Ask Ossus Thundering Heads

[Aden Archer]

Aden was contracted to help with an Imperial training exercise that was taking place on Ossus. It's called Operation Zuri. Imperials would be attacking a base with droids as the opposing force. Besides what Aden will be doing in the skies of Ossus, he doesn't have much other details for the operation. Aden has worked with the Empire, although he doesn't care much about the Empire, he has no qualms working for them as long as they provide credits. He is a freelance mercenary pilot, that's what he does.. Aden has also been piloting starfighters for a really long time and has lots of experience with this sort of thing. So it is fitting.

So the objective is for Imperial bombers to bombard the base referred to as Point Zuri'. And the others are charged with protecting them while they do so. Aden would be flying his customized interceptor the Peregrine (temporarily modified of course for the simulated nature of this mission), attached to a squadron of Impetus interceptors, and he would be squadron leader. The leader of the other squadron would be Kellan Solari (@Tic), who Aden happened to encounter while on a job while freelancing. So he is with the Imperial Starfighter Corps? What a small galaxy...

"Bravebird here. We're closing in to the OPFOR base." He commed to the Imperial aerial attack force, as they aren't too much further away from the base, flying over the plains of Ossus, approaching the base from the west. "We should go in low and surprise them." he commed over to Solari, that's his recommending course of action. If the Imperials fly low, they have a much lesser chance of being spotted on sensors and the lower profile makes less prone to get shot at.

@Tic

 

[Kellan Solari]

Lieutenant Solari felt a flash of annoyance. Why Naval Command had opted to allow a mercenary to take part in their wargames remained a complete and utter mystery to him. Granted, he had flown once with Archer already when they had dismantled a pirates nest off of Barancar. The man was undoubtedly capable and a fine pilot to boot. But what business did he have in Imperial training exercises?

He brushed the frustration aside. Distractions had even less business in Imperial training than freelancers. Whatever the justification, the 81st TIE Flight Wing had deployed Delta Squadron alongside Aden Archer to neutralize Point Zuri. Delta Squadron had been broken into two separate flight groups to escort the bombers. Flight Group Gamma would operate under Archer, while Solari himself led Flight Group Delta tasked with protecting the TIE Bombers of Mu Squadron. He queued his comlink.

“Copy that, Bravebird.” he replied. “Delta One to Flight Group Delta and Mu Squadron, lower altitude to five hundred meters. Delta, maintain formation near those bombers and watch for enemy activity.”

A crackle of comms as his squadmates acknowledged the orders and moved to comply. The Interceptors howled as they dropped altitude, white contrails of vapor snaking in their wake. Solari watched as the desolate and barren landscape of Ossus grew closer and distinctive.

“Altitude confirmed at 500 meters.” he announced. “Bravebird, this is Delta One. Recommending Gamma Squadron take point and draw out any defenders Point Zuri may muster. Flight Group Delta will escort Mu Squadron to the target and then turn back to provide support.”

@The Good Doctor

 

[Aden Archer]

Aden would agree "Copy that" It was a good idea, the fast, agile ships will be able to draw their fire and any defenses, static ones more so, will reveal themselves, leaving them open to the fighters behind.

The base was in sight in front of them. "Gamma Squadron, with me." he said, also flying low as he suggested and he and his squadron would start start moving a full speed . Already he can see anti-aircraft laser cannons on walls of the base. There would be two of them in Aden's line of sight. The guns on the turrets would start to rotate and would begin firing. Quick reflexes in Aden's part allowed him quickly align his ship with one of the turrets, getting in in his crosshairs and snap a quick barrage of laser cannon fire. The turret would be 'destroyed', and by that it would mean the cannon would be disabled harmlessly and would shut down due to modifications to all the hardware being used.

"Evasive maneuvers" he said as the other cannon would fire, the interceptors would use their speed and agility to evade the shots. They were successful as they used various maneuvers to evade cannon shots while advancing, and be flying over the base "Disperse, evade enemy fire, and fire at will" he said to his squadron. Now instead of being in a nicely packed squadron, they would be spreading all over the base, forcing the defenders to pick and target isolated and highly maneuverable Imperial interceptors, they would be evading enemy fire, only attacking when they have a chance.

Turrets would then rotate to fire at the Imperial fighters, revealing themselves, there would be a total eight on the on the walls, minus the one that was 'destroyed', leaving a total of seven. Sensors aren't picking up any enemy fighters in the air already. So it looks like the caught the opposing force off guard.

