" We all have a choice. That's what Captain Rex always told us, wasn't it? Yet it was almost like we didn't have any free will of our own. Just a well-oiled machine meant to do the bidding of Generals. On Saleucami, I was picked up by a sect of the Imperial Navy, who were currently assaulting the planet. And now I was roped into it. I'm still loyal to the Empire, but how long will that last, I wonder... "
After the IDT landed inside the hanger of the Star Destroyer "Disciple", it's Admiral greeted Dare. Dressed in standard issue Imperial Officer uniform, he stood tall and proud as he addressed her.
"IC-3275, welcome aboard the Disciple. One of the finest vessels of the Imperial Navy."
"Thank you for my evac. I was beginning to wonder if I were to scavenge a ride back home."
"Then the Emperor's will has been kind to you. Come, I must brief you on our operations here."
The Admiral and Dare then proceeded to walk through the Destroyers inner corridors as he briefed her on their assignment. Along the way, Troopers and Pilots alike were rushing around to their posts, with small droids driving down the middle lanes.
"I'm sure by your presence here that you've noticed the Corellian Fleet."
"I saw them. They were engaging the Zann Consortium fleet, which was accompanied by a stolen Acclamator Assault Ship."
"Indeed. We are here for that very reason. That ship belonged to my fleet."
"So the Consortium managed to pull a ship out of your ranks, so now you're assaulting this planet? Surely you'd be attacking the ship and removing it from their position by force."
"Normally, yes. But we've ran into a complication."
"What *kind* of complication."
Dare was now interested in what he meant by Complication. Surely the power of the Imperial Fleet, especially this one which possesses a refurbished Star Destroyer of Grand Moff Tarkin's design, would be capable of stamping out such a tiny resistance and a stolen Acclamator. Upon arriving at the bridge, a hologram was present on the central terminal. Once the figure on the hologram turned, it was revealed to be a CIS Tactical Droid.
"So you are the one who disabled Commando Facility Bravo."
"A Tactical Droid. I thought all you clankers had your programming shut down after the War."
"I was one of the stragglers that you speak about on the Holonet. My existence was kept hidden for the sole purpose of harassing the Republic, now I harass you."
"You won't last long, clanker. Unless you have been keeping up to date, we have vastly improved combat strength."
Upon hearing this, the Tactical Droid pressed a button in front of it and suddenly one of the Bridge Technicians shouted to the Admiral.
"Incoming Fire from the Planet Surface!"
"Brace for Impact!"
The shots connected, knocking the Star Destroyer to the side very slowly as the internal alarm rang. Suddenly, the radars pinged furiously and quickly.
"Incoming hostiles!"
"How many?"
"Many, coming from the surface!"
The Tactical Droid laughed as the radar continued pinging. The Admiral and Dare walked over to the glass window to discover several fighters engaging TIEs all around the vessel. Upon further inspection and a few close fly-bys near the Bridge, they appeared to be Vulture Droids.
"Have fun."
The Tactical Droid exclaimed as communications were cut. Dare readied her weapon whilst the Admiral began issuing orders to his staff.
"Scramble Pilots to their fighters, engage turbolaser defences and direct 80% power to forward deflector shields."
"I'm heading out there."
"You certain about that, Dare?"
"I have enough basic training to handle a TIE Fighter, I'm more of an asset to you out there than in here or on the planet."
"Very well. Take one of our Interceptors. You'll need the defensive capabilities it can provide over a standard Fighter."
"Sir, incoming Hyperspace Signatures!"
New contacts were appearing as to the left of the fleet, more Corellian ships appeared, as well as a few captured X-Wings.
"Darn it!"
"Maintain defenses, Admiral. I'll go take care of our guests."
Dare then rushed out of the Bridge and started beelining it for the Hanger. Once there, she spotted a lone TIE Interceptor model which a pilot was moving towards when she intercepted them.
"Stand down, Pilot. I've got this one."
"You're not a registered pilot for this vessel. Take a Fighter instead."
"I have orders from the Admiral to take this one in particular. Either stand down, or else."
"Now hang on a minute."
"Are you really insubordinating right now?"
A loud explosion occurred which sent both of them off balance for a few seconds. Dare pointed towards the Hanger as more Vulture Droids assaulted the ship, including a few of those X-Wings. The Pilot groaned under his helmet as Dare pointed her weapon at him.
