The simulated battle between Jyn's trainee squadron and Red Squadron begins.
The x-wings of Ghost Squadron and Red Squadron leave the rebel base, accompanied by Hera Syndulla's ship, the Ghost. The rebel ships make their way to planetary orbit.
On board the Ghost, Hera sits in the pilot's seat, with Commander Rex next to her in the co-pilot's seat.
"Squadron leaders, check in!" Hera says into the ship's comm.
"Red Leader standing by." Luke says over the comm.
"Ghost Leader standing by." Jyn says over the comm.
"All fighters, proceed to combat zone. Simulation will begin on my command." Hera says.
The x-wings proceed to an open area in space, marked by several small satellites, which are spaced evenly in a rectangular pattern.
On board the Ghost, Hera observes until all of the x-wings are in the marked area.
"All ships are now in the combat zone. Squadrons, begin simulation." Hera says.
The x-wings begin firing on each other. Red Squadron's ships seem to move as two united groups, one of three x-wings, the other group, two x-wings. Ghost Squadron seems to be somewhat disorganized, with some of the pilots flying erratically. One ship is quickly hit by two blasts from a Red Squadron ship.
On board her x-wing, Jyn observes her squadron's struggles.
"Ghost Seven, be careful! Three more hits and you're out of it! Remember, Ghost Squadron, discipline! Now, break into your groups!" Jyn says into her ship's comm.
"Copy, Ghost Leader." Ghost Seven says over the comm.
Jyn's squadron breaks into its assigned groups of two or three ships each.
In the cockpit of her x-wing, Jyn observes as one of her pilots is hit by three blasts from a Red Squadron fighter. This pilot then panics, and takes their ship to full speed.
"Ghost Nine, watch your speed! Stay under point five, or you'll run out of fuel!" Jyn says. She watches as the x-wing slows down.
"Sorry, captain." Ghost Nine says over the comm.
"That's alright, ensign. Just remember to stay focused. Keep your head in the game! Two more hits and you've had it!" Jyn says.
"Yes, captain." Ghost Nine says.
A Red Squadron fighter scores three hits on Ghost Seven.
On board the Ghost, Hera and Rex observe.
"Congratulations, Ghost Seven, you're the first one eliminated! Now, leave the combat zone, and form up behind the Ghost." Hera says.
"Understood, general." Ghost Seven says over the comm.
"One down already, and another not far off. This bunch doesn't look too good so far. Except for Erso. Kid has some talent." Rex says.
Frack her. I hope her ship blows up. Hera thinks.
"It's still early." Hera says.
"Let's hope Erso can take control of her squad. Otherwise, it'll be another lopsided win for Red Squadron." Rex says.
Hera and Rex observe as Jyn scores two hits on a Red Squadron fighter.
In the cockpit of his x-wing, Luke observes Jyn attacking his squadmate.
"Red Four, watch it! She just got two hits on you!" Luke says.
"Copy, Red Leader!" Red Four says over the comm.
Luke's fighter scores three hits on Ghost Four and two hits on Ghost Nine.
In the cockpit of his x-wing, Ghost Nine bangs his head against his console in frustration.
"Ghost Nine, you're dead! Leave the combat zone, and join up with Ghost Seven." Hera says over the comm.
"Copy, general." Ghost Nine says.
In the cockpit of her x-wing, Jyn observes as another of her squadmates is disqualified.
"Ghost Four, that's three hits on you! Stay sharp! We're already down two ships! Now, form up with Ghost Six and Ghost Eight!" Jyn says.
"Copy, Ghost Leader!" Ghost Four says over the comm.
Jyn observes as two of her squadmates are tailed by two Red Squadron fighters.
"Ghost Three and Ghost Ten, you've got two on your tail! Watch it!" Jyn says.
"I can't shake 'em!" Ghost Three says over the comm.
"Drop speed to point two! Now!" Jyn says.
"Copy!" Ghost Three says.
Ghost Three and Ghost Ten slow down, and the Red Squadron x-wing passes them by. Ghost Three then fires on the enemy fighter, scoring three hits.
In the cockpit of his fighter, Ghost Three celebrates.
"Yes! Got him!" Ghost Three says.
"Good work, Ghost Three! Now, you and Ghost Ten stay on his tail and finish the job!" Jyn says over the comm.
"Copy, Ghost Leader!" Ghost Three says.
In the cockpit of his x-wing, Luke observes as Ghost Three fires on one of his squadmates.
"Careful, Red Three! Looks like this bunch is gonna give us a fight!" Luke says.
"He's still on my tail!" Red Three says over the comm.
"Red Three, Red Five, come to full stop! Let them pass you by! We'll use their own trick against them!" Luke says.
"I copy Red Leader!" Red Three says.
Red Three and Red Five slow down their x-wings, until they come to a stop. Ghost Three and Ghost Ten pass them by. Red Three and Red Five both fire on Ghost Three.
In the cockpit of the Ghost, Hera and Rex observe as Ghost Three is fired on.
"That's it Ghost Three! You're out of it! Leave the combat zone!" Hera says.
"Copy, general." Ghost Three says over the comm.
"They're doing better, but they just lost another ship." Rex says.
"Yeah, I noticed. Let's see what Erso does now." Hera says.
Your move, Sith. Hera thinks.
From the cockpit of her x-wing, Jyn observes as Ghost Three is disqualified.
"Damn! We're down three ships now! Ghost Four, form up with Ghost Ten! Let's try to take some of them out for a change!" Jyn says.
"Copy, Ghost Leader!" Ghost Four says over the comm.
"Ghost Two, Ghost Five, let's go after Red Three! Only two more hits, and he's out of it!" Jyn says.
"Right with you, captain! Maybe we'll get his wingman too!" Ghost Two says over the comm.
"That's the spirit!" Jyn says.
Jyn and her two wingmen head for Red Three and Red Five, who are now chasing Ghost Four and Ghost Ten.
In the cockpit of her x-wing, Jyn has Red Three in her sights.
All too easy. Jyn thinks.
"Ghost Five, focus on taking out Red Five. Ghost Two and I will deal with Red Three!" Jyn says.
"Copy." Ghost Five says over the comm.
Jyn and Ghost Two fire on Red Three, and both shots hit their mark. Ghost Five fires on Red Five, and scores two hits.
On board the Ghost, Hera and Rex observe as the first Red Squadron pilot is eliminated.
"That's it, Red Three! You're dead. Leave the combat zone." Hera says.
"Copy, general." Red Three says over the comm.
"This is getting interesting. Captain Erso actually seems to be a decent squad leader. Maybe it'll be Commander Erso before too long." Rex says.
Not if I have my way! Hera thinks.
"I'm not ready to pin a medal on her just yet. Let's see how the rest of this goes." Hera says.
"Fair enough." Rex says.