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Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2018 4:21:51 GMT
Dak Hobson 03-10-2017, 09:25 PM
He had just finished several training sims, and completed all of the written text education on the new T-85 X-wing It was similar in systems, but there were a few new "boxes" to pay attention to when in combat. That was something for another time though with the "peace" going on. Though it was what he wanted, there was something that was in Dak's mind that this wasn't the end of it. If it was, he would be back home on Naboo, or at the Yavin Bungalow with Chrysa. Either way he was needed here, something was telling him to stay.
Right now though he had a new toy to play with, Red Squadron was getting set up with them and he was going for a test ride, shakedown really. Now it was just a matter of seeing if anyone else got the alert and were coming along for the flight, joyride really.
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Max Darksun 03-11-2017, 12:26 PM
When Max got back to his quarters after a workout in the gym being upper body day, there was a package waiting for the young pilot on his perfectly made bunk. A grin grew wide on the Telosian's face as his hazel browns caught the sender's name on the upper left corner of the priority mail box. Slicer's room mate must have received it for him while he was gone. He gave the guy credit though for not breaking into the care package as his mom sent the best. For that, Max would share some of the goodies inside with him later when he opened it. Right now, the dark-haired flyboy had to get ready for flight operations so the package was slid under the bunk out of sight.
After a quick shower, the young Darksun made his way to the hangar where Red Squadron was going to do a shakedown of a new starfighter they'd be using - the T-85 X-wing. Max was stoked. It had all the upgrades one could imagine. Max knew his dad would be all over it if he could be here to check the latest version of the X-wing series out.
Strolling into the hangar ready to get down to the business of flying, Nine spotted Two and made a bee line for the singer turned pilot, who was the squadron's XO. "How's she looking, sir?" he called to Dak.
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Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2018 4:24:24 GMT
Dak 03-11-2017, 08:31 PM
Looking the way of the Starfighter Corps royalty and smirking, Dak wanted to tell the kid that he didn't have to call him "sir," at least when it was just them around. After all the two were still cadets, in fact one day, Hobson knew that he would be saluting Max, this was in his blood after all. However, they had a fighter to play with, and Dak had an explanation to give. He wasn't sure exactly how but his excitement in going for a run with these overtook his "XO" voice. If these babies fly half as good as they look? We're in for some fun.
Getting up and pointing at the lower lumbar support area of the seat. Temperature controlled!
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Max 12-12-2017, 02:28 PM
"Sweet! At least they thought about the pilot's comfort for once in designing these babies," Max answered in a pleased manner, then added with a grin. "Now if the brass would only upgrade our bunk mattresses we might be able to some better rack..time," he winked slyly before climbing up the service ladder to the open cockpit of his new snubfighter.
The sandy-brown haired Telosian pulled on his helmet, then began the pre-flight as the X-wing's canopy closed. Darksun was a hands-on kind of pilot and liked to do his own flight checks and maintenance if time and circumstances allowed. Sometimes though when doing back to back sorties, one had to trust the support personnel to get the job down right the first time. It was all a team effort really, and Max was a team player. He knew his lineage was both a positive and negative. The kid hoped that people would give him a chance to prove himself on his own merits and not just be graded on who and how good his parents were in their day.
[ Two, this is Nine... I'm ready to party when you are. ] Max keyed over the comm unit to Dak, giving a thumbs up to the hangar tech to pull the ladder away from the pristine-looking fuselage.
[ Hope you're ready to have some fun back there... Gonna see what this little lady can do on the dance floor, bumping and grinding and all that jazz. ] Slicer said to his new astromech droid as well. The BB unit tootled back a cheeky response that made Max smirk with a chuckle. [ You and me are gonna get along just fine. ] Last edited by Max Darksun; 12-13-2017 at 03:39 PM.
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Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2018 4:37:57 GMT
Dak 12-12-2017, 03:25 PM
BB-55 or "BB's" as Dak called him was already at work lighting up all of the systems for the fighter, Dak visually acknowledged Max's response in his own ship.
Let's have some fun. As the fighters lifted off of the ground, "Goldenboy"...
