Log:Battle for Carida: Space

Battle for Carida: Space

OOC Date: July 7, 2020
Location: Carida
Participants: New Republic: Poe Dameron, Tallie Lintra, Karas Darkwing, Crash Tommaz, David Ironside, Callax Dalso and Jax Greystorm; Jedi Order: Rey Skywalker, Bizz Bliptettjupp and Elrych Cometburn; and Ben Solo as GM

Carida, a planet plagued by war throughout much of its recent memory, has become the site of yet another battle.

Valor Station, a huge, ominous chunk of durasteel and weaponry, floats in orbit obove the mountainous planet far below, and arrayed on both sides of the station hover the might of the First Order: seven Resurgent-class Destroyers, two dreadnoughts, and all the accompanying machinery of a warforce of that size. TIEs swarm like angry hornets around a nest as the battered Order seeks to put on a show of strength and remind the galaxy that they are still a force to be reckoned with.

Presently, the New Republic arrives in strength, with a handful of various Mon Calamari cruisers and starfighters already deploying from their bellies as the Destroyers begin to turn to face them and maneuver more tactical positions.

The objective lies in the midst of the enemy, Valor Station, the linchpin of the Republic's plan to make way for ground forces to reach the planet. The boarding transports must reach Valor intact.

<<"This is Rogue Leader. All wings check in.">> Poe's voice crackles over the encrypted New Republic comms, conveyed like the sound of a robot with moments of true toned clarity. His X-Wing, marked by the defiant rebel red colors of Rogue Squadron, takes a leading position as the pilot within reaches over to bring his shields to life. Those in proximity to the general's craft may see the small domed head of BB-8, who ducks into the socket briefly before returning to look around.

Notes like smooth Corellian wine echo over the airwaves designated for rogue Squadron. The sultry voice of a crooner dueting with some sort of... thing. It was music, Space music and it was happening. This preambled the voice that pressed forward into the foreground of the com chatter, <<"rogue Four here, locking S-foils into attack position.">> The switch is switched, throttle set to match the rest of the Squadron. Elrych takes a deep breath and focuses. "Eggsy..." The R2 Unit with his whistles an affirmation. "Give me something a bit more drek kickin' and not so... gushy, yeah?"

As the New Republic Fleet exists hyper space, Jax eyes open from him meditating. The Corellian taking a deep breath and exhales. Exine is already babbling in his ear, "Take it easy bud, just like the old days we take it by the numbers. Yes, I'm concerned too, those Mandators are ship-killers for sure. We've made it so far, the force is with us." Jax says as he begins to adjust his ships settings. He pulls back on his sttick to form up with the rest of the squadron. <Rogue 9, here. All lights are green. May the force be with us.> He says pulling on the lever of his s-foil locking those into attack position. Jax reaches into a vest pocket and pulls out a small holodisplay and attaches it to the side of his cockpit just out of the way. Then moments later a tiny blue Irdonian woman appears.

Rogue 2 streaks out of hyperspace and the T-85 moves into position on the left wing of Rogue Leader. The new red paint job that Rogue Squadron is known for. <<Rogue 2 standing by. Switching S-Foils into attack position.>> he calls into his comm system. Looking around seeing the other Rogues coming in. Seeing as the fighter wings are spliting into their flights.

The first time out for Rogue Squadron and despite many missions under her belt, the new squadron commander has the jitters. It's the thought of the new rookie flying into battle for the first time and in an A-Wing no less. It's the men and women in the squadron risking themselves against odds that look towering for the moment. She touches the white scarf visible at the neckline of her flight suit for good luck.

<<Copy that, Rogue Leader, this is Rogue Seven, in formation behind you at your nine o'clock.>> Behind her, Fiver whistles and beeps through a final check and gives her the enemy positions on her board. S-foils open, she tilts the X-Wing to port, and the fusial engines glow yellow as they move towards the enemy.

Following the other fighters in his squadron out of hyperspace, Crash is chewing some of what can only be gum. He has a single earbud in his right ear to play some of the music he has on his little datapad down there. But he keeps that silent until combat starts. What? He flies better with a rhythm. But he waggles the little stubby wings of his interceptor A-Wing... getting a feel for the controls.

