The battle between Ghost Squadron and Red Squadron continues...
In the cockpit of his x-wing, Luke observes as Red Three leaves the combat zone.
"Alright, Red Squadron, we're down a ship now, and two others have been hit twice. Things are getting serious now." Luke says.
"Erso seems to have her people in shape. Best sim fight I've ever been in." Red Two says over the comm.
"I know, Wedge. Now, it's four against seven. They still outnumber us. Now, join up with Red Five. He needs a wingman." Luke says.
"On it." Wedge says over the comm.
Wedge pairs up with Red Five, and the two x-wings begin chasing Ghost Six and Ghost Eight. As they are being chased, Ghost Six gets blasted by Wedge and Red Five.
On the Ghost, Hera and Rex observe.
"Ghost Six, you're dead. Leave the combat zone!" Hera says.
"Copy." Ghost Six says over the comm.
Ghost Eight turns around, and tries to attack Wedge and Red Five alone.
In the cockpit of her x-wing, Jyn observes as Ghost Eight fights alone.
"Ghost Eight, what are you doing? Join up with Ghost Four and Ten!" Jyn says.
"I can take 'em!" Ghost Eight says over the comm.
"Form up, now! That's an order!" Jyn shouts.
"Just a sec, captain. I've got this! It's an old trick I used in my smuggling days." Ghost Eight says.
"I gave you a fracking order! Now, for the last time, break off!" Jyn shouts.
"But, captain…" Ghost Eight says.
In the Cockpit of the Ghost, Hera and Rex observe as Ghost Eight ignores Jyn's orders.
"I've seen enough. Ghost Eight is openly defying orders! She has no place in a cockpit!" Hera says.
"Looks like Erso's team is starting to come apart." Rex says.
"Yeah, looks that way. I'm starting to regret letting them all come up. It's clear that some of them aren't ready." Hera says.
"Yeah, it looks that way. So, what's next?" Rex asks.
"Ghost Eight, you're disqualified for insubordination! Leave the combat zone, now!" Hera says.
"Sorry, general. It won't happen again." Ghost Eight says over the comm.
"We are going to have a talk when we get back to base, ensign. Don't think this is over." Hera says.
"Understood." Ghost Eight says.
In the cockpit of her x-wing, Jyn punches her console.
Fracking stupid girl! Can't even follow orders! If she were an Imperial pilot, I'd execute her for insubordination and incompetence! Jyn thinks.
"Ghost Squadron, we're down two more ships! It's now five against four! General Syndulla is listening, and will not hesitate to pull any of us out for breaking the rules! Now, stay focused, and get the damn job done!" Jyn says.
"Copy, Ghost Leader." Ghost Two says over the comm.
I tire of this game. Time to show these amateurs a real pilot! Jyn thinks.
Jyn begins chasing Red Two and Red Five, with Ghost Two and Ghost Five following her.
"Ghost Two, you and I will focus on Red Five, Ghost Five, focus fire on Red Two!" Jyn says.
Jyn and Ghost Two both fire on Red Five, scoring five hits, while Ghost Five manages two hits on Red Two.
On the Ghost, Hera and Rex observe.
"That's it, Red Five. You're out of it. Leave the combat zone!" Hera says.
"Copy, general." Red Five says over the comm.
"Well, this is getting interesting. Seems Erso isn't quite done yet." Rex says.
"Looks that way. She's actually giving Red Squadron a decent fight." Hera says.
"Not what I expected. Most of these kids were mediocre at best in the simulators. Only Erso had high marks every time. If I didn't know any better, I'd say she's flown a lot of combat missions. She knows how to lead a team. That much is obvious. I'd definitely graduate her so she can be assigned to a squadron. Hell, I'd give her a squadron as soon as possible. Of course, that's up to you." Rex says.
Damn Sith won't get a squadron as long as I'm breathing! Hera thinks.
"She's got leadership skills, I'll admit that, but I've also noticed she has a little bit of a temper. Don't get me started on how much she curses! It's like she's part...pirate or something." Hera says.
"Yeah, I noticed that too. She's had a hard life. Just needs some friends, I guess." Rex says.
I'm getting tired of keeping the truth from my crew. I need to tell them what Ezra told me. Hera thinks.
Wedge joins up with Luke and Red Four, leaving the last three x-wings of Red Squadron flying together.
In the cockpit of her x-wing, Jyn observes.
"Alright, they're down to three now, and they're flying together in tight formation! We'll attack them from two directions! Ghost Four and Ghost Ten, get them from behind! The rest of us will attack from the front! Now, go!" Jyn says.
The fighters of Ghost Squadron break into two groups, and approach the fighters of Red Squadron from two different directions.
In the cockpit of his x-wing, Luke observes the ships of the other squadron.
"It looks like they're going to attack us from two directions. We'll let them get closer, then, we'll split up, and surprise them." Luke says.
"They won't know what hit them, Luke." Wedge says over the comm.
"Well, Captain Erso might. She seems to know what she's doing. Apparently, she flew fighters when she was with Saw Gerrera's unit." Luke says.
"Really? What's she doing with a trainee squadron?" Wedge asks.
"I don't know. Get ready to split up on my mark." Luke says.
"Copy." Wedge says.
"Mark!" Luke says.
The three Red Squadron ships split up. Luke comes to a complete stop, and waits for Ghost Four to pass by. Once Luke has the x-wing in his sights, he fires on it.
On board the Ghost, Hera and Rex observe as Luke fires on Ghost Four.
"That's it, Ghost Four. You're dead. Out of the combat zone." Hera says.
"Copy, general." Ghost Four says over the comm.
"Three against four now. I can't imagine this lasting much longer." Rex says.
"Let's see what Erso does next." Hera says.
In the cockpit of her x-wing, Jyn observes as Ghost Four is disqualified.
"Frack! Only four of us left! Alright, people, new strategy! We fly solo, just like they are!" Jyn says.
"Are you sure about this, captain? Wouldn't it be better to go in two pairs?" Ghost Two asks.
"I'm sure! Now, get to it!" Jyn says.
"Copy, Ghost Leader." Ghost Two says.
The four x-wings of Ghost Squadron split up. Jyn sets her sights on Red Four, who was hit twice earlier. Jyn gets the x-wing in her sights, and fires three precise shots, all of which hit their target.
On the Ghost, Hera and Rex observe Jyn's attack on Red Four.
"That's it Red Four! You're dead. Join your buddies behind the Ghost!" Hera says.
"It's looking to be the Captain Erso show now. She's got Red Squadron down to two ships." Rex says.
"Luke and Wedge are the best we have. They won't be as easy to hit as the others." Hera says.
"It could go either way at this point. Wedge already has two hits on him, and Erso's still got four ships." Rex says.
"Yeah, and two of them have never flown in combat before, so I'm not ready to write off Luke and Wedge just yet." Hera says.
"I wouldn't go placing any bets, general. This thing isn't quite over yet." Rex says.
"I'll keep that in mind, Rex." Hera says.