... haha! Still getting used to that callsign...
... was already pulling up his landing skids and was pulling out of the launchbay. The Airboss was already in his ear to "Take it the frak easy!" but Dak wasn't paying any more attention to him than he was to the bay crews that were trying to calm him down. Within seconds, the fighter pilot was outside and already accelerating, dipping his port wing and then going into a starboard roll, something he saw on a holo-movie, Dak was blowing past the transports when he looked back with a boyish grin.
BB's! How're you doing back there?!
Laughing at the resplendent response, Dak then got on his comms.
2 to 9, you okay back there?! Let's go find some canyons to buzz!
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Max 12-13-2017, 04:39 PM
Max let Red Two take lead position and followed his wingman out of the hangar a tick later. A big grin graced the young Telosian's chiseled face behind the tinted visor of his flight helmet as the Airboss took the to task over the comm for their rather exuberant exit. They most likely would get another earful upon return. It was so worth it though as the acceleration of the upgraded 4 fusial thrust engines put Nine well back into his pilot couch as the new T-85 cut through the atmosphere; ever thankful for the added lumbar support.
The Slice mirrored Goldenboy's starboard roll of his X-wing as if they were in a synchronized swimming event, not that Max watched that sport... Okay only during the Galactic Games, maybe. Wha?! He liked the water sports.
[ Roger that, Nine... Let's see how these birds soar through the curves, hmm. See ya on the other side! ] Darksun keyed back in a slight challenging tone, then slipped on his determined face as the canyons of Telos IV could be tricky to maneuver in though fun as heck too.
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Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2018 4:39:20 GMT
Dak 12-13-2017, 09:32 PM
Beat ya to the other side! As Dak throttled forward he visually scanned the topography while buzzing some treetops. The nearest canyon range was several thousand kilometers away, it looked to be a lot of fun as there were wide and tight crevasse'. The systems were up to snuff and the astromech was ready to go, not really sure of what thought was in his head as Dak accelerated to attack speed and set his shields to "double back". This little shield position didn't affect the speed or handling but it gave a little added rush as he was not fully "protected".
Whipping and winding around the moutaintops and finally diving into the canyons, he screamed through the formations at attack speed, the S-foils were in because the challenge would be less due to the added maneuverability. When the end was reached, he knew this because there were no possible ways to go but up or into the walls, Dak pulled up at the last possible second sending pine needles and branches flying.
All he could do was laugh.
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Max 12-15-2017, 09:49 PM
[ You can try, Goldenboy! ] the Telosian keyed back to Dak over the comm, then he pushed the throttle forward and accelerated down into the canyon.
[ Alright, One-One... This is gonna be scary fun. Hold on to your gears back there. ] Max quipped at his astromech droid. BB-11 scrolled a retort onto the pilot's data screen: Oh goodie. At least you will be the first to die if you crack us up.
[ Touché, little fella. ] he chuckled. Indeed Darksun would be, if he didn't knuckle down and pay attention.
Only a few seconds in and the deep channel forked. While Two went right, Nine went left. The roar of the T-85's engines reverberated off the rock walls of the canyon as Max maneuvered up and down, in and around natural obstacles. The young Telosian became one with his ship or at least the best he could; each second passing bye building more confidence to push the X-wing a bit more. So far the stick was handling a big too tight for his liking, but better than too loose.
Slice rolled the X-wing over onto its port stabilizers and squeaked through a very narrowed spot just clearing the slab of rock by inches on either side, then he leveled the snub fighter out before popping up above the ridge line just as his wingman did the same out of his trench though two seconds behind.
[ Ah man, dang it! ... Alright first round of drinks on me. Next time though, you will be buying for sure. ]
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Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2018 4:41:15 GMT
Dak 12-17-2017, 12:48 AM
Bah! You let me win!
He was just about to call for another canyon run when something came up on 55's sensors.
[You are going to want to see this. Two Firespray patrol ships are attacking an old Republic Transport, the Transport does not carry a Republic IDF though.]
