the times with B Company. He had commanded a fireteam of men to defend Mahyshuc and a few other cities. There were only three companies, A,B, and obviously C. Remember the time had had worn a Swamp Troopers Suit, and held the blaster he loved so much the DC-15S. Bacredi agreed that the Empire wasn't nice to Kashyyyk, but they did not mass execute the Wooks that inhabited the place.

But the defense had been in vain, and B company had to retreat. A and C company had not been so lucky, and they were killed. Now Zhar remember that two weeks later he went back to the village of Mahyshuc, and found bodies cut into pieces-human bodies-they had been tortured like some madman.

But those memories got hazier. And then Bacredi let out a short chuckle at his strange array of careers-Pilot for the Imperial Forces, part-time smuggler, Cruiser Pilot, a Commander, Captain, and General in the Taris Navy, Frigate Captain, Captain of a Venator, Grey Squadron Leader, Grey Squadron member, Army Sergeant, and now a Vast Empire Pilot.

Bacredi's job as a Smuggler was one that he had not wanted to do, but needed to do. The Baton of Fire was a YT-2500 Freighter that he flew over Dantooine to get supplies, but it was destroyed along with its crew-except for Bacredi of course.

Getting off the bed Bacredi moved over to his Computer Console. And then clicked on HoloNews.

New Republic Accuses Taris of Treason!

On this very day, Mon Mothma the New Republic Chief of State has accused Taris of treason! And she is sending a naval taskforce to the Taris Sector to deal with the 'threat'.

Many citizens have struck out against this order, and are declaring that the New Republic is 'acting much like Palphatine himself'. As that is hard because of the atrocities he has committed.

The Fleet led by Wedge Antilles, and a few other New Republic Commanders consists of.

-3 Imperator-Class Star Destroyers
>Duro
>Carlist Rieekan
>Bright Hope II Flagship - General Wedge Antilles

-2 MC80 Liberty Type Mon Calamari Frigates
>Liberation
>Dantooine

-1 Viscount-Class Star Defenders Prototypes
>Dawn Under Heaven

-6 GR-75 Medium Transports
>Beacon
>Hope
>Light
>Past and Sent
>Forward To Hell
>Gallorfree

-2 Victory I-Class Star Destroyers
>Explosion
>Greyfin

-10 CR90 Corvettes
>Radiance
>Radiance II
>Organa
>Titanic
>Falcon
>Strikes
>Borelais
>Endor
>Calrissian
>Hoth


Bacredi did not bother to read the rest. He was startled at this announcement. And he immediately got out of the chair, and headed for the hanger.

Bacredi held his COM to his ear. All he heard was the last sentence.

"Stupid Spice Runners..." that was the Captain.

Close to twenty soldiers passed Bacredi in their Phase III Stormtrooper Armor, and DC-15S, DC-15A, and E-11 Rifles. To their chests they had a DC-15s Sidearm. Next to Zhar there was a tech station, that was accompanied by a lone trooper and close to three techs.

"Excuse me, Pilot." A Commander, DC-15S in hand said. Him and the rest of his squad brushed past Bacredi. Followed by two more squadrons, they are obviously going to their LAAT Transport Ships, or either going to defend from Borders.

"All non-Military and Navy personnel please move to locations in the 'safe zone'. All Military and Navy personnel please proceed to Battle Stations. We are moving into the Yetton Sytem. This is not a drill, I repeat this is not a drill!" The Lobo's Captain spoke through the shipboard COM.

The three techs ran from the station, their uniforms swayed with them. The lone soldier that was with them at the station ran along with them. And now the halls were bustled with activity.

"Sealing 'Safe Zone' 1A." A tech sounded through the shipboard COM.

"All non-Military and Naval personnel that did not make it into 'Safe Zone' 1A please proceed to 'Safe Zone' 1B."

The 'Safe Zones' were Zones that were sealed by blast doors, and guarded by about 20 Troopers. They had the stations needed to keep this ship in orbit.

*Ping*

"Somebody shut that dang noise off!" The Captain's voice sounded.