The droids for their part, are now mobilizing as droid pilots would now move to sortie in the hangar facility. It would take a bit of time for their to get in the surplus TIE interceptors they were allotted for the exercise. It would take a bit for the first wave of droid fighters to scramble. Plus another squadron that was on patrol has also been recalled. (One round before two droid fighter squadrons arrive). "Now is your chance Delta One" he would comm over, letting them know this was a good chance to do some damage to the turrets and the base.

@Tic

 

[Kellan Solari]

“Copy that Bravebird.” he replied. In the distance beyond the turrets, he could see the hangar abuzz with activity as the droid’s scrambled to man their fighters. The Impetus Interceptor felt lithe and deadly beneath his hands, its pronged wings stretching forward like the claws of some vulpine beast. A tang of bloodlust stirred in Kellan’s chest. “Flight Group Delta, engage turret defenses on the easternmost wall and clear a path for Mu Squadron!”

The TIEs shrieked as they fell into a steep descent towards the stronghold’s outer walls. The cannons opened fire.

“Incoming!” Solari spat. He jerked the flight yoke of the starfighter corkscrewing it toward the laser placements below. Bolts of incandescent laser fire hissed around and beneath his Interceptor as the world temporarily inverted itself. He swung his craft out of the roll and lined up his shot, releasing a salvo of his own fire toward the nearest turret. The shots found their mark and there was a brief crackle of voltaic sparks before the placement fell inert.

From either side, the rest of Delta group was firing at will and Solari watched approvingly as two more of the turrets fell silent.

“Half the placements disabled.” he said. The TIEs swept past the exterior wall and over the interior of the fortification. The first of the droid’s Interceptors were making their way from the ground hangar and Kellan took the opportunity to fire off a few potshots off their direction. One bolt sparked off an Interceptors solar panel, the other’s flying wide. He jerked back on the yoke and brought his Impetus up and over the hanger. “Mu Squadron! Report!”

“Mu Squadron, commencing run!”

A series of concussive blasts shuddered through his cockpit as the bombers began their work. Risking a glance over his shoulder, he could see sparks dancing over the stronghold’s wall and interior structures. The droids Interceptors were airborne now and turned sharply towards the bombers. Solari banked hard left.

“Engage those fighters!” he shouted. Only a pair of turrets remained active, but the bombers wouldn't last long under the onslaught of the defenders starfighters.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Aden Archer]

"Good, good" Aden muttered to himself as the other squadron is doing nicely, as is the one Aden himself is leading. Everything is going well. Aden banked and his squadron banked and manuvered against the turrets while the Kellan and his squadron thinned them out to only a couple remaining.

And the bombers have already began their work, dropping bombs. Of course they were actually EMP bombs that would temporary disable the infrastructure and anything else in their radius below instead of destroying them. But then fighters started mobilizing. Aden would see new pings on his sensors and his astromech droid would alert him "Yeah I see them". Then "On it" Aden would reply back to Lieutenant Solari. "Gamma Squadron, take them all out" he would order his squadron. "Bombers, evasive maneuvers". They done some damage, but if they get shot down while still trying to job their payloads it would be a 'mission failure'

For his part Bravebird would veer around and bank around to engage to pursue enemy fighters that are trying to intercept the bombers. Aden isn't too savy on the details, but he heard that the enemy commander of the stronghold is a Super Tactical Droid. He isn't wasting any time. Seeing two interceptors trying to chase down one of the bombers trying to evade and survive, Aden would use his craft's higher speed to go after them, he has one in his crosshairs at it's left side, he would let loose a volley of cannon fire. This attack angle made sure he didn't risk hitting the bomber he's supposed to be protecting. The droid interceptor would be sparking and would gradually come down for a safe landing.

Now is the next on the bomber's tail. The bomber would continue evading and being pursued. Aden would have lock onto the pursuer with missiles and then in quick succession fire one away. Try as the droid fighter to evade, but the locked on missile didn't miss, it would connect and then disable it. Leaving the bomber clear for now. "Gamma Squadron, report" he said. To which he gotten dozen responses to the effect they are engaging the enemy, some other droid fighters have been shot down, and no bombers went down. Some taking damage to their shields at most so far.

Aden would then turn around to engage the next bogey. The 'battle' in the air continues.

Spoiler: Status Report

Gamma Squadron 12/12 remaining
OPFOR Interceptors 6/12 remaining
1 round until next wave of enemy fighters

@Tic

 

[Kellan Solari]

The language of pilots was in many ways an unspoken one. The members of Solari’s squadron shared an intuitiveness about one another borne of violence and risk. Every feint or maneuver could be read by his peers as simply as were it scrawled out in text. Such familiarity made experienced units such as his exceedingly dangerous. And so when Solari sent his fighter in a stiff climb before banking round to confront the droid Interceptors as they left their hangars, the rest of the flight group acted in tandem. At the peak of their ascent, Delta Two and Three followed him into his dive, the fang-like wings of their Interceptors pointed squarely at a pair of rising droid starfighters. Kellan eased off the throttle, allowing his co-pilots to take the lead. Two and Three unleashed a flurry of cannon-fire at the droids, disabling one craft before they banked hard right. The remaining droid Interceptor followed the pair, clinging to Delta Three’s six o’clock.

