SWR – Breakdown P8 – Major Engagement and Crashing.


Sabine lay under the X-Wing, carefully spraying a starbird onto the underside of it, while Ezra painted some simple blue stripes along the side of the craft, lacking the artistic talent of Sabine. They'd been doing it for a couple of hours now, enjoying each others company and hopefully releasing some of the tension between the 2 of them.

Sabine hauled herself out from under the fighter and examined it. They'd done a good job, she thought. The fighter had 6 blue stripes down the side of the forward bit with the cockpit on, each one the mirror image of the one on the other side. The wings and main body had been painted a mixture of red and black, with a colourful purplish starbird at the base of each 'wing' and some blue highlights. The guns and engines were painted in an asymmetrical mixture of colours, which stood out from the wings. They'd yet to paint the rest of the cockpit area, which would be black, but they'd managed to do all of the rest.

"Looking good Sabine," commented Ezra as he finished with the stripes.

"Needs a little work on the cockpit, but other than that, it's great!" she said happily. The few hours spent painting had allowed them to focus on something instead of brooding on the previous, devastating battle.

Wedge and Hera walked over.

"I like it," Wedge whistled. "Can you do mine?"

"They could do everyone's and you could be the flying circus," joked Hera. "Besides, Ezra's only helping because Sabine asked him."

"Am not," Ezra replied huffily.

"I'm just kidding," she laughed. "Now, I need to head to the bridge. Our reinforcements should be arriving soon."

A Nebulon B-2, 2 MC40s, several Correllian corvettes and a MC80 'Wingless' dropped out of hyperspace just at the edge of the asteroid field.

"Ok, they're ahead of schedule," she sighed, annoyed by the disruption to the timetable.

She walked off. "I'll meet you in the common room soon for a quick cup of caf."

The 3 rebels looked at the new arrivals as they swooped in to join the fleet. The MC40s took up flanking positions around the carrier and the B-2 docked with it. The MC80 'Wingless' turned to face away from the carrier, guarding against threats.

"I can't wait for the next Star Destroyer to show up and be faced with this fleet," laughed Sabine. "Those Mon Calamari ships are nasty things. Perfect for destroying Imperials."

"All pilots, report to the hanger area! All pilots, report to the hanger area!" the voice over the intercom came.

"Guess that's out call Wedge. See you Ezra," Sabine said as they began jogging to the meeting area.

"Yeah. I will," he sighed, wishing he could join them.

Ezra wandered over to the common room to find Rex, Gregor, Hera, Kanan, Zeb and Chopper already talking about what they should do.

"I still think we should set up our bombers to ambush the Imperial fleet," argued Rex.

"There are 2 of them! 3 if you include Sabine!" Hera argued back. "They have 6 torpedoes between them. A single volley, if they don't get shot down first."

"What's this about?" inquired Ezra.

"We're just discussing strategy," replied Kanan.

"Yeah, 'discussing'" said Zeb, annoyed. "It's just been those 2 arguing the entire time."

"No, that won't work!" Hera yelled.

Ezra sighed. "Why are they bothering? The fleet commander that's just arrived has taken over."

"Tell that to them."

The sirens suddenly wailed on the ship. "Enemy contacts detected!"

They rushed to the nearest forward viewport and watched as a Star Destroyer dropped out of hyperspace. And another. And another. Several Carrack cruisers and a pair of Lancer frigates joined them.

"Oh great. An entire battlegroup," groaned Hera. "Just what we needed."

They rushed to the Ghost and got to their positions. They launched just after the fighters did and 2 swarms of fighters, one from each side, met in the middle.

"Spectre 2 to Spectre 5, escort the bombers to the nearest Star Destroyer! The new craft that have just joined us have Ion torpedoes, so we could disable them!"

"Copy that," Sabine replied as she broke off and joined the bomber wing. They flew onwards, pursued by several TIEs.

"X-wing! Can you help us out here?" asked one of the pilots at the back of the formation, where the TIEs were hitting the worst.

"Affirmative," she replied as she swung the X-Wing around and began firing at the TIEs. They'd already lost a bomber to them. Correction, make that 2 bombers. She fired several rapid bursts and hit 2 TIEs, sending them cartwheeling into each other.

