Boot Out

[Eisa Swan]

​

You've Been Evicted - Vrogas Vas

Vrogas Vas, a planet that once contained a thriving jedi temple long abandoned and in decay has lately been used by a small fleet of pirates as their base of operations. General Draykon has decided that it is time to bring the planet and temple into the folds of the Galactic Alliance and will personally be leading the mission. The mission is a simple one take control of the land and the sky/space to claim the planet. Let's give these pirates their eviction notice and make sure they get the message loud and clear, their presence is no longer tolerated.
While the surface team heads down to the surface make sure no pirates get to the surface to give their allies any form of support. Make sure to give them the message that the Alliance is here to stay.​

Sitting within her cockpit, the fiery haired Jedi Knight toggled a few of the flight control switches, before her emerald hued eyes panned over towards the diagnostics console, her eyes flitting back and forth as she read the various system read outs. Everything was functioning as it should, which gave the Jedi a sense of satisfaction, despite her fighter being relatively mothballed, it was still at the peak of it's operational condition.

Gazing out of the cockpit, the young Knight watched the swirling blue vortex of hyperspace. A light sigh escaping her lips as her thoughts trailed back to the countless times she had stared out into the swirling maelstrom of augmented space, her gaze briefly falling down onto the crumpled picture that had been wedged among the rims of the various switches. The tattered image showing the Jedi and her father from a time that now felt like a lifetime ago, a simpler life back when she was nothing more than a ship board mechanic working aboard her father's freighter.

With a sudden lurch, the Cygnet dropped out of hyperspace, breaking the woman's musing on the past. No sooner the second of the two fighters dropped out of hyperspace, the Jedi opened a comm channel to her flight companion. "Star Seven, that's us dropped out at the upper orbit of Vrogas Vas" Eisa spoke out over the channel, advising that they had arrived at the correct system. "Perform your final checks, and prepare to engage" she continued before releasing the comms control stud on her control yoke.

The Knight knew that her wing man for this mission was a new blood to the the Squadron, beyond that very little was known about his past experience in fighter combat. But then again go back ten years and Eisa was in the exact same situation, being thrust-ed into the cockpit with little to no clue of what to do, beyond how to fix the craft. Sometimes she had to wonder, had she been drafted into the squadron by mistake, purely because she happened to working on a fighter when Greybok had noticed her.

A series of clicking sounds resonated within the cockpit, as the female pilot powered up the offensive systems of the ship. Before eventually opening up the comms channel once again. "Stay close and form an element on my port side" She spoke out over the comms channel breaking the silence that fell over the two craft. "We go in hot, hit them hard and fast before they have a chance to react and call for aid" Eisa added, before returning her attention back towards the various display consoles to ensure that all her weapons systems had powered up and were ready.

"Once you are ready, sound off and we'll commence our attack"

@Nommie @Larry Kenobi

 

[Vash Tembra]

Space. The final frontier. It was kind of exciting to be here, in his own cockpit of his very own ship. Well, fine, the Malla-class starfighter had been provided by the Alliance, and wasn't technically his, but still! It was so freeing to fly around in hyperspace. Vash had always enjoyed the sensation of looking out the window of a ship and watching the blue vortex engulf everything around him, but it was rare for the Echani to be the pilot.

Of course, it wasn't all happiness and rainbows: he'd rather have the green tint changed to something else, maybe black, or silver, the latter as a callback to his species' hair color, but there hadn't been time for that, as he left the hangar in a hurry after being presented to the ship.

Which brought him to the second issue of flying in space: this wasn't a leisure trip, this was a mission, and more likely than not, people would die. Vash hated killing, feeling someone's prescence in the Force fade away, but this was an important cause. He had to protect the strike team below on Vrogas Vas if they were to liberate the old Jedi Temple and bring peace, freedom, justice and security to this lovely little spot in the galaxy.

Then they arrived at their destination. The feeling of leaving hyperspace was never too pleasant- you don't leave super high velocities in a heartbeat without feeling some discomfort. But there was no time to think of that, as Eisa had started speaking and it was time to focus on the mission. He was really glad to have someone experienced in his first run. Vash had received training, of course, but this was the real deal. He rolled his shoulders, and opened his own comm channel.

"Roger that, Star Three, commencing final checks."

Praying he'd addressed the Knight correctly- he hadn't been paying that much attention when he received his instructions on addressing others in this scenario- Vash began touching the screen in front of him, which sprang to life upon being in contact with his fingers and started performing scans on the important systems. All seemed fine, from what was presented to him. Shields were good, weapons were good, hull integrity good, too. He fired up the offensive systems and it felt almost like igniting a lightsaber. And just like when he used the weapon, Vash began to feel his heart beating faster. This was it.

