Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter. Hope you like this one.

So, this one will focus a bit more on the action itself. It will also introduce an OC character based on one of my reviewers. In this case, I will announce the winner of the Terran Armed Forces character part of the OC competition. It is: the mysterious Mr.E! Congrats. I've begun creating the character, and he'll be the main character in this chapter.

Also, quick reminder. Fighter pilots of the Starfleet have Navy ranks, not Air Force ranks.

Let's get to it.

Guest DCDGojira: Kelly was found to be Force sensitive when she was about a year old, and Adams and his wife decided to have her be trained as a Jedi.

Jedi Kyle Katarn: It was the Alliance's way of honoring Padme, given they weren't able to save her life. Luke and Leia will learn about Padme eventually. The idea of a prototype galaxy gun is something I may use. And may use that species idea.

CMAC54: My state is starting to reopen, I think. I'm in Utah right now.

Guest: I will not be using the Yuuzhan Vong as a Terran Alliance species, as I'm still toying with the idea of making a story set after the sequel trilogy that will feature a Yuuzhan Vong invasion of the Andromeda Galaxy.

Guest: During the Cold War, the Empire didn't fortify their end of the wormhole because they believed that the Alliance would never think to challenge them. Once again, their arrogance proved to be their undoing.

Guest221: In my mind, Ahsoka told Vader about her family as an effort to get through to him. TO try and reach the light she still thinks is in him. And, in order to go after her family, Vader would have to get to Earth. Which, of course, he will eventually, but it won't work out so well for him.

Divine Protector of Skyrim: Well, given what happened with Padme, and the fact that several members of the original ASAT team are now on the Terran Joint Command, and the fact that Padme fought in the war several times, I don't think it's too outlandish for them to honor her this way. And, Taps isn't just for military funerals. In certain other situations, it's also used, though usually for special circumstances. I think, for the Terrans, this would qualify. As for being more personable and more first person, I will try to do that more, and this chapter will be more first person. I recognize the last chapter wasn't as good as it could've been, but I wasn't feeling as much inspiration while writing that chapter as I usually do. I may go back and edit it later to improve it.

Chapter 18- The Hammer Squadron

(December 28, 2013)

"There will be heavy defenses. Expect extensive ground-based surface to air gun batteries, and extensive TIE fighter opposition. We expect at least 120 TIE fighters based in the target area, possibly more. This will an extremely dangerous mission."

In his seat in the ready room, Lieutenant Jonathan Page jots down a note in his notebook before looking back up at the officer giving the briefing.

"Your fighters will be equipped with SGM-65 Maverick missiles as well as bombs. Rapier, Javelin, and Hatchet flights will be equipped with 2,000 lb Mk84 general purpose bombs, while Scimitar flight will be armed with GBU-28 bunker busting bombs. Your goal is for Rapier, Javelin, and Hatchet flights to destroy what they can of the factory above ground, and then Scimitar flight will use their GBU-28s to destroy the hardened structures underground containing all the design schematics and the Imperial officers in command of the factory."

The Captain giving the briefing looks out over the pilots, then says, "I don't have to tell you how important this mission is. If this mission succeeds, it will keep the Defender out of Imperial service, hopefully for good."

There are nods around the room. The Captain then says, "That is all. Dismissed!"

Everyone stands up and snaps to attention before gathering up their gear and filing out of the room.

Jonathan makes his way to the dressing room, where his flight gear is waiting for him. As he dresses, he reaches out for his helmet and picks it up, running his thumb over the symbol of the hammer on one side of his helmet.

Jonathan is a member of the Terran Starfleet's elite starfighter squadron. The 69th Fighter Squadron, also known as the Hammer Squadron. He had dreamed of joining the Hammers since he first joined the Starfleet, and had finally been selected for the squadron a year ago, after 6 years of service in the Starfleet.

Suddenly, he feels someone thump him on the shoulder. He turns around to see that its one of his squadronmates, and his wingman on this mission, Lieutenant Abigail Peretz, one of the daughters of former ASAT member General Shaul Peretz. Abigail, unlike her twin, decided to pursue a career in the military, like her father.

"Hey, Abigail," Jonathan says.

"You ready for this, buddy?" Abigail says with a smile, causing Jonathan to smile. One thing he liked about Abigail was her ability to keep a smile on her face even in the most dangerous situations. She always had a way to raise the spirits of her squadronmates. Some of the squadron members referred to her as the "squadron cheerleader", which Abigail took in good humor.

"Yeah. We'll finally show the Empire how much better we are," Jonathan says.

Abigail smiles before she claps on the back again and says, "Come on. Take off is in 30 minutes. We need to go inspect the fighters."

Jonathan nods as he finished strapping on his remaining gear. He then grabs his helmet again, and he and Abigail job out onto the flight line.

