Log:Rogue Squadron: Supply Lines
Rogue Squadron: Supply Lines
OOC Date: May 5, 2021
Location: Corellia
Participants: Ax, Zandra naMuriel, David Ironside, Zul Grandnk, Karas Darkwing, Tallie Lintra
"No need to point out that Rogue Squadron's brief as a Civilian Defense Corps in the New Republic has grown since entering the Corellian campaign." A corner of Commander Lintra's mouth quirks briefly into a smile at her comment, eyes roving over the pilots listening to the mission prep. "Laying mines, setting up feints to support more extensive operations, and flying cover for troop landings demonstrate our pilots' diverse skills."
"We can add stealth to our list."
Turning sideways to the projection, the orange of her flight suit is florescent against the blue and white backdrop of the slowly rotating planet. "Our insertion point will be here. It is one of the least populated parts of Corellia but, more importantly, will let us follow the Nomad mountain valley system to our drop points."
"We will be dropping supplies to three Ranger's camps. Ideally, in and out with minimum interference from FO patrols. Weather conditions are less than ideal for flying in the atmosphere, but the heavy cloud cover will make orbital detection less likely."
An hour later: The Squadron flashes into existence from hyperspace, each form hovering for a moment like ethereal insects before plunging into the atmosphere. Obliquely on the distant horizon, the peaks of the Nomad mountains break through a dense cloud cover.
Rogue 12 sighs in her cockpit <<"Right, Leader. Clouds... I should be able to do this.">> she offers, sounding more excited as she speaks <<"I mean, compared to a group of meteors, it should be easy! This is no asteroid field, so what can a storm cloud do?">> not that Zul usually has experience flying through Asteroid field buut... stealth. Yes. Best stay quiet <<"12 here.">>
Ax is in Rogue 3, a Y-wing again. He'd blown one of these up once, but this was a new one, even had that new ship smell. "I don't know, Buster," he says to the droid perched in its socket behind the cockpit. "I guess I think like a smuggler, they think like fighter pilots. To me, it woulda made more sense to fly a single light freighter in. Could carry more and probably draw less attention. Granted, if things get hairy, having a fighter might be better."
Then, the ship is exiting hyperspace and Ax is reporting in. <<"Rogue 3 here. Ready for your command, Rogue Leader.">> The Echani pilot looks over his ship's status screen, making sure that his weapons and shielding panels are all green and ready to rock.
Zandra had listened to the briefing, and put herself into an X-wing, to keep up with the others. In Atmosphere, better the X than an A - because a droid to hopefully fix shields might be a good thing. <<5 here, all systems green,>> she reports in. << In position and ready to go.>> She checks her sensors, making sure that she's got all of Rogue on track, and then glances over towards the skyline and the planet. << Odds on how long before we are noticed? >>
They plunge through the indigo of the outer atmosphere, brief streaks of fire as friction heats the shields of their ships. The roiling clouds reach high into the fragile envelope of air surrounding the planet. Darkness engulfs the X-Wing as Tallie drops into the clouds.
<<"Check-in, Rogue Squadron. We are waiting on the last element of our flight. Transmitting the first drop point to your droids now.">> Tallie glimpses the droid Fiver in a reflection in her canopy. "Fiver widen scan for incoming. I can't believe we dropped in undetected."
Above them in the RSD Watchman a scan technician reports the presence of New Republic signatures in low orbit. The race is on.
Rogue 12 looks down at her radar, checking, trying to avoid mountains or anything that might come in <<"Got it, Leader. Going to wait.">> she offers, trying to stay as quiet as possible. They might listen in
<<"Rogue 3 copies,">> Ax says, fidgeting in his seat a bit. Always tough getting the seat in just the right position that first time. "Buster, run a quick diagnostic, make sure these modified mines are calibrated right."
<<Rogue 5 checking in,>> Zan says, at Tallie's request. <<All systems green. Sensors currently clear. And Ono reports receipt of the target locations. >> She is relaxed, as she reaches out, centering herself and reaching for the Force, as she so often does. << Ready on your mark, Rogue Leader. >>
<<"Rogue 8, reporting.">> a voice comes over comms, as the YT-1300 /Celestial Guarlara/ drops out of hyperspace and into comms range. David Ironside is at the controls, with his astromech plugged in to the systems he can't physically reach, for lack of a co-pilot. <<"Drop point received, Leader, on my way now.">> he adds, cruising easily past the First Order blockade. It's likely due to the Rogues sneaking by, but the First Order gives him -no- trouble at all.
