Log:Resistance: Commerce Raid

Resistance SFC and Army raid a convoy of Bulk Freighters headed for SFS Shipyards

OOC Date: March 26, 2018
Location: Space
Participants: Ektor, Devii, Dosk, Kaiden, Karas Darkwing, David Ironside, Gren Delede, The Resistance

The briefing was as such: Sienar Fleet Systems is the primary manufacturer of the First Order's warships and starfighters. They must import a staggering amount of war materials to feed their massive shipyards, and the Resistance aims to put a dent in this flow with some old fashioned commerce raiding. The SFC will jump to a hyperspace waypoint between the Perlemian Trade Route and the Lianna system, where a convoy of bulk freighters is scheduled to arrive. Resistance fighters will engage any defenders, while Y-wings are tasked with immobilizing the heavy freighters.

Troopers and engineers will follow in shuttles (a Sheathipede and a Broadstar have been approved for use). These will dock with the freighters, troopers handling any opposition, while engineers get hyperdrives online (Repair roll) and slaved to the shuttle NavComp (Computer Use roll) to enable a swift escape. Then all personnel report to their ships.

The far distant clutter that is the vast asteroid field known as the Cron Drift paints one quarter of the void in shades of tan, white, and yellow as the Resistance ships emerge from hyperspace. Immediately, an automated broad frequency message alerts the pilots, <<Warning: you are in a restricted area. Civilian traffic is forbidden in this hyperspace lane by authority of Sienar Fleet Systems and its subsidiaries. Power down your engines and prepare for detainment.>>

Three ponderous rectangular bulk freighters, each as plain as the last, cruise slowly in single file toward the distant beacon that marks their next programmed jump point, their glowing engines facing the Resistance craft. Of more pressing concern are the six red blips on the targeting computer marking TIE/fo fighters, in two patrols of three which are rapidly banking and moving to intercept the intruders.

Corporal Devii Keva is leading a team of 4, one of those being Kaiden. They are in the boarding shuttle waiting for the SFC to disable the freighters so they may do a borading action. "Once we get the hatch open we need to keep moving." She briefs. The picked her for this mission, her first in a real commanding sort of rank which was nerve racking and exciting at the same time. "You might want to use Pistols or Carbines over rifles seeing as this will be close quarters. I don't recomen any explosives or Thermal Detenators for this mission. We don't need to be repairing anything more than engines and wounded."

As their ships exit hyperspace. Dosk looks down to the console as he gets accustomed to the Y-Wings layout. "Target's in sight. He calls out in the cockpit. Looking down to see the 6 red blips turning and approaching their formation. "We got incoming!" He radios while pressing forward the throttle.

Kaiden isn't much suitable for combat, at least not concerning blasters and gear, but he had to make due -Devii not only is counting on him, but this is what the Resistance currently is asking of him. Sure, there will come a time where the mission is more suited to his skillset, but until then, he had given his word that he'd help however it is needed of him to help. Like Hell if he's going to be called a liar. Clad in trooper gear, the man honestly hopes the quarters will be very close -he's better with his hands, after all. "You think there's gonna be a lot of opposition?"

During the briefing in the Renegades Ready Room, listening to Mission Op. As the information was provided to them and what the SFC portion of the mission. Flying cover and taking out the opposition to make sure the others were able to do, giving a slow nod of his head. He quickly moved from the Ready Room and quickly moved into the hangar bay, and as he did Karas boarded his fighter and started going through preflight. He stretches within his cockpit, once he finishes the canopy closes down upon the fighter. <<Blue Leader ready for launch.>> he comms. Once he is given the clearance to launch, Karas throttles up and moves his fighter out the launch bay, and once clear of the Renegade, he throttles up to MAX and takes off. Once the fighter and other ships were ready, he launches leading the group out.

As they come out of hyperspace he nods to Green 3, <<Yeah I see them. Let us move in to engage the fighters, stick to the plan as best we can. All Fighters check in.>> he calls keeping his mind calm. The white and blue A-Wing races ahead of the group, the other A-Wing raced up along side of him. He smiles happy to see the pilot was able to be out of the Bacta Tank and combat ready. <<Closing in.>> he calls in.