As they emerge from the building and onto the flight line, Jonathan looks around at the beautiful Naboo scenery. Since the capture of Naboo a few weeks ago, the 69th had been based out of an airbase constructed just outside Theed. Their orders were to conduct deep strikes against strategic Imperial targets across the galaxy until they were called up to support another planetary invasion.

This mission was their first since arriving on Naboo, and was a highly important one. British MI6 agents operating in the Core Worlds had found evidence showing that the Empire was attempting to restart Grand Admiral Thrawn's TIE Defender project, and had built a new factory on the planet Onderon. The factory had recently been completed, and had just recently begun production operations.

The 69th's mission was to travel to Onderon and destroy the factory completely, ending TIE Defender production. The Terran Joint Command considered the Defender the main TIE model that could be counted on to be capable of matching Terran fighters, and wanted the threat removed.

The 18 Hammer Squadron pilots would be flying alone, without escort from any other squadrons. But none of the pilots are worried. This is Hammer Squadron's specialty. Strikes deep within enemy territory without any additional support.

Jonathan and Abigail walk over to where their two SF-15s are parked. Tech crews are finishing securing the last bombs to their fighters. The two of them walk around their fighters several times, running their hands over the various surfaces, making sure everything is in working orders. They've been flying the same fighters for years, and are intimately familiar with every nook and cranny of the massive fighters. Once they've satisfied themselves that everything is right with their fighters, they make their way up to the ladders set up against the noses and climb up into their cockpits along with their WSOs as ground crews load their astromech droids into the slots behind the cockpits.

Ground crews help them strap in as more ground crews make sure everything is ready to go. Once they're all strapped in and have their oxygen masks strapped on, the ground crews get down from the ladders and pull the ladders away from the fighters as Jonathan and Abigail close their canopies.

Jonathan finishes powering up his fighter, scanning all the controls and displays to make sure that everything is in order. Then, he pulls back on the stick, easing the SF-15 into the air.

Glancing around the flight line, Jonathan sees the other 17 Space Eagles of the squadron slowly lifting off the tarmac. The leader of the squadron, Captain Daniel Sharvit, pulls his Space Eagle up and pushes the throttles forward. The fighter begins climbing up and out of Naboo's atmosphere, the rest of the squadron following behind him. They organize into their flights, with 6 Space Eagles making up Rapier flight, and 4 making up each of the other three flights.

Once they get up into orbit, they move to assume course for their hyperspace jump. Jonathan says on the connection to his astro droid, TR4-S5, "TR4, program the navicomputer for hyperspace jump." TR4 responds with a few beeps.

A voice of a controller from the battlecruiser Indefatigable comes over the radio in all of the Space Eagles, "This is TAS Indefatigable. Hammer Squadron, you are cleared for hyperspace jump. Godspeed, pilots."

"Copy that. Preparing for jump," Captain Sharvit responds. All of the pilots make the final calculations and rest their hands on the throttle for the hyperdrive, waiting for the order from Captain Sharvit.

After several more moments, Sharvit calls over the radio, "All pilots. Make the jump on my mark. Three. Two. One. Mark!"

All 18 pilots shove the throttles forward, and the 18 Space Eagles make the jump into hyperspace, all in the space of 1 second.

(Onderon)

"Mark!"

At the call from Captain Sharvit, the 18 Space Eagles drop out of hyperspace just outside Onderon's atmosphere. They pulled out of hyperspace closer than would normally be considered safe. However, the Terran Alliance had been researching methods and technology to allow for more precise hyperspace jumps. At the moment, it was just accurate to allow for jumps like this. However, the end goal was to make the hyperdrive systems on fights and smaller craft so precise that they could drop out of hyperspace in a planet's atmosphere, lowering the amount of time defenders would have to respond.

The 18 Space Eagles dive into Onderon's atmosphere, throttling up to full power, heading straight for the TIE Defender factory. As they dive into the atmosphere, Jonathan shouts to his WSO, Lieutenant Junior Grade Alexander Whitmore, "Arm the weapons, Alex!"

Alex hurries to arm all the fighter's weapons. Jonathan holds the fighter on course, following the rest of his squadron-mates.

As they descend towards the surface, the TIE Defender factory comes into view below them. A moment later, Captain Sharvit calls out over the radio, "Alright, everyone. Let's get this done. Scimitar flight, hang back. Rapier, Javelin, Hatchet flights, begin your attack runs."

The four SF-15s that make up Scimitar flight hang back as the remaining 14 Space Eagles dive towards the factory, separating into pairs to target the different buildings.

Jonathan heads for one of the side buildings, one of two buildings that contain the generators for the factory, diving towards the ground and pulling up just 300 feet off the ground.

"Alex, lock up the Mavericks," Jonathan orders.