Peering at the sensor readout, he asks himself without transmitting, "Why didn't we bring five times the ships we brought?"

But then he activates his comm pickup, "Rogue Twelve, ready for dogfighting. This is going to get really messy you realize..." And then he cringes as he realizes he forgot to turn off his mic.

When David Ironside's X-Wing comes out of hyperspace, the pilot jolts into action, immediately opening the S-foils on his craft and assuming formation behind Rogue 7. <<"Rogue 8, ready for action.">> he comms, inwardly incredulous still that he's flying with Rogue Squadron. Who would've thought this but five months ago? <<"Don't worry about the big ships, worry about the massive amounts of tiny ones they're spewing out. We can take those any day, right?">> he adds, trying to encourage the A-Wing enthusiast. Behind him, R2-1S warbles sternly. "Yeah.." David replies. "But we can't turn back now." And with that, he resumes his systems check with his free hand.

Time for the big show. Callax follows in time with the rest of the squadron, keeping formation in the glorious red-detailed shape of their own Rogue Ten. Shields are brought on line and strike foils scissored open with a tug on the actuator handle with the pilot's free hand while on the way to the gun controls. << Rogue Ten here, Leader. Boards are green and guns are hot. >> Callax closes their eyes, aiming to clear their mind...because with all those mighty black castles in the void, laser-keen focus and serenity will be vital to survival, if not success.

"Babo." Callax keys the intercom to the purple R2 unit in its socket amidships. "Keep the shields intact. We're going to need everything you can give us."

A gruff, gravelly voice characteristic of a Mon Calamari voicebox comes over the comms, crackling into every New Republic cockpit. "FOCUS, pilots! We need a path clear to that station! Without it, we don't stand a chance! But if we can get those transports on board, the strike team will reroute those guns to take down the dreadnoughts!"

The First Order ships seem to be aware of this vulnerability, however, and the TIE fighters swarm the thickest around Valor Station. Aboard one of the Dreadnoughts, a man in a very sharply tailored uniform with a small flatcap perched on his perfectly coiffed hair stares out of the viewport with steely eyes. "Give them a volley. Charge the main guns. How long till we can fire the ventral cannons?"

"At least five minutes, sir, there were serious repairs conducted recently and they haven't been put through their paces since."

"I want it halved."

Roaring forth from the main body comes a wing of TIE/sf fighters, elite pilots manning some of the best machinery the Order has in the field. A contingent of twelve shift into attack formation, targeting the small fighters arrayed around the New Republic ships. Meanwhile, the familiar blue bloom of deflector shields has already begun to spread across the hulls of the capital ships on both sides.

<<"Alright. This assault don't look like much, but we have to trust our leadership and get the job done. We are escorting these transports to the station. We get one shot at this. So if you see our boys in trouble, help them out. Call your targets.">>

Rogue Leader engages is S foils to open in their attack position. <<"Rogue Lead on their leading ace!">> Poe engages, but the TIE/sf is rekking fast. He jerks his head to one side to peer out the corner of his canopy before piloting about. "WOAH.. those things really move!" BB-8 issues a low toned worried warble.

Elrych listens to Poe as he speaks once the big shot is done with his speech. "Alright... stick to escort duty, like I thought." Taking another deep breath, Eggsy warns im of the incomming wave of Ace SF bearing towards them. "Thanks buddy... how's that playlist coming." More heavy and hard hitting music starts to play through the cockpit. "Now that's what i'm talking about." He puts his T-85 into an increasingly speeding barrel roll as the two lines of starfighters clash, hitting the break thrusters to come out of it and chase down one of the SFs. His engines trail pink and he scores a hit on the shields.