The first valley, surrounded by the teeth of the highest mountains on Corellia, encloses the squadron. Wisps of clouds part letting in watery light from the distant rising sun as rock walls loom too close for comfort.
<<"We have our transport in system, possible incoming right behind him. We are four minutes out from our first objective.">>
The Watchman's scan tech passes the info on to the Watch Officer, who immediately sets a scramble order in. Below inside one of the mammoth hangars, pilots race to TIE/Ints, and within minutes, six fighters drop into space, plummeting toward the last entry point of Rogue Squadron unbeknownst to them. Rock walls obscure scan signals equally from the RSD floating in orbit and from Rogue Squadron.
Rogue 12 woots over the coms <<"This is going great! What could go wrong today... this stealth thing is doing just fine!">> famous last words, anyone?
Ax flies in low and slow, which is about all his Y-wing is good for. "Buster, keep me informed of anything on sensors," he says to his droid. "Should have flown the Sands or the Aftermath," he mutters to himself, making sure his weapons were hot and shields were at power.
<<"You're a glutton for punishment, Rogue 12. You just doomed us all.">> A soft chuckle can be heard over the comms. <<"We who are about to die, Salute you.">>
<<"Nice to see you guys all in one piece.">> David comms as the Guarlara drops into atmosphere in its bid to catch up to the Rogues. <<"Headed to the first drop point, got my astromech doing sensor duty.">> he notes, glancing back to R2-1S plugged into the wall. Might as well use that big sensor dish on the roof for something, right? The pilot's hand pushes the throttle forward, giving the upgraded engines the extra push they need to get to where the goodies need to be.
Zan flies her X-wing as though she's born to it, zipping down through the darkness of the clouds and into the canyon, staying in formation with Rogue 3, as they start their run towards the targets. << Roger that, Rogue Leader. Keeping a watch for any unidentified bogeys. Hey, Toast, you buying drinks again? >> Okay, she doesn't even drink much, but someone's got to lighten the mood just a little. Her hands move over the controls, checking the sensor readings, as she concentrates on flying. Of course, in the background, her R2 droid can be heard whistling his usual, "Ohno, ohno, ohno."
Dark shapes follow through the gloom of the clouds, shredding the mist in their search to stop the renegade New Republic fighters. Tallie's scan shows a faint blip as the T-85 flies like a perfectly launched knife between two peaks.
<<"We have bogies incoming, Rogue. I caught two but am sure there are more. We are arriving at our first site in one minute. Prepare to drop your packages, Toast. We will match speed with you. Violet has your six.">>
A pause: the commander's voice breaks up as they pass another mountain, nearing the drop point. <<"Splash is the second drop. Janitor, good to have you with us. You will be the last drop and at the lowest altitude.">>
"I need you to get out and push, Buster. This bird is damned slow..." Ax says as he pushes against the already maxed out throttle lever of the Y-Wing. <<"Roger that, Rogue Leader. I've got her pegged out to the max,">> As he speaks, Ax is arming the mine deployer to drop his payload.
Zandra keeps on Rogue 3's six, though she does comment to Ono, as Tallie spies stuff on her sensors. "Really? How come we don't have those on our sensors?" is her question, a little bit bemused. <<Roger that, Rogue Leader. Looking for bogeys on sensor to try to keep away from the big guys. >>
<<"Third drop, noted.">> David replies, adjusting altitude already. <<"Turrets are locked forward, I'm alone in here.">> he adds, to indicate the weapons won't swivel while he's flying. <<"Definitely more. They wouldn't let us all through and then remember to have us escorted afterwards.">> the pilot reasons. As the wide freighter comes into the mountain range, David quiets up and focuses on not losing any parts.