As Eisa opened the comm channel again, the Padawan nodded at her words, guiding his ship to her port side, and taking a deep breath to still his body and mind. He wouldn't let excitment cloud his judments in the battle to come.

"Understood, Star Three. I'll follow your lead," he said in a calm tone. "All systems are go, I'm ready to commence the attack"

He couldn't help but smirk a bit. Now all that training would be put to the test, and he'd be able to make a difference. If he didn't die horribly, that is.

@Plebometer

 

[Eisa Swan]

Throttling up on her fighter, Eisas ship pulled away accelerating towards the first way point of the targeted sweep area. Though she ensured that the throttle wasn't fully thrown open, after all unlike her; her wingman was flying a stock fighter that lacked the amount of modifications that the Fiery haired Jedi had installed over the years. Somehow it seemed that for surviving a mission, the Galactic alliance had rewarded her with various components for her fighter. Not that she was complaining, she had spent many a happy hour or weekend installing the newly acquired devices, though the thought did cross her mind at times whether it was just a ruse to keep her busy and not stripping down the other ships that were in the hanger.

The Jedis eyes narrowed as she scanned through the cockpit window and the scanner readout for any signs of enemy fighters, finding herself repeating the process several times until a single blip pinged up on the scanner. A single pirate ship about two kilometres away from their current position. "Star seven, check your scope, single contact two clicks ahead" Eisa spoke out over the comms, before toggling over a few switches, taking her weapons off their safeties and priming them to fire.

Banking the cygnet to the right a little, Eisa adjusted her trajectory so that she would be on a straight pursuit course for the pirate craft. Fingers lingering over the built in triggers of her control yoke, as the small freighter ahead grew closer into view. Slowing down her breathing the Knight focused herself and waited on the locking tone to go solid, yet it seemed that the rebels flight's approach would not go unnoticed, as the turret of the freighter sparked into life firing light laser cannon bursts a cross the bow the the Jedis star fighter. The initial shots landing with minor drain on the lead fighters shields, before the Jedi Brought her ship into a row to lessen the target able area, for long enough for the tone to go solid.

As soon as the dull flat tone rang out withing the cockpit, the Fiery haired pilot squeezed the trigger, releasing a short burst of heavy laser cannon fire upon the friegther, that overpowered its light shielding, leaving it a spiraling burning wreck before exploding. Pulling up and away from the debris field, Eisa maneuvered her fighter back onto its original trajectory. Sighing slightly from the sudden surge of adrenaline, the Jedi focused her mind and emotions, she had forgotten just how intense this could be. Though she had little time to rest and re center herself, as the scanner pinged with an additional four ships, that were closing in on their position, seemed that the friegther had been able to call in the rebels position to the rest of the pirate flotilla. "Star Seven, hostiles inbound! Check your trajectories and use evasive manoeuvres" Eisa called out over the comms, seemed like the first mission for her wingman would be a trial by fire, rather than a wamp rat shoot.

 

[Vash Tembra]

Just for a second there, things were getting almost pleasant. Yeah, there was the feeling of imminent doom lurking about, but Vash couldn't deny that simply flying around to the first waypoint was being nice. There was a soothing calmness to the idea of simply passing his ship through empty space, the only sounds being of that of the ship itself, and his body. It was almost like meditation.

Until he saw it in his sensors: a single pirate fighter flying about just ahead. As if to confirm his realization, Eisa spoke up, giving Vash a friendly warning. It was kind of odd that it was just one hostile, though: you'd think going around these parts without backup would be a bad idea. Was the pirate lost or something?

"Roger that, Star Three," he replied after opening communications. "I'll just let the Knight with the badass fighter handle this one," the Padawan added in a cheerful tone after noticing Eisa redirect her heavily modified craft to head right towards the enemy. He was careful to remain close by her port side, though, should the Knight in question require his aid for anything.

Killing wasn't something the Padawan enjoyed, so he had tried to lighten the mood by giving that additional comment. It wasn't that he wanted to make light of a serious situation, but he also didn't want too heavy an atmosphere. In his experience, that could be just as detrimental as not giving an important matter the right amount of attention.

