Disclaimer:
I do not own, nor did I create the Star Wars Universe.
The characters appearing in this story are all fictional. Any similarities with real-life personas are purely coincidental.
This is my first attempt at Star Wars fiction, although I've read quite a lot. Michael A. Stackpole's excellent series: Rogue Squadron is really what influenced me to start writing this story.
I've decided to attempt writing this fiction from the Imperial POV, since I haven't seen any stories written that way. I believe the Empire and its warriors are worthy subjects. Their brutal efficiency and military technology has led me to wonder sometimes why the rag-tag rebellion could win.
Notes: This is the first chapter of the first story of a three part fiction titled "Defenders of The Empire." Each will feature a different main character, although the two other main characters and the other periphery characters will be there at the background of each story.
The stories take place in the events immediately before and during the battle of Hoth. The characters, a Gunnery Lieutenant, a TIE Interceptor pilot, and a Storm Trooper Sergeant, all served on the Imperial Star Destroyer Avenger, under Captain Needa.
The first one is called "Alpha Flight." This is the story of the Interceptor pilot. You, dear reader, will find that I have included more types of craft than seen in the movie and the novels. This is both an attempt to rationalize the Imperial's military response to rebel threats, and to make the story a bit more exciting. These crafts were taken from the excellent LucasArts Game TIE Fighter, and from Starwars.com. There will be organizations and other things as well from the Star Wars expanded Universe.
Finally, I wish to express my gratitude to anyone willing to write a review of this story after reading it. I hope you've enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
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Alpha Flight. Ch. 1
The scramble alarm sounded without warning. Pilots raised from their sabacc tables and tore themselves off the comfortable couches in the ready room. The echo of dozens of running feet reverberated in the corridors of the flight deck of the Imperial Star Destroyer Avenger.
"Well, there goes the peace and quiet", Jaxon Trax muttered under his breath as he reluctantly pulled on his boots. He followed the last group of pilots out of the ready room and turned left towards the briefing room. He was a relatively new pilot on board the Star Destroyer. He had just arrived a couple of months earlier with a group of replacement pilots.
The briefing room was already darkened. Jaxon could see the intelligence staff conferring on the podium ahead, the large holo-projector in front of the room was still dark. He sat beside Ginn Alrehati, one of the senior pilots and his flight leader.
"What's going on Lieutenant?" he asked conversationally as he picked up the briefing data-pad provided on the arms of his chair. The data-pad, like the holo-projector, was also blank. "I don't see much here, I guess the spooks are going to send us out barely briefed again."
"Beats me," answered Ginn. He was not known for his conversational skills because he preferred his answers, if any, short. He looked, as ever, unworried about the situation. He was known as the best pilot on board.
In front of the room, the holo-projector flickered to life. The intelligence staff, spooks in slang, checked the display and made minor adjustments. Jaxon could see pilots squirming in their seats, impatiently waiting for the briefing to begin.
"All right gentlemen, we'll begin," the leader of the Intelligence Staff said in his raspy voice. The pilots never really got along with the spooks, mostly because the information they supplied, which had direct correlation with their survival, was usually inadequate. The pilots saw them as stay-behind puppies that had too much control over their fates. While the spooks saw the pilots as expendable assets to be unleashed at will against the enemies of the Empire. The enmity between the two groups was well known. The leader of the spooks turned to face the holo-projector and punched in a few keys.
