[This POV takes place after POV: Full Force]

First Lieutenant Chris "Jalb_k" Reynolds, Corsair Five, responded to the command over his commset.

"Roger Corsair Lead, wilco." He keyed a new frequency and transmitted. "Krayt, Condor, you're on my wing, inverted V, I have the lead. We're babysitting this sucker home."

"Roger that, I have your wing," came the reply from his wingman, Second Lieutenant Matthew "Krayt" Houseman.

The three A-wings levelled out just above the captured freighter. It had been a standard strike mission, no real threats, no losses, and over all made for a very good day. Going over the manifest for the captured freighter they were escorting, Jalb noticed that among other things this freighter was carrying a large number of sensor probes. Thinking back, he seemed to remember an idea someone had had for them.

"Krayt, wasn't that you that was working on the plans for the decoys?

Krayt responded to the query with "Yup, good ones too, why do you ask?"

"Have a closer look at the manifest of this bucket.... Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" the Macquarian pilot finished in his distinctive brogue.

"Hey guys," First Lieutenant Jonathan "Condor" Rees, the other wingman, piped up. "Remember who's floating on the left over here. If you have a mutual-thinking thing going on, let me in. I need to think too, you know," he finished earnestly.

Jalb and Krayt cracked up at the latter remark, "Sorry Condor, we forget how rarely you think," and once again broke out laughing. Condor slowly realised the faux pas he had made and was a little miffed with himself. He came back on the comm to steal their mirth. "Ha ha, very funny chaps. Just remember who's flying slightly behind your fins with twelve darts in the launcher," and had a chuckle of his own.

Krayt woke to the sound of his alarm going off, he got up and looked over his schedule for the day. Oh great, four hours on sprint team, then two hours in the sims, and then I have that weapons training. Just then his comm lit up and Jalb's voice came on. "Hey Krayt, I managed to get one of those probes, bring the plans when we go on team -- we can start then."

Fifteen minutes later Krayt found himself in the Ready Room with the rest of this shift's sprint team. Looking around, he walked over to where Jalb was sitting with his purloined sensor probe, already in the process of tearing it apart. "Hey, you got a license to dismantle that?" Krayt grinned at Jalb.

"Hehe, who needs a license when you have my enthusiasm?" Jalb smiled back. Condor and Second Lieutenant Josh "Hellcat" Kinney, the new B-wing pilot from Buccaneer, were the other two Renegades on shift. They strolled over to the space on the deck where Krayt and Jalb_k had plasfilm, sensor pieces and some other small parts from who-knew-where spread out on the deck.

Hellcat elbowed Condor in the ribs as they came to a stop over the working pair. "See, I told you Con, they're making a new A-wing in-flight refreshment dispenser."

Krayt looked up from his datapad. "Well, actually, we are working with something special right now."

"Yeah," said Condor, "a Buccaneer auto-dumbfire selector," as he glanced at Hellcat from the corner of his eyes, a grin forming on his lips. The effort Hellcat put into studiously ignoring Condor was not lost on Jalb, who had to duck his head to hide his smirk.

Krayt continued, "Hey Hellcat, I seem to remember something about you having some slicing skills, was that correct?"

Hellcat looked blankly at the newest Corsair pilot, shook his head, and asked, "How did you find out about that?"

Given the piece of machinery that Krayt and Jalb were working on, Hellcat could only imagine what in the world they were up to. Hellcat and Condor both looked quizzically at the two pilots on the floor. "Well?" said Condor. "What gives? Is this what we were 'thinking' about while we were escorting that freighter?"

"Well, I had this idea. We get some of the old IFF broadcasters off some junked fighters -- I am sure there are enough of them around -- and then slice in a program that makes a targeting computer think this is a fighter. Throw in a couple of other odds and ends, and you have yourself another squadron to throw into the battle," Krayt replied. "I was going to try setting up some old droids for it, but these are much better -- they already have intrinsic propulsion and shields, we only need to do a little tweak to make the EM signature register as a full size snub."

Looking over the mechanisms one more time Hellcat spoke up, "And I suppose you boys want me to slice in a program to make it do that, huh?"

Jalb took up the commentary. "We need you to slice the code to masquerade them' " A light went on in Jalb's head at that moment ' "Good, one Masquerade Squadron! Sorry, I'm diverging, and, we need to slice in my EW Wingman code, get them talking to each other."

Hellcat asked, "What kind of fighter do you want me to make these puppies look like? Squints, dupes, eyeballs, hehe, how about a miniature CRV?"

Krayt frowned as Jalb said, "Have a look around Hellcat, ya dolt, we're the Alliance, let's stick to our usual rides," he added with a grin.

A few shifts later, their project began to take shape. Krayt and Jalb worked on the mechanical parts, and Hellcat and Condor spent their time slicing the appropriate code. Once all the components had been installed along with the programming, all of the systems were thoroughly tested, and after all the bugs had been worked out, it looked like they were ready to go.

As the four technicians were working on the new toy, Flight Officer Alli Ralter, the new Renegade Wing transport pilot, poked her head into the room and noticed something was going on. Stepping quietly into the Ready Room, she spoke up loudly, spooking Hellcat out of his boots. "What are you guys doing?"

Annoyed that she spooked him, Hellcat nonetheless turned around with a smile on his face and said, "Nothing that a nosey peep like you should be interested in."

She gave Hellcat a glare, which he nonchalantly ignored, to her disgust. Sticking out her tongue Alli said, "Fine, be that way," and turned around, rolling her eyes and walking off.

Jalb watched the view as Alli sauntered out, thinking to himself that the other Renegade Wing pilots didn't look that good from behind. Alli must have sensed his eyes on her because she stopped at the door, turned and looked Jalb_k in the eye, and with a smirk said, "Anything I can do for you, Lieutenant?"

Jalb snapped out of his reverie and replied, "Don't go anywhere just yet Alli. Guys, we're going to take some leave." He then turned back to Alli. "How would you like an escort on your next trip?"

Several days later, three A-wings and a Corellian transport lifted off from the Liberty's flight deck with Jalb_k, Krayt and Condor manning the snubfighters and Hellcat with Alli in the transport. They were ready to go test out their prototype. They planned their hyperspace jump to go through an unoccupied system, where they would drop Masquerade Leader out to do a flight test.

Upon coming into system, Alli opened up the external cargo compartment, and Hellcat brought the probe online. "This is Masquerade Lead, we have target acquisition, commencing primary rocket ignition and locking on."

Krayt cycled through his target HUD and found the green dot designated Masquerade One. The computer worked for a couple of seconds, and then classified it as a Slayn and Korpil B-wing starfighter. Krayt called his wingman on the conn, "Jalb, it looks like we are good to go."

Hellcat decided to have a little fun with this remote controlled prototype and sent it whizzing by the A-wings at high speed with mere millimeters to spare. With a chuckle he watched his three wingmates take some rapid evasive manoeuvres while loud cursing flooded the communications link, then guided the toy back to the transport and checked for any damage.

Once they had returned to the Liberty, the group spent the next couple of days pulling favours and sabacc debts to get the other eleven sensor probes that they needed. "Yeah, this is fine," Krayt said one day, "but I've been thinking, they're too dumb, they won't react. We could actually improve on these by one addition to the leader - putting an R2 brain into it."

Jalb looked up at Krayt with his eyes narrowed as he thought it through. "Good, yeah Krayt, and that R2 brain can run the whole unit from a tactical interface with one of our ships." Krayt was on a roll after that agreement. "Actually, we should put one in all of them, that way they can make evasive manoeuvres and the like when they get locked up." Jalb looked into the eager eyes of his wingman. "Where are we gonna get twelve R2 brains?" Krayt replied undaunted, "Don't know, maybe we could get some old R5's?" Hellcat, who had been quietly working alongside the pair, said "I don't think we'd want to put in for extra favours from Tuttle to get those."

Krayt eyed Hellcat and pushed on. "Or the leader could just have all of them go evasive."

"Too unnatural," Jalb_k said. "For my mind we could use four brains, four flights of three, that's believable."

Hellcat reckoned that was a good idea until Krayt came up with, "Three brains, three flights of four, standard configuration, even less problems," and sat back with a self-satisfied expression.

"OK, good idea, any more?" Jalb asked.

"Well," Krayt responded, "we could also set them up to each record the battle from a different brain, get lots of sensor data to work with?"

Hellcat grinned. "I love working with you guys, always something new!"

