A cruiser jumped out of hyperspace to deliver supplies to a planet. They were accompanied by Freedom Fighter escort, but an Imperial cruiser suddenly appeared and released TIEs. The fighters engaged trying to defend the transport but were quickly wiped out. The spider captain of the transport activated commlink "Imperial pilots, stand down. We are unnamed. You have no right to fire on us!" "I beg to differ" he heard in reply right before the TIES shot torpedoes directly at the bridge destroying it.
Tails, Wave and Tex ran into the command centre of Gizoid Base where Bristles Sally and Sonic were waiting "We heard about Teralov". Sally lowered her head "It gets worse. We lost our entire escort of A-wings. Six pilots and the transport's entire crew". Tex sighed "How many is that this month?". Bristles leaned against the holo-unit "Fortunately, I have been working on a solution with the help of O'Brian" "Who?" Tails asked. "A codename for one of our informants. It was Amy's idea. She was one of them". The unit projected a symbol, and a distorted voice came through "I have information that may help replace your stable of pilots. There are Imperial cadets at the Skystrike Academy who wish to defect to the Freedom Fighters. I don't know their names, but they will require assistance to escape. I suggest you move quickly, before the Empire discovers their intentions. O'Brian out". Bristles nodded "This is enough to act on". Sally turned to Wave "The mission is yours, Wave. We've arranged to insert you into a squad of new cadets headed for Skystrike. AP-Five will provide fake credentials. Tails and Sonic, I need you to shadow her. You'll stay in communication while she's inside and be ready to help her escape. Tex and I have to supervise the escort for the new relief mission to Teralov". Sonic nodded we've got our plan. Let's go".
An Imperial shuttle entered the atmosphere of an orange planet and entered the hanger of the academy. A human officer was waiting in the hanger. The shuttle opened and three young animals walked out in black pilots' outfits. They handed a card to the officer who used a gizoid to scan them. A Swallow shaped plot hander hers but the gizoid beeped when scanning "There seems to be a problem with your credentials, cadet" "Oh, I'm sorry. Can I see it". The officer handed it back to her and she removed her helmet revealing it to be Wave "The things can be temperamental sometimes". She blew into the card "Try it now" she handed it back to the officer who scanned it again and it was accepted. The officer handed the card to Wave "Proceed" "Thank you, sir".
Tails and Sonic were on the bridge of a transport watching the tracker "She's in. I guess all we can do now is wait" "Don't worry. She'll be fine" "Yeah. I know" Tails said not sounding truly convinced.
Wave was standing in a line of cadets who were all at attention as a walrus officer spoke "Listen carefully, cadets. You're here because the Empire sees potential in you to join the ranks of its elite pilots. Some of you will fail. Know that whatever you have achieved before means nothing. Here, only the best survive. Prepare yourselves. Your first combat training will begin at 0600. Squadron dismissed!". Some of the pilots stood together talking about what fighters they might be fling but Wave immediately went to her room and went to bed.
Wave was now in a TIE cockpit flying through space "This is TIE SS-3-6 on patrol at .149, awaiting wingman" "Copy that, 3-6. This is TIE SS-2-5. You can call me Bark. What's your name, cadet?". Wave saw him fly ahead of him "I'm Erica Chie" "Don't break protocol, cadets. Comm numbers only during flight" they heard the officer tell them. Wave rolled her eyes under her helmet "Copy that, Commander" "Comscan is tracking Insurgent ships entering sector Two. Move to intercept" "Copy that. Let's go, 3-6" "Right behind you 2-5". Wave checked her scanner "I've got multiple signals coming it at .27" "Ah, I see them. Y-wings. Heavy shields and turret guns. Command, how should we proceed?" "Eliminate all target". The two of them took evasive action, Bark immediate shot two of them and Wave shot another "Good kill, 3-6" "One more and we're even, 2-5" she got another one. "3-6 and 2-5, proceed to the transmitted coordinates and destroy the vessel located there" "Yes, sir" they both flew in the direction of the shuttles. They came across a damaged cruiser "I've got no power readings. It's disabled". They then heard a scared voice "Please, do not fire! We surrender! We're heavily damaged and have wounded aboard. Repeat, we surrender!" "Destroy the vessel as ordered". Wave then heard Bark "But, sir, Imperial protocol is to be board the-" "Destroy the vessel as ordered, 2-5". Wave without hesitation fired at the transport with torpedoes. They hit the bridge and the transport blew up "Well done 3-6. Wait, a new contact coming in". Wave saw the Hurst appear and shoot down Bark's fighter. Before Wave could even react the Hurst then fired at her and the window suddenly went back "Simulation complete. Cadets, exit your pods. Report for debriefing". Wave and Bark both climbed out of the pods where their instructor was waiting. Wave pretended to be surprised "What kind of ships was that? That was no transport". A third pod opened up and a pilot stepped out "Ah, but you are wrong, cadet. It was a transport called the Hurst which has been modified for combat. The Freedom Fighters are a desperate group of extremists. They'll fight with any ship, using any means necessary to undermine our authority". He glanced at Bark "That is why orders must be followed without question. Insubordination can cost you your lives in the field. Understood?" "Yes, sir" they both said with Wave hesitating slightly.