<<Rogue 2 is here and ready to go.>> The music is turned up and his Y-Wing is pushing hard. Checking over his comm boards, his shields are up. As orders are giving for which drops they are going in order, <<Copy that, Splash is ready. I copy that about the incoming Eyeballs.>> he says. "Spark your song is on, don't let me down." a chuckle escapes him. Spark beeps an affirmative at him, even though the Y-Wing is slow, and it lumbers behind the X's, Karas doesn't seem to mind at all, pushing the fighter/bomber to it's maximum, it's keeping up.
The TIE Interceptors are on them. Among the fastest ships in the Galaxy, fragile shells made for dodging the sinuous curves of the valleys between the mountains in pursuit. Six race behind them, lasers blazing.
Rogue pilots dodge the opening barrage of lasers that turn the rising daylight green with its deadly blaze.
The first drop is imminent. The intrepid civilian pilots turn the tables on their pursuers, returning fire.
Tallie banks her ship hard to one side, green lasers breaking rock on the mountainside seconds after her passage.<<"Only six on us. But more will join the party.">>
The RSD Watchman releases another sortie of fighters, TIE/SFs, better armed and shielded than the first wave. More FO pilots run at top speed to join their fellows. The New Republic has become a thorn in their sides.
"Don't worry about the damned TIEs," Ax says to his droid that's triggering all kinds of warnings in the cockpit. "Our mission is delivering supplies, which is why we're in this floating tank to begin with. Just keep our shields up and let me concentrate!" Ax says as he's zeroing in on his target.
<<"Payload away!">> he says over comms as he pulls back on the stick and twists the throttle, putting the Y-wing into a vertical spin to bring his lasers to bear on one of the TIEs. The twin cannons of the Y-wing spit out their red bolts of energy.
Zandra gets that feeling at the back of her neck, and she dodges to one side and then the other, aware of where the canyon edges are, and making sure that the tie firing at her misses as well. She flashes a tight grin. "Yes, I see they're on sensors now, Ono. Keep the shields up and the sensors going so we have current tactical data, please." <<Rogue 5, working on 3's target.>> She reports, as she starts an attack run, meaning to keep that TIE off the Y-wing's back, if she can.
Karas is in his zone, the music is right for this mission. Checking his sensors, the incoming Squints, "Yeah that's right, Eyeballs are the regular TIEs and SFs, these are the Interceptors, Squints." he smiles. "Spark remember that. I've been looking at old mission reports of Rogue and that's how they designated the fighters they were going up against, we will do the same." he says. Spark gives an acknowledgement.
As he finishes speaking green energy lances streak towards him and Karas quickly moves the controls, knowing that he can't do anything fancy so he jinks right then left, escaping the target lock and the enemy fire that was incoming towards him. "That was close." he says. Karas sensors show that Ax dropped his supplies and fire was going at one of the enemy Interceptors. "Spark keep the shields up, we're up next but let's help out." he says. Moving into positiong, <> and he fires. Red energy lances strike the Interceptor, <<Splash 1>>
Dogfighting in narrow mountain passes leaves no margin for errors. Rogue Squadron picks off two of the TIEs within minutes of their attack, leaving their smoking ruins on the side of a mountain. Tallie loops behind the leader upside down in her cockpit, firing volleys of lasers that bring him down.
<<Second payload in one minute. Splash, leave the Rangers a package.>>
The snow-covered peaks shield them from the arrival of the next wing of TIEs that drop on them from orbit. Ten FO TIEs hunt them through the valleys while they hurtle toward the last target drop.
With the next drop belonging to Karas, Ax is able to focus his attention on the TIE Interceptors that are tormenting Rogue. Lining up his shot, he depresses the trigger on his flight controls sending laser bolts at a fresh target, scoring another hit before he's diving back to the cover of the canyon.
Zandra is managing to not get hit by the ties, and once the first payload is down, she starts trying to help take down the ties. She zips in perilously close to the side of a cliff, spinning her x wing sideways and then fires from an unexpected angle at one of the TIES, Her lasers are on, shaking up the TIE pilot with some decent shooting. Zan then slides her X wing about, still protecting the other Y wing, as they continue on their supply run. << Almost there, Rogue, we got this, >> she cheers, sending encouragement to the whole team. "Don't worry, Ono, we'll replace you with a BB unit, if you'd prefer?" she offers, as the poor R2 continues its allergic hiccup of a danger chant.