After three weeks of scrounging, begging, borrowing and stealing, the intrepid quartet had their Masquerade Squadron ready to go online. Jalb had sliced in his code, and they made copies of the original codes on the Leader. Once all that had been completed, they were ready to do the full squadron test. Once again the three A-wings, lone B-wing and the transport lifted off from the Liberty's flight deck. "Here we go," thought Krayt, "our first full squadron test."

Upon arrival in the test system, they deployed Masquerade Squadron for the first time. This time, Krayt had a control set up in his A-wing, another little addition that they had installed. He punched in the coordinates and sent the signal that switched the sensors into attack mode as Alli took the Cor Darei forward to act as the target for this exercise. Krayt then designated the transport as the squadron objective, sat back and watched as their creations turned and began a textbook run on a capital ship.

"Masquerade, this is Lead, acquisition off my signal. Arm rockets and begin ignition sequence, attack on my command," came the synthesised voice of the electronics warfare package that Jalb_k had designed upon arriving at the Liberty. The twelve sensor/ships spread into an attack formation, three flights of four ships, two up with one in depth for cover and extra punch, as doctrine required.

Two seconds later, Alli came on the comm. "Guys, I think this is working, and I'm more than a bit scared. Those things aren't live are they?" She said this loud enough to be heard above the bleeping of the missile lock indicator.

"Don't worry Alli," Hellcat replied. "Even if they were, I'd protect you."

"I am SO reassured," Alli's voice came back, dripping with sarcasm. "Jalb, can we leave him at home next time?" Krayt looked out the transparisteel of his canopy and saw the double take Jalb made at his commlink when that sweetly purred request came through. Krayt chuckled to himself as he prepared for the first run of evasion tests and lock drills they were going to put their new squadron through.

It had been two weeks since the first positive test of Masquerade Squadron, and the infamous four were pretty happy with what they had achieved. So, after some final tweaks, they had put them in storage aboard the Cor Darei.

Life had returned pretty much to normal, or as normal as it got aboard the Liberty on Fighter Wing decks. Corsair was returning from another uneventful reconnaissance mission and the Rogues were heading out to stage an attack on the facility that Blindman's squadron had just reconnoitred. With the roundabout route and layovers they were using, it was going to be a good 24 hours before they returned to the Lib. As was becoming practice for the newer pilots of Corsair, after hitting the 'fresher, they made their way to the bar, where Krayt, Condor, and Jalb_k met up with Hellcat and Alli.

Lieutenant Colonel Bob "Blindman" Lin, Corsair Leader, sat in the Lounge and sensed the famous five again. Jalb, Krayt, Condor, Hellcat and Alli? What are those five up to? he thought to himself. There are some strange interactions there, they fight like family, yet they all have a dedication to purpose and each other that is very strong but what is that purpose? He sat back and contemplated this little conclave as Alli stepped up and behind Jalb. As he looked over his right shoulder, she moved with fluid speed and was around his left side and stepping away with his beer before he even knew it. The remaining three laughed at the forlorn look on Chris's face as he watched another crystallised beer float past the nearest viewport.

"Ha ha, laugh it up furbrains," Jalb said a little testily. "You know I love my beer, but beer ain't free and I'm not earning a fortune here."

"Don't worry," said Krayt. "I'm sure we'll be able to cover your bar tab if you run out of credits in the next few days." The others laughed and agreed in unison. With that, Jalb was duly mollified and heading to the bar for a new beer.

"Yo Alli, your beer buddy seems to be heading back to the bar for another round. Gonna do anything about that?" Hellcat commented as he sipped on his Screwdriver.

Alli looked at Hellcat with an openly bland expression. "Provided he remembers to get me something this time, he will be able to drink this one in peace. If not, well..." she finished with an evil grin. Condor and Krayt looked at each other with barely muffled chuckles.

It was so obvious to them, but the other three just couldn't see what was happening. Hellcat was a little interested in Alli, but he was being too smooth about it. Alli was more than a little interested in Jalb, and was playing up to get his attention. Meanwhile Jalb had his head so deep in whatever he was working on at the time that he just didn't have a clue.

Jalb returned to his seat just as the Wing's four newest pilots arrived in the Lounge. Jalb snorted. "FiNG's," he snorting, using the vetran pilot's slang for Freakin' New Guys. "Look at the way they're strutting about. You realize that we're gonna have our hands full keeping them alive the first time they see combat."

Hellcat sniggered. "Don't laugh mate," Jalb looked at the bomber pilot. "Two of them are going to Bucc!"

"They what?!" Hellcat spluttered, looking thoroughly discomfited. "They're fresh out of flight school, how'd they get this posting?"

"In fact," Jalb looked to be thoroughly enjoying himself, "I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them on your wing, Josh. A decorated combat veteran such as yourself; just the man they need to teach eager young kids the ropes."

Condor couldn't help it, and the final indignant look on Hellcat's face set him off into gales of laughter. Krayt looked towards Condor with a tolerant expression on his face. "Not to worry Con, you've got one in your flight too, as do Knight, Jalb and I."

Jalb growled, "Yeah! As long as we get them in the sims first and give them a touch of ego deflation, they'll be fine."

Captain Jerna walked up on to the bridge of his Star Destroyer. "Helm, prepare to enter hyperspace on my mark." He had just received his orders to capture the Rebel Alliance Cruiser Windstorm - there was a growing need for intelligence on rebel operations and capture of alliance starships was one of the easiest ways. For this mission he had been assigned a task force including the Nebulon-B Frigate Fire's Breath, the Interdictor Typhoon, and another Imperial Star Destroyer by the name of Vindicator. He was sure this fleet was more than a match for a single Mon Calamari Cruiser. The one thing that bothered him was the lack of concurrent intelligence information - they knew when it was going to be passing through, but they didn't know if it had any support vessels with it. Even though they had over 14 squadrons of fighters versus the three of the Cruiser, and they had enough firepower to take it down quickly, something still could go wrong if a couple of support ships showed up. With all these things, he had a bad feeling about this mission, he could almost sense the impending doom for his force. But what he felt didn't matter, orders were orders. "Helm, enter hyperspace in twenty seconds."

[Near the Gandor system...]

The Imperial task force came out of hyperspace just hours before the Windstorm would be going through, with plenty of time to prepare for its arrival. With the two star destroyers in front, the frigate to one side, and the interdictor to the rear, the fleet was ready for the arrival of the Alliance ship.

[Aboard the CRS Windstorm....]

Captain Pilkar of the CRS Windstorm looked out of the bridge's main viewport at the beauty of hyperspace travel. While he was watching the space around him, he was almost pulled from his chair as the Mon Cal Cruiser was wrenched from hyperspace by an unpredicted gravity well, and that usually meant an Interdictor cruiser.

Looking at the sensor readout, he began issuing orders. "Launch all fighters, bring up the shields, all weapons fire at will." The cruiser had come out less than three kilometers from the Star Destroyers, and there was very little chance of getting all of the fighters launched before the first assault wave hit them. "Helm, plot us a course right between those Star Destroyers, we are going to hit that Interdictor." The Windstorm's Flight Control Officer started issuing orders for Phoenix, Jade and Wildcard Squadrons to launch, manually assigning target objectives as he went.

A flight each of TIE fighters, bombers and interceptors launched from the bays of the three larger capital ships. Oh no, the Rebel captain thought. They're going all out, three squadrons of each, 118 craft. I hope they've got nothing in reserve!

As Imperial fighters kept pouring out of the hangar bays of the enemy cap ships, the Windstorm started launching fighters and bombers as it turned on its axis towards the ISD's. "Helm, give us full thrust towards the Star Destroyers, and have Wildcard target the one on the left. We are going right between them," he said remembering Admiral Ackbar's tactics. As the distance closed rapidly between the two forces the enemy bombers started launching warheads at the Windstorm, but the big Calamarian vessel continued on its course.

Before Jade had a chance to engage the TIE bombers, the ugly double-hulled craft had already started firing a salvo of torpedoes. "Thank god they just have protorps," one of the bridge officers mumbled. Windstorm's advanced missile launchers on her wings started firing at a rapid rate, with the impact of each missile able to take out clusters of the tightly grouped torpedoes. However, a disturbing number did get through the protective screen.

"Sir, shield power down 60%, all weapon systems are nominal, tactical reports 30 kills to forward batteries." Captain Pilkar nodded, thinking to himself, From 200 to sixty in less then two minutes. If we don't get help, we are dead.

Wildcard's Y-wings were making assault runs on the ISD Vindicator. No sooner had they started to dumbfire their loads of heavy rockets at the great triangular starship than massed squadrons of interceptors attacked them.

"Jade, this is Wildcard Lead, we have a squint problem here!"