As he manuvered his craft, Vash began opening himself to the Force. Unlike normal meditation sessions, however, he didn't simply let his mind wander around, but instead used his focus and energy on the task at hand, relying on the Force to enhance his senses and reflexes. The Echani wasn't unfamiliar with battle: he had fought before, and his most recent endeavours had taught a painful lesson in the dangers of overextending oneself. The Force wasn't a blunt tool to be used indiscriminately, but rather an energy that he could get in touch with, work in tandem with, if Vash were careful and peaceful enough to do so. Yes, this power could sometimes be used to hurt others, but if it were done with the intention to promote peace, it could be a worthy goal.

Peace through superior firepower, he reminded himself, thinking of his Djem So training, as both crafts cut through space to meet a third. It was beautiful, in a way, but also deadly: a dance of sorts, in the coldness above Vrogas Vas, where not all would come back from. Vash just kept accompanying Eisa, waiting for what was about to happen. It was almost a surprise when the pirate set fire upon the Knight. It felt, in a way, like the imaginary peace from just a few seconds ago had been broken. Eisa's response was on point, though, and soon the enemy ship was burning and spiraling out of control.

Vash flew a little to the right to avoid the debris, feeling the loss of life in the recesses of his mind. Now wasn't the time to think about that, however: now was the time to focus.

He turned his fighter back to the original trajectory, and, before he could open the comm system to compliment on the Knight's skills, he saw on the sensors more pirates coming their way, and heard his fellow Jedi's warning, to boot. Yeah, the lone pirate wasn't lost, after all, just probably scouting ahead for the rest of his group. Lovely.

"Oh, no rest for the wicked... you got it, Star Three, let's have at them!"

The Padawan's tone was a lot more casual and relaxed then he was actually feeling- four against two weren't great odds, after all- but letting doubt and fear sink in wouldn't have been of any help. Nor would any more useless chatter, however, so he focused straight ahead, readying to move his fighter in whatever position was required. He still remained on Eisa's port side, but was now a little more distant, to give both her and him space to be more mobile.

If they come at me, maybe I'll try spinning- that's a good trick, he thought, a few seconds before all hell broke loose.

 

[Eisa Swan]

And with that, as they said was the moment that kriff hit the pan. The incoming fighters lit up the dark void with a torrent of blaster fire, the young green blood kept close in Eisas wake. Narrowing her gaze, the Jedi Knight channeled the Force through her, heighten her senses, and preparing her body to cope with the sudden exertion of forces that will be acting upon her. "Star seven, break and engage at will" Eisa instructed over the comms channel, before powering her engines up by fully opening the throttle. Throwing the fighter cygnet towards the oncoming fighters.

The lead fighter broke out in an attack run, headed towards the lead enemy fighter, who in return opened fire onto the Cygnet. With a honed and practiced precision, with the guidance of the Force the ship swiftly evaded the incoming weapons fire, as the ship pitched and rolled out of the way of each shot, seemingly being able to avoid each strike moments before it could hit home. As the game of chicken drew closer to its conclusion, the Fiery haired Jedi slammed the ships throttle shut before pulling the craft into a tight pitching maneuver that through the use of the active maneuvering thrusters, allowed it to flip around on its central axis. As the pirate fighter passed infront of the downward facing nose of the Cygnet, the Jedi squeezed the trigger, unleashing a burst of heavy laser cannon fire upon the the lead fighter, that traced along the rear half of the pirates craft, cutting through the engines and power core crippling the craft and leaving it adrift in a burning wreck.

Whilst the maneuver had ultimately paid off, leaving the enemy fighter a burning wreck. It had opened the Jedis craft open for the other fighters to lock on to her. The few bursts of cannon fire that did hit the Cygnate had impacted upon the trailing edge of its wing, leaving a series of scorch marks along the pristine white Hull of the Jedi Fighter, causing superficial damage.

Slamming the throttles of her engines fully open once again, Eisa piloted the cygnet on a direct downward trajectory, cutting out of the path of the oncoming fighters, forcing them to break and disperse into three separate trajectories. The dog fight, was now commencing, Eisa hoped that her wingman was ready to engage the nearest target.

Ooc: don't forget to roll for your attack. If you score 51 you don't need to take any negatives, and you have opportunity to take out multiple foes in single attack action

 

[Vash Tembra]

They were onto Vash faster than he could blink.

He'd thought that, since Eisa had finished off the lead fighter, the Padawan could simply come behind one of the crafts and hammer at them with heavy fire, since all remaining pirates seemed focused on her. However, as soon as he took position, and prepared to pull the trigger, his target flew up and above, and a second fighter changed directory to face the Echani instead of the Jedi Knight, suddenly charging a barrage of fire at his ship.