This was a situation, one he was not prepared to take in just yet. Should they respond? Should they let others take care of this? What if they were closer? What if they are outmatched? This was a test of his instincts, that was for sure, as he had no leadership experience yet. There was no precedent for him to follow, he had to follow his gut.
You see this, 9? Call it in and follow me 7-high*.
Switching systems on, and hit the comm switch to talk to his droid.
BB, watch the comm traffic between the two attackers, keep me and Max updated so we can react.
[That is a sound idea, I am on it.]
Locking S-Foils into the attack position, setting his deflectors to "balance", Dak hit the comm system to "open channel."
Attention, you are committing a violent act in Republic Airspace, state your intentions and affiliations or we will be forced to respond. That should do it, right?
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Max 12-19-2017, 12:42 PM
Max had a fresh retort marinating on his tongue when Dak keyed the comm about the new situation brewing. He'd seen the red flag pop up on his data screen too.
[ Yep... On it. ] Darksun responded quickly, then toggled over to the New Republic tactical channel and notified Flight Control, having his BB-unit send the coordinates of the incident.
It took a couple of ticks before the comm officer got back to Red Nine. Meanwhile, the Telosian followed Red Two in closer to the incurring ships and maneuvered his T-85 into the 7-high position as requested by Hobson, locking his S-foils into attack position as well and balancing his shields evenly on his X-wing.
[ Nine... Control says to proceed with caution, and do not on fire unless fired upon. They are sending backup, but nearest assets are two away. ]
Slice's astromech droid scrolled a message to his pilot: Maybe Goldenboy can croon a tune to pacify them until the calvary come. His ballads are rather soothing.
[ Ya think?! ] Max quipped back to One-One with a chuckle under his breath.
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Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2018 4:42:22 GMT
Dak 12-19-2017, 07:25 PM
No response.
Dak throttled forward and dropped a few meters as if setting up for a shot.
No response.
Firespray attackers. You are in violation of Republic airspace. State your intentions.
No response.
["The two attackers are arguing between each other about what to do between us, and Slice, as well as the transport."]
Dak sucked on his gumline and shook his head.
Frak it... "9... weapons hot. We won't fire unless they fire on us, but we there..."
Then the transport, no longer able to stay in the air by the damage systems went down hard in a clearing. Within moments, the patrol ships were re-positioning themselves, one setting down and one in a holding pattern as if to act like a protector. The sudden change in attitude caused Dak to swerve wide and come back around.
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Max 12-27-2017, 08:55 PM
[ Roger that, Two... Hot yet holding steady. ]
When the transport went down after taking too much damage, the two patrol boats moved quickly to secure it; one landing in the clearing near the vessel, and the other holding cover. This sudden move made both Dak and Max immediately break apart.
As Darksun came back around, the ship in the protective posture shot at him wildly. Max evaded the laser fire, then sent the same back at the patrol boat targeting its engines to disable the ship.
A whistle came from his astromech droid. [ What... At least I waited for them to shoot first! ]
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Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2018 4:46:27 GMT
Dak 12-27-2017, 11:36 PM
The attention of the "floater" on Max was both good and bad. It was good for Dak as he could get into position and make an attack run at the stabilizers and then the one on the ground. It was bad for the floater as he had Max firing back at him and a protective, even if he didn't realize he would be at first, Dak shooting at him. As the second ship went down hard, yet safely, Dak went into a tight holding pattern. It was a difficult experience for him, the singer turned Republic pilot had never fired on another, yes he was doing what he signed up for but it was still hard.
BB... any update?
["Both crews are exiting their ships with hand held weapons."]
He didn't know what they were planning, but he wasn't going to let it come to pass, moral issue aside.
"9... We're keeping them away from that transport. They're armed, don't aim for them but... if they shoot at us?" He left the words hanging in a hope that the fighter legacy would pick up on the meaning.
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Max 12-30-2017, 01:24 PM
[ Well technically they already shot at us, Two... So under interdiction rules of engagement we may use what ever means necessary to contain them. ] Max keyed back, then fell into the tight holding pattern Dak had set up over the downed ships.