"Windstorm Control, this is Jade Leader, the big guys have 12 heavies inbound each! Sorry we can't do more at the moment."

"Sir, the Vindicator took out most of the incoming rockets, but shields are down to twenty percent."

As Jade Squadron entered the fray, Phoenix went about mopping up the dupes that the Windstorm's guns had failed to take out, as well as their TIE fighter escorts. "Captain Pilkar, this is Flight Control. Sir, we are beginning to take losses, Wildcard is down three ships, Jade is down two'no two more just ejected, the numbers are starting to look a lot less in our favor sir." Pilkar looked down at his FCO- "Well, more so than usual sir," the FCO quickly amended.

The sensor operator said, "Captain, five seconds till turbolaser range."

"All gunners open up as soon as we are within range," came Pilkar's next order. "Helm, prepare to do a 90 degree roll to port on my mark."

[The bridge of the Destructor]

"Sir, they're coming right at us!"

"Helm full starboard turn, get us out of the way, signal the Vindicator to do they same," ordered Jerna. As the ISDs began to take evasive action the frigate Fire's Breath came up to attack position and commenced hangar operations, launching its squadrons of bombers and interceptors.

[The bridge of the Windstar]

With the two Impstars turning away, fewer weapons were hitting the cruiser. "OK helm, roll, now!" ordered Captain Pilkar. By rolling, the cruiser lessened the firepower available to it, but was able to slice through the narrow space between the two Destroyers.

"Sir, new contacts, full squadrons of squints and dupes launching from the Frigate," the FCO called out.

"Sir, Weapons reports that the anti-warhead missile launchers are depleted."

"Phoenix, get on those new fighters, keep them away from the Windstorm," the FCO ordered. Phoenix Squadron turned to comply, but could not reach the incoming bombers before they fired torpedoes. Suddenly they had no time to worry about that as they were engulfed by a wave of interceptors and fighters.

"Sir, we are taking torpedo hits, shields down to 50% and dropping!"

Just then, the sensor operator spoke up. "Sir, I have a new contact, it's the Liberty!"

[On board the Liberty's bridge]

Out of nowhere the sensor operator on board the Liberty yelled out, "Sir! Gravity well, we've been pulled out, Imperial task force dead ahead."

"Ring the alarms, all pilots up NOW!" came Admiral Ra'Kaat's order as he quickly glanced over the situation.

Jalb, Krayt, Condor, Alli and Hellcat were discussing what possible uses they were going to have for Masquerade Squadron, when all of a sudden they were pulled from their seats and the attack alarm came over the Liberty speakers. Jalb looked at the other pilots. "Guys, let's get to our fighters. Alli, stand by."

One minute later, with the frigate's fighters leaving the Windstorm to their capital ships and closing on the Liberty quickly, Corsair and Buccaneer launched from the bay. The voice of the new Liberty Flight Control Officer, Pashk "Silk" V'tikan, came over their comms.

"OK, Corsair hit the bombers, Buccs, start with the interceptors - use your ions, they have slightly longer range. As soon as the bombers are gone, Corsair take the rest of the interceptors, Bucc, take the Interdictor."

At the same time, Admiral Ra'Kaat began issuing his orders. "Helm, move us to weapons range with that frigate, we want to disable it and continue moving towards the Star Destroyers. And signal the Windstorm to begin its withdrawal, we will get rid of the Interdictor."

The Corsairs each locked up on a fighter, firing a missile each. The missiles began to impact just as the bombers began launching their torpedoes. The next second, the twelve bombers had been reduced to two.

[On board the Windstorm]

"Windstorm, begin to withdraw from the combat area, we'll get rid of the Interdictor," radioed the communications officer on board the Liberty.

"Inform the Liberty, will do. Helm, head for the nearest exit point," an exhausted Captain Pilkar ordered.

Blindman took charge as soon as they were clear and the immediate bomber threat was dispatched. "All right Corsairs, form up by flights, opportunity targets, you are weapons free. Good hunting gentlemen!" With that three assault groups of four peeled off and split into twos. Jalb toggled a private channel to First Lieutenant John "Knight" Vorwald, Corsair Seven.

"Watch the new kid, Ice, okay mate. He's a bit tender for my liking." Knight gave a reply of affirmation, and then they were into the thick of it. Krayt was quickly amongst the kills bagging two interceptors on his first pass and a wayward dupe as he looped back to the forward edge of the battle area.

"You're on fire Krayt!" Jalb called. "I'm on your wing, go get 'em!" he said with a chuckle as he let his young wingman do all the talking, occasionally issuing statements of crimson lasers to keep interlopers off Krayt's back. Krayt was onto his seventh kill when Knight's voice came over the comm.

"A tad outnumbered over here, could you help me out?" he calmly asked.

Jalb quickly checked his sensors and saw the problem. "Krayt?" he queried.

"Go skip, I'm looking good."

With that Jalb peeled off to help Knight with his little added extras. Jalb heard the desperate plea from Eight, then heard Krayt answer, "Hang on Ice, I'm on him." Jalb also saw the intricate weave the four interceptors were performing. Ice was gonna be toast, and Krayt didn't see the net closing around him. He desperately keyed his commlink as he saw Eight's A-wing turn into a spreading ball of fiery gas. Krayt finally noticed the rest of what was going on and a cold chill swept through him. He saw the four interceptors at equidistant points, around him, forming a crucifix with him in the center. Jalb set ELS to 0/0 and headed for his mate but the squints started peppering Krayt's egg way before he was in range. He watched in horror as armor started to vaporize.

"Krayt, eject, eject, eject!"

He could hear a garbled transmission: "Sys... rue, ect... line, ant... old..." from Krayt as the snubfighter's engines detonated, sending the forward half of his craft spinning lazily into space.

"KRAYT! Nooooooooooo!" A cold rage suffused Jalb_k as he calmly keyed his comm. "Knight, with me. Let's finish these bastards!" Knight didn't get a look in, he counted himself more than adequate in a melee, but the one time he'd met Jalb in the sim, he was glad that he wasn't flying like this. Corsair Five seemed to be flying with the Dark Side's own luck, a man possessed. Knight watched enthralled as the four interceptors fell waste to the twin scarlet lances issuing from Jalb_k's A-wing. Jalb_k brought his fighter through the expanding debris cloud of the last squint and headed back towards the main focus of the fight.

"C'mon Knight, you playing or what?" Knight formed on his wing and said to himself, "If I'm gonna live through this one, I'm gonna do it here."

As the Windstorm got the Liberty's message, the captain began issuing new orders. "Helm bring us to 32 mark 4; full speed, get away from these Destroyers"

"Sir, shield strength down to five percent'no sir, our shields are out." Admiral Ra'Kaat watched his screen as the two Star Destroyers began pounding the cruiser with their ions. Within seconds, the cruiser was dead in space.

Lights flickered on the Windstorm's bridge. "Status report!" ordered Pilkar."

"Sir, all systems are out, propulsion, defensive systems, everything sir."

Just at that time, the Liberty entered range with the frigate. Out-gunned but resolute, the frigate's captain was determined to stop the larger ship. The gunners on the Liberty began pounding the frigate, and with precision hits began putting holes in the smaller ship's shields. Seeing a no win situation the captain on board the frigate ordered for a ramming course on the Liberty.

"We will not be captured!"

When the holes began to get larger, the Liberty opened up with its ions, and had the ship disabled before the shields were all out. Nearing the giant cruiser, the bridge officer on board the Imperial frigate shouted to the captain, "Sir our shields are failing. We'll be disabled within the next few seconds."

Suddenly the lights went dead and all power on board went out. The captain's hopes died as his ship began losing systems. Before he could do anything to stop it, he was a sitting duck and the Liberty was moving past him to engage two slightly damaged Star Destroyers.

"Damn those rebels!" the captain muttered to himself. "All hands, prepare to be boarded, Security, take your positions."

The Liberty entered range with the Vindicator first and turbolaser fire streamed between the two ships. Fortunately for the Liberty, the Vindicator was flying in a direct line and had to manoeuvre to begin firing on the Liberty. "If we can just hold on a little longer," thought Ra'Kaat.

The Buccaneers had managed to disable a couple of fighters on the way through the line, and then they turned their attention towards the Interdictor. The voice of Lieutenant Colonel Adam "Guardian" Burns, Buccaneer Leader, came over the comm: "All right Buccs, listen up, link rockets and dumbfire them at the Interdictor. Valkyrie, once you've loosed your loads, take Hellcat, Rancor and Viper and go give them a hand with the Vindicator, we will be along shortly."