<<Gold Leader, all wings report in and accelerate to attack speed.>> The N-1 squadron speeds up, easily overtaking the Y-Wings of Green Squadron. The other wings report their designation and fall in behind David in Gold 1. <<Remember we're here to take those freighters, not destroy them. And they may be flying TIEs, but they're only affiliated with the First Order.>> There's not much else to say, so Dave quiets down, gritting his teeth. Last time he was in this cockpit, Mon Calamari fell. Today would be ending much different.

The two trios of First Order TIEs take a direct approach to the Resistance craft, in textbook formation. One trio drives at Gold and Blue, while the other trio tries to drive past them to get at the shuttles and bombers. Green energy grows from distant pinpricks to deadly lances in long seconds, as opposing ships come into range. The opening joust is underway.

<<Arright, targets acquired. Switching to ion cannons. Green Three, lets wrap up the big targets before our pals have all the fun, yeah?>> Ektor grins as the Y-wing's engines flare orange and drive the ship toward the rearmost of the bulk freighters. Switching to an open frequency, he drawls, <<Hey there, Sienar employees. Any of you on them freighters? You're gonna want to bail out about now, yeah?>> Green 2 dodges and jukes to avoid the first blast of TIEs, and bears down on the first target. Then, blue energy streaks out from the fighter, smashing through the bulk freighter's feeble shields, and sending a visible crackle of ionization through the sluggish ship. <<Green Two to Shuttle Alpha, you're up, yeah?>>

Devii looks to Kaiden, "Probably. I'm always assuming the worst. If you prepare for the worst you come out on top. At least, that's the way I see it." She grimaces as she listens over the comms, "Okay... they've started their attack run. Look alive people. We'll be boarding shortly."

As they and the TIEs intercept, Dosk takes a deep breath <<Copy Green 2, I'm with you>> replying as he sways in and out of the initial fire, attempting to get a line up on the big first freighter as he pulls the trigger, sending blue bolts firing out and managing to fly past the port side of it and out into space. Apparantly he cant hit the broad side of a barn today.

The Zeltron stretches lightly, suppressing any inward fear of what might happen and swallowing his nerves. The pistol he has is slipped from its holster in his gear, the safety flicked off. "Understood."

<<Tally ho I'm going in.>> Karas calls out as the Blue Squadron A-Wings streak by both the Y-Wings and Naboo fighters. Both splitting but keeping in formation, they juke and weave almost in a dance as Karas fighter moves up into firing position and takes a shot. Rapid fire red bolts of energy stich up along the side of the lead TIE, blue energy flow over the fighter as it's shields take the shots. Still it's a hit and as if on cue both Blue 1 and Blue 2 split and move to begin flanking the fighters, maneuvering to get a better firing solution.

Gold Squadron approaches the TIEs, splitting up into pairs to maximize attack efficiency and to focus on two TIEs. The pair of Jump Jye and the Pig Guy breaks off to take shots at the leftmost fighter, the Gamorrean pilot landing a direct hit as the returning fire glances off the side of Jump Jye's fighter. The TIE loses shields briefly, but they flicker back on, unable to fully reintegrate into invisibility though, the TIE is covered in an eerie blue hue.

On Gold 1's wing, Jessica Pava fires at the TIE on the other side of the center one, adding to David's own shots to strike the wings and put a dent in their shields. <<Gold Squadron, engaging the TIE fighters.>> David calls.

Though none of the TIEs have yet been destroyed, they clearly were unprepared for this level of sudden assault, as the Resistance fighters seize control in the void. When the rearmost freighter shudders to a halt, the Sheathipede shuttle with Devii?s team aboard swoops in, mercifully without taking fire thanks to the smothering pressure of Gold and Blue squadrons. ??The heavy clunk of a docking collar shakes the shuttle as a green light indicates a successful airlock, as a pair of escape pods jettison off the big freighter's frame. The troopers will find themselves at a hatch that leads down to a short ladder, dropping them into a dimly lit central corridor that runs the length of the 200 meter long ship. There is no hail of blaster fire to greet them, and a cursory search by one of the Resistance privates will find a computer access terminal near the central hatch. There is precious little cover to be had, as the droid is lowered down to begin work on the hyperdrive, which might make a veteran very nervous. Ominously, the forward hatch slides open, with the distinctive white armor of First Order stormtroopers reflecting the red light of their blasters as they open fire at range.