Later everyone was in the hanger when a shuttle arrived dropping off Infinite and Nephthys. The instructor stood forward "Governor Nephthys, Agent Infinite. May I ask the reason for this unscheduled visit?" "ISB has information that some of your cadets are planning a defection" "You have traitors in your midst" Nephthys added. The instructor was surprised "Impossible. My cadets are unmatched, both in their skill and loyalty" Nevertheless, I will be conducting a thorough investigation and you are to extend your full cooperation. Agent Infinite, you may begin. My hope is that I may teach you something today".
Wave was waking through a hallway when "I told you it was too risky". She went to a door and hid as she saw Bark speaking to two others "How are we gonna get out of this?" "Will you just relax? They don't know. If they did, we'd be in the brig".
Later Bark was standing at a railing in the hanger when Wave walked up to him "Something wrong, Bark?" "Uh, no. Why?" "You just look nervous". Bark sighed "This just wasn't what I signed up for. I wanted to do my part for the Empire but firing on unarmed ships wasn't what I had in mind". Wave nodded in understanding "I understand. Why did you join?". Bark shrugged "I was just flying cargo ships when the Empire recruited me. At the time if figured why not? Seemed a whole lot more exciting than hauling spare parts around the galaxy. But if this is what the Empire's becoming, I don't know" he leaned against the railing. Wave smiled "Hmm. You ever think about getting out?" "That's not really possible, is it?" "Maybe more possible than you realize". Bark turned to her "What're you talking about?". Wave looked around to make sure no one heard them "My real name is Wave. I was sent to get you out". Bark gave a hopeful smirk "The Freedom Fighters got my message" "Yes. But I heard there were other pilots who want out, too". Bark nodded "There are" he said quickly, he didn't trust her with the names yet. "Okay, we need to leave now, before the Empire closes in. Can you get them ready?" "I'll talk to them. What's your plan?". Wave smirked "Well, I'll tell you when I figured that out" "Are you serious?" "Welcome to the Freedom Fighters" she ran away.
Tails was pacing, "Tails, you need to calm down" "How am I supposed to be calm. Wave's down there and there's nothing I can do". Sonic nodded "That's right. There's nothing you can do. So, you pacing around worried isn't going to help. Sit down". Tails reluctantly did so, "Tails, part of the Shinobi's wisdom come from learning to accept when a situation is out of control. Do you trust her?". Tails took a breath and nodded "Of course, I trust her" "Good. Then trust she'll succeed".
Infinite and the instructor entered the command centre where Nephthys "My investigation is nearly complete, Governor. I have found nothing as of yet" "Then perhaps it' time for me to take a more direct hand in this enquiry". The instructor stepped forward "With all due respect, Governor, I am trying to train pilots here. How are they to progress under these circumstances? Certainly not while they are all grounded". Nephthys smirked "You're quite right. Perhaps getting your cadets back into space would be to our mutual advantage".
Wave was walking through the hallway "When "Squadron 22, report to hanger six". She met with Bark who was with a shark and a lemming "Wave, this is Rake and Dive" "Are you sure you're all committed to this?" "We've made our choice" "No turning back now". They entered hanger six "Kinda surprised they're letting us go up in the middle of all this". Wace stopped them "Well, we have to make the most of this chance. We might not get another. Okay, listen. There's a ship nearby waiting for my signal. Watch me. When I go, you go. But you have to trust me. Agreed?". Dive looked concerned "These Freedom Fighters waiting for us… you trust them?" "With my life" "Yeah and all of ours" Rake said. Wave boarded her TIE "Well, here goes nothing. Naka-Six, this is Naka-Five. If you're receiving this, lock onto my signal". She took of followed by a dozen other fighters "Squadrons, prepare to break formation and engage in a simulated dogfight. Your lasers have been nullified but your hits will still register and be scored". They left the atmosphere "Begin on my mark. Three, two, one. Mark". All the fighters scattered and began shooting at one another. Wave played along "Come on, Tails. Where are you?". The transport suddenly jumped out of hyperspace "Wave, hope we're not too late" "Right on time. Come one, boys" "Here we go. Dive, Rake, on me". The four of them flew towards the transport when they heard Nephthys over the comm "Cadets, return to base immediately. This is your only warning" "Negative, Command. You're gonna have to come and get us". They were almost at the transport when the wings if their fighters suddenly detached "What? We've lost power! Our fighters were rigged!" "Captain, destroy one of the pods". Wave looked out and saw three fighters coming towards them "Wait! No! Just-!" they fired on one of the pods destroying it "AH!" "Rake!" Bark yelled. Wave then saw them firing on the transport "Tails, abort! Get out oh here!" "No, Wave! We're coming for you" "Tails, you can't take another hit like that. Get out of here". She then heard Sonic "She's right. We don't have choice, Tails! We can't help her if we're dead. G-merl, get us out of here now!". The transport just managed to escape.
