Not a bad post, Gurlanin.. that said, there is something distinctly displeasing about this post.

That is the timeline. Two days before the VE entered the Sollamens would have been just after you got assigned to Strill squadron and passed basic training. In that time you would not be going for advanced skills like Gunnery, you wouldn't be on a different ship and you most certainly would not be 'used' to flying a TIE-Interceptor. Your character had never flown a real TIE-Interceptor with the VE up until the Sollamens. Simulators he had, but not the real thing.

Secondly, your character's natural talent with the guns of a capital ship are acceptable, if not improbable. I don't like that, minutes after he's started using them for the first time, he has somehow got an innate accuracy that leads an experienced Gunner to say he's a natural. Now, it's nothing major for now, but I'd like to see you acknowledge the flaws your character would have in your next posts. He wouldn't realistically be skilled in all aspects of the Navy.

Due solely to the first point I cannot pass you - yet. Fix up the timeline of the post and the fact that Captain Trykon took a personal interest in you (as cool as he is, I doubt Trick would suddenly say 'hey, look at this rookie LCRW, I'm going to send him on a gunnery run.') and I'll be able to pass you. Whether you set it to be after the battle of the Sollamens (which would just be vague on what happened, especially promotion wise) or indeed before you even joined the VE on a different ship.. Up to you.

I did not ask, Gurlanin. I'll accept the Trykon bit, but I still want you to edit the post.

I know that and it's fine, but I'd still like to see your post edited

In addition to your second point, so far Gurlanin's been skilled in infiltration, piloting & fighter tactics, gunnery, bomber tactics.. Like I said, it's nothing major but I'd like you to keep your specialisations realistic..

Two weeks after the 2nd Fleet entered the Sollamens.

Grent was attempting to expand upon his skill base. He loved flying in the Starfighter Corps., but he always saw himself moving onto Fleet Command, and serving on the bridge. He knew that to do that, Grent would have to gain more skills than simply flying an Interceptor. After all, he couldn’t be in the cockpit forever.

Today, Grent was learning how to fire one of the quad laser cannon turrets, on the Imperial CR-90 Defiance. It was an impressive little ship, much smaller than the Adjudicator, which Grent was used to serving aboard with Strill Squadron. Everyone seemed to know everyone else, and as such, the arrival of an Interceptor pilot caused quite a stir. He wasn’t the first to come aboard for training, and he wouldn’t be the last, but he was one of the first starfighter pilots for a while to go for gunnery.

The Defiance was going out on a routine patrol, hence why it had been chosen for Grent to do his practice on. Apparently it had attracted the personal attention of Captain Trykon, which surprised Grent. Then again, the man was in charge of the second fleet, and so changes in personnel were of concern to him, especially within his pet project of the 58th (Strill) Squadron.

With only a few asteroids around, which provided a nice target to practice on, Grent was given the run down of the AG-2G quad laser cannon by the Weapons Officer, a human male Warrant Officer by the name of Kat.

“A Corellian Engineering Corporation AG-2G quad laser cannon. Rapid firing, anti-starfighter laser turret. I expect you know about these, Gurlanin?”
“Aye, WO. Nasty little buggers. Capable of blowing the majority of starfighters into spacedust in a single, well placed, shot. Only defence I know against them, is to dodge around like crazy.”
“That’s about right, G. Why don’t you get in, and have a feel for it. Aim at that asteroid off our port side. Elevation …. 40 degrees.”
“Roger that, WO,” said Grent as he clambered into the gunner’s seat, and strapped himself in. He shuffled about a bit to get comfortable, and placed his hands on the two joysticks, “Port side, elevation 40 degrees.”
Kat looked over the Leading Crewman’s position, and adjusted the pilot’s grip, “Don’t be so tense,” he said, “You’re not in a cockpit. Just gently move the controls until your targeting screen picks up the asteroid.”

Grent did as he was told, and slowly moved the controls, the guns rotating around, and angling upwards. The sensitivity of the turret was very different from what Grent was used to in his TIE, but it was also similar in some ways. The entire set up felt like an open-air cockpit from a fighter. It wasn’t so difficult to transfer the skills. He could see the asteroid out of the gunport, and lined the lasers at it.

“Gun deck to Bridge, over,” said Kat over the comm.
“Go ahead, Gun deck.”
“Permission to commence practise firing on asteroid to our port side, over.”
“Permission granted, Kat. Fire when ready.”
“Roger that, Bridge. Gun deck out.” Kat turned to Grent, “Fire one burst to the target off the port bow. On my mark: Engage!”

