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Massassi Temple - Yavin IV - 0 BBY
As James was preparing for the upcoming battle, he realized to his dismay that Han and Chewbacca would not be going up there with him. Luke had realized this first, and the Marauder walked up in time to overhear a heated argument between Luke and the Corellian.
"I could use you," Han was saying.
"Why don't you take a look around and see something besides yourself for a change?" Luke demanded. "You know what's going to happen here, what they're up against. They could use a good pilot. But you're turning you back on them."
Han shrugged. "What good's a reward if you're not around to spend it? Attacking that battle station ain't my idea of courage - more like suicide."
"Yeah," Luke snapped. "Take care of yourself, Han. But I guess that's what you're best at, isn't it?"
Luke started to turn away, but Han called after him, "Hey, Luke! May the Force be with you."
As Luke walked off, James saw Chewbacca glare at the Corellian. "What are you staring at, gruesome?" Han demanded. "I know what I'm doing. Get back to work! We're gettin' out of here."
James thought about talking with Han, but he didn't think that it would change anything. He turned and he followed Luke away from Han and Chewbacca. The Marauder headed to join up with his mates in Gold Squadron, pondering the fate of Han Solo. He had to follow his own path, one no one could choose for him.
Massassi Temple - Yavin IV - 0 BBY
Harry watched as Luke Skywalker entered the hangar with the former Senator from Alderaan. They both seemed preoccupied on something other than the battle ahead. This was confirmed when he heard Organa's words.
"Han Solo's priorities are different from ours," she said. "I wish it were otherwise, but I can't find it in my heart to condemn him."
Skywalker nodded. "I think I'll talk with Ben, Leia."
Organa turned and left, and Anakin's son turned to look for the old General. Harry grinned, when another man arrived before he could do anything.
"Luke!" The stranger, a mustached man with dark hair, grinned, and pulled Skywalker into a hug. "I don't believe it! How'd you get here? Are you going out with us?"
Skywalker looked ecstatic. "Biggs! Of course I'll be up there with you." His smile faded slightly. "I haven't got a choice anymore." The slight depression evaporated as quickly as it had appeared; the boy grinned at Biggs Darklighter, and said, "Listen, have I got stories to tell you . . . "
As the two old friends smiled and laughed, Harry didn't think they noticed the approach of the seasoned veteran, General Rahm Kota (Red Three).
"Skywalker!" Kota barked. He gestured to the X-wing starfighter next to the boy. "You sure you can handle this fighter?"
Darklighter moved at once. "Sir, Luke is the best bush pilot in the Outer Rim Territories."
Harry thought that he saw Kota smile in return, but that could have been his imagination. In any case, the old General said, "I remember serving alongside your father during the Clone Wars, boy. He was a hell of a goodd pilot. You'll do all right. If you've got even half your father's skill, you'll do a damn sight better than all right."
Skywalker grinned. "Thanks, sir. I'll try."
"From what I know of those Incom skyhoppers," Kota added, "there ain't much difference between an Incom T-sixty-five and an Incom T-sixteen skyhopper."
With that, the old man turned away, and Harry turned to get inside his Eta-2 Jedi starfighters, one of the relics from the Clone Wars. Harry still piloted this old ship even though the Wars were long over.
Red Squadron - over Yavin - 0 BBY
Harry's Eta-2 Jedi starfighter, with his astromech R2-T7 (Sev), joined the seven Kuat Systems Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptors and the five Incom Corporation X-wing starfighters that made up Red Squadron.
General Obi-Wan Kenobi's voice sounded through the comlink: "Red boys, this is Red Leader. Adjust your selectors and check in. Approaching target at one point three . . . "
"Red Ten standing by," Captain Longbottom called in.
"Red Seven standing by," followed Cin Drallig.
"Red Three standing by," Kota growled.
"Red Six standing by," came the voice of Biggs Darklighter.
"Red Nine here," Shaak Ti's voice came in.