Wave, Bark and Dive were kneeling in an interrogation room with Infinite standing behind them. Nephthys then entered "I have so many questions. But first I would like to know which of you is the Freedom Fighter agent". They said nothing so Nephthys walked over to a metal table "Do you know what this is. It's most effective at extracting information from the non-compliant". She pressed a button, and a tool came out of the ceiling and started shocking the table. She looked at Bark "You". A trooper forced Bark to stand and pushed him towards the table. The tool came down again about to shock him but "No, wait! It's me. I'm the agent" "Wave, don't". Bark got pushed back. Nephthys smiled "And now we have a name". Wave stared at Bark "Thanks" "Sorry". Nephthys stepped closer to Wave "Agent Infinite, escort the other two back to their cell. Wave and I have a lot to talk about". Infinite did so as Wave stared up defiantly at Nephthys "I won't talk" "Well, let's see how far we can get without you needing to". She showed a hologram of Wave "Wave Voyance, is it? You are far to versed in Imperial protocol not to have been a cadet. And now you've come home, little Wispon". She leaned down and held Wave's face "So proud. And tough, I think. We shall see".
Bark and Dive were in a cell "We have to do something" "And end up like Rake?" "What the Empire has planned for has to be worse. Wave came here to get us out. We owe her. We have to try". Dive sighed "So what's your plan?" "I'll tell you when I figure it out".
Wave was about to be put on the table but the moment the trooper undid her cuff she quickly turned around and beat them both to the ground. Nephthys charged forward and kicked Wave in the stomach "Huh. Not bad" "The Empire taught me well" "Yeah? Well, my clan taught me better". The two fought until Wave kicked her into the table which then shocked her. She fell to the ground unconscious. Wave took her commlink and a blaster before running out of the room.
Bark was pacing trying to think "Maybe we can surprise the guards" "With what exactly?". The door suddenly opened revealing Wave "I hope your better pilots than you are soldiers". The two looked at each other before shrugging and following Wave. Troopers started chasing them as they ran through the hall, but blast doors suddenly closed in front of them. They turned around ready to face the troopers but the doors there were closed as well. Wave heard a noise and turned to point her blaster at Infinite who put his hands up "Wait. Don't shoot" "Give me one good reason" "Avoid levels three through five. Hanger 24 is your best possibility". He opened the doors, Bark and Dive hesitantly walked past but Wave did lower her baster "Why should we trust you?" "Tell Texan… we're even". Wave stared confused but quickly lowered her blaster and the three of them ran. They made it to the hanger and stood over an old TIE bomber "That tub? Are you kidding?" "Hey, it can take a hit. Ow, can you fly it or not?" "I can fly anything" Bark replied. Troopers entered "Freeze! Don't move!". They quickly jumped in the bomber and flew out of the hanger". Dive got on the scanner "I've got fighters, .6". Bark flew as best he could, but the wing was hit "Bark, can't you go any faster" "I told you this thing was slow! Where are those friends of yours?" "I can't signal. Comms are jammed". The ship was hit, and they started going down. They got chased through the clouds by the fighter who was ready finish them off, but the transport suddenly appeared and forced it to back off "Wave? We knew you'd come through". Wave grinned "Uh. Never been so happy to hear your voice, Tails" "Get to the docking port, quick" they did so and the three of them ran into the transport as it flew up. They entered the bridge "I thought I told you to go" "We stuck around, just in case" they jumped to hyperspace.
The arrived at Gizoid base where Tex, Sally and Bristles were waiting. Wave stepped forward "Commander Bristles, allow me to present Lieutenants Bark the Polar Bear and Dive the Lemming, formerly of the galactic Empire". Bark smirked "Commander, we heard you're looking for some good pilots" "Indeed, we are. Welcome to the Freedom Fighters". Bristles saluted them which they happily return.