If only Vash had the woman's skill with evasion, he might have been able to avoid the shots altogether, just narrowly dogding them like he'd seen Eisa do just a moment ago. As it stood, however, Vash took heavy fire from his new pirate friend, and only managed to react in time because he had the Force guiding his hand... otherwise, he'd end up becoming a little pile of debris, just floating around in space for eternity.

He followed the example of the pirate he'd been targeting in order to avoid the worst of it, flying up. Unlike him or her, however Vash then suddenly moved down and to the left, spinning his craft for a few seconds as he did so to avoid the shots being thrown his way. That seemed to give him some breathing room, but he saw at least one craft still hot on his tail.

In the recesses of his mind, he'd taken notice of the fact that his ship's systems were flagging red, but there was no time to focus on that right now. He focused, instead on the Force, trusting his instincts to carry him forward. It felt kind of crazy, but he suddenly had the urge to turn back... and so he did, without hesitation, meeting with the pirate fighter that was on his trail- only one was still there, which meant the other had gone to face off Eisa, the more important target.

This time, though, Vash was ready, and fired a barrage of fire of his own before his new friend could react. It didn't cause any damage whatsoever, but that hadn't been the intention: he was merely trying to keep the pirate busy while he quickly changed trajectory to take his fighter further up, in order to aid Eisa. And handling beams of laser that could kill you was always a sure fire way to distract about anyone.

"Star Three," he began in a calm tone "just letting you know, the hull has suffered some damage. Nothing I can't handle, just messed up one of the canons a bit. Also, I'm moving over to provide some backup. Our friends can't seem to get enough of you"

The Padawan took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. There was still a long way to go, and he had to focus, not let his emotions interfere with his actions. Not only that, Vash also had to keep his touch with the Force strong, but not overdo it. This wasn't over yet, and it didn't look like it would anytime soon, so he couldn't afford to be reckless and burn out, or he might end up burning in a much more literal sense.

 

[Eisa Swan]

Pulling her craft into a sharp banking turn, Eisa could feel her body being thrown back against the side of her seat. Seemed that no matter how tight the restraining harness was fitted, she always seemed to find a way to somehow getting some give on the fabric straps, then again it was hardly surprising the way she would throw her ship about. The thought did cross her mind that one day she may attempt to weld herself in place, probably not the most sensible of options, but given her experience and tendacy in pushing her fighter to its limits, she should think about figuring a way to mould the ship around her.

Spiralling out of the spray of laser cannon fire that was being directed at where she had been a few moments ago, the Jedi knights brow furrowed as the young padawans voice rang out over the comms. Vash had taken damage, and was one laser cannon down. kriff! "Negative star Seven" Eisa's voice broke out in response over the comms channel, her voice ringing with a calm sternness. "Break off, and attempt to re-route power to bypass the damaged cannon" the Jedis voice continued, advising the padawan to attempt to bypass the damaged systems. "I'll be fine for the moment, still got some tricks left... " she continued, the sternness in her voice softening before the last of her words got interrupted from the chirping of her on board droid before the comm cut out.

"no ditto I'm not going to break the ship by overloading the safeties again" Eisa groaned aloud as she maneuvered her craft into a wide banking turn, leading the pursuing pirates away from the padawans ship. "nope I'm still gonna push this baby" Eisa reported in response to the droids latest barrage of chirps. "Well cos you're going to disable the inertia dampeners this time not me, so just be ready" Eisa added, before a resigned dwooing sound eminsted from the droid port behind her.

Reaching forwards the Jedi Knight, toggled over a few switches on her armament control panel, priming the on board proton torpedoes. Before focusing the Force around her body, wrapping it tightly as if it were a compression suit; despite being in space there was still a micro gravity around them from the nearby planet, something that would still run the risk of drawing the blood away from her head in pulling her planned 'high g' stunt.

With the attacking fighters still knawing at the bit to get a clean shot on her, the Fiery haired pilot leveled her craft off: looking to draw her pursuers into doing the same. Ensuring that her throttle was fully opened, Eisas craft streaked forwards, building a small distance from the attacking craft. "Ditto Now!" she called out before closing off the throttle and stamping hard on the yaw contol pedals, throwing the cygnet into a high velocity yawing turn, spinning the craft about face. Eisas breathing became more controlled and focused as she maintained the Force pressure on her circulatory system, making sure that the flow of blood throughout her body remained even.

As soon as the cygnet had turned to face the oncoming fighters, Eisa quickly squeezed the secondary weapons trigger twice, launching two proton torpedoes into the path of the pirates. All the while her ship continued to travel backwards, having lacked any opposing thrust just yet. The proton torpedoes struck their respective marks, before exploding in a twin forming spherical blasts of protonic energy, destroying the two ships that had connected with the respective projectiles. The third fighter broke off in the wake of the blast, banking sharply to the side.