Harry spoke into the mike: "Red Two standing by."
Next he heard Luke Skywalker's voice call in: "Red Five standing by."
Once all of the pilots had called in, Obi-Wan said, "This is it, pilots. Red Four, you're too far out. Close it up, Antilles."
The young Wedge Antilles executed a slight adjustment and said, "Sorry, General. My ranger seems to be a few points off. I'll have to go on manual."
"Check, Red Four," Obi-Wan responded. "Watch yourself. All ships, lock S-foils in attack position."
The Jedi interceptors and X-wings switched to their respective attack formations. As they approached the spherical battle station, Harry's mouth opened with shock. This was the monstrous station where his father had fought off Darth Vader, the man who's once been his parents' best friend. This was the station that had destroyed Alderaan. This was the station that they were going to destroy tonight. It was the what the galaxy needed - to rid the universe the evil galactic domination of the Sith.
"We're passing through their outer shields," Obi-Wan announced. "Hold tight. Lock down freeze-floating controls and switch your own deflectors on, double front." Once the pilots did as the Jedi Master instructed, Kenobi continued, "That's it, we're through. Keep all channels silent until we're on top of them. It doesn't look like they're expecting much resistance."
"Do not assume, Master Kenobi," Kota barked. "We can never know . . . with the Sith."
"My apologies, General Kota," Obi-Wan replied.
As they enclosed on the Death Star, Wedge exclaimed, "Look at the size of that thing!"
"Cut the chatter, Red Four," Cin snapped.
"Sorry, Red Seven," Wedge said, and Obi-Wan ordered, "Accelerate to attack velocity."
Gold Squadron - over Yavin - 0 BBY
James sat within his Eta-2 Actis-class fighter. The fighter was one of the five Jedi interceptors that made up Gold Squadrons. The other fighters consisted of six Y-wing starfighters and one Z-95 Headhunter, the latter flown by the droid I-5YQ.
"All fighters, call in," Anakin said immediately.
"Gold Ten standing by," Stass announced.
"Gold Seven," Albus threw in.
James next heard the deceiving melodious voice of I-5 call in, "Gold Three standing by."
The droid was followed by Jinn's voice: "Gold Six standing by."
"Gold Nine standing by," came the voice of A'Sharad Hett.
James then spoke into the mike: "Gold Two standing by."
The Marauder was followed by Jax, who said, "Gold Four standing by."
Once all units had called in, Anakin said seriously, "This is it, men. Lock S-foils in attack position."
Almost as soon as the Golds had their fighters in attack mode, James heard Obi-Wan's voice sound over the comlink. "Gold Leader, this is Red Leader. We're in position; you can go right in. The exhaust shaft is farther to the north. We'll keep them busy down here."
James could here the grin in Anakin's voice as he responded, "We're starting for the target shaft now, Obi-Wan. Stand by to take over if anything happens."
"I copy, Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "We're going to cross their equatorial axis and try to draw their main fire. May the Force be with you."
Anakin clearly grinned. "May the Force be with you, Master."
James smiled, as the battle against the Death Star took place. Davish Krail (Gold Five) would fly in with James to begin the trench run. The Battle of Yavin had begun.
Death Star - Yavin system - 0 BBY
Darth Vader, with his new prothetic leg, marched on board the enormous battle station, watching the battle unfold. As he expected, Tarkin had underestimated the Alliance pilots - made up mostly of Jedi interceptors, X-wings, and Y-wings. One conspicuous Z-95 Headhunter was obviously a droid pilot. Vader was not unfamiliar with nonorganic pilots; as Viceroy Pettigrew, he had commanded several of them. But where had the Alliance gotten a droid pilot? The Trade Federation droids were all deactivated, and the ones that survived were sold to the CSA. Who was this strange pilot?
"Lord Vader."
Vader turned to acknowledge the presence of the Imperial tactician, Lieutenent Tanbris, a once formidable TIE fighter pilot. The tactical officer was grounded after an injury a few months ago.