[ Being Lead here, you might want to clarify from higher up the chain what they want us to do. Back up should be here any minute or so Flight Control reported to me, or go with your gut. I got a bad feeling about this sitrep either way. Red flags everywhere. ]
Darksun wasn't being a scaredy cat or lazy here, but he respected authority and wasn't about to put lives in danger if unnecessary. They had no clue who was on any of the vessels involved. It could just be criminals going for something they wanted or it could be an undercover ops they came across as well... I mean with not identifying themselves and taking wild pot shots instead of direct ones at his X-wing to deter them, that latter thought was starting to gain value in the young pilot's mind.
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Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2018 4:47:39 GMT
Dak 12-31-2017, 01:11 AM
Easy for you to say, this stuff is in your blood. Making sure that his comm-link was off when he said that, Dak switched to radio Central Command.
["I noticed that your comm-link was off, Red 9 did not receive your message. Would you like for me to relay it to him."]
Don't even think about it. No. Max was right, and he knew it. It was just difficult right now because he was sort of learning as he went. In truth "Goldenboy" didn't want to be "lead" but apparently they wanted a celebrity as one of the faces of the Squadron, so it was what it was.
Dak did indeed radio in, and Central was not happy that they opened fire on the other ships, but accessed the flight recorders and saw that they were forced to react so nothing would come of it. The reaction to what to do was simple, keep them contained as a troop transport and two escort gunships were inbound to take the situation over.
"They're aware of what's going on... we're sitting on our thumbs until they get here." It wasn't much longer before a transport did indeed arrive with two combat airspeeders.
"We'll take it from here, Reds. Thanks!" Barked the escort leader.
"We're outta here... why don't you lead the way this time. Unless you had enough for one day." He wasn't issuing a challenge, Dak just didn't want to push them needlessly.
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Max 01-04-2018, 07:19 PM
[ So babysitting... Roger that, Two. ] Max keyed back. There was almost a tone of disappointment there, almost as the young pilot continued to hold a defensive posture alongside his wingman.
Darksun blew out a long breath while they waited for back up, letting some of the adrenaline cursing through his veins settle back down. He had been ready for a shoot out, but... This ending of the situation was better for all. Justice would serve itys purpose as a Republic transport and combat airspeeders finally arrived to take the offending participants into custody.
[ Yes, sir... Never. ] Nine quipped back over the wing pairs' comm frequency, then snapped rolled his X-wing up onto its portside stabilizer and dove back towards the canyons where they had come from. Challenge accepted.
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Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2018 4:50:29 GMT
Dak 01-05-2018, 12:57 PM
Dak didn't like it either, but they had their orders, and if he was going to be a good leader he had to learn to follow them.
Once Max hit his throttle, Dak was soon on his tail, he didn't know where the kid was taking them, but he was somewhat excited to find out. He wanted to put these fighters through their paces, and so far they were doing it but they could do more.
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Kaylar Luspark 01-09-2018, 08:10 PM
Kayla had been drilling for days, so much so that she felt her flight controls under hand and saw the HUD and scope sin her dreams... or nightmares. They'd been pushing hard. Extra training for two-flight on top of the official training sims and runs on older X-wings. They'd been ordered to get some extra shut-eye though, and most of the flight had agreed. It was prep for today, but she'd been pushing hard. Too hard. If she wasn't careful she was going to burn herself out.
So it was that she'd lagged a little behind at the chow hall, but had finally made it to the squadron hangars. She'd been able to not only hear but feel the repulsors on the T-85's, a subsonic rumble that one felt in their bones as much as the y heard. The fusal thrust engines had also spun up and within minutes the XO and Nine had taken off, heading skyward.
She sighed, making her way toward one of the trainers. "You're late," one of the crew techs groused, even as she saw the fighter's BB unit slip up into the socket. The aerospace superiority fighter was already warming up and cycling up for the flight out. "I know, chief," she replied while making her way up the ladder.
Giving the instrument panel a final check, she was finally able to pop on her helmet, close the canopy and then lift off purely on repulsors.