Two pilots brushed past Bacredi, Urbaan and Scar. He followed them, he was wearing his customized flight suit-a relic of the Clone Wars-and his Survival Package (DC-15S Rifle, food, and clothes) which would eject with him if he had to.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Twenty troopers, 2 Pilots, 2 Techs, and 2 Officers walked aboard the Lambda-Class Shuttle-Tyranny-the craft Bacredi and his squad mates would be escorting to the surface. The piece of junk would have to last most likely through barrages of laser fire, then getting to the surface would be the hardest part.

Now fully in the hanger Bacredi put his flight helmet on, all of Devil's Pilots were huddled, as the rest of the Non-Combat personnel evacuated Bacredi moved over to one of the troopers that was packing up a LAAT/AT-TE Transport.

"Trooper!" Bacredi motioned for the trooper.

"Yes?" The troopers asked Bacredi.

"When are you and the rest of your platoon suppose to move in?"

"When the code is given, and if you don't mind I have to get back to my work." The trooper walked off.

Moving over to his TIE: Kaph 2, Bacredi motioned for the Tech to get to his 'Safe Zone'.

"Don't worry, I added all the components you wanted me to!" The tech said gleefully, running off. Moving into his TIE, Bacredi put the DC-15S Blaster Rifle in a compartment, and the other items in the other. If he ejected they would go with him.

Now sitting down, a tech came up to help strap him in.

"You are all strapped in, good luck, Kaph 2." The tech strapped Bacredi in, and left.

"Testing," Bacredi spoke into his COM.

"Test confirmed, Kaph 2. This is Kaph 8, I repeat I hear you loud and clear."

"Copy Kaph 8, this is Kaph 2 waiting for breakdown."

Joe swerved left as he avoided a proton torpedo fired by the X-wing he was fighting.he pulled into the immelman and flipped over behind the X-wing. he fired his baster and managed to knock a wing off the X-wing. he then preformed a high G turn to face the X-wing.He locked on and fired hi missles.

"Well then that makes X-wing 5 me 4" he said to nobody in particular as he climbed out of the simulator.He decided to go back to the barracks and continue his research on the Yetton system. it appeared as though there was only 1 inhabitable planet in the system. it appeared that one of the moons of the gas giants was inhabitable but had an unknown toxin in the atmospere.

Joe continued his research for awhile before he decided to go to the shooting range.he picked up his plasma rifle and walked down the hallway to the shooting range. when he got there Joe decided to go for the simulator instead.the minute he slipped them on he heard a shot of "GRENADE!" and jumped out of the way.the smoke probably sheilded his escape.he looked around the corner and saw a group of five maybe six soldiers heading towards him, aparrently this was an urban combat situation.

Joe took some time to examine the weappons he had been trown into the simulator with.2 thermal grenades and a plasma pistol, sorta suckish.he looked and saw the group struting forward as if nothing was wrong.'must have thought they took us out with that grenade'.He cocked the grenade and tossed it in the middle of the group.the group didn't notice untill the grenade exploded

"Well that was sorta suckish" he said. he decided there was nothing left to do and went to take a nap.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 hours later


Joe streched and yawned as he woke up.
"Might as well go to the gym." he said as he got dressed and headed off down the hallway.while he was lifting he noticed his flight lead, Ph'rranix, enter the room. Joe got up and saluted "Sir!" he said. [at ease] he replied and went to start his workout.

After his workout joe went to go get some lunch at the messhall. "God im bored." he said to himself as he sat down and started to eat.He joined the Navy to explore the stars, kill rebels, anything but being stuck on this ship!

OOC:

first post

(OOC)

Hour before briefing

Max stepped out of the shower, dried off, shaved, applied aftershave he had bought during his last leave, and retrieved his flight-suit from his wardrobe. He looked around the sparsely furnished room. There were four beds, set in the walls, the adjoining bathroom, and a desk in the corner for reading and writing on. As he pulled on the suit of leather and fabric, Max was reminded of his joining the Navy.....his first suit, his equipment....how long ago was that now? Almost a year..... He pulled on his boots, opened the door with a whoosh, and left the room empty behind him.

The bright lights of the corridor were an assault on his eyes, but after a moment he adjusted and set off towards the briefing room. He was first there, so he pured himself a cup of coffee from a dispenser on the far side of the room, took a seat in the second row back from the podium and began to read a dossier he had been given by C-3. Seemed simple enough. Escort down a Lambda...get the groundies off of it, escort it back up and let Devil cover our asses...routine..... Or at least routine as things get around here....

