Chapter 11: Capture of an Escort Carrier

It had been a month since the ARK incident occurred, and for the Freedom Fighters and their Chaotix Allies, it was business as usual. They were working with Republic Forces to prepare for an invasion of Coruscant. But first, down in the canyons of Mobius' Great Mountains, a squad of TIE Fighters and a pair of TIE Interceptors were flying through the canyons. "Okay, stay tight Freedom Fighters. Due to the requirements of the future missions, we are training in TIE Fighters. You need to be familiar with their capabilities and know how to think like the Imperial Pilots do."

"Copy that, Kaylor." said Sonic. "Just like flying the Freedom Stormer!"

"Yep, this shouldn't be too hard. But stay clear of the canyon walls!" said Sally.

The Freedom Fighters piloted their TIE Fighters while Kaylor followed in a TIE Interceptor observing them. The Freedom Fighters flew dangerously to demonstrate how they would fly as Imperial Pilots did. Within the hour, they flew back to the Republic Space Station in orbit, where they would soon get the briefing for the next mission. "Alright Freedom Fighters. And Chaotix." said Kaylor speaking to Knuckles' team, which consisted of: himself, Julie-Su, Vector the Crocodile, Espio the Chameleon, Mighty the Armadillo, Ray the Flying Squirrel, and Charmy Bee. "This is gonna be a capture operation, and the plan is to capture an Imperial Escort Carrier that was attacked by pirates. The Escort Carrier is transporting a small group of high-end Imperial Fighters, notably Assault Gunboats, TIE Advanced "Avenger" fighters, and a small amount of TIE Defenders. In the attack, the Carrier's engines failed, and is now stranded. This is an opportunity the Republic cannot pass up, so we are going to launch a capture effort. Your objective is to disable the carrier so that the Modified Corvette Solaris can capture it. The Carrier itself is armed, but has a small group of TIE Fighters and TIE Interceptors as well as a mine field are guarding the carrier until help arrives, which could come at any time."

"So let me get this straight." said Sonic. "You want us to clear out the mines and TIEs and disable the carrier?"

"That's right. The Freedom Fighters will fly group of A-Wing and X-Wing fighters, while the Chaotix disable the Carrier. Stay alert for pirates as well as Imperial Forces in this sector." said Kaylor. "Any objections?"

"No." said the Freedom Fighters and Chaotix.

"Good luck. We leave now. We have no time to waste!" said Kaylor grabbing his helmet.

Sonic, Sally, and Tails were in A-Wings, while the rest of the Freedom Fighters were in X-Wings. Knuckles flew a Y-Wing into the fight, while the rest of the Chaotix flew captured Assault Gunboats. They flew towards the area where the crippled carrier was, and saw only a small minefield and a small force of TIE Fighters and Interceptors were patrolling the area.

"Sonic, you, Sally, and Tails get the TIEs, we'll take care of the mines." said Kaylor.

"Got it! Let's do it to it!" said Sonic. The TIE Fighters and Interceptors moved to attack the A-Wings, while the X-Wings moved against the mines. There were only a few TIE Fighters and Interceptors protecting the carrier, obviously due to the fact that the bandits who attacked the carrier took out a large portion of the fighter screen. The X-Wings, led by Kaylor and Bunnie, were able to avoid the carrier's turbolasers and open up a gap for the Chaotix to begin firing torpedoes at the carrier to take down the shields. By the time the shields on the carrier were down to 50%, all the TIEs were shot down, and the A-Wings joined in the destruction of the remaining mines. As soon as the mines were destroyed, the shields on the carrier failed, and the Chaotix pummeled the ship with Ion Cannons and disabled the carrier.

"Carrier disabled!" shouted Julie-Su.

"Good!" said Kaylor. "Now patrol the area while the Solaris conducts its capture operation. It should be here soon."

And he was right, for soon, the Modified Corvette Solaris entered the area with a force of Republic Commandos to take control of the Carrier.

But as the Solaris slowly made its way towards the carrier, Sally noted something most unusual about the situation. "Sonic? Are you okay?" she asked.

"Just fine Sal. Why do you ask?" replied Sonic.

"It's just…I'm used to your impatience in times like this. You'd tell the corvette to 'get a move on' or 'you're going too slow' kinda thing." said Sally.

"Oh, well, let's just say that Luke taught me something about patience." said Sonic.

"Sally, Sonic's grown up quite a bit ever since you guys came through that portal to this galaxy. You guys have grown up in the last 6 years." said Kaylor.

"Oh yeah." said Rotor. "I've learned a lot of technological stuff ever since I came here."

But then, the scanners went off in Kaylor's X-Wing. "Hold up! Long range scanners are picking up a flight group at 2-9-1-Mark 3! Looks like our bandits have come to haunt us. I'm picking up a squadron of R-41 Starchasers, and a squadron of Y-Wings, as well as a squadron of DX-9 Stormtrooper Transports. Definitely a capture operation. Move to intercept."

The Freedom Fighters and Chaotix broke off to where the bandits exited hyperspace. "Let's rock and roll everyone!" shouted Vector.

"This will be an interesting fight." said Espio.

"Don't forget to cover the Solaris!" shouted Mighty.

"Oh, this is gonna be good!" shouted Charmy.

"Keep this channel clear, guys!" shouted Knuckles.

The bandits were surprised to see the Republic seizing their prize. "New Republic forces! This is our prize! Back off and we won't get nasty!" said a bandit.

"Attention bandit forces! This carrier is ours now. Do not attack!" warned Kaylor.

"We didn't cripple this thing only to have you guys steal from us! All units destroy the Republic Forces!" said the bandit.

The Freedom Fighters did battle with the R-41 Starchasers, while the Chaotix did battle with the Y-Wings and the Transports. Knuckles let the other Chaotix members take on the Y-Wings while he battled the Transports.

"Solaris to Freedom Fighters and Chaotix, we have commenced capture operation." said the captain of the Solaris.

The Freedom Fighters did well against the R-41s, who were simply no match for the Republic Aces. Neither were the Y-Wings against the Chaotix. Within the next several minutes, the bandits were either pretty much destroyed or driven off. Knuckles succeeded in taking out many transports and driving off the rest.

"You-you-you damn Republic forces! We'll get you for this indignity!" said the pilot sheepishly.

"Yeah, whatever, next time, we'll be ready!" shouted Sonic.

"You should have left us alone, buddy!" shouted Kaylor.

The bandits sheepishly retreated into hyperspace, just as the Solaris reported a successful capture operation, and they managed to get the carrier to the Republic Space Station above Mobius. "Good work guys! These fighters will come in handy for the upcoming invasion of Coruscant. And Sonic, when you get on the station, come to Hangar Bay 4 at once. We have a surprise for you."

And Sonic most certainly did, for as soon as he landed in Hangar Bay 1, he raced down to Bay 4, where he saw the carrier unloading fighters. But one in a small bay was presented to Sonic by Kaylor. "Call it a belayed birthday present from me and the Republic. It's yours to fly."

"You're giving me one of the TIE Defenders from the carrier?!" gasped Sonic. "Sweet! I've been meaning to get behind the controls of one of these babies!" said Sonic, feeling very pleased.

"Yep. We figured since this ship and you go hand-in-hand, you should fly it. You can try it out when we finish offloading the carrier." said Kaylor.

"All right!!" said Sonic.

And with that all said and done, Sonic went to get some rest for the night. He couldn't wait to try out his new toy.