The X-wing rose steadily save for a slight wobble as she tested the sensitivity of the controls. It was hard not to be giddy. Of course she loved flying the trainers and simulators. They had gear to simulate everything from the original X-wings up to the latest, and she'd sim qualified on all of them. It was no surprise with the tactical readout son the HUD. It would have been information overload if she wasn't automatically filtering it out.
She clicked over her coms to contact the tower and the flightboss. ["Red 5 requesting departure on..."] She checked headings being streamed from the unit's shared telemetry... ["heading 176 to form up with the rest of Red Squadron."]
["Affirmative for heading one seven six, and you tell--"] She cut the comms off, and nudged the throttle forward enough to send her drifting out of the hangar. With that she gave it some juice and swept out skimming just over the treetops, before pulling the nose skyward and opening up. As the ground fell away she snap-rolled her fighter port, then back starboard, getting a feel for it. Settling back she waggled her wings, then hauled back on the stick to swap sky for ground, half-rolled as she ruddered around until sky and ground were correct again and she was headed after her squadron mates.
They made it to the canyon early enough to race. Then the call went out for what was happening ahead, which she pelled around in a long curve still a thousand klicks out. She gunned the sublights into full military power, and dropped her shields power into them. The fighter accelerated like a rock kicked by a mule and within a second the outside world went silent. She was in supersonic flight. The eerie sound of silence from outside was only faintly contrasted by the few sounds of her instruments and the cycling of air through the fans.
She saw the data reports of the engagement with a little bit of lag as she'd ordered her BB unit to display what it coudl in a pip window on her visor off to the side. She had reached out and contacted the gunships, riding high to keep them covered. She arrived perhaps twenty seconds before the gunships would, by now showing up on Dak and Max's screens. She flashed her IFF transponders at them so they would know who she was and would be flagged friendly despite the highly aggressive approach and speeds that should get her arrested for flying in an atmosphere were she a civilian.
Reaching out she shut down the sublights and shunted the spare power into the shields. The inertial dampeners kept her from feeling the deceleration, though it should have slammed her into her five point restraints. It was still supersonic flight but she was just above the speed of sound as she crossed the crash site. Her arrival was announced with a thunderous boom, caused by the violent shockwave of her passing. Continuing to throttle back she dropped down into low and slow mode, looping back around toward the site in the space of two hundred meters, standing on her starboard wings, bleeding off the last of excess energy even as the edges of her wings left contrails for a few moments.
["Sorry I'm late to the party,"] she called out over the squadrons' general comms. Looking at the gouges in the dirt, and the surrendering folks on the ground, she formed a lazy loop around, though she could have hovered and just raked them with her cannons if she wanted.
[I'm sure late is better than never.] scrolled across her display as the BB unit in the back chirped and warbled at her. "Shush you," she jabbed at the astromech.
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Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2018 4:52:14 GMT
Arianna Talien 02-11-2018, 01:58 PM
She had been watching the fighters from the control room and smiled as the banter between the pilots reminded her of when she had first joined Rogue Squadron as their mech and had listened to their banter. It was like coming home but to different voice.
A frown furrowed her brow as she watched the newest addition to the group swoop low and listened as the troops on the ground screamed out as if the pilot could actually hear them. Without thinking she reached up to tap her comm on her right ear. "Red 5, watch your flying. You warp my bird with antics like that and the only thing you'll be flying is your boots. And I'll have you wearing them out around the hanger with a spano in your hand."
As she clicked off the communique, she was glad no one was looking. Despite the your woman's crazy flying, and the atmospheric torque she was punishing her aircraft with, she had skill. In space, in combat, it would certainly come in handy. As cover for an operation, it wasn't so impressive.
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Brissa Mays 02-11-2018, 02:22 PM
Brissa had arrived and dropped the troops where Dak and Max had indicated. Her shuttle was on the ground behind the debris as Kaylar swung over them low and fast. A small smile lit her face as she popped her jaw to adjust for the small pressure pop of the pilots passing. As the troops outside holler up at her uselessly, she shook her head. Why did folks on the ground go hoarse yelling at pilots? It wasn't like they could actually hear them.