Hellcat did a quick cycle through his HUD as he went to acquire his new objective, when a familiar callsign caught his eye. "Hmm, Phoenix Three?" He scanned his sensors to pick up the green dot's position, and muttered to himself, "Boy, are you in a world of hurt!"

He keyed his comm, "Hang on Dack, this is Buccaneer Six coming to the rescue!" But he was too late. Hellcat watched as Joe Dack's fighter disintegrated, and felt a growing anger begin inside him.

"OK you Imperial trash, you asked for it." He left his formation and swung around onto the Imps that had just destroyed his last link with the past. At extreme range he opened up with ion cannon and watched with glee as the blue nimbus of power draining light flickered about first one, then two, three, and finally four squints. "Right, now you're in for it!" he said to himself as he flew through their inert formation, still cruising off at the same velocity and trajectory they were on.

He turned in to chase and switched to guns, painting the trailing fighter with lock. "Buccaneer Six! Check fire, check fire!" Guardian's voice roared over the comm. "Leave them Josh, there's a better way. Get the ISD!"

Hellcat suddenly realised what he was about to do and shivered with dread at the callousness of his intended action. He swung his B-wing around towards the Vindicator, set his rockets for dual fire, and flew the length of the Vindicator. He was just shy of two tenths of a kilometer from the bridge when he keyed the Imperial frequency and broadcasted in clear: "I've had just about enough of you damn Imps to last a lifetime, here's a goodbye present from me to you."

He then pulled the trigger, launching his rockets into the bridge of the ISD, and pulled up out of range of the explosion. As the ISD disintegrated he keyed a private channel on his commlink "Alli, Gemini is go, do it now!"

The rest of the bomber squadron had unloaded their missiles on the Interdictor, and the rocket salvo struck with enough force to severely damage the ship. Its shields were out completely, some weaponry was damaged, but the gravity well generators were still online. Bucc Leader keyed his comm, "All right, begin strafing runs, let's save our rockets for that last Star Destroyer."

They switched over to lasers and ions. Flying along the length of the Interdictor, the Buccaneer lasers vaporised armor and their ions began disabling systems. Then a frantic voice came over the system: "This is Vampire! My shields are out, ejecting, malfunction in the ejection system, oh no, I am going to cra-----" and his comm broke down into static. Guardian watched in shock as the new pilot crashed into the bridge of the Interdictor, causing catastrophic damage throughout the ship. The gravity wells went offline and the ship began to fall apart.

Given the brief leeway of breathing room, Admiral Ra'Kaat ordered for the SAR craft to launch and pick up pilots. "Salvatore, we've been given a narrow margin of time to get out there and pick up some of the pilots. Launch and bring our boys home will you?"

"Roger that, powering up thrusters now." After speaking, Lieutenant Rafael "Hyl" Costa Guerra saw Alli's CORT come to life and wondered if she had been assigned as part of the SAR effort. Just then Alli's ship shot out of the hanger and away from the ship. "Wonder what she's doing?" Hyl asked himself.

As soon as Alli had cleared the Liberty's hangar bay, she slowed down and began launching Masquerade Squadron. Once all twelve were out, she input the way-points and assigned the Destructor as the target. The fake ships activated, and to the surprise of Silk and everyone else, a new voice came over the comm. "Control, this is Masquerade Leader, we are beginning our rocket run on the remaining Star Destroyer."

[On the bridge of the Destructor]

"Sir, this is sensors, we have a new contact. Another B-wing squadron just launched from the Liberty. Twelve new B-wings sir! Moving into attack position on our ship! Sir, another new contact, it's Rogue Squadron!"

The captain checked his screen, and just as he did, the Vindicator took two rockets to the bridge. Noting the range, the sensor officer said, "Captain, if we are not out of here in ten seconds, we are dead."

Nearly losing his self-control the Destructor's commanding officer shouted out orders. "All craft protect the Destructor, repeat all craft protect the Destructor." Just then, the dot that designated the Interdictor winked off from his screen, enabling the Destructor to engage its hyperdrive. It leapt away in a blind jump from the battle, leaving a damaged, but victorious rebel force behind them.

A wide-beam transmission was issued by the Liberty's FCO on the Imperial frequency. "All Imperial forces, your capital ships are gone. Power down now and you will be dealt with fairly, if you wish to continue to fight, please note a squadron of X-wings designated Rogue has just arrived. The choice is yours."

Jalb_k guided his A-wing into the hanger and executed a perfect touchdown and power off. He popped the lid on his egg and sat there staring at the flight stick between his legs. "Three down -- two FNG's and they had to take Krayt with them." The cold anger that had suffused him before had departed and he was overwhelmed with a deep sense of loss. "I didn't know you long, Krayt, but you were the best mate a bloke could have," he said to the void as a tear rolled down his cheek.

His commanding officer walked by just as Jalb slid down the nose of his fighter, and Blindman couldn't help but notice the sorrow emanating from him. "What's up Jalb? You did well out there," Blindman said as Jalb fell into step beside him.

Jalb didn't even bother lifting his head as his CO spoke to him. "Krayt's gone," he mumbled. Blindman suddenly realized what it was he felt out there earlier. The sense of one of his pilots, shocked and wounded, then the onslaught of power emanating like a dark cloud from the center of the melee. The Dark Side, fueled by Jalb's anger at the perceived death of his friend. No wonder he was flying so well. He grabbed the young officer and Force-probed him from head to foot, much to Jalb's surprise. But there was nothing left, maybe a latent touch of attunement, but nothing dark. "Right lieutenant, pull yourself together now! You obviously paid no attention to your commlink after Krayt ejected."

Jalb looked up, stunned. "That's right," Blindman continued, "you would have heard he was on the Salvatore and being shipped to where he is now, sick bay." Jalb stammered his apologies, threw a quick salute, and bolted for the sick bay to check on his friend.

As transports loaded with repair crews entered the hangar of the Windstorm, another group of transports was carrying a commando team to capture the Imperial frigate that the Liberty had disabled. At the same time Hellcat was pulling into a final landing approach with the Liberty. However, the only thing that came to his mind was the death of his old friend that he worked with while in Phoenix Squadron. "Guess they're all gone now," he sighed.

After touching down onto the hangar bay's floor with a soft "thump," Hellcat's canopy opened up as he took off his gloves and threw them into his helmet. Jumping out of his fighter, Hellcat started to walk out of the hangar bay until he heard Guardian call for him. "Hellcat, I need to see you for a moment."

A slow and poor salute, "You wanted to see me sir?"

"You were not ordered to disengage your attack on the Star Destroyers. Any reason why I shouldn't write you up?"

"Sorry boss, I guess I let my feelings from the past get in the way of my current objective." The young pilot trailed off as he looked down at the floor. "He was the only link to my past that I wished I could have saved out there." Hellcat slowly started to raise his head until his eyes came to meet with his CO's and he stared with a blank look on his face.

Looking into the emptiness that his pilot's eyes were showing, Guardian decided to let it slide this time. "We can't let our past get in the way of the present lieutenant. You did finish off one of those ISD's, so I'm just going to give you a warning. But if you would like a pity party to compare history notes, come see me. Dismissed, pilot."

Saluting, Hellcat continued to walk out the hangar bay but was again stopped by Guardian's voice. "By the way, there's someone that wants to see you in sick bay." With a bit of hope flowing through him Hellcat rushed off to sick bay.

While looking for his long time friend, Hellcat passed by a bacta tank where he saw Krayt being treated for internal injuries from shrapnel that he suffered when he had to eject from his fighter. Finally, Hellcat saw what he was looking for.

"Dack, you're alive! But how did, you ejected?"

"Hey, good to see you old buddy. Yeah, funny thing happened. At the last moment before my fighter got toasted my hand flinched and pulled on the chicken switch." As Dack finished his sentence the two pilots shook hands and started to catch up on old times.

[An hour later]

"Well it was good to see you again old friend." Hellcat said as he saw his old comrade board one of the transports returning to the now-repaired Windstorm.

"Same to you buddy, say next time you guys plan on flying through a sector of space we're patrolling give me a holler will you? Except let's hope we don't meet under the same circumstances that we did today shall we?" Dack managed a chuckle though he was still in some pain.

" No problem, just wish the others were here to enjoy the reunion ceremony such as we had."

"Yeah, I know what you mean, but we can't always look back into the past Josh. Sometimes you just have to let go and move on."