Ektor's Y-wing takes a solid hit as he flies past the first freighter and on toward the second. The Beta trio of TIEs can clearly see the Resistance plan. <<Shields holding, but barely,>> Ektor reports. <<I'm running for the second target, coming in range now.>>

Devii heads down the hatch after a fire element clears the coputer terminal and hyperdrive area. Then she helps lower the droid down. Then it's time for Kaiden to head down into the breech with his fire element leader seince he was still a recruite and lets face it, a horrible shot. She grimaces at the lack of defensable positions but that's boarding actions for you. "I want every guns on that door..." She says just as the stormtroopers blast their way in. She ducks as the scarlet bolts race past her. She takes her pistol and moves forwards towards the first fire team, standing there and blasting two troppers in the chest with three well places shots. They fall back towards their comrades, adding a bit of a blockage to the door way and creating a choke point. A kill zone.

At the missing of his last shot, Dosk loops over the rear freighter and attempts to take his time in lining up on the middle ship. Just as he prepares to take his shot. Bright, colored breams from one of the TIE fighters pass down on either side of the cockpit in a failed pass at the Y-Wing. The 4 armed man pulls from his lineup in an attempt to remain a difficult target. <<Copy Green 2, had one pop up on me as well but no hit.>>

Kaiden takes time, lining up his pistol and trying to aim down the barrel in order to align the target to one of the stormtroopers. Keep his base, shoulder-width stance, both eyes open, squeeze. The shot goes wide, almost comically, and the Zeltron glances around to make sure nobody saw it. A chirp, and the man calls to Devii, "Working on the hyperdrive something now," she'd know what it meant. Probably.

Blue Leader is able to stick on the F/O TIE, not allowing it to be able to get away, depressing the trigger as he fires, Karas watches as the laser bolts from his cannons splash against the F/O TIE and it's shields wink out, also the power of his laser cannons were enough to slight damage the TIE. A slow grin shows on his face, <<Blue 2, mop up yours and see about helping the others, I will be with you in a minute.>> he calls to his wingman as he follows the TIE into an evasive roll.

Likewise, Gold Squadron is sticking to their TIEs, circling around the disabled freighter to once again get behind the FO TIEs. Even though they're split into pairs, the craft roll around eachother like they've been flying as a unit forever. Eventually, David and Jessica get shots in on their designated TIE, finally punching through the shield and the TIE's hull. That's one TIE barely clinging to life, and it'd do well to retreat. But it doesn't, because where's it going to go at this point?

On the other side of the three TIEs, the pilot slams the throttle back, causing Mekil the Gamorrean to have to juke out of the way as Jump Jye is able to disable its shields, causing the blasts it just fired at Mekil to go wide.

There is a flicker, and a lone starfighter appears from hyperspace. It is painted blue and white, bearing the colors of an A-wing, but it's a bit larger. An E-wing. The pilot doesn't report in, but the IFF marks it as a Resistance starfighter(not Renegade Leader, which it -clearly- is.). The E- wing manages to fly straight into a TIE's laser burst as it enters the furball, it's shields flickering and almost going out. It's a really expert example of flying. Gren scowls at the howling R2 unit behind his cockpit. "Shut up. You didn't die." Stupid robots. "Yet." A dramatic pause. "Work on those shields."

The Resistance pilots find themselves in the rare situation of outnumbering their prey, for once. The pilot of the Sheathipede blinks at the digital readout. "Hyperdrive slaved to our NavComp, setting course for rendezvous point Alpha. Calculations will need a minute, let me know when the hyperdrive is back online." Below, things are less orderly. Though the first two stormtroopers through the hatch walk facefirst into Corporal Devii's glowing bolts of greeting, the next pair take cover half behind the hatchway, and return fire.

Throwing deflectors to double rear, Ektor fires the twin engines with a high pitched hiss whisper audible in the cabin. "I missed that sound," he grins, making a run across the spine of the second freighter, tracing it's length with a debilitating barrage of ionized energy. <<Second barge is out, Bravo shuttle, you're up. Green Three, can you reach the third mark, yet?>>

Devii notices a lull in the attack and presses her comlink over her helmet, "This is Keva. Alpha Docking Operation Complete. Nav computer slaved to shuttle. Working on the Hyperdrive now. Cleaning up the mess." She looks back to her men, "Keep up supressive fire on that choke point." She orders taking another three shots herself but seeing as the troopers are too busy dodging fire and it was really smokey in there now Devii's shots hit nothing but durosteel hull. The droid churps and she looks back, "Tenner is having trouble, needs more time."