Though it did not go unnoticed by the Jedi, who had reopened her craft's throttle fully, whilst her droid reingaged the interia dampeners, projecting her forwards and closing in pursuit of the pirate's fighter.

 

[Vash Tembra]

The Echani bit his lip, frowning inside his cockpit. He wanted to help, but had to admit, missing a canon was a pretty significant disadvantage. Maybe turning away would indeed be better. Not that it mattered what he thought: it was a command, and Vash wasn't about to disobey someone far more experienced than him.

"Roger that, Star Three," he replied. "I'll try to regain power to the turret"

Just as he had finished speaking that last sentence, the pirate he'd dodged from earlier was on his tail again. The Padawan was prepared, though, and dodged out of the way just in time, twisting his fighter to the right. He had hoped the criminal would forget him and focus on Eisa, but no such luck was granted: the craft kept coming towards him, at full speed.

I can't outrun this guy, and I can't outfight him in this state. Kriff, what am I to do?

At the moment, the only response Vash could think of was to keep making sharp turns with his freighter. It was working, but it wouldn't last forever. He needed a plan, and he needed it quick. The only advantage he had over his foe was the Force. He might pull off a Force Stun. Just might. It sounded pretty stupid, but stupid ideas had never stopped him before.

So his task was twofold: to keep the ship mobile and evasive, as well as penetrate the mental defenses of a guy way into the distance. Hard, perhaps, but nothing was impossible. Eisa was handling the other two, after all, so this would be the last pirate remaining. Hopefully. There was no need to keep saving energy. He stretched his perceptions into space, taking care to keep his ship always on the move. It took him some time, but he did manage to find the Force signature of the pirate. In his mind, he was feeling aggressive, and... smug?

Only when his ship started beeping did Vash understand why- while he had distracted himself seeking out the mind of his foe, he had been much more productive, hitting his hull once again. Damage was greater this time- he could feel the ship reacting to the blast, and not with the Force, but with his regular senses: it was harder to steer now, and overall a bit wobbly. The latest shot had damaged the ability to manuver the fighter. Vash would have to keep a close watch on his movements.

He had been a fool, forgetting his own rule about not overdoing it, and now he'd paid the price. One cannot dodge canons and stun people at the same time. It sounded pretty obvious, but he'd made the attempt anyway. Still alive, though, Vash reminded himself, flying the ship downwards to try and get some distance from the pirate. Eisa had finished cleaning up the rest, so she might yet help him, because he could really use some time to do some power re-routing.

 

[Eisa Swan]

Feeling the kick of her ships inertia dampeners re-engage, Eisa could feel herself get thrust into the back of her seat as the engines fired up and tore forwards, the sudden change in direction causing the fiery haired Jedi to tighten her grip on the control yoke out of habit. Despite being a seasoned fighter pilot, there was still the odd moment when she felt like she was on a hyper coaster at some thrill park. Her attention soon shifted towards the plight of her wing man, she could see from the corner of her eye that the remaining pirate fighter was presently in pursuit of the padawan's damaged fighter. Through gritted teeth the Knight exhaled as she jerked the ship into a tight bank, throwing the nose of her fighter towards the two other craft within the vicinity.

With the enhanced modifications to the Cygnet, the time to intercept the fighters was fortunately short. Reaching over, Eisa toggled over a few switches on her weapons control, re-diverting the power to her heavy laser cannons. Narrowing her eyes and increasing her focus through the Force, the Jedi knew that timing would be everything. Her weapon systems had been heavily modified to quickly deal with stock fighters, something that she was all to conscious of that her wing man was flying, and in his current state he would not survive getting caught in the Jedi's crossfire.

"Star Seven, Break left on my Mark" Eisa instructed over the comms channel as she hovered her finger over the trigger, she could feel her heart beat slow down, and with that came the moment of clarity, everything seemed to run in slow motion. "Break!" Eisa barked over the comms channel moments before squeezing the trigger, unleashing a salvo of heavy laser fire, that rained down into the rear of the pursuing pirate's craft. As intended the manoeuvre had succeeded, the pirate's craft had errupted into a fireball whilst the two Jedi crafts pealed off out of the way, Vash's one for the time being being able to afford some time to recover and try to salvage any functionality in his damaged ship.

