Why we fight

"This is Red leader. Scans have confirmed target payload. Resistance is light. Looks like they didn't want to draw any attention to themselves. Commence phase Bravo. I repeat, target payload confirmed. Commence phase Bravo."

Marin watched the various tactical feeds scroll by on the monitors. It was cramped in the shuttle's small comm room. There were three of them and they all wanted to hear everything that was going on. They were in a modified boarding craft, part of a small strike force only a micro jump away from their target. Patiently waiting until the signal came for their phase of the attack. Jes was right behind her, carefully examining the live mission data that was being transmitted by Red and Gold squadrons. Marin shot a quick glance at Jes. He nodded slightly with a sorrowful look on his face. Payload confirmed. So the rumors were true then. There was a time that Marin wouldn't have believed that even the Empire would be capable of something like this. But she'd seen a lot in the past few years. Way too much, she thought sometimes. Everybody kept quiet, waiting for further updates.

"This is Gold leader. Commencing phase Bravo. Gold squadron jumping in. I repeat, Gold squadron jumping in. Keep 'em off our backs."

This was a critical phase in the mission. She pictured the next phase in her mind. Gold squadron would jump in and disable the four imperial transports as quickly as possible. There was a lot that could go wrong. Even with a simple objective like that. Based on intelligence it was estimated that Imperial forces would be able to respond within thirty minutes. If the intel was faulty or incomplete and response times were lower, they wouldn't stand a chance. The whole thing could also be an elaborate trap. The risk of an imperial deception was the main reason for deploying only such a small task force with such a crazy plan of attack. But they were rebels. Scattered, loosely coordinated bands of idealists fighting against overwhelming military might of the Galactic Empire. They had to take the risk. A high risk for a small victory. A victory that could wake up the rest of the galaxy. Rally up more people to fight for their cause.

"Copy that Gold leader, engaging fighter escorts."

The voice of Red leader cracked over the intercom. Red squadron was flying a mix of A-wings and X-wings for maximum flexibility in this mission. If they were right, the imperials would probably call in reinforcements the second that Red squadron jumped in. The speed of the A-wings would be crucial in determining if their intel was valid. Extremely fast while still packing quite a punch. Marin loved flying and A-wing. She secretly hoped she would be picked for the scanning task. But she wasn't part of Red squadron. And she and Jes had other valuable skills. The X-wing's firepower would have to eliminate any resistance they encountered. Only then the final phase of the mission could begin. That is where Diton, Marin and Jes came in. She focused on the mission data that kept coming in. Gold squadron had lost one bomber due to a technical malfunction in combination with enemy fire. Other than that, things seemed to be going as planned.

"Gold leader here, all target's disabled. Returning home."

"Affirmative Gold leader. Mynock-one, you are clear to jump in. Commence phase delta. I repeat, commence phase delta."

That was their queue. They would be jumping any second now. Marin took a deep breath and sat down in her seat. The door to the cockpit was closed but she heard the pilot of her boarding craft over the mission comm.

"Affirmative Red leader. Strike team mynock, this is mynock-one. We are go for delta. I repeat, go for delta."

Marin felt a light tremble as the boarding craft made a micro-jump. She still couldn't believe they were actually doing this. She had been on numerous missions for the rebellion. Most of them reconnaissance or intelligence, but sometimes things got ugly. She was well trained and didn't scare easily but this? This was just crazy. But she knew the stakes. If they could pull it off, it would be well worth it. A few seconds later there was another small tremble, indicating they had arrived at their target location.

"This is mynock-one. Strike team mynock, report in."

"Mynock-three reporting in."

"Mynock-two reporting in."

"All right, commence interception of designated targets."

Suddenly she heard the pilot's voice again. But this time over the intercom.

"All right, back there. We have commenced our boarding run. ETA: one minute and twenty seconds. Get ready!"

"You heard the man," Jes said. "let's suit up! Diton, you take the weapons. Remember, once we board, we'll be in and out in a few minutes. There's only three of us so we'll be outnumbered from the start. It's crucial that we fight our way to the prisoners as quickly as possible. Once we set them free and arm them, they'll help us with any further resistance. We then get everyone on the boarding craft and hopefully we'll be out of here before reinforcements arrive. Are we clear?"

"Clear" the bith barked.

"Clear". Marin said sharply.

"Good, Line up behind me. I'll take point. Jes said.

This was it. Marin thought. In and out. She checked her blaster for the last time, removing the safety. She closed her eyes and called on the Force to calm her spirit.

"ETA fifteen seconds. Brace for impact"

... to be continued