Kaiden furrows his brow in frustration as he aims up his second shot at the stormtrooper, much more hurriedly than before. He yanks the trigger back, his blaster bolt flying wide into the wall. "Hell, this isn't working, Devii, let me get close!" He calls over his comms in agitated sharpness.

<<Nice shot Green 2, gonna make a run on the last..>> Dosk's mic cuts out briefly as more TIE fire races past him from the starboard side, his gunner calling out as one of the bolts hit his shield but only a glancing blow. <<Got one on me Green 2>> he continues and pulls into more evasive maneuvers.

Karas has been doing a lot of training lately, and it is starting to show as Karas moves the flight yoke and adjusting the throttle. The A-Wing responds quickly and as Karas rolls this final time and moving to the right and leading his target. The HUD locks on the TIE and Karas fires and a rapid string of shots erupt from the laser cannons and he rolls through the debris of the explosion as the TIE is destroyed, <<Splash 1, TIE.>> he cals into his comm. He banks hard and moves to quickly engage another TIE fighter and begins making his way to finish off the original group.

The four N-1s are dogfighting the three TIEs, and it's hard to determine who's chasing who at some points. Both squadrons get into firing positions, but the trick as always is to keep behind your target, get your shot off and keep flying. Gold 1 and 2 do so, flying on eachothers wing in the furball as Gold 3 and 4 do the same. Leader and wingman target their assigned TIE, Gold 2 sending it into a tailspin for Gold Leader to clean up. The cockpit explodes, sending the two solar panels flying off into space. <<Scratch one, all wings.>> Briefly out of the fight, David notices the E- Wing on his scanners. "That.. doesn't say Renegade Leader.. Huh."

Gold 3 and 4 in the meantime are chasing the two remaining TIEs, when one suddenly breaks off and strafes over the two. Miraculously, Mekil is spared any damage, but the volley takes out the shields on Jump Jye's fighter. <<Took some damage, shields are inoperational too.>> comes the damage report.

The Resistance E-wing that's painted like Renegade Leader but isn't IDed as such, burns hard toward the TIE fighters chasing Green Squadron's Y-wings. Gren activates his targeting computer, and squints at the displays, trying to manuever into a firing position. A solid tone fills his cockpit, leading to the veteran pilot pulling the trigger. A single blue warhead launches from the nose of his snubfighter...it's flight path intersects that of a TIE fighter. A violent explosion follows, and where there were two TIEs attacking the strike fighters...there is only one. <<Splash one.>> A single transmission from the E-wing.

A triumphant toot from the droid, and Delede sighs. "Yes. You did your job. Congratulations. I'm

very proud."

As Karas scores the first kill, the damaged wingman of the destroyed TIE breaks off, apparently seeking to flee the fight, and rather rudely leaving the final member of their trio to face Gold Squadron alone. Though the pilot makes a brave run of it, landing a hit that collapses Jump Jye's shields and lands a crackling hit on the fuselage, he doesn't live long enough to follow up on the advantage, falling before Gold Leader. The Beta trinity of TIEs are having little better luck in their pursuit of Green Squadron, firing angry salvos at the rugged and hard hitting Y-wings, but unable to stop the relentless assault on the freighters. Frustration gives way to panic as a torpedo lock warning blares through one TIE/fo cockpit, but the E-wing's missile consumes the eyeball as it seeks to veer off for safety.

Ektor's cockpit rocks with a second impact, which draws a fierce grin. <<Still on target, this guy ain't got the teeth. Green Three, take a run at the last mark while I keep this guy busy, yeah?>>

The Astromech attached to Devii?s unit gives a triumphant warble as some unseen objective is accomplished. Over the comms, the second shuttle reports, <<No resistance, here. At work on the NavComp, now.>>

Devii ducks down, dodging some incoming fire from the two remaining troopers. She keeps a keen orange eye on the hatchway and waits for them both to pop out. Two bolts race towards one, two impacts in the chest plating. A burning seering hole, smoking heavily as the trooper flies back against the wall dead. Her last bolt slams into the shoulder of the other trooper who takes shots at her and Kaiden before moving back under cover. "This is Alpha Leader. Hyperdrive Ready. Clearing Freighter now." She taps the two in front of her. "Push forward. I want this freighter cleared of bucket heads." She moves with her men, closing this distance.