The bomber group continued onwards towards the nearest Star Destroyer, constantly harassed by fighters, while the main bulk of the fighters battled it out in a large ball between the 2 sides. The 2 MC40s broke off to the sides, supported by 4 corvettes, while the MC80 and Hammerheads hung back with the carrier. The remaining Correllian Corvettes shot off to the sides in a pincer movement, the ball of fighters between the 2 groups.

"Fighters, break off and head directly for their ships," the new commander ordered.

As soon as they did, the corvettes fired into the mass of Imperial fighters, their pilots bemused by the rebels fleeing towards their own ships. The rebel fighters broke off to duel with the survivors or the new ones coming out of the hangers of the Star Destroyers. The corvettes and cruisers continued their attack on the Star Destroyers, the left group supporting the bombers, while the right group pressed on.

"MC40s, sever the head."

The 2 Cruisers put on their max speed and shot towards the neck of the nearest Star Destroyer, reversing thrusters at the last minute before they became wedged between the head and the body. The turbolasers were too slow to track them and they hammered the 'neck' of the Star Destroyer until it snapped off. 2 Hammerheads rammed its side and exposed its reactor shielding, inviting a barrage of fire from the MC40s. The MC80 drove forward suddenly, right between the 2 Star Destroyers, every single available gun firing at the 2 ships. The bomber group got through and unleashed a dozen Ion bombs, disabling the Star Destroyer. The 2 helpless ships were savaged by the MC80's turbolasers, collapsing and breaking apart under the withering barrage, carcasses bursting into flame or disintegrating entirely. The 3rd Star Destroyer continued firing, the support ships rallying around it as protection.

"Phoenix squadron! Rally on me!" ordered Hera.

"Copy Phoenix leader," replied Wedge.

5 A-Wings, 2 Y-Wings and Sabine's X-Wing fell in behind the Ghost.

"We're going to swing round, maybe disable its engines and communications. Then we'll hit their support vessels as hard as we can."

The MC40s took up flanking positions on either side of the MC80, special shields leaving them completely unscathed. The surviving Corvettes rallied with them, providing a defensive screen as they charged forward. The fighters not part of Phoenix squadron divided into their squads, except for the few that were still destroying the surviving TIEs.

Ezra felt elated for a bit. They'd outwitted the Imperial fleet and destroyed 2 Star Destroyers for the cost of a corvette and some fighters.

"All ships, advance at flank speed," the new rebellion commander ordered. "Let's run over their mongrel hides!"

The rebel fleet suddenly accelerated to full speed, catching the Imperials unaware with their risky manoeuvre. The corvettes began duking it out with each other while the MC40s broke through and flanked on either side of the Star Destroyer, sides tilted so they could full-on broadside the Imperial ship. The MC80 proceeded right down the middle, firing at the bridge. The few remaining TIE fighters tumbled out of control as they were overwhelmed.

"Nice work guys! We've got this one in the bag!" Cheered Ezra.

The Devastator warped out of hyperspace.

"You just had to say that, didn't you?" sighed Rex.


The Devastator flew forward, point slicing through the MC40 that got it its path. The 2 halves caught fire and tumbled away, trailing debris and bodies. The Devastator's front was barely dented.

"Where the hell did that come from?" yelled Hera.

"It must've been a trap!" Kanan shouted back.

"Kanan…" started Ezra.

"I know Ezra."

The cold had returned.

The Imperial ships suddenly began firing with better accuracy, just emphasising Kanan's point about it being a trap. The MC80's shields began to flicker as it suddenly took a withering barrage of fire from 2 Star Destroyers. Another warped out, passing inches away from the back of the bait Star Destroyer and firing all its weapons at the remaining MC40.

"All ships, fall back," ordered the voice as a 4th Star Destroyer jumped in, forming a semi-circle around the Rebel ships.

"You heard him Phoenix squadron. Fall back. Get to the Carrier and prepare to jump to hyperspace," said Hera regretfully.

The rebel ships broke and did what they could to flee. A corvette jumped out through the gaps between the Star Destroyers, but the next one to try that was dashed against the side of the Star Destroyer closest to it. The second MC40 attempted to ram the 4th Star Destroyer, but it was shot to pieces and the bits that impacted didn't deflect the ship even a little. The Imperial support ships massacred the rebel fighters as they tried to escape. A few fighters got out and jumped away, or managed to disable a frigate with ion torpedoes, but it was hopeless.