Jax draws a bead on SF 9, < 9 on 9.> Jax calls out on channel as he opens on channel as instructed. He pulls the trigger as the Tie zips out of the way turning in a way that Jax simply can't follow. "These are good." Exine says someting along the lines of, 'I know right. Step up your game.' Jax opens channel, <We know who these guys are? There's not a new 181st is there?>

Hearing the orders that were given to them, Karas sees the incoming TIEs and the capital ships and Dreadnaught. <<Copy that Rogue Leader, going after Eyeball 4.>> he calls into his mic. Pushing the throttle of his X-Wing to MAX, the snubfighter rockets towards it's target. Spark, Karas astromech knows his friends tactics and quickly helps the targeting computer lock onto the intended fighter. Once the lock tone bleeps into his ear Karas presses the trigger. Four rapid thunderous streaks of red energy erups from the laser cannons racing towards the TIE. The Pilot tries to jink but Karas calculate that into his shots and his shots impact against the hull. He sees the blue aura of the shields take the hit, and he banks and goes after the TIE>

The hurry up and wait is over. Dogfights break out around Tallie's placement as they escort the transports into position for the assault. Fiver bleeps and the targeting computer brackets flash orange as a TIE/sf flies straight for her.

<<Copy that. On Four.>> Dueling like fighters out of the battles of yore. Tallie presses the firing button. They shoot past each other, the TIE spinning in aileron rolls that make most of her shots miss. The canopy lights up a lurid green as they fly by each other.

Bizz slurps down another portion of his green Ebla beer and sets the glass bottle down next to the foot pedals of his turret. There is a CHUNK-CHUNK-CHUNK sound as the turret moves in awkward unison with his pedal and stick movements. "I think it is ready," he says through the wired comm headset to the cockpit. "Targeting TIE fighter!" The TIE/sf is too fast for his AG-2G quad laser cannon to lock on, so he must use his intuition and, of course, the FORCE. The cannon's four supercharged barrels fire two at a time with a loud BRAP-BRAP-BRAP sound but the nimble TIE/sf evades!

Twisting his control yoke, Crash arrows in. He drops down behind Rogue 2 on instinct and says, <<On your wing Karas.>> over the Rogue Comnet. Hey, it's all instinct here as indicated. But the music begins, and he follows Rogue-2 through its maneuver... dropping down so that he's actually beneath the X-Wing before rolling his neck. As Rogue-2's lasers strike the TIE's shields, Crash fires his boosters and races out from behind his teammate... strafing a sleetstorm of laser fire.... blat blat SPACK! One shot got through the shields and left a smoking mark on the solar panel as Crash peeled off to return to his new impromptu wing leader.

<<"Copy that, Lead. Going for designation 7.">> David comms, his voice all but void of any emotional range, as is customary when he's flying. It's a routine for him, now. As the TIEs approach and the Rogues break formation to select targets, David does so too. Going for the one he'd called out, he jukes his ship into a spin, driving his X-Wing's top tier weaponry into the Special Forces TIE Fighter, obliterating the shields in one volley. When the fighter doesn't go down, David takes a breath. At no point does he get off the TIE's tail, but his grip on the flight stick tightens as he waits for the underslung turret to try.. well, anything. <<"Scored a hit!">> he reports hastily, almost forgetting to.

Aces. Aces everywhere. Callax draws a deep breath as the wing of TIEs are fell upon by their own comrades, lasers everywhere - a wave of red light that attemps to wash away the enemy but manages to largely only batter their shields. Hard to hit a TIE fighter when it's being flown by someone as insanely talented as most with a Rogue patch. << Rogue Ten, selecting...Three, >> Callax says, bringing one of the vulnerable ships under the targeter - stealing glory doesn' count when there are transports full of their guys out there. Just numbers. And with a burst of rapid-fire crimson from Rogue Ten's wingtip guns, the enemy is reduced by one.

That Mon Cal gravel keeps pouring out of the speakers. "PILOTS! Keep those TIEs off the transports! Gunners, man your battlestations! This will be a victory one way or another! We can't afford to let the First Order stop us here! The reputation of the Republic depends on it! FREEDOM depends on it!"

The TIE/sf wing comes hurtling down on Rogue Squadron, putting the newly reformed group of crack pilots to their first real test. Tried in fire! Laser fire. Lots of it, that comes in hot and heavy from the TIEs that howl through the vacuum of space. Don't overthink it.

Meanwhile, the transports chug along out from under the protection of the capital ships; it's up to the Rogue fighters to escort them now.

"Get those cannons charged!" the admiral thunders from the bridge of that Mandator, watching the huge holoprojection of each ship's position, with TIE status symbols beginning to wink out one at a time as the battle heats up and the Republic's other fighters get to work on the less-talented Order pilots.