As the E wing comes in and starts staving off the TIE fighters, Dosk finally gets time to get off a shot on the final freighter electral bolts surrounding the ship as the two blue bolts hit it. <<Thanks for the help out there guys, last freighter is hit, looks like his shields are down and its partially ionized."

The Zeltron squeezes the trigger again, a blaster bolt searing toward the Stormtrooper as his shoulder is hit with the soldier's own volley, causing the pink-skinned male's shoulder to jerk backward as he releases a grunt of suppressed pain. Shaking his head, the man in Trooper Gear disregards the pain, moving foward with Devii's command. "Fucking blasters," he mutters.

Karas was already in the process of chasing down one of the remaining fighters and as he lands his first shot, he watches as two others work together to finish it. A frown shows on his face, not because the pilot is dead, just that this was something that had to be done. <<Blue Squadron moving in to fly top cover.>> With that both of Blue Squadron A-Wings move to provide cover.

Still reeling from the sudden loss of both wingmen, the lead (and only, now) TIE has a momentary lapse of ability, allowing all of Gold Squadron to get behind him and blast his TIE apart. At least, two of the Gold Squadron fighters shoot, there's just not enough room for the entire squadron to get a shot off. Dave's blasts disable the TIE's engine, allowing Jessiva Pava to finish it off. <<Nice shot, Gold 2.>> comes the compliment from the squadron leader. <<Thanks, Lead. Do we chase those other TIEs?>> Dave considers this. On one hand, they're retreating from battle and aren't First Order troops. On the other hand, they could turn around at any moment and blindside them. <<One moment, Gold Squadron.>> Dave says before opening a channel to Blue Squadron. <<Blue Lead, this is Gold Lead, you're probably better equipped to chase down those fleeing TIEs, so I'm going to take my squadron and cover Green and the boarding party. Copy?>>

The E-wing's thrusters continue to run at full capacity, it's pilot clearly determined to follow the fleeing TIEs. He doesn't break into comm discussions on the topic, or weigh in beyond his fast starfighter giving chase. Gren has yet to switch his weapons over to heavy laser cannons, and merely focuses on aquiring and maintaining a target lock until he's in sure-fire proton torpedo range. Renegade Leader isn't quite as fast as an A-wing, but almost.

The scattered pair of surviving TIEs streak for distance, in full flight. Inside the corridor of Alpha shuttle's freighter, the firefight roars on as the Resistance is ordered onto the attack. The question of the day is no longer whether the Resistance will succeed, but whether it will be soon enough.

In the black, with his tail finally clear, Ektor comes around toward the final freighter. <<You fried him pretty good, Green Three.>> A short burst of ion cannons to finish the job, and Green 2 reports, <<Third target is out. Delta Shuttle, you're up.>>

It's a fateful call, as no sooner does he speak and the third shuttle start toward the crippled barge than targeting computers in all Resistance fighters report the arrival of a Nebulon K frigate at 20,000 kilometers, which promptly launches a fresh squadron of fighters.

Devii moves quickly towards the hatchway, the wounded Stormtrooper popping out from his cover which gives the Corporal the perfect opertunity to put her plasters last charge through his chest. He manages to get one round off before the unit pushes past him and into more of the ship, clearing it of any more enemies.

<<Nice Green 2!>> Dosk radios as he pulls up to pass over the last freighter, twisting the yoke slightly to give a good angle for him to watch the ship start drifting like the others. The announcement on the targeting computer of the Frigates arrival and the multiple red dots that begin fanning out from it, indicating the TIEs receives an "Oh crap" in his cockpit as he lets his gunner know to be ready for more if they dont get the freighters up and out in time.

Kaiden was having absolutely no luck with the pistol, even as they closed the distance between themselves and the Stormtroopers. Another bolt gets fired, hitting him square in the gut and causing an 'oompf!' to escape him, but the Zeltron doesn't stop. His pistol slides back into the holster as he picks up speed, falling into a short-lived sprint before launching from the ground, bringing the soles of both boots up to slam into the white plastoid-plated chest of the Stormtrooper.