Grent pulled the trigger, and let off one short burst. The lasers went true, and dust and rock shards came flying off the asteroid. Grent released the trigger, and admired his shooting. But before the Warrant Officer could congratulate Grent on his natural skill, an alarm sounded over the intercom.

“General quarters, general quarters. All hands, man your battle stations. General quarters, all hands.”
Kat swore and commed the bridge, “Gun deck. What’s going on Bridge?”
“Looks like your practice firing attracting the attention of some New Republic fighters. Three X-wings coming in, port side.”
Grent and his training officer looked out of the gun port, and saw, in the distance, three specks coming out of the asteroid field.
“They must have been on patrol around the asteroid field.” WO Kat said, thinking out loud.
“Aye. Sensors don’t work the best in asteroids. It’s what I’d have done to try to stay undetected.” Replied Grent.
“Alright, training’s over. Keep those fighters in your sights. Don’t fire until I say so.”
“Aye aye, WO.” Grent said, switching into fight mode, training the guns on the fighters.

The atmosphere was tense, and adrenaline was coursing through Grent’s veins, as the entire ship waited for the bridge to give the order of fight, or flight. Grent could hear his heart beating, as he continued to track the fighters that were fast coming in. Their S-foils opened in what Grent recognised as the attack pattern. He called Kat over, and pointed it out to him, who then relayed the information onto the bridge. Then came the reply.

“All guns, lock onto the fighters.” A pause, as the other guns on the ship confirmed that they were locked on. Kat reached over Grent, and plugged in a command code on the targeting system. Grent watched what the gunnery officer was doing with enormous interest. Once all guns had reported battle ready, the bridge carried on, “Command approved: Engage.”

Grent fired, aiming straight for the fighters, hoping to catch them by surprise. However, just as Grent knew he would have done, the flight broke formation at the first sign of laser fire. The X-wings returned fire, strafing the CR-90, and expertly dodging the anti-starfighter fire. All the while, Kat was calling out their positions. Eventually, Grent picked up the fact that he had to guess where the enemy fighter was going to be, rather than where he was then. One X-wing exploded in a small fireball, as Grent correctly predicted the evasive manoeuvre the New Republic pilot performed.

There were now two left, seemingly much more determined to disable the Imperial patrol vessel after the loss of their colleague. Their movements were erratic, and apparently uncoordinated, yet they attacked with great effect. Grent let off stream after stream of fire, using the targeting system to help him predict the movements. Eventually, he scored a direct hit on the cockpit of one of the X-wings, the remains of it ejected into space.

The final X-wing was at a loss. It couldn’t possibly hope to succeed against a fully armed CR-90, yet it was intent on doing so. The NR pilot guided his fighter on a collision course with the VE vessel.

“What is he …. SHOOT HIM DOWN!” Cried WO Kat, as he realised what the suicidal X-wing pilot was trying to do.

Grent could see it too. The NR had obviously given the pilot orders to disable the ship by any means necessary, but even Grent wouldn’t have opted for collision. With renewed determination, Grent adjusted the targeting scope, the quad cannon opening fire once again. Laser after laser scorched the enemy craft, but it did not seem to stop, or change course in any way. Then Grent remembered a shot he had done on a sim, back in the academy: he had been flying against an X-wing, and had sent it spinning out of control by blasting off one of its wings. It was worth a shot now. The Qiiluran squeezed the trigger, sending a hail of lasers straight for the starboard wing of the X-wing. Hit!

“Nice shooting, Gurlanin!” said Kat, as the crew of the Defiance watched the final attacker spin crazily into an asteroid.
“All in a day’s work,” replied Grent, breathing heavily, sweating.
“If you weren’t a TIE pilot, I’d recommend you be a gunner. You’re a natural.”
“Ha ha. I’ll remember that, if I ever get bored pulling insane G-forces,” joked Grent, still recovering from his ordeal.
“Well, if you ever want to come and practice again, let me know.”
“Thanks, WO. I think I just might do that …”

OOC:

WC: 1,318

I changed the timeline to be two weeks after the Sollamens. This would mean that Gurlanin would be used to a TIE cockpit by then. I didn't make any reference to the campaign. Thought it was best that way.

Woot woot. Thank you