A second later, he hears Alex say, "Mavericks locked!"

Jonathan pulls the trigger twice, sending two Mavericks towards the building. Beside him, Abigail launches two missiles herself. The missiles streak forward as the two Space Eagles pull up, and they impact directly on target, demolishing the building.

Across the site, other smaller buildings are similarly demolished by missiles, and the other Space Eagles pull up to evaluate and prepare for their next run.

Right then, the leader of Scimitar flight comes over the radio and says, "Attention all Hammer Squadron pilots! I'm picking up dozens of TIE fighters taking off from the airfield! We got about 60 seconds before we have a lot of company!"

Captain Sharvit reacts quickly. "Rapier, Javelin, and Hatchet flights! Begin bombing runs immediately! We need to get rid of our bombs!"

Jonathan snaps his fighter into a sharp right turn, arming his bombs. He recognizes why Sharvit ordered that. Without their bombs, the Space Eagles will be much more agile.

Jonathan lines up on the factory. He watches as the six Space Eagles of Rapier flight make their runs, dropping their bombs and destroying the north end of the factory. Jonathan then makes his run, following Javelin 1 and 2 on their runs. Aiming himself at the eastern end of the factory, he quickly releases his four bombs before pulling out of his run.

Inside the factory, stormtroopers and factory workers runs from their lives as explosions are taking place all around them, fires begin to rise, and the factory begins to collapse all around them. They race for the exits, trying to avoid shrapnel, falling debris and rising flames.

Pulling into a left turn, he looks towards the east, and sees a mass of TIE fighters coming towards the site. "Guys, we got a lot of company!" he shouts over the radio.

"Rapier, Javelin, and Hatchet flights! Protect Scimitar flight!" Captain Sharvit orders.

Jonathan turns towards the TIE fighters. "Lock 'em up, Alex!" he orders.

"Locked!" Alex calls a second later, and Jonathan pulls the trigger, sending a SIM-120 AMRAAM into the mass of TIE fighters, blowing one out of the sky.

The TIE fighters open fire on the Space Eagles, which scatter to avoid the laser fire, diving towards the ground. The two groups merge, and both start turning around to re-engage the other.

Jonathan pulls the stick into his gut, pulling the Space Eagle as tight as he can. As he pulls around, he sees a TIE fighter just off his nose. He adjusts his course in pursuit of the TIE, flipping the armament switch to his laser cannons and working to center the fighter in his sights. He pursues the fighter through several turns and reversals before he finally get his gunsight centered on the TIE fighter, and pulls the trigger. His laser cannons fire, and blow the TIE fighter to pieces.

Right then, he hears over the radio, "There's a TIE fighter on your tail!"

Jonathan looks over his shoulder, and sees the TIE fighter firing on him. Instantly, he snaps the SF-15 over into a Split S maneuver, diving towards the ground and reversing. The TIE pilot is caught off guard and unable to follow, having never seen such a maneuver, and is quickly caught in Abigail's sights and blown out of the sky by a Sidewinder.

Jonathan pulls up into a climb, and sees a pair of TIE fighters crossing across his nose. Before they can fly past, Jonathan fires his laser cannons and blows one of them to pieces. He turns after the second one, pursuing it in a tight right turn before centering it in his gunsight and firing his laser cannons, blowing it to pieces.

Suddenly, laser fire streaks past the fighter's nose. Jonathan turns around and sees two TIE fighters on his tail.

Jonathan immediately noses down and dives for the deck. The two TIE fighters pursue Jonathan.

Depserate, Jonathan turns towards the factory, which is by now crumbling. In a truly death defying move, Jonathan dives down just 50 feet off the ground and heads right for the crumbling factory. As he reaches the factory, he banks 90 degrees, flying right through the crumbling factory. He flies right through a gap blown in in the outer wall, flying so low through the ruins of the factory that he can look out and see some of the factory's machinery fly by just feet from his canopy. One of the TIEs tries to pursue him through the factory, still firing its laser cannons, but it strikes part of the outer wall that Jonathan flew through and crashes.

The other TIE fighter flies over the crumbling factory, then dives down as Jonathan flies out of it and fires his laser cannons. Jonathan snaps into a hard right turn, and the TIE fighter pursues him.

Jonathan keeps low to the ground. He's so low that his right wing passes in between trees several times.

Finally, Abigail streaks in out of nowhere and fires her laser cannons, destroying the TIE fighter.

"Thanks, Abigail," Jonathan says over the radio.

"You owe me one now," Abigail says as she pulls into a climb and starts turning to re-enter the furball.

Jonathan pulls up and turns around. As he does, he sees one of the SF-15s of Scimitar flight streaking low over the ground, trying to escape three TIE fighters. While fast, the Space Eagle is not as agile due to it still carrying its two GBU-28s.