Taking his friend's words into consideration, Hellcat stepped back as the loading door of the transport shut followed by the whine of the engines being powered up. Soon the transport was out of the hangar and flying towards the Windstorm. Turning away, Hellcat was on his way to the Lounge where a big celebration and description of the battle in words were taking place.

[In the Lounge 30 minutes later]

"Hey guys, I'm going to split for awhile" Hellcat commented as he got up from the table and walked out of the Lounge before any of the pilots he was sitting with could get out a word.

"Wonder what's up with Wonderboy," said Condor as he finished off his drink.

Arriving on the Observation Deck, Hellcat slouched against the wall and slowly slid down until he was sitting on the floor. Taking out a picture of his old squadron, he again remembered back to the days he served on board the Windstorm, and the unfortunate day that the Windstorm engaged three Star Destroyers and an Interdictor. His buddies were dying left and right until reinforcements came into the area to help repel the massive Imperial task force. There were only three pilots that survived out of the 32 stationed to the Windstorm at the time; one was himself, another was Dack, and the last one was reported to have gone AWOL after undergoing severe psyche treatments.

Snapping back into the present, Hellcat pulled out his lighter and lit the picture on fire, throwing it into a nearby garbage chute. He was a bit startled when he heard a sniffle up ahead and saw Alli looking out one of the viewports then dip her head. Getting up from the floor, Hellcat walked over to her and said, "Something wrong Alli?"

She looked up at Hellcat, eyes full of tears. Alli muttered "No, nothing," and turned away, but obviously something was chewing her inside. Pushing it a little, Hellcat asked her again and this time she told him the problem. After telling Hellcat the story of the death of her brother, they both were quiet.

The stillness was broken when Hellcat spoke up. "This war has left a mark on all of us, the deaths of friends, family, and everyone else. We try to put that behind us but something always comes along to bring the past back. As a friend once told me, we can't always look back into the past, sometimes you just have to let go and move on." Looking at his depressed friend, Hellcat decided to try and cheer her up by saying, "So should we head to the Lounge so you can do your job of getting rid of Jalb's beers?" It did the trick as a smile came across her face, and she pushed on the taller man's shoulders a bit. The quietness settled in again, and both pilots looked back out of the viewport towards the stars one last time before turning back towards the Lounge.

Things had changed little on the Liberty following the withdrawal of the last Star Destroyer 36 hours previously. A convoy of freighters and transports had just hypered into the area with much-needed technical repair teams, equipment, parts and the requisite ubiquitous Tugs. Soon the local space was filled with transiting Tugs, moving parts and equipment from cargo holds to the hull and hanger of the Windstorm. The Liberty had kept it's position relative to the Windstorm while it carried out repairs, providing defensive support and augmented standing patrols of starfighters prowling the sector. For most of the Liberty's pilots, life resumed its normal routine; for a few, things had occurred which would leave them changed forever, the war with the Empire stamping its irrevocable brand on them, or burning it in just that little bit deeper.

After 24 hours in bacta, and a further 24 in sick bay recovering from his recovery, 2^nd Lt Matt 'Krayt' Houseman was eager to get back to his social life. Visitors in sick bay, as appreciated as they are, just don't make up for the interaction of the Lounge, his current destination. On his arrival he quickly spotted his accomplices in the development of Masquerade Squadron sitting around their usual table and strode over to be met by a chorus of greetings. After the usual post 'punch out' ribbing, the pilot's way of expressing his pleasure at seeing a colleague alive and well and, at the same time, understating their relief that it wasn't them, the group soon settled into their usual banter. After a few minutes Jalb spoke up.

"Gents, I have to let you know, now that Krayt's back with us, that Stryker'" Just then Jalb's commlink beeped.

"Lt. Reynolds, this is Colonel Rambo. Since you're all together, yourself and your cohorts may join me in my office now. Stryker out."

"Well, that just about covers it" Jalb said as he looked up with a rueful grin. "Doncha just hate that Force thing?" he added with a chuckle. The other three pilots looked at him with openly expectant expressions.

"Hey, I don't know what its about, but I'm sure were about to find out." He shot a conciliatory smile at everyone as he stood. "Shall we?"

Ten minutes later Condor, Hellcat, Jalb_k and Krayt were sitting in a mismatched array of chairs that had been hastily dragged into the CO's office. With Guardian and Blindman sitting in the background, Stryker lent forward, placed his elbows on the desk, rested his chin on his thumbs and steppled his fingers in front of his mouth.

"Gentlemen," he started.

"A funny thing happened on my revision to realspace the other day, and I was hoping you could shed some light on it. I came back to a battle zone, and as I cycled through my targets I noticed a B-Wing squadron designated Masquerade. Obviously this piqued my interest, even more so when I watched as each docked with, then entered the Corei Dari. How does a diminutive Correlian Transport house a squadron of B-wings? I am most perplexed." With that he lent back into his seat and folded his arms.

"Who is going to help out their bewildered CO's?" Stryker asked pleasantly as he looked each in the eye one by one. He watched as the four traded looks and argued like truculent adolescents.

"No, it was your idea."

"Not me, you tell them."

He hid his amusement at the fact that these four supposedly mature, unquestionably intelligent, pilots could behave like such juveniles. He stood slowly and once again leant forward, knuckles on his desktop, adopting a somewhat sterner façade. He raised his voice slightly. "Now, people!" then dropped back to conversational tones just as quickly.

"Any idea on exactly when you were going to let the rest of us in on your little project?"

He again swept the group with his look, and attempted eye contact. Each gaze he met turned into the top of a head or downcast eyes as feet shuffled. His eyes came to rest on Jalb, at the end of the line. Jalb sat up a bit straighter and met his gaze after a brief glance at his fellow pilots showed them studiously ignoring the proceedings.

"Well, Lt. Reynolds? Would you care to enlighten us or shall I put you all down for Tug duty?"

Jalb cringed at the thought of driving a tug, took a subconscious swallow and spoke up.

"Erm, Sir. Well'" he started to the accompaniment of 3 relieved sighs.

"We were planning to put the concept to the Command Staff after your return, having just completed successful tests. We wanted to give the Wing an Operational asset, not just another notional would if we could. We circumvented a few regs in doing so, and we certainly weren't expecting to use them so soon but, such are the fortunes of war, I guess'" he trailed off with a shrug.

Stryker clamped his jaw shut and looked down at his desk to keep the quartet in front of him from seeing his amusement. Circumvented a few regs, he thought to himself. Ha. Took a Death Star to them is more like it. He sought the calm of the force as he pulled himself together and resumed his seat. As he sat he leaned back, crossed his legs and assumed a pose of relaxed interest.

"Hmm, a few regs. Let's start at the start shall we?" he said as he motioned Jalb to continue.

Three hours later Stryker felt he knew more about this 'Masquerade Squadron' than did the four in front of him, and with what he knew, he was well pleased. The spontaneous unveiling of the Squadron had been successful, as well as discreet. Even many of the Alliance personnel still didn't realise the subterfuge that had been used. As he dismissed them his final words were,

"Alright, I've plenty of work to do now, thanks to you four, therefore, I feel it appropriate that you help me with it. From here disappear, and reappear in the hanger bay. I want you to brief Sgt. Vornac and his technical staff on these little toys of yours, and then help them service them. After that report to the ready room, I've a feeling I need to give you all a special assignment."

He gave them a vaguely evil grin and mumbled "Dismissed, get outta here!"

He lowered his head into his hands and started massaging his temples. Pleased, yet not at all looking forward to having to reverse brief Admiral Ra'kaat he turned to face the CO's sitting behind him and shook his head. Blindman directed his gaze in the direction of Stryker and grinned openly.

"So what do you want us to do with them boss?" Asked Blindman.

Stryker sighed deeply "Do me a favour, keep the four of them busy for a while, idle hands and all. Here's what I intend'"

Upon completing the first of their assigned tasks, a somewhat dishevelled, grubby and greasy group made their way, albeit wearily, to the ready room to find out what Stryker had planned for them. As they entered the room it was obvious to them that no-one was there to meet them, then Jalb noticed the insistent chiming of a data pad at a nearby desk. He walked over, picked it up and activated the log. "Good, you should all be there," Stryker's orders scrolled across the screen. "Set up for a briefing, I'm sure you'd prefer it there than make your way back. Holoprojector plus seating for five. You will be joined directly. Carry on." The pad went blank 15 seconds after they had all had a gander.

"How does he do that?" Hellcat asked rhetorically. As if on cue, Alli stormed in, and if her stride didn't send messages, the look on her face certainly did. Hellcat looked at Condor, raised his eyebrows and rolled his eyes and, never one to miss a chance, was quick off the mark.

