Log:Saber Squad: Sabers over Socorro-Guardian Flight
Sabers over Socorro II-Guardian Flight clears out the Bases Defense
Location: Socorro Orbit
Participants: Zandra naMuriel, Rune, Merek
Saber Squadron had been assembled in the fighter hangar again in the fold chairs that were brought out for such things. There was a pot of caf on the side table but none of the snacks from C3PO or the local bakery. Jax had waited for most of them to arrive and settle down before he'd took to standing in front of the squad. The BB unit and mouse droid were back and being under his feet. "Alright listen up, New Republic Intel got us a mission. This is not a training mission or a blue milk escort mission. For the last several weeks, freighters have been disappearing in the Socorro system in the asteroids. It was chalked up to local pirates but the Chancellor's office was asked to look into it as a favor from some of the locals. The Chancellor's office requested a NR Intell fly over to the area. What you're about to see was recorded by the flyby."
The mouse droid holopro jected what looked like blue field of asteroids from the nose cone of an X-wing with a second X-wing over to the side. Flying through the asteroid field, all of a sudden the second X-wing explodes and followed by an explosion of the ship carrying the camera. Jax coughs, "For those of you without perfect vision droids allow. Let me play that for you a second time slower. As the X-wings go flying through the asteroid field, a large base of some type attached to a large asteroid is seen. Then moments later a Tie/SF appears out of nowhere as it blows up up the other X-wing. Then it seems to disappear and the camera goes wavey.
Jax coughs, "I'll let that settle in for a moment. We've determined that a secret Tie production facility is set up in the asteroids. We don't know who it belongs. It could be First Order, Sith, or some other player. Though disturbingly what you just saw was a Tie/SF with stealth capabilities. We see those with Tie Silencers and another older Tie model thought destroyed. We don't know what's going on there if these are prototypes or something about to come rolling across the galaxy." Jax stops to take a breath before continuing. "So our mission is to disable the defenses, infiltrate the base extract what information we can, and blow it up. Sentinel flight, we're going to be jumping in and engaging the Ties. Trying to draw them off from the base. Guardian flight your mission is to hit the defenses on the base take out the shields and turrets. Vector flight, I'm sorry you guys got the short straw. You'll be flying the Painted Guardian and landing to extract information and blow the base. I've got the charges loaded on the ship. They're Kael proof. That being said Nerys don't let him lose any fingers. We lift off in ten. You're astromechs and the ship computers are being loaded with any more data. May the force be with you."
Several moments after Sentinel Flight had jumped into the system, Guardian flight had arrived and probably a bit closer to the astroids than was preferable, but that’s what happens when a local provides you with smuggler jump points.
Off in the distance there was an exchange of starfighter weapons and then an explosion. All around Guardian flight were floating rocks big enough to smash any of the Eta-2cs into tiny bits. That’s where Guardian flight had to go. In the middle of that was a base with shields and anti-space craft weapons that needed to be neutralized.
Given the orders, there's a lot to absorb. As they come into the area, Zan checks sensors and calls to Ono. "Here we go, be ready." That said, she takes a breath and opens the secure comms. << Alright folks, we get to dodge boulders and shoot at shields, turrets and other attacking things. Stick with your wingmate, remember to communicate, and keep your mind on the mission, as well as staying safe. >> She takes a breath, taking stock of what's going on, and she reaches for the Force, to keep herself grounded, using her fighter's senses as well as her own to see what she might find, before she starts an attack run. << Guardian Flight, call out ready status. >>
Just another day for Saber Squad, it seemed... or rather, this is their first real engagement... so just the first day for Saber Squad? Either way, the team all leapt in from hyperspace and now Rune finds himself peering through the spider web designed glass of his ETA-2c, the asteroids around them all spinning silently in the black. <"Not very scenic, I must say."> And he did, his BB unit echoing that sentiment shortly after. Rune looks off of his wing to Zan sitting in her ship nearby, a nod, smile, and quick salute given to his wingmate and Guardian Flight Leader.
<"Saber Five, checking in. Good to go, Guardian Lead."> Rune replies after a quick look down at his readouts to affirm his assumptions. He hasn't had to navigate through an asteroid field yet nor has he had to strafe a base to take out its defenses, should be a good time all around.