After briefing

Max felt his COMLink buzz in his ear, and heard the entire conversation between the Captain and the smugglers. he had been reading on his bed, but when the transmission came through he was up like a light. He hurried towards the bridge, at the same time switching to C-3's channel.

"You hear that C?"

"Yes Max, I'm standing on the bridge."

"Oh...right.. What d'you think was up with them?"

"Probably just spice runners.."

"I dunno....seemed very anxious to get away for spice runners.... if this mission is supposed to be run of the mill..."

"When are things ever run of the mill in the VEN, Max?" Max grinned. It wasn't supposed to be intentional, but it was funny. A droid, the funniest of them all.

"Yeah, I guess you're right Sir."

"Anything else Max?" Max thought for a second and answered,

"Just one sir. Does this mission seem clichéd to you at all?"

Fifteen minutes to the jump

Max ran his hand along the fuselage of his TIE. What was it about these craft that didn't appeal to him? They were just too....clunky... On the nose, Max had to admire his own handiwork. In flaming orange and yellow letters, he had emblazoned Hello Hellfire II, named after his previous fighter in Nazgul. This could never match a Interceptor. But it would have to do. He walked around to the back of the craft, opened the hatch, climbed in, and re-accustomed himself with the craft .He hadn't sat in a TIE Fighter for months, and it was time to get used to one again. The basic controls were the same, but with no controls for missiles, and less shield power. He jumped out of the TIE just in time to see Stormz crossing the hangar towards him.

"Alright Stormz?" yelled Max. The Flight Leader hid his face in mock embarrassment, before laughing and taking Max's outstretched hand. "So....hows things?"

"Alright, no problems really....You all set?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," replied Max.

"Your flight?"

"Good enough...I've Kalinx better, but they're alright. Yours?"

"They're all revved up...ready to go, you know?"

"Don't we know the feeling?" The pair laughed, before falling quiet. "Well," continued Max, "I shall see you out there. Good luck mate."

"And to you too," replied Stormz, as he left to speak with his gathered flight. Max turned to see Kalinx standing there.

"Everything OK Kalinx? Ready to go?"

"Yessir!"

"Good man. Now, let's get these birds outta here!"

T-Minus Thirty Seconds to Launch

Max squirmed in his seat, and rolled his head, stretching his neck muscles. He had a light scarf around his neck to protect his skin from abrasion off his flight-suit collar during dogfights, when he would have to keep turning his head constantly.

"T Minus Fifteen Seconds to Launch...."

He intertwined his fingers and cracked them, loosening the stiff knuckle joints.

"T Minus Ten Seconds..."

Max felt sweat begin to run from his hairline and collect on his brow. He hadn't connected it to his life support yet, so he removed it, wiped his forehead, replaced the helmet, and hooked it up to the oxygen and pressurization apparatus.

"All flights engage thrusters. Pressurize cabins. Flight One, proceed to Gateway"

Max engaged his thrusters and felt the TIE rise up from the hangar floor. He watched Flight One proceed in a row towards the gate until the four craft floated in a line in front of it.

"Flight One, you may depart. Good Luck Guys." Flight One started up their engines, and blasted out through the airtight gateway.

"Flight Two, proceed to Gateway." The four TIEs once again moved towards the gate in a perfect line, and when they were given the nod, departed akin to Flight One.

"Flight Three, proceed to Gateway."

"Alright Kalinx, this is it!" Max and Kalinx hovered towards the gateway, and halted just in front of the shimmering portal.

"Flight Three, you are cleared to depart. Keep safe out there." Max turned on his engines, pleased to note Kalinx did the same.

"Right Kalinx. On my count, let go of your brake. Three, two, one!" Max felt as if he had been smacked into his seat by a charging wampa as the G-Force hit him. And then, he was clear. They were clear. They were in the void, completely surrounded by nothing. "Where are you Kaph One?" C-3's voice came over the COMLink.

"Above you Max." Max up through his front windshield, and saw the six other TIEs above him. He pulled up, Kalinx following, and fell into formation. "Right," continued C-3. "Lets go get that shuttle...."

OOC:

BTW, I didn't know that Stormz was posting when I went to post, so thats why the launch sections differ.