Flipping switches and banking hard to port, <<Copy that, going hunting.>> he says and as Blue Squadron banks hard, they both race off towards the TIEs that are fleeing. No they can't let them get away, and as Karas IFF transponder picks up Grens fighter who is pursuing the TIEs, he sees this as a wise decision. Quickly beginning to overtake the E-Wing, Karas and the other Blue A-Wing move to try to take shot but the TIE manuvers and takes a shot at him which the shields on his A-Wing holds.

<<New hostiles, be advised. Still out of range for now, but there's a fighter.>> Dave informs his squadron, and by extension also Blue Squadron. Pressing several buttons and swiping his info display, he opens a channel to the boarding party. <<Boarding party, this is Gold Leader. Hurry up with your operations, we've got a lot of company now.>> Satisfied at having informed those without eyes on he and Gold Squadron turn their fighters towards the incoming TIEs.

<<Random pilot adding to the chorus of...aye, hurry the sithshit up.>> The E-wing pilot's comm distorted voice crackles over the comm channel. and then he's taking fire from the relief TIEs. The heavy escort fighter isn't able to line up a shot of it's own, but it's able to easily evade the fire of the eyeballs coming it's way. Gren calmly attempts to line up a follow-up attack in the seconds to come. Always an eye on that Neb-K, of course.

Progress at last! <<Beta team, NavComp is slaved to the shuttle, at work on the hyoerdrive, now!>> The report is followed promptly by another, <<Delta team, no resistance here, the crew all abandoned ship. NavComp slaved successfully.>> A good thing, too. The frigate has begun firing it's turbolaser batteries to probe the distance. Still out of range, but not so far as many might wish.

<<Green Three, stick with me,>> Ektor advises, as the Y-wing's engines flare orange and whine with acceleration in driving toward the second charge of TIEs. "How do they never run outta these things?" he mutters.

Devii turns to notice that there was a traggler with the fireteam that had confronted them. Of course, Kaiden is charging in like a mad man. "Kaiden!" She yells as the Zeltron get blasted and smashes a knee into the trooper. Devii walks up and puts a round right through the bucket heads helm before using her freehand to help up Kaiden. "ARe you stupid, you're not going to do crap through that armor of theirs without some shock gloves or something!" She looks over his wounds and grimaces. "Get back up into the shuttle. You're no use to me all shot up like this. Have a coremen put a bacta patch on ya." She turns back towards the rest of her team who are sounding off that the rest of the freighter is cleared. "This is Alpha lead. We're clear of hostiles and ready to jump..."

The Zeltron grasps hold of the free hand of the Mirialan as it is used to help him up, the arm with the shoulder wound draped over his midsection, also having been shot. "Well, I wasn't any use with the damn blaster," he mutters back, staggering slightly as he heads back toward the shuttle.

As Green 2 angles to the fray, Dosk follows. Banking the Y Wing around to stay with him. Breaking down to fire upon one of the TIE fighters but gets hit hard as a separate TIE races from behind and below his ship. His shields glowing blue until they blink out completely and his belly takes a few hits. <<Green 3 here, took a few hits to the hull, shields down.>> Twisting into a couple of corkscrews before performing some Split S moves.

Karas regained his focus Blue 2 moved weaved to take a shot at one of the TIEs they were chasing,

Karas kept his fighter moving quickly and lining up a shot for the one he was working on taking out. Seeing the TIE trying to dive away, Karas stutters the throttle causing the fighter to almost slide sideways before the A-Wing dives down. Karas wasn't going to allow that fighter to get away. <<REmember your training Blue 2, keep focused.>> he calls and as he says that he gets a locked buzz tone and Karas quickly fires. The shots fire rapidly towards the F/O TIE.

Gold Squadron speeds into the fray, trading blows (or blaster fire) with the newly arrived TIEs, staying mercifully out of range of the accompanying frigate as the two squadrons tangle up. Before long, laser fire flies all around as before, striking heavy blows against Gold 1 and Gold 2, who both lose their shields. <<Gold 2, status report!>> comes the frantic inquiry from David. <<No shields, light damage to the hull. R2's working on it>> is the urgent reply from Jessica Pava. <<Yeah.. same here.>> replies David in turn. On the other side of the furball, Jump Jye and Mekil both get glancing shots on opposing TIEs, dinging emerald blaster bolts off their shields and causing them to flicker.