She heard Arialla's reprimand and felt bad for the girl in a small way. Sure, it was close to the ground, and probably put ridiculous strain on the aircraft, but it had been executed nearly perfectly. Brissa had shown more of an aptitude for shuttles than fighters. She switched to the private pilot's channel. "Nice run, Red 5. But remember, Tink will keep her word on running you ragged in the hangers. Did it myself last month." She smiled and waited for the rest of the teams to finish up so she could evac them all.
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Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2018 4:53:34 GMT
Kaylar 02-11-2018, 02:48 PM
The troop transport hadn't arrived quite yet. For the moment she kept pulling lazy loops, one eye on the ground the other on the surrounding area and sky. The bozos on the ground weren't likely to try anything with three state of the art X-wings circling over them like buzzards. Not if they didn't want to eat a torpedo. Tink's voice crackled in her ear, familiar, making her blink. She waggled her wings, then frowned. The T-65 Incom Skyhopper - The X-wings the Rebellion had started out with, that Rogue Squadron had made famous could handle those stresses and more. AS could meager alluminum made aircraft. These were faster, tougher, more maneuverable and better built. The T-85 series space superiority fighter she sat in now was one of the best flying machines she'd ever gotten her hands on. "Worry wart," she muttered under her breath.
A second voice cut in. Her display told her it was a secondary channel. She smiled a little, but then shook her head. ["Copy that,"] she transmitted back over the squadron'd general frequency.
These machines aren't the easiest to repair you know.
"Oh don't you start in on me too," Kaylar groused at the BB unit in the back.
She's just concerned. That is all.
"Well, if the X-wing computer has anything to complain about, I'm sure you'd let me know."
You bet.
She hauled back on the stick, pulling around for another loop, only to note a speck on the horizon. She targeted it quickly, inspecting the vehicle. ["Transport's here. Should be able to step off in a minute. What do you wanna do next, bossman? Arr-tee-bee, or do we wanna take these babbies to the proving grounds?"]
((Arr-Tee-Bee - R.T.B. = Return to base))
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Arianna 02-17-2018, 01:35 AM
A voice piped back up on her comm in response to her query, "Negative on RTB, Red 5. Remain and run support for shuttle. Make sure she makes it back to base unchallenged."
Arianna's voice joined in after that. "Red 5, you are solo on station. Make sure no one comes to interfere with the soldiers and their duties. Copy?"
THe mechanic's voice was stern and strong, but her heard was racing. It was two novices on the scene. Despite the soldiers in the shuttle with Mays, Luspark was the only other one there. She hated 'trial by fire' as much as anyone. But sometimes a practice run took a more serious turn. She had faith in them. She just hoped the rest of those above here were of the same feeling.
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Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2018 4:54:25 GMT
Brissa 02-17-2018, 01:48 AM
Brissa watched the soldiers collect up the ones they had come to get. She didn't know the story, and didn't bother to ask. Sometimes it was better to just shut up and drive. She smiled as they moved around the back of her shuttle like bees with a hive mind. She had two comm channels she was listening to. One of them was the channel the soldiers were using. Head counts, ship walk thru and other common chatter.
The other channel was the comm with Control. She heard Red 5 was her escort and she clicked the mic once it went silent. "Shuttle 1 to Red 5. Come in? This is Pilot Mays. How's it look up there? Anyone planning on raining on my parade down here?" She knew was flying a solo escort was like. Everyone in Red Squadron did. They had all taken turns in simulations and in practice runs. If Red 5 was who she thought it was, the girl was even better than her in that fighter. Brissa could fly like the others. Shoot at her targets, and even perform on the fly. But her true skill was manouvering the huge shuttle around with the same ease as an X Wing. Where Kaylar could roll and slip into any small space with her craft, Brissa could move a shuttle and settle her down without so much as jostling a cup of coffee. Perhaps in time, they would become friends. If this worked out, maybe she'd even request the pilot as her escort every time.
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<Thread ended for lack of response>
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