"Lord Vader," Tanbris continued, "we count at least thirty Rebel ships. They are so small and quick the fixed guns cannot follow them accurately. They continuously evade the predictors."
Vader nodded. "Get all TIE crews to their fighters. We'll have to go out after them and destroy them ship by ship."
Red Squadron - over Yavin - 0 BBY
Harry soon realized that Wedge was perhaps more right than Luke had been about the dangers of the upcoming battle. Luke had already just barely escaped the arms of Thanatos. And it was getting increasingly difficult to evade the fire from the turbolasers. The Jedi Master suspected that any moment now, they would be sending TIE fighters after the Alliance pilots.
Harry spoke into the comlink, his words at Luke Skywalker. "Luke, let me know when you're off the block."
"I'm on my way now," Luke responded.
"Watch yourself," Obi-Wan put in. "There's a lot of fire coming from the starboard side of that deflection tower."
"I'm on it," Luke said. "Don't worry."
As Luke, Darklighter, and Antilles made runs against the Death Star, Harry discovered that his suspicions were correct; the Empire was preparing to attack them one-on-one. TIE fighters soon came flying after them, led by a strange TIE interceptor that no doubt was piloted by the Lord Darth Vader, Supreme Commander of the Imperial Navy.
"Enemy fighters coming our way," Harry called over the comlink.
"My scope's negative," Luke screamed in response. "I don't see anything."
"Maintain visual scanning," Obi-Wan ordered. "With all this energy flying, they'll be on top of you before your scope can pick them up. Ignore your sensors, and trust in the Force, Luke."
Harry swallowed, as he saw the TIEs following after pilots. This was indeed not going to be easy. This was going be the damn sight worse than just not easy. The Jedi Master hoped that the Force was on their side.
Massassi Temple - Yavin IV - 0 BBY
Lily stood in the Yavinian war room, alongside Sirius, Leia, Padme, and Jan Dodonna. She was worrying for the lives of her husband, her son, her grandson, and every other goddamn pilot that flew out there against the forces of Lord Darth Vader and the Sith. The Senators and Generals among the Yavin Base stood with tense expressions, listening to the communications.
"Biggs!" Luke Skywalker screamed. "You've picked one up. On your tail . . . watch it!"
"I can't see it. Where is he? I can't see it. . . . He's on me tight. I can't shake him."
"Hang on, Biggs. I'm coming in."
Lily and the others waited anxiously, until with relief she heard Luke's voice call out, "Got him!"
Before they could relax however, they heard Obi-Wan Kenobi's voice call out to Red Seven, whom Lily identified as General Cin Drallig. "Red Seven, watch out, you've got one on your tail."
The seasoned veteran of the Clone Wars didn't seem to be able to shake the TIE fighter. This was difficult even with the Force as his ally. Within seconds, she heard General Drallig cry, "I'm hit, I'm hit!", and the master swordsman became the first Alliance pilot to fall in the climatic Battle of Yavin - and by the end of the battle, he would not be the last.
Gold Squadron - over Yavin - 0 BBY
James watched with distress, as he saw more pilots fall besides Cin Drallig. Already, they'd lost three Reds - Cin Drallig (Red Seven), General Kota (Red Three), and Ferus Olin (Red Eleven). On the Golds' side, two pilots had fallen: Jek Porkins (Gold Eight) and Stass Allie (Gold Ten). And on the final squadron, Blue, five pilots had been taken by Imperial forces: Shira Brie (Blue Five), Lorcan Scamander (Blue Ten), Lysander Scamander (Blue Eleven), Thurlow Harris (Blue Four), and John D. Branon (Blue Three). The thirty-six Alliance pilots had been reduced to a mere twenty-six.
Anakin spoke into the comlink. "Red Leader, this is Gold Leader. We're starting our attack run. The exhaust port is located and marked. No flak, no enemy fighters up here - yet. Looks like we'll get at least one smooth run at it."