Drawling level with the damaged, Fighter Eisa narrowed her gaze as she looked out of the window of her cockpit, her emerald hued eyes surveying the damage that had been inflicted. A slight sigh escaping her lips, it had taken a hell of a beating; it was salvageable and would be able to continue flying for the time being, but whether he could sustain any further damage? It was a risk that she wasn't wanting to take. "Alliance Flotilla, This is Star Three. Requesting additional fighter support, Star Seven has taken heavy damage and requires covering support" Eisa spoke out once again, her voice crackling over the comms channel as she 'radioed' in with the waiting Galactic Alliance fleet.

"Star Seven, you alright?" Eisa spoke out over the comms, her voice conveying the concern she held over the new recruit's welfare. "I've requested back up to give you some protection whilst you try to make some repairs.But be alert, long range scanners are picking up incoming, four more fighters, if it gets too hot, Retreat back to the flotilla, I will cover your escape" Eisa continued as her attention flicked between the fighter she was flying along side of and the alerts flashing up on her display.

@Rom

 

[Vash Tembra]

Vash kept going on and on, turning this way and that in order to avoid the pirate's rate of fire. In the end, he was right: the Force did prove to be a powerful factor in evening the odds, just not in the way the Padwan had thought: losing focus and going after a Stun or anything of the sort was foolish, but letting the Force guide one's moves was turning out to be very effective in avoiding the barrage of fire being thrown his way. He knew he wouldn't be able to do this forever, but he didn't have to: Eisa was coming. He was too focused in keeping himself alive to bring his attention to the comm unit and reply to the Knight's order to prepare to turn left, but he'd heard it, and was now taking a deep breath, preparing himself for the moment.

It came with a yell from Eisa, and he reacted right away, turning his craft left all of a sudden. It seemed to have worked, and the pirate pursuing him went out in a blast of flame. This time, Vash was almost glad to see a life gone. Almost.

"That was too close, thank you, Star Three," the Padawan awnsered, after letting out a relieved sigh. "I'm alright, my fighter's holding. Just need some time to check her out. Thanks for calling some backup! And... roger that, I'll break away if it's needed."

This last sentence he added in a somewhat upset tone. It had been a terrible way to start things, what with his reckless use of Force Stun, and the damage he'd suffered to the ship. Hopefully, he'd be able to turn this around and carry on, as, contrary to his previous belief, there were more pirates coming.

It was stupid to assume it was over without checking first, he thought, beginning to run some scans on the fighter. The manuverability was in a bad shape, and Vash wasn't sure he'd be able to fix that, at least not in a significant manner. But no matter, this baby could still fly around, and if he were careful, and used the Force, he'd be able to make up for the difference. No more Force Stun, though.

His failures didn't sit well with him, but he was alive, and still had the power to learn from his mistakes. Just had to be more focused on the task at hand. Right, focus on the ship, forget the rest, he thought, letting distractions such as the angry pirates coming to kill them or anything else slip away from his mind. It wasn't important right now, and he had a job to do, besides. It was one step at a time. Fix the damage first, help his friends later.

 

[Kazzatobhk]

The starlines streaking across the viewport warped and twisted as Kazzatobhk's fighter screamed through hyperspace toward the beleaguered members of Star Squadron, the Bothan idly flipping switches and readying the old Model 710 for combat. He'd been tinkering with the fighter when the call for aid came and he hadn't lived the life he did by making wise decisions. Grinning behind the respirator mask attached to his helmet, Kaz pulled a lever and yanked hard on the control yoke, dropping out of hyperspace just a short distance behind the duo and looping around to form up on the left of the limping green starfighter.

"Starshrike to Star Squadron, heard you two could use some backup." A glance at his flashing sensors showed a motley quartet of ships rushing in toward the trio of Alliance starfighters and the Wookiee rebel pushed his craft into a looping semi-circle around Star Seven, placing himself between the limping Malla and the approaching pirates. "I'll keep the scum off his back, Lieutenant. Happy hunting!"

A chime announced that the pirates had made it within range of the concussion missile launcher and Kazza chuckled darkly as he brought up the targeting computer and set his sights on the lead ship. The Force sang around him, his hands unconsciously moving to toggle the targeting computer off until the Wookiee grit his teeth and quashed the sensation, stubbornly focusing on the targeting computer. The computer beeped a positive lock and Kaz triggered the missile launcher with a whoop only for the ship to rock around him as the missile clipped the edge of the tube and sped off into the black. A sprawling line of text on his readout showed that the missile tube was warped and could not load the next missile into place.

"Karabast! Star Three, missile support is unavailable - it's going to be a knife fight over here."