Karas has always enjoyed flying canyons and mountains and this is no different. Using the speed of the Y-Wing, Karas is able to keep his craft near the walls of the mountains making him a difficult target which pays off as another enemy Squint fires at him and misses. <<Roger that, payload is ready to be dropped.>> he says. He didn't have to tell the others to cover him, this is Rogue Squadron. Diving and moving as fast as the Y-Wing can go, the holoprojector targeting display changes to a bombing reticle, though he isn't dropping bombs. Get it, dropping bombs. Karas grins at himself as a new song starts to play. The under carriage opens and he drops his supplies. Once they drop he closes the door and begins pulling up, rolling as he does. <<Supplies are away.>> he says as he goes to help his team. Upon seeing Zan going after another Squint. Banking, Rogue 2 comes around and fires, and as he does the Squint goes up, <<Got your wing Violet.>> he says. <<Splash 2.>> he calls.
Rogue makes textbook drops, leaving the Corellian Rangers with top-of-the-line missile launchers and missiles to continue their fight among other weapons missing from their arsenal. The mountains lower, no longer the fangs of snow-topped rock sparkling in the fully risen sun. The clouds break up as the Squadron approaches the flatlands that join the Denendre Valley and the New Republic troops marching under General Greystorm's leadership.
The Celestial Gualara carries the biggest payload including an armored vehicle that will drop by chute to the waiting Rangers. Flying alone accompanied only by his droid, Janitor shows his piloting expertise as the bay doors open. Parachutes blossom behind the ship.
<<"We have the final payload, Rogue. May the Force be with the Rangers.">> Behind them,six new fighters, deadly TIE/SFs join the fray with ace pilots finding their targets twice.
Interceptors were one thing, but TIE/sf's were another thing entirely. <<"Boss, packages all seem delivered, might I suggest we bug out at all possible speed?">> he says over comms as he's lining up a shot against one of the TIEs that had just fired at him.
<< Thanks, Splash>> Zan replies with amusement. Any gone TIE is a good TIe, and that's about the only one that is good. Zan dodges yet another TIE firing at her, glaring as the laser lights up her cockpit and rattling her about. "That was close. Okay, it was more than close - how are our shields? This time you can say, 'Oh no,'" she tells the droid, who actually is now silent. Of course. Zan rolls her eyes at the droid. "Ono, will you please get on those shields. We have more bogeys incoming." And then she's targeting one of the said bogeys. << I agree with Toast,>> she puts in. << if the payloads are dropped, it's time for us to vanish like ghosts. >>
Karas grins, <<You're welcome Violet.>> he smiles. Though as he finishes speaking his fighter is rocked, he grimaces. He was warned and he tried to shake the TIE that was on him but wasn't able to do so. Checking the shields, Spark quickly replies letting him know he's already on it. "No worries, you're my co-pilot always." he says to Spark. "Now let's make that SF Eyeball pay for that." he says as he brings his fighter around, <<Yeah I think it's time to vanish.>> he calls as he fires on C-4 hitting it hard. He doesn't pursue, instead he breaks off his target if they are running.
The more deadly TIE/SFs fire on the descending parachutes and the New Republic fighters. Streaks of green laser fire greet the newly risen sun but to no avail. Rogue returns fire with deadly accuracy, winging several of TIEs.
<<"Great job, Rogue. I think they will remember us. A lesson in precision drops! We are out of here. We want the TIEs to concentrate on us as we head out to the jump point at top speed. See you on the flip side, pilots.">>
<<"Roger that, Sunshine. I think I'm gonna help them remember me,">> Ax says with a grin as he triggers the launchers on his torpedoes. Setting them for a ranged detonation, he just starts lobbing them ahead. No way he was going to hit anything, unless a damned foolish pilot flew into it, the torpedoes flew to near their max distance and started detonating. Damn sure kept a path open, if nothing else.
<<Copy that Rogue Leader.>> Karas calls into the comm. "We're outta here Spark." With that, Karas pulls back on the controls and vectors out, though as he does, he sends a string of laser fire at the SF's doing what he was told keeping the enemy fighters on them and not bothering the ground crews. Climbing and breaking atmosphere. He is now having a new appreciation for the Y-Wings, but they aren't his main fighter but he will use it if requested.
