As Cassian jumped into the pilot's seat of the cargo ship he'd flown to the rendezvous, an alert came from a nearby screen, alerting of an attack on Chopper Base. Andor exhaled a stressed chuckle as the engines jumped to life, lifting the behemoth off of the ground. When the roof of the nearby hangar was cleared, the pilot flicked a switch, activating the locking of the S-Foils into their flight position. The sides of the ship spread out, reaching a length nearly twice the size of the ship itself. As soon as Cassian was out of the atmosphere, he set the hyperdrive coordinates to the distant base. The ship began to seemingly bend space itself as the stars in front of the craft began to stretch, encompassing Cassian's vessel in a tunnel of light.
When the ship reached the coordinates, Cassian was greeted by an Imperial Star Destroyer deploying numerous Imperial transport ships, each carrying four TIE fighters (some equipped with Interceptors, Bombers, or Strikers). His large ship would surely become a target quickly. A voice came through the vessel's intercom.
"U-Wing, this is Jun Sato, of Phoenix Squadron. Please identify yourself."
"Cassian Andor. What's going on? How'd they find us?"
The General sighed, and Cassian can sense the defeat in his tone. "One of our own - or, someone we thought was one of us - leaked the information to an Imperial officer."
"Shit, do you have a name?" A TIE Fighter began to fly behind Cassian, and, since the ship had no rear cannons, he had to enact evasive maneuvers, quickly diving down, rushing to the planet's surface.
"Not yet, he was killed by the officer anyway. We must wait to get the documents from inside that Destroyer." A sudden proton torpedo dropped onto the bridge of Phoenix Squadron's frigate, destroying it faster than Cassian could contemplate. The General's coms shut off immediately, leaving only a static buzzing animating from the speakers. Dozens of people just died in seconds, with more to follow soon as the ship crashes into another, or onto the planet. Cassian shuddered to think who else may have been in the bridge.
Another series of beeps came from Andor's pocket. He quickly fumbled to grab his holoprojector. Again, K-2SO showed up. This time, his head looking around nervously. "What Tusso? What's wrong?" The droid stared straight into Andor's eyes.
"They have Death Troopers. And worse." Cassian could tell that the droid was walking, however he didn't know where to. "If they send more reinforcements, the odds...well, they aren't great for us." The droid stopped walking, "Well, I could blend in. I have a better chance of survival." Andor quickly landed the ship, grabbing a few thermal detonators and a light blaster rifle from the crate as he hopped out of the bay door.
"Halt, Rebel! Drop your weapons. Now!" Cassian turned to see a group of Stormtroopers aiming their rifles directly at his chest, head, and stomach; the most useful parts of his body.
"You got it, guys." Andor pressed the detonation button and tossed the explosive at the group of Bucketheads. A well timed duck allowed Cassian to keep himself intact as six crimson lasers shot to where he stood, before a deafening noise rang throughout Cassian's head.
"Most impressive, Rebel." A sinister, but somehow soothing voice came from behind Cassian. A light applause eminated from the same direction as the speaker. "Most impressive indeed."