The brutal weight of numbers begins to tell on the Resistance pilots who seek desperately to hold back the tide of TIEs long enough for their fellows aboard the freighters to do their work and escape with their ill gotten gains. The pressure builds as the target of the frigate's ranging fire becomes clear: it aims to destroy the first of the captured freighters.

Reports fill the comm channels, <<Beta Lead, hyperdrive online! Get us out of here->> that last slightly muted, clearly spoken to an adjacent navigator. <<Delta Lead, we're almost there- another two minutes, or we're evacuating to the shuttle!>>

"Switching fire control to torpedoes, transfer auxiliary power to shields and fire the turret while you can, yeah?" Ektor instructs his co-pilot, while soaring and swerving through the spaceborne melee.

Devii moves her way to the bridge where, if the pilots are there, they'll take them as POW's and have them escourted back to the shuttle. She leans over the controls and takes a look out the viewport at the dog fight and FO frigate in the distance. "Come on, sithspit. Hurry it up." She whispers.

Dosk, seemingly having lost the TIE on his tail for the time being wastes no time in squeezing the trigger just as a separate fighter crosses his sights. The shot lighting up and damaging the shields. <<That Frigate is getting close, we gotta go!>>

Blue Leader is still working on trying to take out this damn TIE, but the TIE manages to escape and bank away and take a shot on him. Again his shields wink a little bit and he quickly rolls away and tries to re-establish his lock. He is also listening to the comm chatter, <<Blue 2, get ready to run when the others are ready to go.>> he calls as he tries to continue his dogfight.

David leads his Gold Squadron into battle once more, deftly dodging laser fire as his droid beeps and spins and such. Before long, the ethereal blue hue washes over Dave's cockpit again. <<My shields are up, how's yours, Jess?>> he asks his wingwoman. <<Not doing great, the droid's having trouble. Shots must have fried the essential circuit.>> comes Gold 2's reply as the craft rolls to dodge laser fire, the moves matched by Gold Leader. Gold 3 and 4 are similarly under fire, Gold 3 able to deftly dive out of the line of fire, followed by Gold 4 a split second late as the craft's tail is dinged with laser fire. <<Status report: Shields up, but fading.>> Jump Jye chimes in. Golds 1 and 2 appear behind a TIE, blasting the shields apart on it immediately.

The second freighter streaks into nothingness along with its attendant shuttle, now safe in the infinite distance of hyperspace, followed by a forceful order from <<Delta Lead, this is taking too long, evac to the shuttle, go! Go! Go!>> The Delta shuttle pilot is standing by awaiting the instant all are back on board, so docking collars can be loosed, and the shuttle can follow it's fellows into safety.

"Got a lock-" Ektor crows, firing a torpedo at short range; the lethal detonation rocks Green 2, and the rattle of scrapped TIE against the hull plating as he flies through the wreckage makes the ride just a bit rougher.

"This is Alpha, Stayed as long as we can. Jumping out." Devii says, giving the order and the shuttle and the slaved freighter make the jump out along with Beta.

Dosk moves back into formation with Green 2 <<Awesome hit! Green 2>> He radios as a TIE attempts the same maneuver that got him last time and knocked the shields out of his ship. This time his gunner had his eyes open and the Codru Ji was able to split S a few times, the bolts barely missing and the TIE eventually overtaking and ending up ahead of them, pulling up afterwards to get out of sight.

Karas is able to reacquire a lock but as he fires on the Tie, the Tie escapes the shot at the last moment, he grits his teeth, but as he hears that their ships were jumping, Karas makes sure to quickly comm his wingman to send him ahead and cover the others and jump when they did. Karas is already moving towards the Resistance ships as well.

With two freighters safe, and the third shuttle breaking free and abandoning the capture attempt, all remaining Resistance craft get the signal to <<Disengage and jump to the primary rendezvous point, repeat: all wings disengage.>> The order given, first the shuttle is first to vanish into hyperspace, followed one at a time by the fighters. An imperfect outcome, but soothed by the knowledge that all hands are coming home to the Renegade.