Solari punched the throttle and banked hard right himself, sliding in neatly behind the pursuing Interceptor. Another flare of cannons and the droid’s fighter was drifting aimlessly toward a landing.

“Delta Five is KIA.” Five reported glumly.

Kellan glanced down at his sensor panel and could see the miniscule icons representing friendlies dancing nimbly away from a number of swarming bogies. He pulled back hard on the control yoke and sent the Interceptor into a half-loop before righting himself at the vertical peak. There was no need to confirm that just behind him, Delta Two and Three had done the same.

The trio of TIEs screamed towards their beleaguered squadmates and the four enemy craft pursuing them. Solari thumbed his weapons system toggle.

“Switching to concussion missiles.” he said.

“Copy Delta One.” Two replied as he followed suit.

The target reticle quivered and shook before finally stabilizing, trilling out as it obtained a lock. Kellan let the missile fly, watching as Two and Three did the same. One droid Interceptor corkscrewed wildly to avoid the projectiles while two of its companions took direct hits.

“Get those remaining fighters before their friends arrive!”

From far below, another retort of laser-fire. Solari glanced down and saw the Impetus Interceptors, Delta Six through Twelve, swarming the remaining turret defenses.

"That's the last of the turrets!"

Delta Squadron 11/12 Remaining
OPFOR 2/12 Remaining


@The Good Doctor

 

[Aden Archer]

In the safety of his base, the super tactical droid watched live footage of the attack on Point Zuri. King was accompanied by a droid visor as the tactical droid looked on. It was viewing the standout pilots of the Imperial attack squadrons. "King, they are tearing our fighters and our defenses are almost gone!" King would then ponder. "Our reinforcements will be arriving shortly. Have our Best units engage these targets, the rest provide cover for them." it pointed to the view monitors of Aden and Kellan's respective starfighters. "Roger roger" the other droid said.

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So they whittled through the enemy starfighters, but however, one of Aden's squadron managed to go down despite this. Gamma 3 is down. They would be able to land safely, no loss to equipment or the person inside of it.

The other squadron did their fare share of taking down what was in here. And the rest of Gamma Squadron managed to take down the last droid starfighter. "All bogeys in the base neutralized." Aden said as he flied over the base structures.

But before he would instruct the bombers to come back in, he would get beeping his astromech droid and notifications on his ship sensors, coming from the east. Two squadrons worth of bogeys "Enemy reinforcements, two squadrons, fire at will. Defend the bombers for the Empire!" Aden would pull upwards and loop around in the direction of enemy fighters. Already streaks of laser cannon fire are being exchanged, and already he can hear many imperial pilots on the coms. The enemy fighters would spread out and so would the fighters of Delta Squadron. Aden would pursue one of the interceptors, chasing it down and firing a stream of laser cannon fire. Some would hit the ground as the enemy interceptor attempts banking, but the rest would find their mark, disabling the interceptor.

But then suddenly Aden's starfighter would be hit with a quick, but powerful barrage of cannon fire that depleted his own ship's shield. He instinctively too evasive manuevers, turning sharp upwards and then leveling out. But his astromech droid was beeping, narrowly avoiding more cannon fire. He can tell this bogey is good, and almost glued to him. The astromech droid would let out a panic beeped. "Wait, what do you mean?" he said as he would make a sharp turn left to avoid more attacks. "Kriff" he muttered to himself as he realized that he is now pursued by a TIE Defender. Aden has heard about those, they are powerful starfighters, he wasn't sure if these existed these days. The droid in the cockpit is showing a lot of skill, it must be a droid with 'ace pilot' programing.

There was a second TIE Defender, it would then move to engage Lt. Solari. If it engages, it will relentlessly pursue him and attempt to shot them down.

And to add additional pressure, a second member of Gamma Squadron went down.

Spoiler: Status Report

Gamma Squadron 10/12 remaining
OPFOR Interceptors 19/22 remaining
TIE Defenders 2/2 remaining.

@Tic

 

[Kellan Solari]

Bolts of energy struck Solari’s rear shields as the TIE Defender opened fire and he could hear the atmospheric static as they weakened, threatening to give way. As he redirected strength to his faltering rear deflectors, he rolled right, inverting the Interceptor and pulled into a steep dive. The targeting alert system’s shrill cry filled the cockpit as he struggled to outpace his pursuer.