"We are here in Derra IV, in the Kuat sector. As you know, our Star Destroyer was assigned here to monitor rebel smuggling activities and help safe-guard Kuat Drive Yards from any attacks. At 0400 this morning, our sensors picked up a group of bulk freighters entering the system. They answered our hail, and supplied us with the right security code." White icons appeared on the holo-projection, showing the position, heading, and speed of the convoy as it entered the system. Jaxon saw that there were 4 bulk freighters in total. "However, further scrutiny revealed that the code had been sliced illegally on Borgo Prime, the asteroid mining depot. When challenged by this fact, the convoy made an abrupt change of heading and increased speed to flank. They are trying to escape Derra IV's gravity well and escape into hyperspace. We cannot let that happen." As he spoke, the white icons on the holo-projection turned to red and Jaxon could see the aspect change of the convoy. Definitely trying to make a run he thought to himself. The spook leader continued his intelligence briefing," We believe the convoy is carrying weapons and base parts for the new rebel base Lord Vader is searching. As such, we wish to capture at least two of the ships and interrogate the crew. The rest of the convoy is to be destroyed. To this end, the Avenger's fighter and assault gunboat complement will sortie. I now turn the briefing over to Lieutenant Commander Merck, Commander if you please," he gestured at the man to his left and then sat down.
Lieutenant Commander Janus Merck was the Flight Operations Officer of the Star Destroyer Avenger. He was a short and thickly built man of about 40. His age alone spoke highly of his skills, since usually TIE Fighter pilots did not live to be that old. This fact was attributed more to the TIE Fighter's notorious lack of shields than the lack of skill of Imperial pilots. It was said that the new Advanced model of the fighters, and another even more advanced and highly secret model, will have shields and even a hyper drive. But Jaxon knew that he probably wouldn't be flying them. The Commander stood and entered a sequence of data into the holo-projector. More icons appeared, detailing flight tasks and designations.
"All right, the job is to interdict this convoy, disable at least 50% of the ships, and marginalizing the rest. So here's what we'll do. TIE Interceptor Alpha, that's you Alrehati, will fly CAP. Some of these freighters have been modified to include a flight deck. There maybe Z-95s or even X-Wings in them. So they're yours to deal with, and plus the possibility of rebel reinforcement hypering in." The holo-projection icon of Alpha appeared and moved to position. "TIE Fighter Beta will be available to reinforce you if necessary. Now, TIE Fighter Gamma will escort Assault Gunboat Delta to the target, after Alpha has secured the area. Delta, you are to engage the convoy and disable them. Remember, we need two intact. When the two freighters have been disabled, and the rest destroyed, Assault Transports Omega 1 and 2 will launch to board the freighters. During this time, all fighters deployed will fly CAP around them. Once boarding operations are complete, Gamma will escort the transports back to the Avenger. Gamma will then resume CAP, while Alpha and Delta are recovered. Beta, if they are deployed, will be last in. Any questions?" The Commander asked looking at the pilots. There were none. "That's it. Suit up and let's get this done."
The pilots filed out of the room and headed towards the hangar. On the way they would make a stop at the prep room to pick up their helmets and survival gears. The TIE series of fighters do not have life support on board, so the pilots had to wear a full helmet and survival gear. The Assault Gunboats have them on board, however, and their pilots were not encumbered by the heavy equipment.
Jaxon walked with Ginn Alrehati into the prep room. Although he was relatively new, his skills and marks at the Imperial Navy Academy had earned him to fly the Interceptor. He knew that the Interceptor held the edge over most rebel fighters, except the A-Wing, in terms of speed and maneuverability. But the lack of shields made the Interceptor especially vulnerable. He had been assigned as Gin's wingman, after his previous one fell prey to a rebel X-Wing fighter.
"Listen kid," Ginn suddenly turned to him. "You'll be watching my ass out there, so here's what I want you to do. You follow my lead. Don't get cocky. Forget any assumption that you are a superior pilot over the rebels because that just ain't the truth. I know what they said in the Academy, but I've been here. I've done the deed. Throw them out of the window, you understand?" Jaxon nodded nervously. This was the first time Gin ever talked to him this long, he guessed correctly that it was so because this was his first sortie against the rebel alliance. So far he had only came up against pirates and mercenaries. "You're a good pilot. But if you don't watch your ass out there, you'll end up some rebel's kill paint. Now, don't ever try to go head-to-head with them. You'll lose. They have shields and you don't. Always try to get behind them. If you can, with the X-Wings and Y-Wings, try to kill the astromech units they have perched behind the cockpits. It'll blind them and make your life easier. Got that?" Jason nodded again. He knew a good lesson when he heard one. This one was one of those. Gin seemed pleased with his understanding and clapped him once on his shoulder, "You'll be fine kid. Let's get this show on the road."