"That's what I thought, Pilot."
Without listening to what he had to say, Dare entered the TIE Interceptor and readied it for combat.
"Computer, Diagnosis."
Pressing the buttons, a UI was present in front of her in the cockpit.
Deflector Shields = 100%
Quad Turbolaser Batteries = 100%
Photon Torpedo Launcher = 100%
Hyperdrive = Error
"That's fine. I'm not going anywhere from this system."
Dare thought to herself as the rest of the ship's critical systems were fully operational. Taking off, she flew out of the hanger and pulled out one of the terminals on the side of the cockpit. It showcased a Tactical Information Radar System which showcased herself in the center, and any enemies around her. Inputting the required information, it displayed several blue dots which appeared to be the Vulture Droids. A few Red Dots appeared every so often which appeared to be the X-Wing squadrons.
Taking evasive maneuvers, Dare immediately started tracking down and eliminating Vulture Droids one by one, catching them off guard. An X-Wing flew up behind her and began firing it's lasers, causing her deflector shields to start taking hits. Taking several sharp turn and spins, she avoided most of the fighters barrage but her shields still tanked.
She smirked under her helmet as she decided to try a new tactic. She immediately cut off all power to the Engine and started flying backwards, prompting the X-Wing to quickly fly up and over her. Once it did so, she immediately reengaged engines and locked on to the craft. Pressing the two handles in front of her that she was gripping to fly the Interceptor, she unleashed a volley of Turbolaser at the X-Wing and prompted it to spin out of control. It spun towards the Star Destroyer and smashed into a landed Vulture Droid; causing both to explode into pieces as debris floated in space.
She followed the same pattern, chasing down X-Wings and knocking them down, patrolling each section of the Star Destroyer, both above and below it's chassis. Destroying Vulture Droids as she passed, prompting the Admiral to contact her.
"When did you get those piloting skills, Commando?"
"Since I became a Commando after my birth at Kamino, sir. Commandos were trained for all types of situations. Piloting is no exception."
"I see. I'm no longer reading X-Wing signatures. Our Turbolasers can handle the rest."
"Understood. Returning to the Hanger now."
Dare rerouted her Interceptor and began to return to the hanger of the Disciple when her ship was contacted. It was the pilot from before.
"What do you want?"
"I just wanted to congratulate you on your flying. I was not expecting you to be able to handle that thing."
"Next time you shouldn't go against your superiors."
"Alright. I'm sure you noticed that the Hyperdrive wasn't working. That was what I was attempting to fix when you barged in."
"I see. Well, it's free now so make use of it."
Dare then turned towards the Hanger and slowly flew in, parking it exactly where she found it. The Pilot saluted her as she exited the cockpit, but left the hanger without saying a word. Upon entering the Bridge, the Admiral smiled.
"Excellent work, Dare. Your piloting skills were expertly executed."
"As you do. So what is our plan involving this new Tactical Droid? Surely we cannot allow him to continue his operations on Saleucami."
"Indeed not. And I have just the mission for you."
A technician than entered the Bridge and addressed her, presenting a small device.
"I'm sending you down there to the heart of the droid's operation. We will be frontal assaulting his position, and with that beacon, we can initiate a bombardment."
"You're going in head on. I see. Where do you want this beacon to be situated?"
"Any form of large transportation. A docking bay or some kind of hanger."
"I see. I'll take a TIE down there. According to a pilot, the Interceptor is still having it's Hyperdrive repaired."
"Affirmative. Glory to the Empire."
Dare then exited the Bridge and made her way to the hanger. Troopers began scrambling through the hallways to the hanger along with her, as several Troop Transports and Lambda Shuttles were being prepped. Several Dropships were opening up as AT-ST's and Speeder Bikes were being loaded onto the ships. Dare was to brace herself for another full scale attack of a Separatist Base. Or reactivated, in this case.
" Whilst I was deflecting Vulture Droids and X-Wing Fighters from the Disciple, the feeling of eliminating Droids were uplifting. A Tactical Droid had resurfaced and began restarting operations on the planet, hoping to continue the war. What they didn't count on was facing a former operative of the war. I wasn't about to let him continue disrupting the peace we worked hard to maintain. "