Poe's rocked when his craft takes a nasty hit from the Ace that out-flew him. He laughs, but it's out of exasperation as he comes about to open up with retaliatory shots. Red lances emit from the tips of his cannons, two of which smack into the leading Ace of the FO squad. Poe didn't have to tell BB-8 to get to work, the pair had been together since Poe's original days flying for the New Republic many years prior. He saw the results of the BB unit's work when his shields shimmered back more strongly than before. "Good work, buddy."

<<"Transports are in view now, team. Keep eyes on. Priority targeting goes to whatever craft is shooting at our people. If you got too much on you.. call out for help.">>

Elrych continues to chase SF2 through the hail of green and red laser fire. He can see the SF comming up behind him and attempting to get a lock. It's maybe a green tone for a faction of a second before the Jedi Ace Pilot is diving steep to avoid the green assult. This throws him off the chase, Elrych having to go out of his way to find the fighter he'd been chasing before. "Stang... there you are." This of course gives the Pilot a moment to breath and redouble his efforts in evading as the Jedi's next shot goes wide when the evasive TIE moves away from the crimson bolts. <<"Looks like they needed a warm up... They're waking up now.">> He offers over the Squadron comms.

Jax easily dodges the first Tie/SF shot easily but SF 12 comes in from above diving at the X-wing. The Special Force Tie scoreing a hit on Jax's shield. Exine complaining about the hit, "I know, I know!" Then he starts to dive after 12, the laser canons on his s-foil blazing as he goes to chase down the fighter with no love. Meanwhile Exine is yelling in the back, "WHat do you mean they shields aren't wanting to cycle?"

Karas was in the thick of things but warning sounds blared in his cockpit and as Red 2 banks the sheilds on the fighter take a hit. Karas growls slightly as he rolls with the blow and pulls back hard on teh stick sending the X-Wing into a steep climb and roll. As he pulls back more on the stick,he rolls the fighter again bringing it into a dive and as he does, the HUD gets a locked on TIF/SF 9. Red laser cannon blasts streak in towards the fighter blowing the enemy fighter up. <<Splash one Eyeball.>>

"Fiver, we have one in..." Tallie doesn't finish the sentence before the rectangle of the flat canopy glows green, and shields fall twenty-five percent. She angles the X-Wing into a dive and axle rolls to avoid taking further hits. The TIE pilot on her is good, better than many she has gone head to head with in a long time.

"Get on those repairs, big guy." And for all his sass and bleeps, he gets the shields nearly back online.

<<"Copy that Rogue Leader, on your lead.">>

Peeling away from Karas as he finishes off his target, Crash waggles the stubby wings of his A-Wing as he arrows back towards his own wing leader. <<Coming on your wing Seven.>> he reports over comms. <<Sorry. Got a bit distracted back there.>> Of course, as he comms her, she can hear his.. not heavy metal, but definitely instrumental rock over the line.

<<Awesome herding!>> he calls out as he lets loose a burst of rapid fire laser cannon shots that splat into the shields of Tallie's target. That done, he falls back in on her wing.. a little below and behind and stuck to her like a Mynock.

Rey jumps up from the controls and shoots a look to Chewbacca. "I'm switching over!" She states. She rushes out of the cockpit and into the command corridor, where she hurries to the turret ladder. "Bizz?!" She calls up the ladder, only to see feathers falling down from above. "Bizz?! What's going on!?"

Up inside of the turret room, the small Bizz is battling with the Porg Warrior who's fighting for control of the laser cannons. They're both shouting at each other, wings going everywhere!

"Blasted!" Rey says as she enters the turret ladder and slides down to the bottom turret in great haste. She slides the headset on as she brings the turret online. "Here we go, Chewie. Remind me not to let those two ever near these thigns again."

The Falcon's lower turret swings up, activating and sending bright red laser blasts off toward a TIE Fighter as it swoops past outside.

When David's target suddenly explode after pretty much doing what the pilot had predicted, David nods. <<"Thanks for the assist, Rogue 2!">> he comms as Karas flies past his canopy. With that, though, David is in the market for a new target. And soon enough, as he keeps near his wing leader's craft, he finds it. <<"Seven, got one on your tail. Keep your head down, I'm coming in.">> he comms to Tallie. Though he doesn't score a hit on his volley, it might've encouraged the TIE pilot to break its pursuit. Regardless, David is nearby. Always watching.