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The beauty of space always took his breath away every time he saw it, and it did again as he launched from the Star Destroyer. To his right and left he saw other flights assigned to this mission forming up with their leaders. The Assault Transports hung well back under the protection of the Star Destroyer. I wonder if Dexar's squad got this mission, he thought to himself, thinking of his Storm Trooper friend.
"Alpha, form up," came Ginn's voice, metallic in his helmet communication gear. Alpha flight of eight Interceptors formed in an inverted-V formation behind Ginn's Alpha 1. The Interceptors' deadly forms raced towards their targets.
Ahead of them they could see the freighters. Big and ungainly, they did sport a quad of heavy laser cannons each, and thus quite deadly to the unshielded Interceptors and Fighters. But the transports weren't their concerns. They were looking for signs of snub-fighter escorts or reinforcements.
Jaxon could see a panel opening on the starboard side of the outer most freighter. He felt a knot of ice formed in his stomach. Oh shit, they have hangars. Right on cue he could see dark forms spilling out of the opening. He pressed the transmit key on his yoke, "Heads up people! We've got fighters coming."
He punched in his target acquisition key. Immediately the Multi-Purpose screen in front of him showed his first target. Z-95s, this shouldn't be too difficult. He followed Ginn's Interceptor in as he flew an intercept course towards the hostile fighters.
"Alpha this is Control," came the voice of the Flight Controller on board the Avenger. "You've got twelve, that is one two Z-95s vectoring to your location. Alpha you are weapons free. Engage and terminate." The instruction came from an emotionless voice with a clipped Imperial accent.
"Roger Control," Ginn acknowledged. "All right Alpha, split to elements and engage. Two form up loose on me. We're going for the kill. The rest, designate your targets and engage." Ginn's command sounded cool and confident. The rest of the flight drew their confident from their flight leader as they split into 4 elements of two Interceptors' each.
Jaxon kept up with his flight leader as they vectored and screamed towards the lead Headhunter. He knew that Ginn would take the Headhunter designated Gold 1 in their targeting system. He would take Gold 2. He also knew that the Headhunter was no match for an Interceptor. Although it had the shields capacity and hull durability of an X-Wing, it was not as maneuverable and was only armed with a couple of blasters on each wing tip and two concussion missile launchers.
"Two break on my mark," Ginn's voice came in his helmet. Jaxon keyed an acknowledgement and continued his course. They were heading right for the Headhunters. The move was designed to make the Headhunter pilots over confident by thinking that the Interceptors were going head to head with them. Because he had been training with Ginn in the simulator, he knew that his flight leader would break to starboard, and that he was supposed to break port. He readied himself for the moment.
Two lights flicked to life on his Heads Up Display. One designating that a fighter is tracking him for laser shots, the other one told him that someone is trying to get a missile lock on him. Neither one worried him much. They had trained for this situation many times on the simulators.
"Mark!" Ginn snapped as his Interceptor cut sharply up and starboard. Jaxon pushed his yoke down and to the left, and at the same time stomping on the left rudder pedal. From the corner of his eye he could see scarlet blaster bolts from the Headhunters lancing through the point in space where Ginn and him were before their break. He pulled back at his yoke to the right and completed the loop that placed him behind the Headhunter. He pushed his throttle down while flicking his power resource level to increase the charge of his laser. Although it slowed his Interceptor down, he was still fast enough to catch up with the Headhunter. The Headhunter, realizing his mistake, tried to maneuver away from Jaxon by diving to port. But he was too slow. Jaxon stayed right with him and tightened his fingers around the button on his yoke. Green laser bolts lanced towards the Headhunter and impacted on its shields. He kept firing on the Headhunter until he saw his lasers finally pierced the shield and impacted behind the cockpit of his target. The Headhunter began to roll as parts of the cockpit area started to break apart. Jaxon knew that the pilot was dead and broke away from it. He felt the mild shockwave of the Headhunter exploding as he flew towards Ginn.