"Look!" Exclaimed Sabine. "An Imperial shuttle heading for the carrier!"

Ezra squinted and saw the shuttle fly along towards the disabled carrier, using it as a shield from the Nebulon B-2 docked to it. It was surrounded by fighters of various sorts.

"Phoenix squad, take out that shuttle! We'll go in the extract the engineers," ordered Hera.

The Ghost shot forward and skidded to a stop in the hanger, Kanan, Ezra, Gregor and Rex ready in the cargo hold.

Chopper beeped and opened the door as soon as it was safe to do so and they leaped out, charging towards the Engineer's last known position.

"Guys, the shuttle managed to dock," reported Sabine, annoyed.

"Copy. Get yourselves into the asteroid field and…"

Hera didn't get to finish her sentence as a flaming A-Wing shot into the hanger and exploded, showering the Ghost in metal fragments.

"I have to break off," grunted Sabine. Hera could hear the TIEs firing at her. "I'm heading down to the surface with Phoenixes 8 and 11. Maybe I can lose them in-atmosphere." There was an explosion. "Make that just Phoenix 8. Phoenix 3 and Phoenix 5 have managed to break off and somewhat land in the Nebulon's hanger, they were reporting severe damage."

So Wedge and a Y-Wing team were safely inside the Nebulon.

"What of the others?" Hera asked.

There was a pause.

"They're gone."

Hera balled her hand into a fist and dropped her forehead onto the dashboard. Almost all of Phoenix squadron was gone.

Ezra, Kanan, Rex and Gregor rushed through the empty corridors, hoping to secure the connection to the Nebulon B-2 before the Imperials got there. They rounded a corner to be greeted by 8 armed rebels holding an intersection.

"Where are the engineers?" asked Kanan as they ran up.

"Almost here sir," one of them replied. "Their escorting team has reported Imperial contact, but they're on their way."

"Good. And Commander Sato?"

"Already on board."

The escort team came charging down the corridor ahead, blaster fire pursuing them.

"Get the engineers on board!" one of them yelled as they turned to face down the Stormtroopers.

4 501st Stormtroopers came around the corner firing, but were at a disadvantage and only got 1 of the rebels before they died. Several more came, exchanging blaster fire down the narrow corridor, but the rebels triumphed and forced them back. An ominous red glow appeared at the end of the corridor just as the engineers entered the connecting tunnel.

"Vader," snarled Kanan.

"Anakin," said Rex as he walked forward.

"Wait, where are you going?" asked Ezra.

"To talk to Anakin Skywalker," Rex replied, brushing his way through the rebels and standing alone in the corridor.

Vader walked around the corner and stopped.

"Anakin. We need to talk."

"Anakin is dead, Rex." Vader replied. "He died and I came out of it. Like a Phoenix."

That last part was a slight jab at the namesake of the squadron, and Ezra bristled.

"I'm willing to give you a chance Rex. We served together in the Clone Wars. We can serve together now."

"You know what the Empire is doing is wrong. You can still fix what you've done."

Vader looked at him, breathing. "No. I can't."

He continued his advance down the corridor and the rebels opened fire, covering Rex as he re-joined Kanan and Ezra. He contemptuously flicked aside the blasters shot at him and returned 2, catching the shooters in the head.

"All on board. Head back to the Ghost and get out of here," ordered Commander Sato.

"Easy enough," said Ezra.

"I'm afraid we won't be able to join you sir. We have to make sure the connector detaches properly," said one of the troopers. "You get out of here."

They looked at the trooper, shocked.

"Go!"

The Ghost crew ran head-on back to the Ghost.

"That was eventful," Gregor said sarcastically. 2 Jedi and 2 clones run over to talk to Vader and then run back. What's the fun in that?"

"It's not always about fun," snapped Kanan, angry at having to leave to troopers.

Back in the corridor, Vader cleaved his way through the rebels. He grabbed one and threw him into another, stabbed one, deflected a blaster bolt and grabbed the last one by the neck just after he pulled the release lever. There was a sudden silence, punctuated by a gentle thud as the connector detached from the carrier.

"You'll never win," the trooper spat.

Vader crushed his throat and walked back to his shuttle, leaving the small massacre behind him.

The Ghost lifted off as soon as possible and shot out of the hanger, just in time to see the MC80 implode after being pounded on by 3 Star Destroyers. The Devastator was making their way towards them, destroying the odd rebel ship as it went. Turbolasers began turning to shoot the Nebulon.