"Aww, what's wrong Alli? Pika gone EV without a leave of absence?"

Which resulted in fire and ice from a single glance.

"Don't start Josh, I am not in the mood!" She flung herself into one of the seats and looked up at the four pilots looking down at her.

"What?" She said heatedly. "Fine'I just spent the last hour with Commander Morrison lecturing me on ways to stay out of trouble on the Lib and, believe it or not, the names used most as 'stay away from' were you guys. And now I'm supposed to be on task with you? What is going on?"

Just as Alli voiced her question it was unexpectedly answered.

"I can help you with that, Fight Officer Ralter."

Jalb shouted "Attention on deck" as he snapped off a precision salute at the CO, quickly followed by the other 4 pilots jumping to the position of attention. Stryker sketched a brief wave in return and, moving to the holoprojector, allowed them to stay that way for the briefest of moments longer than was his custom. He smiled to himself. That'll get them thinking. He looked up.

"Alright, at ease people." The five pilots took their ease in the available seats and looked up expectantly at Stryker. Without preamble Stryker started.

"Alli, you will be making a run to Amina to pick up some warheads, a couple of passengers and on to Rani III to pick up some replacement pilots. We expect this to be a straightforward run however, due to the course you will be flying we thought it prudent to supply you with an escort, as well as manning for your Dorsal and Ventral guns."

Jalb looked at Krayt and raised a quizzical eyebrow, both wondering the same. As Krayt raised his hand to get Stryker's attention, the lights dimmed and the holoprojector focussed an image of Amina rotating lazily in the air above it. Stryker looked straight at Krayt and, putting on his 'briefing voice', began to lecture.

"Amina has been sympathetic to Alliance leanings for some time and is willing to help with the repair and resupply operation we have going here now however, there is a catch. They wish to send one of their leading diplomats back with the stores. As they are still under defacto Imperial rule it is risky sending emissaries to openly meet with Alliance officials"

He looked at Alli.

"You will be playing mule. Jalb and Krayt will fly escort while Condor and Hellcat will accompany Alli and man Cor Darei's guns if needed"

He turned and indicated a smaller sphere rotating in the air next to the planet.

"You will rendezvous on this, the third moon, where you will meet three Lambda class shuttles carrying warheads and the diplomat. From there you will proceed to Rani III to pick up our Reo pilots and then you will return here. There will be no stops to test out new ideas or bugfix 'toys' en-route." He added with a grin.

"Detailed notes on your waypoints and objectives have been uploaded to your data pads. Study them well. If there are no further questions? You leave in 10 hours, I would suggest you spend eight of them in bed. Good evening all," and without further pause, strode from the room.

The remainder spent the next half-hour going over the notes on their data pads and locking in preflight timings and lodging flightplans. At the completion of the administration Jalb stood and yawned.

"I don't know about you all, but I'm heading to bed. G'night and see ya's in the morning."

The others looked at each other and Hellcat shrugged. "Been a long day, think I'll turn in as well"

With murmured assents and agreement the rest decided it was time to call it quits and set off for their cabins as well.

(ISD Destructor)

Captain Jerna was not a happy man. With his task force all but destroyed and his own vessel needing urgent repairs he had an important decision to make: Go back and explain his failure to his superiors, which would cost him his command, and probably his life, or desert Imperial service with his ship. Jerna was a hard task master with very little of the compassionate side of human nature hindering him but, he felt that enough of the crew respected him, or at least his position, to stay on with him and keep the starship operational. As he stalked the bridge there was a sudden surge of gravity, followed by a brief moment of weightlessness, then a return to a one-g constant. All this happened in the space of a foot step, and Jerna found himself lying on the deck, his body failing to compensate for the abrupt gravitic changes. He surged to his feet.

"Engineering! That's three times in the last half-hour! I want gravity stabilised."

"Sir! I thought it prudent not to have all the available technicians working on the one system when so many others require attention. To fix the grav stabs I'm going to have to take techs from the hyp'" the engineering officer was cut off.

"I don't care what you think prudent, Lieutenant. I want gravity stabilised 5 minutes ago - now do it!"

The engineering officer felt unfairly chastened but carried out his orders. Then Jerna came to a decision

"Helm, plot a course to the Granor System."

The helmsman looked up with a questioning expression.

"But sir, Granor is further removed from Imperial centre than we are now."

Jerna rolled his eyes upwards and voiced a rhetorical question loud enough to be heard by all.

"Is every officer now free to second guess my orders?" He fixed his helm with a cold glare.

"S, Sir, aye, Granor it is, Sir!" the helmsman stuttered, aware how close to the precipice he skirted, and quickly started the computations for the jump.

During the time in hyperspace Captain Jerna formulated his thoughts. He brought his most trusted officers and one senior non-commissioned officer into the loop to help plan and execute his concepts. They rightly sumrised that the craft desperately required parts and equipment if it was to become fully operational in the near future and figured that they would be able to find what they needed in the Orja system, but it wouldn't be cheap. This was not a great problem as even a partially functioning Star Destroyer was enough to garner a satisfactory discount; turbo laser batteries seemed to have that effect on less-well-equiped merchants. They spent the rest of the time discussing actions in support of Jerna's plan while he worked on his strategies to remain out of the hands of the Empire, and, if possible, gain revenge on the Alliance in general and the CRS Liberty and her fighter wing in particular.

[Granor]

On reversion to real space in the Granor system Cap. Jerna called all his crew together in the main hanger bay with those that couldn't fit watching the proceedings on holoprojectors on the various mess decks throughout the ship. Jerna stood on the balcony overlooking the hanger with a discreetly placed voice amplifier attached to his uniform collar and began to speak.

"Gentlemen. Troopers, sailors, officers, I have a burden to share, one that some of you may have no wish to help with. As you by now know, we are not going back to Imperial Center, nor will it be likely that we go back for some time. The inspired tactical withdrawal that we accomplished in the face of certain destruction has been a huge victory for us, the mauling we gave the Rebels will have them hiding and licking their wounds for weeks"

A roar of approval from the assembled mass met this and Jerna had to raise his hands briefly to bring the tumult down.

"However I am under no illusions as to how our victory will be viewed by Sector Command, and it is with this in mind that I have committed to the following. We will repair and resupply the Destructor from our own pockets." An indignant murmur started.

"But! This will be a small price to pay for our freedom. All costs incurred by each individual will be repaid as funds become available" He paused for effect. "I intend to strengthen our position through attacks on Rebel convoys, bases and worlds."

Once more a cheer.

"And' And once strong enough we will hunt down the Liberty and present it and it's crew to the Emperor himself!"

The roar was deafening. Jerna allowed it to go on for a moment more then raised his hands again.

"As I said previously there are probably a few among you who wish to leave for Imperial Center immediately. Be it for personal, moral or family reasons, rest assured. You may leave. At the completion of this parade you will have one hour to gather your personal effects, make your goodbyes and board the shuttles, which will be prepped and ready to launch on your return."

A few relieved sighs, the issuers of which received more than a few looks of disgust.

"Gentlemen, do not look upon our actions as defective or traitorous, we are merely embarking on a period of freelance work which will further our cause in the name of the Emperor," to which he added sotto voice "eventually."

He raised his hands once more and issued orders.

"Company! Atten'tion! To your duties, fall' out!"

Cap. Jerna stood and watched the three shuttles through the viewport as they moved from underneath the hull of the massive ship.

"Only three! Better than I had hoped for. The arrangements for their departure have been finalised?" he asked of the figure standing next to him.

Warrant Officer Jahvid Trusck, Company Sergeant Major of the Destructor's assault forces, arched an eyebrow and let a sardonic grin play across his lips.

"Sir. They have been instructed to hold in system until the Destructor jumps. They will, if they are smart, monitor us and trace our path with the hope of letting System Command know where we have gone."

He turned to look at his CO. "But, active or passive, as soon as those shuttles sense hyperdrive displacement, ours or theirs, they will carry out a massive irreversable existance deficent and scatter those aboard throughout this system, thanks to a few well placed charges."

Jerna smiled coldly.

"Good, well done CSM. Helm, are we ready to make the jump to Orja?" He received a response in the affirmative. "Very well, engage!"

He smiled as he watched three scarlet buds begin to blossom in the moments between the time his drive units displaced space around them and then actually powered them through that displacement.

[Orja]

"Sir, I have a bad feeling about this," the Engineering officer called. The Destructor had just started vibrating, a minimal disturbance but a serious symptom from an, as yet, unknown cause.

"Status report," Jerna commanded.