Jonathan immediately turns to pursue the TIE fighters. As he turns towards them, he locks up the trailing TIE with his remaining SIM-9 Sidewinder and pulls the trigger. The Space Eagle shudders slightly as the Sidewinder springs off its launch rail. The missile tracks smoothly to its target, blowing the TIE fighter out of the sky.

At full power, the SF-15 quickly catches up to the two remaining TIE fighters. Jonathan pulls back on the throttle to remain behind them, then flips the armament switch to his laser cannons. Jonathan then centers the trailing TIE fighter in his gunsight and pulls the trigger, sending a spray of laser fire towards the TIE and blowing it to dust.

The remaining TIE fighter breaks off of Scimitar 4 and tries to escape. Jonathan snaps into a hard right turn to pursue the TIE fighter, and quickly center it in his gunsight. Again, he pulls the trigger, sending laser bolts towards the TIE fighter and blowing it apart.

Right then, Captain Sharvit comes over the radio. "We need to finish this up! Scimitar flight, commence your bombing runs! All other flights, keep the TIE fighters off of them!"

"Copy that, Captain!" Jonathan responds over the radio, as does the rest of the squadron.

Jonathan snaps into a hard right turn, turning towards the ruined factory. He sees the four SF-15s of Scimitar flight climbing up to 10,000 feet, preparing to make their attack runs. He looks around and sees dozens of TIE fighters still circling.

Jonathan sees Abigail pull up off his right wing. "Let's get 'em, Abigail," Jonathan says over the radio.

"Let's do it," she responds.

Jonathan and Abigail throttle up and slash through the TIE fighters, firing their laser cannons and blowing several out of the sky. Several TIEs turn after them, and Jonathan and Abigail pull their Space Eagles up and zoom climb, drawing a number of TIE fighters after them. They then cut their engines and pull their noses around, flipping around and again pointing at the ground before opening fire with their laser cannons, destroying the TIE fighters on their tails.

As they dive towards the ground again, the other two SF-15s of Javelin flight head for them, along with almost a dozen TIE fighters pursuing them. As they approach, Javelin 1 comes over the radio and shouts, "Javelin flight! Wagonwheel maneuver!"

The four Space Eagles quickly separate before forming into the wagonwheel, an old dogfighting maneuver in which three or more fighters fly in a large circle, causing any enemy fighter that attempts to get behind one of the circling fighters to quickly end up targeted by another circling fighter.

The TIE fighters try multiple times to get behind one of the circling fighters, only to be blasted out of the sky by laser fire from another Space Eagle. In a matter of seconds, all twelve TIE fighters are destroyed.

Meanwhile, the 10 Space Eagles of Rapier and Hatchet flights keep a defensive circle over the factory, holding off the marauding TIE fighters as the four Space Eagles of Scimitar flight make their bombings runs. The four fighters nose down 60 degrees from 10,000 feet, then release their GBU-28s at 3,000 feet before pulling out of their dives.

The eight GBU-28s impact within seconds of each other, striking across the area covered by the ruined factory, striking the spots where the underground bunkers and chambers are located. The bombs penetrate deep into the ground before detonating. In a matter of seconds, all but one of the underground chambers and bunkers are destroyed outright, and the remaining bunker is damaged and begins to collapse. The personnel inside try to escape, but are unable to make it out before the bunker finally collapses and kills them all.

Seeing that the bombs have done their job, and the factory lies in ruins, Captain Shirvat calls out over the radio, "The target is destroyed! Hammer Squadron, begin egress!"

The Space Eagles pull away from the ruined factory and pull up into a climb, shoving the throttles to maximum power. The 18 Space Eagles quickly accelerate past Mach 2 in their climbs, zooming out of the atmosphere.

"Prepare for hyperspace jump!" Captain Sharvit yells over the radio. Each pilots hurries to makes the calculations for the jump to hyperspace as Star Destroyers patrolling over the planet move in.

Moments later, Sharvit yells over the radio, "As soon as the calculations are made, make the jump to hyperspace!" Jonathan finishes making his calculations, and right as Star Destroyers start to open fire, the squadron makes the jump to hyperspace.

As Jonathan settles in for the trip back to Naboo, he finally allows himself to relax. This was definitely a mission that challenged his skills to the limit. But, it was a success. The factory and the design data was completed destroyed without any losses to the squadron. Not only that, but Jonathan had shot down 13 TIE fighters. In addition to the 2 TIE fighters he had destroyed during the Battle of Yavin, he was now a triple ace.

And, I'll end there. Hope you liked this chapter.

I tried to make this chapter more detailed, and tried to really show what aerial combat is really like. I hoped you liked how intense I made it.

Next chapter will hopefully be up soon. Until it is up, please leave a review, and stay tuned!