"We are jumping out," said Commander Sato. "Good luck."

The Nebulon vanished as it entered hyperspace. Hera swung the Ghost around to the planet.

"Sabine, are you there?" she asked.


Sabine had been having a very bad few minutes. They'd swooped down to just above the waves, pursued by TIEs, until Phoenix 8 went too low and crashed into the water. Then it was just her, weaving in and out of the waves, pursued by 3 TIE interceptors. They weren't quite as good as her at flying, but they were getting hits and the X-Wing's shields were slowly draining. The spray thrown up from their missed shots was an annoyance as it temporarily distorted the sea in front of her and several times she almost joined Phoenix 8 in the ocean.

"Sabine, are you there?"

"Am I glad to hear your voice," she sighed in relief. "I'm being pursued by 3 interceptors and I can't shake them."

She gave a cry of alarm as she was hit again and the shields flickered off.

"My shields are down!"

"Hang on Sabine, we're coming," said Ezra.

She continued flying, S-foils almost touching the surface of the water as she quickly took cover under a breaking wave, hoping for a shield recharge. Nothing. The generator was burnt-out.

"I'm going to need that help pretty fast."

Sweat trickled into her eye and she blinked it away as she shot out of the breaker, TIEs waiting above. A burst of fire hit her and something shook free.

"I've lost my number 2 engine!" she reported, trying to sound calm. There was another impact and the X-Wing began dipping again. "I've lost my stabilizers."

They could hear the hint of panic in her voice.

"Where are you guys?"

Another hit and suddenly the craft powered down. Sabine was flung against the controls and she hit her head hard, stunning her.

"Sabine? We just saw an explosion, what happened? Sabine?"

She quickly regained her wits. "I've just lost all power…" The ship was rolling slowly as she tried to move it. Nothing.

"Where are you!?" she called desperately.

"There she is!" pointed Rex as they swooped through a cloud layer and saw the X-Wing drift lower and lower, 2 trails of smoke coming from the engines and damaged internal functions.

"Sabine, we're almost there. Just a few more seconds."

Sabine saw an island rush forward to meet her.

"I think it's too…"

The transmission broke off into static as the X-Wing impacted and carved a trail through the water just off the island.

"Sabine? Sabine?" Hera called desperately. The Interceptors pulled up to face them as the X-Wing caught fire.

Ezra and Kanan let loose with the cannons, destroying all 3 TIEs in seconds.

Hera watched a small figure leave the burning ship and run onto the island. "Thank god, she survived."

They landed and Sabine staggered up to the ship, exhausted by the intense flying. Kanan and Rex greeted her.

"Sabine, are you OK?" inquired Kanan, concerned.

"Just about," she replied, massaging a bruise.

"Let's get you inside."

They walked back in and the Ghost shot up into the atmosphere.

"Any idea what we'll find up there?" asked Sabine as she collapsed in her chair on the bridge.

"We have a pretty good idea," replied Hera sadly.

They exited the Stratosphere and observed the carnage before them. 4 Star Destroyers waited amongst the wreckage of the battle. Parts of ship were everywhere.

"I didn't think it would be this bad," gasped Sabine.

"Yeah, the MC80 kind of imploded," said Ezra. "And they shredded our fighters."

They jumped out into hyperspace.

"Everyone get some rest," ordered Hera as she gazed at the crew. Kanan, Ezra and Zeb were all shaken by the battle, while Rex was disappointed by Vader. Sabine looked dead on her feet and even Gregor seemed subdued. "We all need it."

The crew wandered to their cabins or wherever else they wanted to be then.

Chopper beeped twice.

"No Chop. I have no idea what we do next. We just have to wait and see."


Notes:

I know, space battles. I must admit, I enjoyed writing this one. A bit of tactics and a lot of destruction, accompanied by more X-Wing stuff, because that is fun. I will admit, the bit with Vader and Rex could've been more impactful, but it was 1:43am when I wrote this, so I think I can get a pass.
Let me know what you think, if you enjoyed it or not, and follow if you want more, because I'm trying to update this daily.

MC80 'Wingless' image - images/mods/1/24/23625/MC80_
MC40 image - .
MC80 Liberty image - . /revision/latest?cb=20070104001953