Merek flies in through hyperspace with Guardian Flight, his Eta-2c shifting to engage its s-foils while it takes the time to arrange into flight pattern. The man comlinks to the flight team, <This is Saber 8, I'm in formation.> The weapons spin up on the starfighter while he takes the time to begin maneuvering along through the asteroid field with the flight team.
As Guardian flight begins the descent into the asteroid field. There's a crackle and a pop and the sound of Saber Leader's voice fills their com,
<Saber 05, this is Saber Leader. We thinned them down for you. There are two bogueys out there. So keep you're heads on a swivel. Transmitting what data we have to Ohno. If members can shift their senses to the electromagnetic spectrum it helps. May the Force be with you.>>
Moments later data comes streaming in to Zandra's droid to be shared with the other droid. Things just got so much more complicated.
Zandra has no trouble avoiding the big space rocks, her piloting up to the task. Ono might not like the crazy zig-zag path through the area this entails. << Roger, Saber leader. I can definitely try shifting my senses, though not all of our flight can. >> She reaches for the force, while Ono transmits data. At least her ship's sensors are working, and Zan adds to the data coming from Saber Leader. << I got two anti-aircraft guns we'll need to take out, here and here. Anyone see any others? >> She plots an attack vector at those guns, intending to head that way, while she does look to see if she can find the bogeys they've been warned about.
When Zandra moves forward, so does Rune, keeping on her wing as best as he can... aside from having to dodge huge rocks in space. A few whirs and bleeps from Ecksdee draws his attention to the readout on his HUD, hazel eyes widening at the anti-aircraft guns that line the secret base, something the group is going to have to deal with before the last team can land. In fact, he was so distracted by the information on the screen that he completely missed the massive boulder that was increasing in size just outside of his cockpit. Rune looks back in time to yank hard on the joystick, spinning his craft safely out of the way, only the side getting lightly scuffed as he nicks the space rock. <"Oops!"> His BB-Unit chastises him lightly for almost crashing the ship. <"You distracted me!"> the Ysannan calls back in response. << "Uh.. Copy Guardian Lead, I see two others. Here and uh, one over here." >> Rune states, pointing at his HUD as if the rest can see. "Oh..." he comments to himself, flagging the other two in the system to light up the team's readouts.
<"Uploading information on the location of the base and anti-air weaponry to confirm."> Merek will use the screen to send all of that data to HUD, and transfer it. Then he's beginning to take a pattern to begin the assault, <"Alright. I will come in on your go, Flight Leader!">
The Anti-starfighter guns come online as green spears of energy fill up the space around Guardian Flight. Those shot that miss collide with asteroids causing the rocks to go tumbling into each other and going in weird directions and angles. Definitely not the place to be while on a sight seeing mission. If Saber Leaders got any more advice it can't be heard. The Tie he warned about haven't showed up yet.
She didn't sense any stealthed ties, though she's sure they're out there. So for the moment, Zan dodges the shots at her, her ETA flying with the zoom zoom she used to show in her A-Wing. << Attack pass on gun G1, >> she calls, as she makes her run, shooting at the turret, and then swinging around to make another pass. << Let's take out the turrets, focus fire! >>
No sooner had Rune pointed out the remaining two AA units that they opened up on the squad, the space around them suddenly becoming filled with bright green lines that streak threateningly toward them. Zandra and Merek fortunately maneuver out of the way of bolts, the young Jedi is not so lucky. One hit scores the shields on his ship, lighting the protective barrier brightly for a moment as it rocks him roughly. "Nnnh! Ecksdee! See if you are able to get the shields back to full!" the pilot requests of his droid, the BB-Unit beeping quietly before turning to do its best.
Meanwhile Rune pilots in close to the blasting turrets, slipping by the remainder of the attacks in order to deliver some of his own. He depresses the trigger and scores the outside of one of the Anti Aircraft turrets with his attack, the shields dropping to allow a few blasts inside. As he flies by he can see sparks popping from the unit, a grin on his face at the damage done.
Merek looks to the incoming strike from the anti air weaponry and will begin to shift to bank to the side while he swings along into an aileron roll, the blast sliding between where the wing was a moment ago, then he comes back around while he pulls on the stick and sweeps along to the first gun. The man lines it up with his sights while he seems to focus, then he begins to fire. The weapons blast into it and the entire weapon comes apart. <<"Strike one anti-air!">> Then he continues to prepare on that strafe along the entire defense.
