Scarif was always going to be a bloodbath. The Rebel's simply were not prepared for combat, with most members lacking any experience. All the more reason as to why I should be there.
"Blaze. Get a Percheron Class Carrier ready for launch. Get Tombstone squadron ready as well. Set course for Scarif." I order through the comlink built into the Archangel.
"What about you, general?" He asks, though likely already knew how I would respond.
"I'll be in the midst of it. Just make sure to be there on time." I answer, cutting the connection. The speakers begin to blare, an officer's voice echoing through the base.
"All flight personnel, please report to your commanders immediately. All flight personnel, please report to your commanders immediately. We've been redirected to Scarif. Pilots, you'll be briefed by your squadron leaders en route. May the Force be with you." In mere seconds, the hangers of the Massassi temple bustle with pilots and engineers, preparing for battle. I notice General Antoc Merrick making his way to his own X-Wing.
"General!" I call to him, catching his attention. "I'll be tagging along with Blue Squadron. I have some reinforcements ready for battle as well." I advise him.
"Understood. Make sure not to fall behind." He jests, his compassion for others immediately visible, before he continues on his way. Closing the canopy of the Archangel, the engines ignite in harmony, the purr of anticipation. Lifting off the ground, I weave out of the hanger, breaking to orbit, where the small fleet awaited for the jump to hyperspace. "Alright. Some of our guys infiltrated an Imperial data complex… Without permission. Normally, this would not involve us. However, they claim that they are obtaining the plans for the Empire's new superweapon. Our job is to make sure the intel is delivered." General Merrick explains. "Further orders will be received at our destination." A chorus of affirmatives called through the comlink.
"All ships, this is Base One. All clear to jump." The officers back on base inform us. Within moments, each Capital Ship, cruiser, frigate, corvette, gunship and snub-fighter makes the jump. With a slight lurch, the blue streaks of hyperspace replace the view.
The warning alarms bring me back to the moment, alerting me of the imminence of reverting to real space. Within moments, the blue streaks of hyperspace return to darkness, illuminated by the distant stars and the planet below. The fleet continues to form up as more of the ships emerge from hyperspace, the lead Capital Ship an MC75 Cruiser. The comlink crackles to life.
"This is Admiral Raddus of the Rebel Alliance. All squadron leaders report in." The renown Admiral calls to the fleet.
"Admiral, this is Blue Leader, standing by." General Antoc Merrick calls in.
"This is Gold Leader, standing by." Jon Vander reports.
"This is Red Leader, standing by." Garven Dreis adds. The two Imperial Class Star Destroyers lay in wait, not yet opening fire upon the threat we pose. At least we still had the element of surprise.
"Red and Gold Squadrons, attack formations. Defend the fleet. Blue Squadron, get to the surface before they close that gate!" Admiral Raddus orders.
"Copy you Admiral. Blue Squadron, on me!" General Merrick calls. A chorus of affirmatives once more echo through the comms. Diving towards the open Shield Gate, the entirety of Blue Squadron, including the two U-Wings as well as myself attempt to squeeze through. As each of us pass close by, the anti-air defences emplaced along the Shield Gate open fire on us, with a lucky shot taking down one of the pilots. Moments after I pass the gate, a light blue hue paints the back of the Archangel as the gate closes, cutting us off from the fight in orbit, and stranding us within, slightly reducing the max speed of our fighters.
"Gate's closed, General. We're on our own." I inform him.
"All wings call in." General Merrick orders a headcount. 12, take 3
"Blue 2, standing by." Torius Chord called in, followed by 13 other pilots. (Watching the footage, I counted that 15 X-Wings made it to the surface.) In the distance, several AT-ACP Walkers stood, only to be towered by the data vault.
"Looks like the troops need a hand. Form up, target the walkers." General Merrick orders. Pushing against the wind resistance, the X-Wings are slower than usual, therefore, Blue Squadron wa disadvantage already… although they didn't show it too much, as the moment they were in range, the first AT-ACP fell in moments, followed by another, and another, until there were no more. With the armour down, Blue Eleven's U-Wing would be able to reinforce the troops. "Blue Eleven, reinforce those troops on the beach. All fighters, on me. We have to shield them from air attack." Merrick orders, as Blue Eleven closes the s-foils of the U-Wing, reducing speed and hovering inches above the sand as the troops held within the bay were released onto the battlefield. Our relief is short lived, however, as what looks to be new TIE variants close in on us at alarming speeds.
"Incoming. 11:30, 12 degrees." I warn, just a little too late as these TIE fighters open fire, gunning down two of our fighters.
"Gain some altitude, lure them away from Blue Eleven as they support the ground forces." Merrick calls. The 13 remaining X-Wings rise, taking the attention away from the ground as both forces battle now for air superiority.