"I copy, Gold Leader," Obi-Wan replied. "We'll try to keep them busy down here."
As James and Anakin led their squadron toward the Death Star's trench, the prophesized Jedi said, "This is it, men. Remember, when you think you're close, go in closer before you drop that rock. Switch all power to front deflector screens - never mind what they throw at you from the side. We can't worry about that now."
As soon as they moved to attack the station, the Death Star began firing back. Glancing at the turbolaser, James grinned and joked, "A little aggressive, aren't they?"
"No doubt," Anakin replied. "How many guns do you think, I-Five?"
The protocol droid immediately responded. "I would estimate approximately twenty emplacements, General Skywalker - some on the surface and some on the towers."
Anakin grunted. "Switch to targeting computers."
Jinn, who flew as Gold Six, grinned. "Gold Two, computer locked in and I'm getting a signal."
As James and Jinn flew into the Death Star trench, James frowned. Something was not right. It was too quiet. Jinn realized this same thing; the kid muttered, "What's this? They've stopped. Why?"
"I don't like it," Anakin growled. "Vader's up to something, no doubt."
James, the veteran among the Golds, said calmly, "Stabilize your rear deflectors now. Watch for enemy fighters."
"You pinned it, Prongs," Anakin smiled. "Here they come. Three marks at two-ten."
Jinn seemed uncomfortable, as the TIE fighters approached. "We're sitting ducks out here," he muttered.
"Relax, Gold Six," James replied. "We'll have to ride through it. We can't defend ourselves and go for the target at the same time." He removed his wand from his belt, and muttered, "Protego Totalum!"
The Shield Charm surrounded his Jedi interceptor. With the magical force field, no technological weapon could make it through. In fact, in most cases, magic caused technology to go haywire. James hoped the same process would work out in this battle. Using the Force, he spoke in the minds of Harry and Albus, who were trained in the magical arts as well as the Jedi arts: Use Shield Charms to protect your fighters. Pass the message along to Lily's commandos from Earth. It should protect us against Vader's forces.
Through the Force, James realized that Harry and Albus had gotten his message. He wished with all his heart that he could use the same technique for the Muggle pilots, but that was not possible. He only hoped that they could make it out of this.
Unfortunately, wishing did not provide results. TIE forces, led no doubt by Lord Vader, moved up against the Alliance forced. As James tried to advise the young man, Vader's TIE fired on Jinn Kenobi and destroyed him. Within seconds, the son of Obi-Wan Kenobi was dead.
Watching the death of the young farm boy, Jax Pavan began to panic. "We're trapped down here. No way to maneuver - trench walls are too close. We've got to loosen it up somehow. Got - "
"Stay on target, Jax," I-5 advised, his voice as calm as any droid. "Stay on target."
Jax tried to follow his friend's advice, but Vader's TIEs were on his tail. James was beginning to lose his sense of calm, when he heard Jax's voice cry out, "It's no good. I'm hit. I'm hit . . . !"
Within seconds, Jax Pavan followed Jinn Kenobi into the Netherworld of the Force. James, Anakin, and I-5 pulled out from the station, followed closely by Vader's TIEs.
"Gold Two to Red Leader," James reported to Obi-Wan. "Aborting run under heavy fire. TIE fighters dropped on us out of nowhere. I can't - wait - "
He swiftly fired, destroying a TIE fighter that had been on Anakin's tail. Fortunately, James's Shield Charm was effective. Unfortunately, the terminated TIE pilot wasn't Vader.
"Thanks, James," the Chosen One said.
"No problem, Gold Leader," James responded.
"Are you all right, Golds?" Obi-Wan demanded.