Guardian flight converstes on one of the Anti-Aircraft guns causing it to explodes as they swoop close the astroid. Above them and around them chunks of rock begin to strike the astroid with the base. This could be a problem for the little fighters if they get hit but Guardian Flight is just too good.
As she spins her ship to come back again, Zan takes a breath, focusing on the Force, and she slips her senses over just a touch. It takes a moment to adjust because seeing things like machines do (more or less) is just plain weird. She frowns a bit, as she stares at one spot, her gaze scanning her sensors and what she can see, as she does so. << Looks like maybe we have one bogey heading our way, >> she reports, her voice serene and perhaps a bit distant, a side effect of the concentration she's using. << But I got a really good target for you all. >> She marks a juncture point on the big asteroid that the AA Guns are on. << Missiles at this point, and it looks like we will take out all the AA guns at once. >> Guardian Flight, you have your orders
Clearly he strafed too close to the AA and paid for it when his shields light up again from return fire. He groans as the ETA-2c shakes from the blast, the ship spinning away from the base as he flies in a wide arc to come in for another round. "Ecksdee, be a dear and try to get the shields back up, please." Rune asks nicely, very well aware that the droid just finished repairing the shields before he had them hit again. The BB-Unit whirs his displeasure before he continues to mess with the shields, trying to protect them both in the currently fairly stalemated combat.
Rune tries to change that as he turns back to the base, blasters let loose once more to pepper the AA turrets with an attack. Sadly his just slam into the side of the base, no damage done to shields or to the gun itself. <<"Kriff! Less effective this time, I will arm the missile on the next turn.">>
Merek will begin to spin around in the fighter from side to side while he dodges all the incoming fire. Then he's guiding the guns towards the next anti-air weapon, while he takes the time to fire two strikes along into it, then he speaks on the comlink. <"I will prepare the missile, let me work on a lock next."> The hands pull the stick while he begins to take a new position.
Zandra is already in touch with the force, but now that juncture point is on the ship's computer sensors, as well as along with the other fighters. Zan can hear Obi Wan's voice in her ear, the sort of thing that happens when a Jedi uses the Force to fire. She dodges the spinning rocks, the anti air fire aimed her way, and her focus narrows in on that juncture point. << I am going to fire at it, >> she warns her team mates. And she suits her action to words, as she flies in close enough to that asteroid base that she can see the whites of its eyes. << Fire in the hole, >> she says calmly. Then her missile is ejected and it flies true to her Force enabled missile lock, smashing into the juncture point and detonating. Boom. Course it doesn't completely destroy things, but the boom is enough that the damage can be seen, and sensors light up with their reports.
Just as promised, Rune spins around again to come in for another run, evading blaster fire with a little help from the Force. There's times where a tingle on the back of the neck is beneficial... this is one of those times. The young Jedi reaches forward to throttle back the ETA, allowing his targeting computer the time to find the code on the AA base units ahead. While he waits, silently urging the system to go faster, Ecksdee repairs the shields and Zan looses her missile.
In a blaze of red and black puffed smoke, her projectile collides and does significant damage to the housing of their target, the anti-aircraft placements sending up sparks from the crushed components inside their turrets. <<"Excellent shot, Guardian Lead!">> Rune calls, a smile splitting his lips from ear to ear.
Merek will take the time to begin a target lock, while he works on adjusting the weapon, then he nods while taking position, his weapons lining up. <Target lock acquiring.>
There's that tingle of danger, and Zan's attention is now suddenly caught by incoming TIEs. Firing at her. "Hang tight, Ono!" There's some fancy flying for sure, as Zan concentrates, << Guardian squad, take out those turrets and shields, >> she calls, as she sets her s-foils into attack and moves to engage the incoming TIEs. She is good, very good, and so she moves to fire at the incoming TIEs, trying to distract them at the least, though she'd far rather destroy them. << We got two bogeys. Guardian squad, stay on mission. >>
The TIEs are there and harassing Zan but fortunately she's a good enough pilot to keep their attacks off her ship. "Come on, come on!" Rune pleads with his targeting computer, sighing in relief when it beeps its lock. <"Missile away!"> he calls as he flips a switch and depresses a second button on his joystick. The concussion missile undocks from his ship and flies through the air, homing in on the target dead ahead... until it's blown up harmlessly by the turrets as they strafe their return fire through space. <"Ugh!"> he cries, pulling back on the stick to bring the ship out of direct fire and on an intercept with his wingmate.