"What in Sith is going on?" The vibration increased perceptibly

"Sir, hyperspace corridor displacement field losing cohesion." This from the helm.

"Sir!" the Engineering officer called. "It's being caused by a sub-harmonic imperfection in the hyperdrive's synchronisation and it's getting worse. If we don't shut down in 20 seconds our corridor is going to collapse in on us, nobody will find much'" he trailed off.

"Helm!" Jerna called, "how long to realspace in Orja?"

"25 seconds, sir."

Jerna made some quick calculations in his head as he watched the beautiful yet eerie glow of the hyperspace tunnel contracting.

"Sir, displacement field failure in 10 seconds!"

The eaptain wiped his hand over his face as he contemplated the time going to be spent at sublight to reach the center of the system.

"Exit hyperspace now Helm; Engineering, I want answers!"

"Sir, emphasis was placed on the repair of the gravity stabilisers as requested, this left me two crews short and we were unable to do a full diagnostic after the repairs made to the hyperdrives before our last jump."

Jerna turned to see the Engineering officer on his feet, correctly at attention.

"Relax, Lieutenant, I am not so insecure as not to realise my own mistakes. Very well, run your diagnostics and let me know how much time and what you require for repairs."

He turned back to the helm.

"Current location? Any contacts?" he asked.

The sensor operator spoke up. "Sir, we are currently 1.2 million kilometres away from the Orja primary, however I believe we have lucked out, sir," the sensor operator added with a smile over his shoulder. "I have a Rebel convoy 10 klicks away at mark 4.6."

Jerna made his way over to look over the operator's shoulder. "Good, very good'"

"Wait, sir, new contacts, 18 craft, snubs' not rebel! IFF interrogation reports no signal. Pirates, sir?"

"Where are they?" Jerna queried.

"They've come out between us and the convoy, about five klicks. Eight of the bandits are turning on us, sir - they are going for acquisition."

"Sir, shall I launch the alert flight?" Flight Ops asked with his finger over the launch button.

"No'" Jerna murmured thoughtfully. "Helm, all stop. Comm, get me a channel!"

"Open, sir. Go ahead."

"Pirate forces, this is Captain Jerna of the ISD Destructor. Belay your attack run on this vessel or I will be compelled to defend her. I have more than enough fighters on board to destroy your pitiful force. We are here by sheer coincidence and will do no more than observe," he calmly stated.

There was tense moment of silence.

"Acknowledged Destructor, I note you have no head speed and have not launched, I will take this as an act of good faith. Maintain your distance or we will destroy you."

With that the approaching craft looped 180^o and joined with the rest of their assault group.

It was over in a matter of minutes. The ten freighters were unescorted and defenseless, sheer folly on behalf of the Alliance command, and they were soon disabled and dead in space after the brief onslaught of blue and scarlet fire which coruscated over the shields, then hull plating of the stricken vessels.

"Sir, new contacts, capital ships and transports. Ten transports, heading for the convoy, a corvette and a frigate."

"Sir, we are being hailed by the frigate. I also just intercepted coded transmissions between the fighter group and the frigate'I can't give you details yet, sir," the communications officer reported.

"Very well, put them through' This is Captain Jerna of the Independent Star Destroyer Destructor, how may I help you?"

"Ahh, Captain, how good of you to respond. This is Admiral Vorkin, and I see you have met my Vanguard. I must thank you for allowing my men to continue with their mission..."

"My pleasure. As I told your Commander earlier, I am merely here by chance and not looking to dispense the Emperor's justice." Jerna replied.

"Mmm, so he told me Captain. Please, I am intrigued to hear how it is that you are in this sector, bearing Imperial markings and obvious battle scarring yet claiming you are the Independent Star Destroyer Destructor?"

Jerna smiled inwardly. "A short and barbaric story Admiral, but unfortunately, one I'd care not to broadcast."

"Of course, Captain. A wise decision and one I respect, however I must hear of this barbarism. Please, allow me the honour of hosting you here aboard my flagship, the Barlan. Of course an Honour Guard, as is befitting your rank, is quite acceptable."

"Thank you sir, it is I that am honoured. If you will allow me time to brief my Officers?" Jerna responded.

"Certainly Captain. In three hours then, I look forward to your company. Vorkin out." And with that the connection was terminated.

Warrant Officer Jahvid Trusck was vehement in his opposition to his captain's plans.

"Sir, respectfully, this is folly. I suggest a full squad of troopers and at least a flight of Interceptors. Four troopers and 2 Interceptors does not demand the respect you are due!"

Jerna smiled condescendingly.

"Trusck, any other man and I would have them shot for such impertinence, however, since I would trust you with my life before any other' Detail a full squad, with you as Guard Commander, but I will not relent on ship escort. All that we have shows damage of some sort, the two I am taking are the best presented of a poor show. I will not allow that weakness to be exposed."

Trusck nodded and saluted his CO.

"By your leave then Sir, I shall prepare the guard."

At Jerna's nod he turned on his heel and strode off.

Admiral Vorkin turned to his second in command.

"Are briefings complete and assault crews ready?"

"Aye, sir, all is prepared."

Vorkin allowed himself a small chuckle. "Good' Good!" he drew the second word out.

Jerna launched in his shuttle soon after the appointed time with his Interceptors flanking him port and starboard. He had briefly questioned Vorkin's second-in-command an hour ago about the disposition of the pirate fleet, which had spread out and now flew in eschelon with the Destructor.

"The Admiral has ordered the fleet into a protective escort formation, he also offers the use of our technicians and parts to help repair your ship. He is sure you will reach an accommodating agreement over dinner."

Jerna had been mollified by the answer and accepted the offer, although it galled him to have them know how vulnerable his ship really was. They passed a small convoy of transports heading towards the Destructor as they made way to the frigate Barlan. As his shuttle came within 1500 meters of the frigate alarms and caution lights started flaring.

"Sir, the Barlan has powered weapons'"

The Interceptors on either side were suddenly speared through by bright lances of golden light and just as quickly exploded in a short lived incandescent bursts. The shuttle pilot turned to Jerna.

"They have us in a tractor beam and are requesting communications, sir."

Jerna fumed.

"Open a channel' What is the meaning of this outrage? I will destroy this entire ragtag assortment of powered flotsam you have gathered here. Release my craft this instant!"

"Now, Captain, you are a reasonable man. Surely you can see you are in no position to make demands of anyone. I'm afraid you have upset me with your foolish ranting but I will explain anyway," Vorkin calmly stated.

"Even now my troops are taking control of your ship, you even passed them on the way." He chuckled. "So, Jerna, you no longer have a ship to captain and I find your arrogance tiresome. Please let your companions know this is merely a business thing, nothing against them. Goodbye."

The connection was severed and moments later the frigates' flank weapons opened up once more. After the short but intense volley of fire nothing remained of the hapless shuttle apart from an expanding cloud of gas and debris, both mechanical and human.

Vorkin smiled with satisfaction as he looked out the viewport at his fleet's new flagship.

Jalb_k yawned and squirmed in his seat, again, trying to get comfortable, again, and decided he was going to talk to Dundee on his return, again.

"What a milk run!" he thought to himself. He opened up a channel to the other two craft, again.

"I spy with my little eye something beginning with' S."

A chorus came back at him, "Star! Shut up Jalb!"

Jalb laughed and slapped his thigh, again. That was about the 15^th time he'd done that in the last five hours, and they were still biting. The round trip from Amina, Rani III and back to the Gandor system had taken nearly 12 hours, and the last five had really dragged on.

"Hey guys," Jalb transmitted, "you know how we were going to all apply for Rogue together?"

"Erm, yeah," Krayt replied, "just on that, Hellcat, you wanna help me out here?"

"Why me? It was your idea Krayt, you went first," Hellcat responded.

"What!?! Went first? What are you on about? Krayt?"

"Look, listen Chris. You were having trouble getting the last few req's and I got impatient, I couldn't wait'. Hellcat and I applied a few days ago."

"You what?!?! Of all the low down, sneaky, underhanded' aww, you buggers! I thought I was going to be first!" He chuckled at the sounds of indignant outrage coming from Krayt and Hellcat.

"I was about to tell you that I submitted mine yesterday, but I guess the point is moot now."

Krayt laughed.

"Here I was feeling guilty and wondering how I was going to tell you' ha!"

"At least we've all applied, well, except for Tweety here. When you putting yours in Condor?" Hellcat asked.

"In my own good time, my furred friend, in my own good time," came Condor's ambiguous reply.