Their ship still alight with the pyre-flames of their last target, Callax wings Rogue Twelve toward another target; the brassy ship that has opened fire on Poe and now Elrych falls into the fighter's killing angle, and Callax's lips set into a line. "Now, then," Callax whispers, catching the great big target that the TIE's cross-section presents in the targeting scope, "Chew on some of this."

The ship's guns flare, hurling burning lances into the fighter's side. Shields flare and die as all four of the X-wing's guns connect, punching holes through the fighter's armored wing and scorching its center hull. Damaged, but not yet taken down, Callax prepares another salvo.

More Mon Cal orders in that distinctive raspy grumble. "All pilots, protect those transports! Gunners, focus your fire on the destroyer nearest the Valor! We won't be able to withstand more than a few blasts from those dreadnoughts, we have to get them onboard!"

The transports, a pair of U-wings piloted and occupied by a few brave souls on what some might consider a suicide mission (tune in with an alt this Friday to find out), continue out towards the station, situated well out in the open at this point. A Corellian cruiser moving along their flank attempts to shield the transports from fire, but an autocannon blast blows its shields away and TIEs rip across the top of the ship, blowing the bridge and several key areas open in fiery explosions.

Meanwhile, the spec ops flight starts to reorient its attention towards the transports as well, as a few TIE/sf fighters peel off away from Rogue Squadron and go after the U-wings instead, threatening the strike team inside.

Poe leads his attacker into a violent corkscrew spin, leveling only to accelerate with a sudden flash of impulse engines. Poe is put backward against his seat, but relays no comment as he turns to look out the canopy to observe the transports. <<"Our boys are getting hit down there.">> Poe says, twisting downward and locking onto target. <<"Pretty boy on ten.">> And boy does Poe blast this poor guy. He ain't dead, but he'll remember they fought. <<"That guy should've stayed home.">>

Elrych was still on two when Eggsy called for his attention to sensors. THe reports of Damage on the transports makes him twist his lips in disapproval. "Hold on, bud." He peels off his chase of 2, looping around to head closer towards the transports. He wasn't that far, maybe just a click or two away. He targets sf 12 just as the TIE finishes it's run. One of his Laser connects. The port pilot sparks, splitting from the main body of the craft. The ball and panel spins out of control as the craft becomes nothing but debries. Maybe the pilot was still alive. Elrych could hope at least. <<"Rogue Four, Splash one. Maybe they need more protein shakes in the First Order gyms.">>

Jax finds himself getting another light dusting but his shields holding, Exine complaining as Jax says, "I thought you liked adventures? What do you mean you still can't figure out how to fix shields? Keep this up and I'm borrowing Belate from Nerys." Then Jax peels off of his target as orders come through and following the targeting the Ties causing the transports problems. Exine does remember to chime in as Jax draws a bead on Tie/SF 10. Poe had left the guy with a bad enough of a day, Jax made it worse. He pulls the trigger killing the tie. <SF/10 splashed.>

Rolling through the explosion that Red 2 just splashed, Karas quickly checks his sensors and sees the TIES breaking off and going towards the New Republic transport, he frowns a little. "Spark, get us locked onto one of those fighters." he says to his astromech droid. The T-85 streaks towards the fighters and he sees his squad mates taking on those fighters. He does try to line up a shot but as he fires the damn Ace rolls away, and Karas grins, <<Keeping on my target.>> he says as he rolls as well.

More TIEs/sf fall to Rogue Squadron lasers as they dodge and strafe one another, the only objective getting the U-Wings to the space station. Fiver whees at a TIE that breaks apart dangerously close to them.

<<"Sunshine on 11, Pretty Boy.">>

She hits the afterburners which glow green climbing into a turn. They exchange shots, Tallie tapping it with a minimal hit. "I want that son, Fiver."

Sticking to Tallie's flank like his namesake... the Mynock one, not Crash. Either way Crash is focusing on Tallie and her target. Just as he is twisting about to target the TIE harassing the U-Wing... U-Wings? These were the best transports available. He bugs his eyes out a bit and then bears down. He's reaching for the firing stud on his control stick as his own fighter gets rocked.