He saw Ginn's Interceptor already behind his second target. Debris and pieces of Headhunters floated around them. The rest of Alpha flight also did well. Only a few of the Headhunters were still flying and he already could see one limping back towards the freighters.
"This is Alpha 1, area secure, Gamma and Delta are clear for run," Ginn reported to the Flight Control. Jaxon pulled up his map and saw that Gamma and Delta flights are already vectoring towards the freighters. The sleek but slower Assault Gunboats were preceded by the TIE Fighters of Gamma flight. He formed up on Ginn's Interceptor and together they flew towards the Alpha rallying point. All eight Interceptors were there. Ginn ordered them to form up again and they began to fly their patrol.
Gamma flight broke left and right just before they entered the freighters' gun range, while the Assault Gunboats dove in after their prey. Jaxon could see the occasional red streak of concussion missiles and the green bolts of laser cannons impacting on the freighters' shields and hull. Some of the Gunboats, clearly tasked to disable two of the freighters fired their ion cannons. Blue bolts streaked towards their targets. Electrical spider webs traced their way across the freighters as their systems shut down and their engines flickered dead.
The other two freighters weren't so fortunate. Concussion missiles and the heavier proton torpedoes impacted on their hulls. Bulkheads collapsed and flames shot out of window ports. Jaxon knew that the freighters probably attempted to surrender. Betray the Empire, you fools, and die a traitor's death. He felt neither pity nor remorse for the rebel crew. It was, after all mistakes of their own.
He glanced down at his map and saw that the Assault Transports are already moving to dock with the two surviving freighters. Gamma group had already formed an escort for the transports as the rest of the Imperial fighters flew in patrol pattern. The rebels didn't usually surrender this easily, so they were expecting rebel reinforcements.
The Transports docked with the freighters. Jaxon tried to imagine the scene of Storm Troopers bursting into the transports, killing or stunning all in their path. He knew they would succeed. All he needed to do is keep them safe from snub-fighters.
"Alpha flight, we detect multiple rebel hostiles reverting to real space. Vector and intercept. Targets are T-Wing class fighters and Lambda-class shuttles," the voice of the controller startled him out of his reverie. The Lambda shuttles clearly are attempting to rescue the crew of the freighters while the T-Wing fighters provided escort. The T-Wings were designed as cheap replacement fighters for the Rebellion. Sporting three wings at the back, one up right and two horizontals, they had the hull integrity and maneuverability of an X-Wing, but the shields and weapons of an A-Wing. In the right hands, a T-Wing could be dangerous indeed to the unarmoured TIEs, however, since the pilots were mostly fresh replacements, the odds were shifted to the TIEs's advantage.
Jaxon followed his flight leader as the latter put his Interceptor into a lazy turn to port. In the distance he could see the Lambda-class shuttles and the T-Wings speeding towards the freighters. He received his target designation from Ginn and saw that again he had been assigned the number two T-Wing, while Ginn would take out the leader.
"Gamma you have the shuttles. Delta group, lock on the T-Wings and fire your missiles, then hang back to pick off any one that got through. Alpha, engage the T-Wings," Ginn's crisp order issued from the communications package. Already the TIE Fighters of Gamma flight were vectoring toward the shuttles. Jaxon could see in his sensors that the Assault Gunboats of Delta flight were forming up behind them, ready with their missile locks.