“Delta Flight! Protect those bombers at all costs!” he ordered. As he plummeted groundward he could just make out Delta Six and Nine taking out a pair of droid Interceptors before a third bogey sniped Six from his rear. His rear deflector crackled as the Defender opened fire once more. “Alright clanker, lets see what you’ve got.”

The pair of starfighters hurtled towards the ground, leveling out together at the last possible moment. Solari watched the laser scorched grasslands of Ossus whip by beneath them as he hurtled towards the stronghold’s eastern wall. The Defender hung on doggedly, potshotting Kellan as drifted back and forth in an attempt to obtain missile lock.

“You’re fast rustbucket, I’ll give you that.” he muttered, switching his weapons system to concussion missiles. “But I’m just a little faster.”

The stronghold’s outer wall flew by his right view panel, Kellan doing his best to keep his TIE as close as possible to it. The stronghold’s southeastern corner consisted of a towering bastion that had until recently housed several of the fort’s operating defense turrets. Holding his breath, he let a pair of missiles fly towards the tower at the last possible moment before he passed. Fire and masonry erupted outward, Solari’s Interceptor near enough to slip through unphased. The Defender however found itself peppered with burning debris and shrapnel as the stronghold’s bastion began to crumble.

“Just enough.” Kellan muttered and rerouted all available resources to the Interceptor’s engines. The ion reactor howled behind him and the ship screamed past the landscape at top speed. He risked a glance into his rear view panel just long enough to see the TIE Defender emerge from the smoking remains of the missile blast. Despite his pursuers speed, it was losing ground to the faster Interceptor.

He studied the terrain around him and queued his comlink.

“Bravebird, I'm half a click south of the stronghold with a ‘fender on my six.” he said. “You free to assist?”

Spoiler: Status Report

Delta Flight - 10/12
OPFOR Interceptors - 17/22
TIE Defenders - 2/2

@The Good Doctor

 

[Aden Archer]

Aden would weave through the to try shaking it. Although Aden's craft is much more faster, it's not as maneuverable, plus the Defender has overwhelming amount of firepower. Not to mention it's getting annoying hearing the streaks of the twin ion engines. But Aden isn't randomly evading and trying struggle and struggling to find an opening, he knows what he's doing.

Calm now, he knew what he would have to do and when. Aden would turn off his ship's thruster and then veer to the left as hard as he possibly can, making a sharp turn twisting his craft in doing so, narrowly avoiding cannon shots in the process. The TIE Defender would bank as well to continue pursue and gave Aden reprieve with his break maneuver. As the TIE Defender would overshoot, it would try to adjust itself and maneuver sharply as well. Aden would then turn and twist the ship around to face the TIE Defender. Now in his crosshairs, Aden would snap off a volley of laser cannon and ion cannon shots. The snapped cannon fire would connect but be unable to finish off the TIE Defender before it would manage to veer upwards with speed and then do a U-turn to disengage, disengaging for now.

He then heard the call for assistant from Lt. Solari shortly before losing that TIE Defender. "On my way Delta One." Bravebird replied shortly after shaking off his apparent nemesis. Aden would turn and light up his thrusters, going at maximum speed. The Peregrine is the fastest craft on the field. Though the TIE Defender previously in pursuit of Aden would try again, but not able to keep up yet or get in prime targeting position.

"Has anyone shown you the Antilles Maneuver by any chance?" he would then ask Solari. Aden was aware of the TIE defender that's trying to catch up to him, and is aware of the TIE defender pursuing Solari. "Fly towards me now." That way Aden would way the bogey on Kellan would come to Aden.

Spoiler: Status Report

Gamma Squadron 9/12 remaining
OPFOR Interceptors 15/22 remaining
TIE Defenders 2/2 remaining.

@Tic

 

[Kellan Solari]

“I’m familiar, Bravebird.” Kellan replied, rolling his Interceptor into a wide turn. “Rounding your way.”

The Antilles Maneuver was well known among spacers and starfighters in particular. He, like most Imperial pilots, had learned its specifics in his academy days but had seldom applied it in actual combat. It was a strategy that benefited from the vessel having sturdy shielding, a fact that precluded many TIE variants from employing it.

As he completed his turn, the stronghold swung back into view. Delta Flight and Gamma Squadron, now free of the threat of turrets, were handily routing the remaining droid Interceptors. If he and Aden could neutralize these Defenders, the remaining cleanup would be a simple enough task.