Shields hold, but the impact threw off his own weapons firing pattern, and laser blasts zing out into open space. "Blast." he mutters as he bears down...

Then into his comms he remarks, << I took a small hit. Sorry, threw off my aim. Still on your wing boss.>>

David has some time to breathe, considering no TIEs are currently specifically targeting or chasing his X-Wing. <<"I'm with you, Seven.">> he comms as the fighter joins his wing leader's and the squadron's lone A-Wing to make life just that bit easier for the troops inside the U-Wings. And an argument could maybe be made in favor, as the trio score some hits on that lone TIE. <<"Let us know if the damage starts adding up, Twelve.">> he offers to Crash's damage report.

The Falcon sweeps along side the starboard side of one of the Mon Cal Cruisers, being chased by TIE Fighters, it spins rapidly weaven in and out of the green laser fire. Inside of the ship, Chewbacca is working the controls, and beside him in the primary pilot seat are two huge eyes staring out the viewport, a white scarf wrapped around the neck of the bird that the eyes belong too. It chiprs loudly as the Falcon comes around the nose of the Republic cruiser!

In the turrets, Rey twists her gunnery seat side to side as she lines up a shot on a TIE Fighter that sweeps past. She peppers the blackness of space with her laser fire until she sizzles a shot off of the Fighter's shields. "Come back for another taste of that!" She grumbles at the enemy fighter that swoops out of the way of the Falcon to avoid death!

A few more feathers fall down around Rey. "Bizz! Stop fighting with the PORG!" She shouts up through the center of the YT-1300. Bizz can be heard shouting nonsensical replies from above/behind!

Punching ahead, Callax moves their ship along with David's to join Tallie and Crash in keeping those fighters off the transports - as David strafes one of them, Callax joins the other fighter in firing on the ship, though the pilot is wily enough to avoid Callax's salvo by a long chalk. << I think we've made him nervous, Nine, >> Callax calls over comms. << How marvelous. >>

"The transports are approaching the station! Just protect them a short while longer, pilots! The Republic will never forget your bravery!" Who else could it be but the Mon Cal commander?!

The U-wings fly like bats out of hell, pushing their aging engines to the absolute limit of their capacity to reach Valor Station safely even as additional TIEs with more average pilots come swarming out from the area surrounding the orbital station to greet them.

Even as the special operatives piloting the TIE/sf fighters go down one by one, they manage to maintain a focus on the transports, but those boys flying the U-wings are breathing rarefied air right now.

On the bridge of a Dreadnought, dignified cursing can be heard.

Poe avoids another flurry of green lances that streak by, coloring his cockpit in a hue of green while the fighter weaves from port to starboard in a fluid fashion. Poe turns to look out starboard, then down port to spot FO 9 attempting to blast one of the shuttles.

Exasperated still, Poe is after him. However, the TIE is wise to avoid Poe's fire, leaving the red bolts to continue harmlessly through the void of space. <<"Keep at it, Rogue Squadron. Almost theeeeeeeere.">>

A bolt slamming into the shields of rogue four causes the cockpit to shake. There's a loud bang and a flash. Eggsy presses an alert that the shields are depleted about a quarter from their full strength. He pulls away from the rest of the green bolts. "Right, well fix it. I didn't see that one coming." He looks back to the U-Wings. "Ohhoho. THere you are my old firend." SF 2 was making a run. Pushing the throttle on his T-85 all the way forwards, he comes about and rockets from the TIE/sf. His canons light up the area around the starfighter, one of them stripping away the shields and singing the hull.

Exine finally decides to get to work as there's a sound of the little R2 unit singing to himself as he extends a metal arm and rotates and talks to the the T-85. Then the shields on Jax's scope starts to turn to turn green. Jax grins, < I hear you, 10.> He whips his X-wing around opening fire on Tie/Sf four and the shields stripped off the tie fighter, < There you go 10, lets see if they run now or stay to fight.>

Missing sucks and when Karas misses Karas pushed his fighter to keep up with the TIE/SF. As the fighter goes into evasive manuevers, Rogue 2 follows, dogging the fighter not letting it get away. The engines glowing a pinkish red color as Rogue 2 gives chase. There is incoming fire from other enemy TIES but the T-85 isn't hit at all. Breaking from the enagement and feinting that he was trying to cut it off. The SF speeds ahead lining itself up in Rogue 2's sight. Once a lock on tone sounded, red energy lances hit along the SF damaging it.