Frowning behind his helmet Kaz snapped the fighter into a tighter orbit around Star Seven while failing to ignore a small voice in the back of his mind wondering if the Force could feel smug.

 

[Eisa Swan]

A light sigh escaped the Fiery haired pilots lips, as the back up dropped out of hyperspace and sounded off over the comma channel. "Starshrike, this is Star Three, acknowledged and thank you" Eisa responded over the comms as she watched the third rebel fighter maneuver into position. Once the rather unorthodox looking fighter maneuvered into position, Eisa broke off from her tight covering element from Vashs ship. The happy hunting remark bringing a slight curl to her lips, "He'll fit right in" the Jedi Knight muttered to herself, as the cygnet turned into a high pitching bank, pulling herself and the incoming fighters wide away from the damaged fighter of the squadron.

Once she had peeled off and away, her engines flared up in a bright burst of light, the throttle now once again fully drawn back, accelerating the rebel fighter farther away. It was something of a strange notion, how did the new arrivals comments manage to illicit such a reaction from the Jedi Knight? Why was it that behind the controls of her fighter, she became a predator? Even if it was for the betterment of the Galactic Alliance and the Rebel cause, and she was doing the right thing; well she thought it was. But the question lingered, is this truly what was expected of a Jedi?

Shaking her head clear of her thoughts, the Crimson flashes of laser fire streaking past her bringing her back into the now. The reflection would come later, after the mission debriefing, when an opportunity could come about to meditate and contemplate. Pulling her craft into a sharp dive, Eisa evaded the incoming fire, before swiftly banking to her right and circling round on the pirates. Pulling on the trigger Eisa unleashed a salvo of heavy laser fire on the closest fighter, the shots streaking wide at first before the last few bursts impacted as glancing shots, clipping the engines of the enemy fighter. The initial flare of red from the exhaust giving indication that the engines had been lost, sending it spiralling out of control and out of action.

Her moment of distraction however, Eisa hadn't paid too much attention to how the pirates were maneuvering around her. Her ship shuddering as a series of light laser cannon fire connected with and were absorbed by her port shields. "Kriff it!" Eisa cussed under her breath, gritting her teeth the Jedi swiftly rolled her craft round, shifting the weakened shields out of the firing line, before pulling the craft into a tight climb to evade the attack.

 

[Vash Tembra]

Vash barely noticed when the new fighter came to play, so focused as he was on making the repairs on his damaged freighter. There was a large amount of wires he'd just pulled up in order to redirect power, and now all he had to do was find a way to make it all work. It took some time, and it was almost relaxing, in a way: that feeling of the whole world fading into the background as you focus on nothing but your work. And it was working. Power had been returned to the canon, but as of yet not enough to actually have it shoot things, but he was confident he could make it happen if he tinkered with it just a little longer.

The manuverability was toast, though: no way to get it back without a droid or five looking at it, but it wasn't important right now. Focus on what you can solve and forget the rest, he reminded himself, and suddenly, the canon was back online. Vash grinned in satisfaction.

"Alright, you two, I'm back in the game," he said cheerfully, flying after the remaining pirates.

As usual, they were focusing their attention on Eisa, which gave Vash the perfect opportunity to act. He went directly after the Knight and her little entourage of death, and as expected, a single enemy fighter broke off to take him down. Vash was already firing, however, before the pirate could react, trusting in his instincts and the Force to hit right where was needed. It was a bit risky, especially since he'd shot at he or she from a relatively long distance, but the gamble had paid off, and his foe was now just a little puff of smoke. Well, and some other stuff.

Flying up to avoid the debris, Vash fired on a second fighter, this time, though, he got in close to hit the craft more reliably. There was no need to overdo it and strain himself by relying too heavily on the Force, particularly since the enemies' attention was still on Eisa. The canons hit their mark, and the pirate craft was propelled forwards before it exploded, just narrowly missing the final enemy, who had flown down at the last minute to avoid being hit by the debris.

"Starshrike, let's get this guy and go home," Vash said happily, moving his fighter a little away to give the new arrival a clear view of the final target.

 

[Kazzatobhk]

Grinning behind his mask at the youthful exuberance showcased between the two Star Squadron member's comms and their daring maneuvering. Star Three flew like a firaxen shark among minnows, relying on the strength of her upgraded fighter to absorb and mitigate the risks that came with diving down the enemy's throat. Seven seemed to emulate that thinking without the upgrades and was bloodied for it but, between the Force Jaruut could feel swirling around the young human and a plucky attitude, he seemed to be making the most of it. Looping around the beleaguered stock Malla, the Wookiee kept an eye on the sensors as he followed Seven on his attack run.

