Hey everybird! What's up!?

There's pretty much nothing to say at the moment, other than I hope you're all still staying healthy and safe! Things are starting to look a little better in the world and hopefully it only gets better! Lets keep hoping and praying!

Anyway… On to the next chapter!

Chapter 4: Hit and Run

(Blu's POV)

Arriving at the world of Eadu, exiting out of hyperspace there were no Imperial ships in the system as the group headed on down towards the surface, where it was dark and raining heavily. The terrain we were flying through was tricky, tall rock pillars dotting the surface, added to the weather, we had to be extremely careful, but hopefully this would help us avoid Imperial sensors until we were right on top of them. Turning on the wing lights, I kept up with the squadron, staying calm as I had to dodge and weave through the terrain.

"Alright Blue Squadron, we're almost within range, lock s-foils in attack position." My father's voice spoke through comms as I pushed the button, watching as the wings of my X-Wing opened up to create the ironic shape that gave the starfighter its name.

Only a couple more seconds passed as the Imperial research facility was in view, lit up against the dark landscape, presenting a clear view of our target as I held my wing firmly on the trigger.

"Clear to engage Blue and Gold Squadrons!" My father's voice rang loud as I put my crosshairs onto the facility, letting leash with my quad laser cannons, the red bolts of energy striking both metal and flesh as I had to peel off to avoid hitting the facility.

"Quite a fireworks display huh Jewel?" I said to my droid as she gave back a happy beep.

"Swing around for another run Blue Squadron, but watch for TIEs, they're certainly on full alert now." My father advised us as the mixed group of X and Y-Wings prepared for another attack run, passing by the hangar bay of the base as TIE began launching, not wasting a second in shooting at us with their green lasers.

"Hang on Jewel!" I told my droid as I sped up and did my best to avoid the fire coming at us. "Reinforce the rear shields, I'll take care of the front." I told Jewel as she complied with my order as I focused.

Shaking off the initial shock of the attack, the Imperials forces stationed at the base were up and fully fighting back as more TIEs scrambled into the air. And not only that, but through the rain and darkness, I saw a laser turret begin to rotate and well fire at us. Soon enough I was caught in between a rock and a hard place, with the turret on the ground spraying its lasers and TIEs hot on my tail. One of the squadron's X-Wings up ahead was caught in the barrage from the laser turret, one of the shots impacting the top left engine as the X-Wing spun out of control and crashed into a rock pillar, the starfighter bursting into flames.

"You doing okay Jewel!?" I said loudly as I felt sweat start to pour down from the inside of my helmet, Jewel giving me back the best positive beep she can give as the fight became harder with each passing second as the ground turret kept up its fire while TIEs circled above.

Needing to break off, I tried going in again, inverting my fighter and doing a 180 degree turn, of course needing to keep my wing lights on so I can see clearly, it of course made me an easier target to pick out. Once again a second X-Wing, up ahead of me, fell victim to the laser turret, knocking the X-Wing out of the sky as the flaming wreckage crashed down.

Sweating even more now I zigzagged, avoiding both rock pillars and fire from two TIEs chasing me as I used the terrain to my advantage, unlike my X-Wing, the TIE didn't have any lights of sorts to help them see clearly with their eyes. Flying dangerously close to one of the rock pillars, I forced one of the TIEs to fly straight into the terrain, the Imperial starfighter exploding in flames. The other TIE, however, managed to avoid the same fate as his partner and kept his pursuit on me.

"Well, at least one of them is down…" I thought as I called for backup from any of my squadmates still flying around. "This is Blue Two, I need help, one's hot on my tail."

"I'll be there momentarily Blue Two." I heard Roberto respond as I was thankful he was still alive. "I'm a little busy myself with some friends." Roberto responded as I knew he meant he was fighting his own TIEs either chasing or being chased himself.

"Well looks like we have to wait for help Jewel, don't worry I wouldn't make it easy on this guy." I told Jewel as I dodged and weaved the TIE's fire, but he still kept up with me. "Blast it Roberto, where are you?" I said softly as I wondered how long it would take for the TIE to get one solid hit on me.

As I considered options for some fancy flying, Jewel started beeping at me as I looked back and I could see the TIE was on fire in between its ball cockpit and right solar panel wing as it started descending downward, the pilot having lost control. I couldn't see any nearby X or Y-Wings that could have possibly shot the TIE, but I wasn't complaining.

"Must have some allies below." I thought as I watched the TIE collide into the operating station for the laser turret, knocking the emplacement out for good as the rest of the facility was n flames, destroyed beyond repair by our laser fire and proton bombs from the Y-Wings.

"Mission accomplished Blue and Gold Squadrons, lets get out of here before Imperial reinforcements can show up." My father's voice spoke through comms as we all regrouped, the TIEs having to let us go and return to base.

Once clear, the remaining X-Wings closed their s-foils back into normal flight mode, flying up and up out of Eadu's atmosphere and back into space, so far still no Imperial ships in system, but that could ver well change any second as my father didn't waste time.

"Okay, once we're clear of Eadu's gravity, set coordinates back for Yavin 4 and jump to hyperspace." My father instructed everyone.

"Another easy mission done Captain." Roberto's voice spoke through comms to me. "And sorry I wasn't able to help you out.

"Yeah, easy…" I rolled my eyes. "And it's okay Blue Three, someone else got the TIE, don't know who, but whoever it was is a good shot." I commented

"Well, that's good, now lets get back to base, we got some celebrating to do." Roberto replied.

"Copy that." I chuckled as I flew out from Eadu's gravitational pull, Jewel informing me when we were as I pressed the button for hyperspace before I then relax and decided to take a nap while making the trip back.

And I'll leave it off there!

A shorter chapter, but as the title says, it is a quick hit and run raid. And well please endure this little nerd rant from me, but well the Rebel strike on Eadu is a perfect example of the clear advantage the Rebel Alliance has in having hyperspace capable starfighters, like the X-Wing, unlike the TIEs the Empire uses. The Rebels can perform hit and run attacks constantly, striking important targets, dealing maximum damage and escaping before Imperial reinforcements can show up. In fact without hyperspace capable starfighters, the Alliance wouldn't have won, or at least would have had a much tougher time fighting against the Empire.

And now with my little rant about the one important advantage the Rebels have…

See everybird later!