The ranged were closing fast between the T-Wings and the Interceptors when all of a sudden red streaks shot past Jaxon's cockpit. Immediately he realized that the Assault Gunboats had launched their concussion missiles and were turning back to serve as the rear guards over the transports and freighters. The T-Wing pilots saw this and tried to shy away. Jaxon saw one of the missile impacting on a T-Wing's shield as it tried to evade. The explosion seemed to throw the craft around a little bit but the pilot seemed to gain his bearings immediately. To no avail. One of Alpha's flight element closed in and Jaxon saw green laser bolts stabbed at the diminished shields of the craft, which quickly collapsed, then at the hull it self. The T-Wing broke apart, with the wings separating from the body and the fuselage spinning away before exploding.
Another T-Wing caught two concussion missiles at once. As the fighter broke apart, Jaxon saw the pilot bailing out. "Control this is Alpha two, we've got a rebel pilot extra-vehicle here," he reported to the Avenger. The flight controller responded by sending out a recovery shuttle to pick up the pilot. I do not envy that man, Jaxon thought to himself.
At that moment, the two groups of fighter finally closed in. A close in dogfight ensued with the Interceptors splitting up into disciplined flight elements. Ginn's Interceptor dove and weaved behind a fleeing T-Wing before finally dispatching it in a burst of flame. Jaxxon broke port and fell into the tail of another T-Wing. To his right-back, he saw Ginn forming up to wing him. The rebel pilot tried several sharp turns to escape Jaxon, but he deftly stayed with his quarry. Whenever the T-Wing would enter his sights, he'd squeeze off several laser fires to weaken the fighter's shields. The T-Wing pulled a snap roll to the right and tried to veer off. Jaxon anticipated his move and slammed on the right rudder pedal, turning with the T-Wing. He calculated the right lead on his target and triggered his lasers. The bolts hit the T-Wing squarely on the right side, puncturing the already weak shields and impacting on the hull and cockpit. The canopy shattered and Jaxon could see the pilot's blackened body inside a split second before the T-Wing exploded.
The T-Wing flight was completely annihilated with only one survivor captured for interrogation. Jaxon saw that Gamma flight also had finished up its fight with the Lambda shuttles. Debris and pieces of T-Wings and Shuttles floated around them, along with several charred or frozen bodies. He couldn't believe that his first fight with the Rebels was such a success. The only Imperial casualties were two Gamma wing TIE Fighters, while the Rebels suffered the loss of twelve Z-95 Headhunters, eight T-Wings, four Lambda-class shuttles, and four freighters, two being captured intact. I never guessed it would be quite like this, he thought as he suddenly felt drained. The battle had excited him. The adrenalin rush that he felt, the pounding of his heart, the sharp increase of his senses' performance, it had exhilarated him. Now that the battle was over, he felt fatigued. More tired than he ever felt all his life.
"All elements, Omega has finished docking operations. Gamma, escort Omega back to the Avenger and dock. Alpha and Delta fly CAP for the transports. They will enter Hyper-space. Once they do, RTB. Control out."
"Roger control," Ginn's voice still sounded calm. Nothing excites that man Jackson thought as he complied with Control's direction and followed Ginn as they flew track pattern around the transports. Today's battle had been a great victory for the Empire, and he looked forward for the celebration at the mess hall later tonight. Lum and Ale will flow freely, and perhaps I'll get some time alone with Delia. Delia Rapax was a Gunnery Lieutenant on board the Avenger. Remembering the Empire's attitude towards women, something which he did not agree with, she had managed to climb the ladder and commanded a battery of turbo-lasers. He had caught her fancy about a week after he arrived on board the Star Destroyer, and the feeling was mutual. He looked forward for it now that everything's finished and he had time to think about things other than space combat.
The transports aligned themselves to their exit point and reverted into Hyper-space. Immediately Alpha and Delta flights turned towards the Avenger. Delta flight was recovered first, followed by Alpha. Jaxon Trax were credited with two kills, while Ginn Alrehati got four. That night the Lum and Ale flowed freely on board the Avenger. The mood was bright after the victory. Jaxon also found out how gentle Delia Rapax could be.