Tallie pulls the T-85 into a changeover ignoring the TIE on her tail and concentrating on the TIE that is harassing the transport. Fiver shrieks his disapproval as they race after the TIE which returns fire splashing the canopy green. <<"Change of target, moving on TIE 9.">>

<<"I'm hit.>> comes Crash's calm voice. A quiet voice.. over the comm net. No music even. Then he bashes his helmet against the crash frame in his chair and the music starts working again. In the privacy of his cockpit he mutters, "Phew. Almost got worried there a sec."

Then he transmits, <<Shields down. That tech, whatshisname is gonna hate me when we get back to the barn. I've got to peel off. Gonna try to sucker one of them with me.>>

Then, with the press of one foot into a pedal, and a twist of his control stick, he puts action to his words and actually drops back from Tallie's wing position as if his engines took a hit and he was slowing down. "Come on... come on... you've got me dead to rights.." he mutters in his cockpit.

But just before any fire comes in... he blasts to the redline stops and beyond with his engines. This pushes the sleek little fighter, damaged such as it is, into a twist and then a snap roll as he does his best to evade incoming fire.

The Falcon's laser cannons continue to fire at the TIEs chasing after it. The porg continues to battle Bizz for control of the upper gunnery position, until the two of themn are rolling out of the turret ladder area toward the crew lounge, and Chewbacca continues to spin the ship in wild directions to avoid enemy fire.

Gritting her teeth, Rey exhales. "Just another day... just another day." She tries to stay focused, listening to the comm chatter of the Republic fighters, but having quite a lot of targets to choose from, if only she were able to solidly hit any of them!

David shakes his head slightly as he stops rocking in his seat. He hasn't been hit in -ages-! This is what happens when you fly against pilots who train from infancy against their will and sometimes their parents' wills too, rather than ragtag bunches of pirates. <<No shame in pulling out and fighting another day, Ten.">> he offers. Of course, there's still that TIE behind him, too. <<"Gonna try something, breaking formation.">> he informs Tallie and Crash, before juking away from them, spinning the X-Wing in a wide corkscrew maneuver to end up on the SF/5's portside, shooting several blasts directly into the massive wing panel. <<"Got a hit, will continue to engage. Are we thinning the herd at all?">>

<< I'm on it, Twelve. >> Callax banks away from the transports, targeting the fighter that Crash even now tempts into killing him even as he evades its guns. /Brave boy, that one,/ Callax thinks to themselves. /Bit too much for his own good./ And then the guns open up again, flooding the space between Crash and the pursuing TIE with blazing red electric death, forcing the TIE to evade - and clipping its already weak deflector bubble on the way.

"Babo, get those shields up," Callax calls over the link, but the droid makes an apologetic sound in reply. "Well try harder, darling, lest we'll soon end up looking like a cheese!"

"YOU'VE DONE IT!" The Mon Cal growl roars through the comms. "WE'VE DONE IT! The transports have-"

The U-wings zoom through space towards Valor Station, coming in hot and under fire. Substantial fire, but far less due than they would have done without the diligent escort of Rogue Squadron. As they careen in towards a landing pad, the shields finally go down on one and smoke begins to stream from the top, but both transports set down nonetheless! In one piece! Two pieces, really, two separate single pieces.

"Oh, Force, for a second there I thought we- we hadn't done it! But we've done it! YOU'VE DONE IT!" the commander's confidence restored as the U-wings prepare for the next, perhaps even more dangerous installment of their mission.

Across the expanse, one of the Dreadnoughts has finally charged its main guns, and unleashes a devastating blast that scorches past the starfighters, incinerating anyone unlucky enough to be caught in its path before smashing against the shields of the New Republic's flagship in the battle, one of the massive Mon Cal cruisers. The whole ship rocks from the impact, but the shields hold firm, for now.

"Pilots! Keep those TIEs off of us while the strike team arms the station! If they slip through an exposed area from one of those shots we're done for!"

While the mission was a success, it's clear that the battle for Carida is far from over...