I-5's calm voice, sounding saddened by his best friend's son's death, replied, "Lost Jinn, lost Jax. They dropped in behind us, and we couldn't maneuver in the trench in the trench. I apologize, General Kenobi. Your former Padawan's starboard engine is damaged, and I - "
It was the last message the droid ever spoke; within seconds, Vader fired on the Headhunter, and I-5YQ exploded into oblivion. It was sadder, James thought, since he knew that nothing else lay ahead for a destroyed droid. He hoped that maybe after the battle, the Alliance could recover I-5, and repair him.
"Anakin," James said urgently, "return to Yavin Base. It solves nothing if you die right here. I'll try and hold off the Imps."
"I copy, Gold Leader," Anakin said, calling out James's new call sign. As the Hero with No Fear returned to Yavin IV, the remains of Gold Squadron - James, Albus, A'Sharad Hett, Marion, and Hermione Granger - and the remains of Blue Squadron - Nick Rostu, Quinlan Vos, Kyle Katarn, and the Weasley siblings - flew off to lead the TIEs away from the battle. Fortunately, several Imperial fighters followed them. Unfortunately, Vader was not among them.
Red Squadron - over Yavin - 0 BBY
Harry stared with grief as he listened to what had happened. The Empire had just torn Anakin Skywalker's fearless Gold Squadron in two. Even Anakin himself had been forced to retreat. His father may have led some of the TIEs away from the battle, but that was a small comfort. There were still several legions of Darth Vader's Black Squadron, including the Dark Lord himself. The Reds had been reduced to a mere eight pilots, with recent termination of Captain Neville Longbottom.
Finally, the hardened Coruscanti accent of Obi-Wan Kenobi spoke up, with grim sadness due to his son's demise, "Red boys, this is Red Leader. Rendezvous at mark six point one. All wings report in."
"Red Leader," Harry spoke up, "this is Red Two. I copy."
"Red Four here," Wedge acknowledged. "Coming toward you, Red Leader."
"This Red Five," came Luke's voice. "I have a problem here. Be right with you."
The young Padawan was trying to maneuver around several TIE fighters. Biggs Darklighter called into the comlink, "I see you, Luke. Stay with it."
Luke was obviously in trouble, as he muttered, "Blast it, Biggs, where are you?"
Before long, Darklighter had spared Luke from execution. Every fighter was knocked off his tail. Then Harry heard Mace Windu's voice over the comlink. The Jedi Grand Master was contacting Obi-Wan. "Red Leader, this is Base One. Double-check your own attack prior to commencement. Have your wingmen hold back and cover for you. Keep half your group out of range to make the next run."
"Copy, Master Windu," Obi-Wan replied.
"Windu out," the Korun Jedi concluded.
Obi-Wan contacted Generals Shaak Ti and Kam Solusar and Lieutenent Scorpius Malfoy. "Red Nine, Red Twelve, Red Eight, join with me."
The two Jedi Masters and the young commando followed Kenobi's tail, all three headed for the trench. Then Obi-Wan turned to the others. "Red Five, this is Red Leader. Luke, take Reds Two, Four, and Six with you. Hold up here out of their fire and wait for my signal to start your own run."
"Copy, Red Leader," Luke answered. "May the Force be with you. Harry, Biggs, Wedge - let's close it up." Harry, Luke, Wedge, and Biggs waited above, as Obi-Wan led Ti, Solusar, and Malfoy into the trench of the Death Star.
Death Star trench - over Yavin - 0 BBY
Lieutenent Scorpius Malfoy, the youngest of Kenobi's group, followed the three older Generals - Kenobi, Ti, and Solusar - for their mission to destroy the monstrous station Malfoy had helped uncover.
"Red Eight, Red Twelve," came Kenobi's cultured voice, "stay back until we spot those fighters, then cover me. Red Nine - with me!"
Scorpius and General Solusar waited behind, as Generals Kenobi and Ti entered the Death Star trench. As they entered, Kenobi and Ti seemed to be alone inside the trench.
"I have a bad feeling about this," General Kenobi muttered.