"Goddammit, Tombstone. We're running out of time." I mutter to myself, gaining some altitude of my own, avoiding the stray shots from the new TIE's. Blue Squadron was holding up rather well to start, but these TIE's just kept coming. For every one that is destroyed… two or more would replace them. We were outnumbered and outgunned. One of the TIE's break off, gunning for me. "So now ya notice me, huh?" I wonder aloud, dropping speed, forcing the TIE to manoeuvre as to avoid an impact. As he passes by, I fire a single plasma shot, hitting the TIE directly in the engines, forcing it into a spiral of doom, crashing into the water with an impact equal to hitting durasteel.
"Got one on my tail!" A frantic call from Blue 2 gains my attention. Finding his aura through the Force, I watch in concern as a lone TIE tails them.
"I'm on 'em." Merrick assures him, taking the tail of the TIE and swiftly destroying it.
"We can't hold out like this much longer, General. We should make a gap between us and the vault, or risk our demise." I warn in urgency.
"I'm not leaving the area until we have those plans. They are vital to the destruction of that weapon." Merrick retorts. A wave of nausea overcomes me, as I see double vision: Two X-Wings attacking three TIE's and what looks to be a transport. One X-Wing is shot down, as the second returns the favour twice fold. (Technically, he only shot down one, but this is more impressive.) The remaining TIE, along with two new ones tail them, hitting their upper starboard engine, causing the X-Wing to spiral to its doom. "Blue Two, with me. Incoming transport." Merrick calls, a surge of worry pulsing in my entire being. Making my way to their position, Blue Two is swiftly gunned down. Merrick, just like I saw, takes two TIE's in compensation, before earning a tail.
"General! Behind you!" Another pilot calls through frantically, too far away to do anything. In a split second, now in range, I open fire, hitting two of the three TIE's tailing the General, while he evades the final one, before another of Blue Squadron picks them off.
"Thanks for the save." Merrick audibly sighs in relief. Before I can reply, another voice calls through the comms.
"Didn't arrive too late for the party did we?" A feminine voice asks in jest.
"Good to hear you Hawkins. Get the fighters in the air. Have the bombers support the ground troops." I order. The Percheron held 16 of the R-22 Spearheads used by the early rebel forces. The difference, was that these fighters had been modified, giving them shields equivalent to a TIE Defender, and a new hull plating made of multiple different metals, overall increasing the durability of the normally fragile strike-craft. Along with these, were eight BTL-B Y-Wings that were used in the Clone Wars. Unlike those that the Rebels use, these still had their gunner turret, meaning it was a two seater craft. These were also modified with increased armour, hull and shielding. The hanger was large enough that even with all 24 of these ships docked, there was enough room for all of Blue Squadron as well.
"On it." She replies, cutting the transmission.
"Blue Squadron, listen up. Reinforcements are here. Tombstone will join us in the air, as well as provide bombing support where they can." I inform, to which cheers of relief echo back. "This isn't the end. We need to continue until that shield is down, or those plans wont get through."
"Leave it to us, Sir." One of the pilots attempts to assure me.
"Oh, I ain't leaving you guys just yet. Merrick, make sure everyone is ready to dock with the carrier on short notice. As soon as that shield is down, we need to leave." I order.
"All wings, call in." Merrick calls.
"Blue 5, standing by." Farns Monsbee calls in, followed by Blue 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 21 and 24. Within seconds of the final member calling in, the comm chatter increases exponentially, as all Rebel frequencies that were jammed, come online.
"Shield is down. Plans transmitting now." A robotic voice says. "Transmission sent. Alert, alert, project Stardust has arrived."
"Oh, that can't be good." One of Blue Squadron notes.
"No. It's not. All ships, dock. That superweapon isn't here on a social call." I order.
"What about the troops on the ground?" Merrick asks in concern.
"I'm not sure we have enough time. You can try, but it will be risky." I explain.
"Alright. Blue 11, see if you can find any survivors. Bring them home." Merrick orders. The sole U-Wing breaks off and begins it's search.
"Generals, we're picking up massive energy readings." Hawkins relays.
"They're powering up. We don't have much time. Merrick, have your squad dock now! Blue 11, have your scanners found anyone?" I ask.
"Only two, Sir. On the beach." She responds.
"Pick them up, then make the jump to base. You won't have enough time to dock. We'll meet you back there." I explain in a hurry, as I land in the hanger of the Percheron. Everyone was accounted for. Our attention is gained as a massive, yet accurate beam of energy obliterates the communication array on the vault, passing through and impacting the ocean.
"They're on board. Preparing for jump." Blue 11 informs, before they disappear from the scanners, having jumped.
"All hands. Prepare for phase jump." Hawkins' voice echoes through the ship. It was over.
A/N – Alright. This one was always going to be a difficult chapter for me to do. The reason I don't usually make chapters where new shit happens is because I have difficulties with understanding other characters and how they act in situations, or how they have their personality. It takes longer for me to be able to use a character like Antoc Merrick especially when there is not much info on him. Hopefully this will do for now. Take care.