The Starshrike was an older ship, and it seemed to shake around him as he kept pace with Seven's climb toward the last pair of fighters. Murmuring a quiet assurance to the ship, Kazz yanked the control yoke to the side and jackknifed beneath Star Seven, following the last pirate into a dive. Lances of laser fire burned through the void toward the pirate who twisted and zagged away from the debris field, somehow avoiding the barrage. Gritting his teeth behind his respirator, Kazzatobhk felt a soothing warmth wash over his mind as the galaxy around him slowed to a crawl.

He moved without conscious thought, the whispered hum of the Force filling him, and as the Void sped up to match his movements a lance of light cannon fire pierced the cockpit and sent the pirates craft into a spin before bursting into a ball of flame. Glaring "up" at the Universe, Kazz grumbled under his breath. Apparently the Force could feel smug.

"Pirates neutralized, Star Squadron. Who's buying the first round?"

 

[Eisa Swan]

A sigh of relief escape from the Fiery haired pilots lips as her eyes caught the sight of the last reaming enemy fighters, disappear off her screen. The area was cleared of pirates, well for the time being at least. Having learnt from experience, Eisa knew better than to call it a day as soon as the last enemy fighter disappeared off her scope.

Forming up with the other two fighters, positioning herself as the flight lead, with the two other pilots either side of her flank. The Jedi Knight couldn't help but grin at the comms chatter, whist she lead the flight through a final patrol sweep of the area, ensuring that it was clear of pirates once and for all. "Traditionally that would fall to the newest member of the squadron" Eisa responded over the comms channel. "so it would be that the drinks are on Star Seven..." she continued whilst toggling a few switches and dials to adjust her scanners. "But that's since changed, Starshrike.... Or should I say... Star Five." the Knight concluded with a light chuckle.

Giving the newest member a bit of time to process the revelation, as well as to concentrate on navigating a tricky debris field the comms channel fell silent for a few moments. "Welcome to star squadron, once we're back with the flotilla and debriefed, come and see me in my office and we'll get the requisition orders in place for you to get out fitted" Eisa resumed once the three fighters were clear of their sweep through the debris field. "Star Seven, when we get back make sure to get your ship seen to by my maintenence crew, trained them myself, they'll have your kite fixed up good and proper" she continued turning her focus to the padawan pilot. "Also, might want to consider getting your livery sorted, since you've popped your mission cherry" the Knight added before breaking out into laughter.

Vering her fighter round, adjusting the heading to the randezvous point. The Jedi open up a comms channel back to the awaiting fleet. "Alliance Flotilla, this is Star Three, area is secure, repeat area is secure, will dock with you at the RVP" Eisa called out over the comms frequency to the awaiting fleet, before changing the channel back to the local ship to ship frequency. "Mission complete boys, well done, let's get ourselves back with the Fleet" the Knight addressed cheerfully as she lead the fighter team to the meeting point, where as the flight approached they were greeted by the sight of the flotilla dropping out of hyperspace.

/End Thread but feel free to close out

 

[Vash Tembra]

Vash couldn't help but let out a chuckle from his comm. One moment, he thought he was going to die horribly in a ball of flames, the other, the guy who'd just come to help would be buying the drinks... it was too good to be true!

"Yeah, you shouldn't have asked that, Star Five," the Echani said in a cheery tone, addressing the bothan by his new title, before teasingly adding. "Maybe now that you're part of the team they'll give you a fighter from this century, though. Missiles are kind of important and can't just fail, don't you know?"

The Padawan took a few moments to simply enjoy flying through the debris field. Many lifes had, unfortunately, been taken today, but it was all for a good cause. The people down on that abandoned Temple were safe thanks to their actions here, and it meant a lot, especially if they could make something good out of it. The Jedi could not only train new recruits here, but also preserve the knowledge of the ancients, if the pirates hadn't sold off all the holocrons and other relics, because those kinds of items definitely sounded like something an eccentric Hutt or five would be interested in acquiring.

If they had done as Vash suspected, that'd mean a little bit of relic hunting would soon be in order. That sounds pretty fun, maybe just steal the things and get out before anyone notices, he thought, before opening up the comm again to respond to Eisa, who was now addressing him.

"I'll get this baby sorted out, Star Three, don't worry. Might get a new paintjob while I'm at it, too- green just doesn't match my eyes, you know?" He chuckled "And don't worry about my livery, I'm an expert at hiding embarassing details about my uniforms. Now let's get some drinks!"