"We should be able to pick up the target by now," Ti added. "But the sensors are off. Is this the right trench?"
"I wouldn't think that the Death Star would have another trench, Red Nine," Kenobi responded.
Then a legion of TIE fighters attacked, and Lieutenent Malfoy watched as the Togruta Jedi Master was blasted into oblivion, destroyed by the forces of Black Squadron. Watching his wingman's destruction, Kenobi commented, "It's not going to be easy with that tower up there." He aimed his words at Scorpius and Solusar next. "Stay by to close up a little when I tell you."
Abruptly, the TIEs quit their pursuit, and Scorpius heard Kenobi's voice over the comm: "This is it. Keep your eyes open for those fighters."
"All short- and long-range scopes are blank," Scorpius reported. "Too much interference here. Red Five," he added to the younger Skywalker, "can you see them from where you are?"
Luke started to say, "No sign of - " Then he stopped, and shouted, "Wait! There they are. Coming in point three five."
Scorpius turned and he saw where Skywalker was indicating. "I see them."
"I'm almost in range," came Kenobi's voice. "Targets ready . . . coming up. Just hold off me for a few seconds - keep them busy."
The strange TIE interceptor leader advanced on Scorpius and Solusar himself. The Lieutenent had already performed a powerful Shield Charm to shield himself from attack, and he began firing on the TIEs, successfully wiping out one of the lead TIE's wingmen. With his superior shields, he worked to defend Solusar's fighter - at least to give Kenobi enough time to destroy the station.
"I can't hold them long," Scorpius said. "You'd better fire while you can, General Kenobi - we're closing on you."
Kenobi didn't answer, too absorbed in his work. "We're almost home. Steady, steady . . . Almost there, almost there . . . "
Scorpius saw a flash of light that could only be magic; his Shield Charm began to falter, and is it did the TIE hit his X-wing. The fighter knocked backwards hitting Kenobi's fighter before it blew up. Scorpius Malfoy screamed as all vision went black.
Red Squadron - over Yavin - 0 BBY
Harry wanted to scream as he saw Obi-Wan's interceptor resurface from the trench, his starboard engine badly damaged. Lieutenent Malfoy's X-wing had destroyed at the wrong place and the wrong time. The explosion destroyed Obi-Wan's engine, while sabotaging his attempt to destroy the mighty Death Star. Unfortunately, of the original four, only Obi-Wan and Kam remained alive.
"Red Five, this is Red Leader. Move into position, Luke. Start you attack run - stay low and wait until you're right on top of it. It's not going to be easy. Red Twelve and I must return to Yavin Base."
"General," Kam started to say.
"Kam," Obi-Wan said sternly, "you cannot continue on like this. Follow me."
"Yes, Master Kenobi."
Harry watched with relief as Obi-Wan and Kam returned the fourth moon of Yavin. The Blacks looked about to make a pursuit of the fighters, but seemed to make them pull back. The TIE fighters turned their attention to Harry, Luke, Wedge, and Biggs.
Black Squadron - over Yavin - 0 BBY
Darth Vader watched as the lead Jedi interceptor led an X-wing starfighter back to the base on the jungle moon. The Dark Lord considered going after the two Jedi, but decided against it. Any fighters who returned to the base on the fourth moon would eventually be destroyed by the Death Star. What mattered at the moment was chasing the four starfighters who could possibly destroy the station. The one Jedi interceptor among the three X-wing starfighters told Vader that one of the pilots was a Jedi Knight. With the Force as his ally, this man could very likely wipe this station from existence - regardless of what Tarkin and Motti said.
He ordered his wingman DS-61-3, nicknamed Backstabber, to ignore the fighters, and to pursue the last few Rebel pilots. They would be destroyed in no time. The Battle of Yavin would be remembered as greatest Imperial victory in Galactic history. This would be the end of the Galactic Civil War, and the final destruction of the petty Alliance to Restore the Republic.