The Peregrine and its pursuer dove into view, shrieking towards Solari’s craft at blistering speed. The mercenaries ship was an ensiform streak, deadly and blindingly fast. Just visible behind it, the TIE Defender struggled to keep pace. Kellan checked his own rear view panel. His pursuer was closer now, swaying and dipping back and forth, eager to line up its shot.

“Alright Bravebird. Breaking right in 3, 2…1!”

Solari pitched his craft abruptly to the right, exposing the surprised Defender to the inbound X-Wing who unleashed a battery of laserfire that struck, then crumpled, its shields. Nimble as it was, the droid ace couldn’t turn quickly enough to avoid the onslaught and in short order was neutralized and began its descent groundwards.

“Great shot Bravebird!” Solari cheered, swiveling in his pilot’s chair. He eyed the remaining Defender tailing The Peregrine. “Now lets knock out that clunker and finish the job!”

He swung his Interceptor round and engaged the throttle, using his ship’s superior speed to close the distance.

@The Good Doctor

Spoiler: Status Report

Delta Flight - 9/12
OPFOR Interceptors - 11/22
TIE Defenders - 1/2

 

[Aden Archer]

It would have been really cool to ride through the explosion the enemy ace when destroyed, but since this is a training mission it was fine, he settled for riding through where it was at high speeds, but after that he would pull up to climb up so that Lt. Solari can do the same with the TIE Defender that was behind him. "Excellent work to you too Delta One." Aden would smile beneth his helmet once the trailing craft would inevitably be 'shot down'.

Now that both TIE Defenders would are down, the Solari and Aden would be able to rejoin the fight against the rest of the enemy interceptors.

Aden flew around at high speeds hunting for his next target, much like a bird of prey, but he got a comms from a interceptor pilot in distress. "Got two of them on my tail, can't shake them""On my way" . Bravebird would turn his fighter around and see that there are two TIEs chasing one member of Gamma squadron. He would get behind the TIES and then quickly position himself to get one in his crosshairs. He would then send a quick barrage with his laser cannons that would send one to the ground, out of the fight. The remaining of the duo would attempt to veer away to disengage and avoid being tailed, but Aden was already on it, with a quick salvo, the second of those TIEs would be neutralized.

Some of the other members of both Gamma and Delta Squadrons were able to score some 'kills' of their own, with an additional three more down. It's easier now that the Imperial side now has the numerical advantage.

Now it would become clear that the skies are quieting down, the annoying roar of the TIES's ion engines would be less audible. "Almost done. Bomber squadron, resume your mission." Now with little meaningful resistance, the bombers were called back in to do their work while the Imperials already in the base can mop up the rest quite easily.

Spoiler: Status Report

Gamma Flight - 9/12
OPFOR Interceptors - 5/22
TIE Defenders - 0/2

@Tic

 

[Kellan Solari]

The TIE Defenders effectively neutralized, Aden and Kellan rejoined their respective squadrons in engaging the remaining droid-piloted ships. Point Zuri waited anxiously as the skies above flashed with laser-cannon fire and roared with the shrill cry of ion engines. The droid pilots displayed their customary resolve and fought the attackers to the end, but ultimately the combined skill of the live pilots proved too great.

One by one, the stronghold’s defenders were picked from the sky as Gamma and Delta Squadrons tore through their ranks. As Lieutenant Solari locked in another kill, he took a moment to reflect on the benefit of having a wild card such as Archer participate in Imperial wargames. Undoubtedly, Naval High Command would be parsing through the exercises data, combing over strategies and tactics to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.

At several moments during the action, Solari had seen The Peregrine carving its way through the battlefield with a chaotic abandon that eschewed traditional Imperial flight tactics. Moves such as the Antilles Maneuver were largely verboten among the ranks of Imperial pilots and yet had been wildly effective. As his bolts danced over the final TIE Interceptor’s fuselage, he wondered what, if any, changes would come of Aden Archer’s performance today.

“Mu Squadron, defenders are neutralized.” he said. “It’s open season.”

“Copy that Delta One.”

The bombers wheeled around and descended on Point Zuri, unleashing their collective payload. Free of the harassment of point defenses or the fighters, Mu struck with startling accuracy. The absence of an actual explosion stabbed at Solari with disappointment, but he took solace in the knowledge that they had been successful. He swung his comlink band to open channel.

“That’s a kill!” he crowed. “Great job team. All squadrons, lets head home.”

As they banked homeward, Kellan brought his Interceptor alongside The Peregrine and glanced over towards Archer, offering the mercenary pilot a congratulatory thumbs up.

“Nice flying Bravebird. If you’re ever looking for steady work with the Imperial Navy, let me know. Pilots like you are always welcome in the 81st.”

/end

@The Good Doctor