Merek will take the time to speak to his comlink. <"I'm on it, let me fire."> The man then will take the time to line up the weapon, then he pulls the trigger on the stick, while it launches a missile right at the target, rolling in to explode while he will take the time to maneuver the stick to casually dodge away from more weapon fire. <Lock kept.> Then he speaks to Gadget, <"Begin to chart a course away to Chandrila when you have the time.">
There's a massive explosion as the missile causes an explosion causing fire to rupture up in space before it dissipates quickly. Then remaining turrets go down losing power. That just leaves the two ties and the bases shields. The astroids were beginning to strike the base and the rock it calls home. The shields around the base were beginning to appear as the rocks striking it were growing larger and larger.
Zan no longer has a lock on the base, as she was firing at the TIES, so she does try to connect with the Force but she's not feeling it, not hearing Obi Wan's voice. Not even Malik Ren's voice, alas. Besides those TIES are firing at Merek now, and that's not good. << Got your back, Saber 8, >> she calls, as she promptly opens fire on one of the TIE's, not so fancy this time. Her shots definitely don't do much good as the TIE pilots are really good, but she's hoping to distract them, at any rate. << Nice shooting, by the way. Good job! >>
Watches as the TIEs veer off to chase Merek once he destroyed the AA placements. With the base sustaining damage to their shields as the hail of rocks continue to pound it, Rune decides he'll add his own pounding in the mix. Swinging about, noting that Zan is off to chase the TIEs, the Ysannan lines up his shots and lets fly with the laser cannon. Both attacks smack into the shields, coloring them bright for a moment before they fade back to translucent. <"Shields are hit and weakening, how are you doing with those TIEs?">
<< They're wild, >> Zan says, frowning at her HUD. << Be careful, they seem to be targeting us in turn, and it's not my turn. Acquiring missile lock on the base. Let's get those shields down. >> Zan flies defensively, as she gets her targeting computer calculating and working on that all important lock.
Rune comes back from his attack on the base to find two TIE fighters on his tail. With a grimace he pulls back on the flightstick and heads in a ninety degree angle away from the main action. The ships follow and twist up with him. Yanking the throttle back, spinning the ship, and thrusting the throttle forward, he heads directly at his pursuers, lining up two shots on one TIE as it screams past him, its shields bright with his hits. <"I am on these fighters, get that base down.">
Merek will inhale while he takes the time to look at the viewport in front of him. The man pulls away the screen and will take the time to target it manually. Both hands maneuver with the stick, then he places both fingers to the missile triggers. The weapon fires while it begins to blast into the shields, with a hit that strikes right into the target. <Alright, I'm going to guide away from you guys. Take it down and let's all go!>
The man begins to shift the stick while he spins along into an aileron to avoid the first strike, then he pulls the stick and begins to turn into a somersault. The man manages to swing above the next blaster from the TIE while he spins back into main position and will begin to pilot into formation. <"WOO!">
Acquiring ... acquiring ... And then the reticule goes green and Zandra fires. << Missile away. >> She hears Jax's voice and has to laugh, shaking her head. << We got two bogeys, guns are down and shields ... >> Yes, she just totally paused there. Because just then her missile hit, and there's a KABOOM. The base's shields go silent. It's kind of eerie, perhaps, even though silence is how space vacuum works. << Shields are down. Alright Guardian Flight, time to bug out! >> She pauses and then adds, << Tell Seventy to stuff it. >>
<"Nice shot, Guardian Lead!"> Rune calls out, about to turn back around to engage the TIE fighters once again. That is, until the base shields go down and the TIEs decide to bug out instead. The two fighters scream off into the night and Rune gives up pursuit, swinging back around to form up on Zandra's wing. <"Pretty successful engagement, I would say?"> and he did say! Ecksdee beeps and whirs in appreciation, his work not going unnoticed as Rune thanks
Merek will take the time to swing up into formation, and will prepare to take to hyperspace with them when they're all finished up. <"Saber 8, mission accomplished.">
The shields on the base was down and the astroids were coming down hard enough that it was causing the Ties to bug out too. It's about that time a Helix Interceptor jumped into the system making a line for the base like an arrow finding it's bullseye.
<< Saber 05, Seventy just informed me that's impossible. Guardian flight take up position to provide cover for the Painted Guardian needs assistance with those ties. >> That would pull the flight out of the fire for now.