***

Admiral Ra'kaat began going over the new orders for the Liberty. Things had not been going well in the past week for the Alliance forces. An unaffiliated pirate fleet had begun raiding Alliance bases and convoys, and it had caused enough concern that the Liberty had been assigned to stop it immediately. Using available resources the Liberty's intelligence operatives had been able to identify the make-up of the fleet and after discounting a new acquisition, were able to identify it's commander. He looked up at the assembled group of CO's and XO's assigned to the Liberty, cleared his voice and began.

"Admiral Vorkin and his motley assortment of ships has become more than a thorn in the Alliance's heel. Since he has seized the Destructor he has been carrying out premeditated hostilities with any Alliance vessel, convoy or planet he strays near. With a fleet consisting of an ISD, three frigates, a Dreadnaught, and several corvettes, he poses a real threat to most Alliance forces in the area."

He took a deep breath and gestured tiredly.

"There seems very little method to his attacks, and it is only the convoys that he makes anything from, but we must find out his motivations and reasons behind the otherwise senseless destruction of innocent beings. Our new orders are to stop his activity as soon as possible. We will be heading towards his latest assault, and hopefully get ahead of him enough to destroy the fleet. It is too early for tactical analysis to see any pattern yet, but I'm sure it is there. We must approach this cautiously, so, I want a double of routine patrols and extra long range reconnaissance starting ASAP."

Blindman lent over and tapped a few orders into Kallysto's datapad and smiled at his second's aggrieved expression.

" I shall leave the details to the Wing and Squadron Commanders. I want accurate analysis of Vorkin's movements, predictions for his next moves, and an insight into his modus-operandi." He looked down at the datapad in front of him for the first time since starting the brief. "I also understand that our resupply and reinforcement mission went well, Colonel Rambo? I take it our guest has been safely transferred to the meeting with Mon Mothma."

A quick nod of affirmation from the fighter wing's CO.

"Good, unless there is anything else, we all have work to do. I want deployment statistics to me by 18 hundred and battle prep complete no later than 20 hundred." He looked out for any questions. "That's it then gentlemen, let's get to it."

With the conclusion of the meeting, the assembled command staff went to brief their squadrons on the new orders, and to set the rigorous flying schedule into motion.

The Liberty had entered into a geo-synchronous orbit of the planet Turan VI and was standing by at alert status. Further tactical analysis had revealed a tenuous pattern to the pirate raiders deprivations, and if the Liberty's Operations staff was correct, the Turan system should be seeing Vorkin's fleet at some stage in the near future. Sitting on the bridge, Admiral Ra'Kaat was going through a debrief datapad from the Corsairs' latest mission. The quiet of the command deck was broken by a staccato alarm, quickly muted and replaced by the sensor op's voice.

"Sir, new contacts! Two medium capital ships," a pause, "a frigate and a corvette."

Ra'kaat swung his command chair around towards the Operations bay. "Alright, give me a location; are they a threat?"

"No, sir. They're on the far side of the planet and well out of normal sensor range. We are safe where we are."

Ra'Kaat swivelled one of his eyes back towards the sensor operator in a look that the human crew of the Liberty had come to interpret as questioning.

"I anticipated this and deployed long range sensor probes, sir. I logged it, I just didn't get a chance to report it yet. Sir."

Ra'kaat's voice rumbled "Hmph, a wise precaution, Ensign, however, ensure you report all your unscheduled deployments quickly! You'll send an old being like me to the dark water hearing sensor alerts like that."

He turned slightly in his chair.

"Lt. V'tkan, launch Buccaneer and Corsair! Order them to stay in the atmosphere on the run towards the ships; the electrical disturbance will keep them off sensors. Also, launch Rogue, but keep them back here for the moment. I don't want any surprises."

After a very short briefing, the pilots of Renegade wing entered their fighters and launched, The A-wings, B-wings, and Y-wings headed down into the atmosphere, while Rogue began patrols around the Liberty. As they neared the starships, Guardian smiled to himself. Even though they were in sensor shadow, they were receiving relayed readings from the probes through the Liberty. They didn't even have their shields up yet, which meant they could do some serious damage if they were quick enough.

"Corsair, this is Lead, break off by pairs and stick with your heavy. We have to protect these slowpokes today," Blindman added with a grin.

"Hey, who you callin' slow... sir?" Hellcat, Buccaneer Six, interjected.

"Don't worry, Boss, Jalb and I will look after this big ugly," Krayt responded as the two A-wings belonging to he and Jalb rolled, slowed and inverted themselves in a show of pure teamwork and control. Hellcat took a double, double take as he watched the canopies of his mates eggshells come to within metres on either side of the dome of his B-Wing.

"Hiya Kitty, watch the Birdy!" Jalb grinned through the transparisteel above him and, gripping his yoke between his knees, nonchalantly snapped of a couple of holos of Hellcat's stunned expression.

"Ha, ha, very funny Chris."

"Five and Six, this is lead. Stop your showboating and pull away. Five, you are with me. Six, form on Kallysto's wing. In other words, nice try you two, but you know the new assignments, stick with them."

Guardian's voice came over the comm. "Thanks for the company Corsair, but I think this will be a walk in the park. Buccaneer, primary target acquisition of my telemetry, two barrels each, fire when ready."

The 15 ships came out of the sensor shadow of the planet's heliopause and the five Buccaneers instantly had lock tones pinging away. The frigate obviously thought it was plenty safe and still hadn't brought its shields on line by the time the two Y and tjree B-wings had solid tone. The com relayed a chorus of confirmation as the bombers launched two heavy rockets each, giving them a 50% hit/miss ratio which was still enough to take out the pirate ship.

As their payloads streaked towards the frigate the Renegade pilots pulled back and off target to avoid the chance of turret fire intended for them taking out their warheads.

"Six, this is Lead. Do you think you can handle that 'vette?"

"Ha! Give me a challenge, sir!" Hellcat heeled his ungainly looking cruciform ship over and cycled through his target display to bring up the corvette on his CMD. He checked his sensors and noted the reassuring presence of Knight and Condor sitting at angels 2 on his 6, the warbling tone of lock also caught his attention.

"Woah, where'd they come from? Knight' I've picked up a bogey!"

"Roger, Buccaneer Six," the crisp accent of Condor in pilot mode came through, "we have them. 3 Uglies just launched from your target, Tie-whys. Ugh, they are ugly. Knight, bandits are ours, tally ho!"

Hellcat smiled as he was buffeted slightly by the missiles streaking past his cockpit, closely followed by the craft that had fired them. He reacquired his primary as the warning tone cut off - the incoming pirate craft having gone evasive, trying desperately to get away from the two Corsairs. He squeezed off a single heavy rocket when he had good tone and cycled through his targets again. He watched the frigate take its hits. It doesn't stand a chance!

Seven out of the ten warheads impacted, making it through the poorly prepared defences of the deadly craft, vaporising armour and shutting down systems remorselessly. A single shuttle burst from the frigate's hanger as it incandesced briefly before leaving a shattered hull.

"Looks like they knew what was coming," Blindman opined. "Kally, Krayt cut 'em out and herd 'em in. Guardian?"

"Right you are, Blindman. Mynock, you have one minute. I want that shuttle dead in space."

"With pleasure, sir." Mynock set off in pursuit of the shuttle trying to jink and weave away from the two A-wings harrying it and eating away at it's shields. Three linked ion blasts and it was done.

"One order of fried shuttle, as requested, sir," Mynock reported.

****

Condor laughed as the third Ugly turned to vapour in his sights.

"Well, that was a poor design," he quipped to his wingman.

"Yeah, the worst of both worlds," Knight replied. "Y-Wing nacelles on a dupe pod, fish in a barrel!"

"Ha! I concur. Hellcat, you are secure. You may continue your assault."

"Oh, may I? Thank you, Tweety." Hellcat chuckled as he watched his rocket impact with the 'vette. It's shields flickered, then died and armour flaked like paper from the high-yielding warhead's detonation. Hellcat diverted power to his engines and insolently swung past the damaged ship, pushing over and into the corvette's stern blind spot, about one klick out. He redistributed power, matched speed and sent lances of blue light into the ship ahead.

"Buccaneer Lead, this is Six, mission accomplished. All too easy," He added sotto voice.

"Roger Six, well done. Liberty, this is Buccaneer Lead. We have two here for subjugation and interrogation, our job here is done."

"Copy Buccaneer, this is Flight Ops, return to base. Corsair, maintain cover and escort for our assault craft, they should be with you in two minutes."

"Ops, this is Corsair Lead, A-firm, wilco, out." Blindman keyed a squadron channel. "OK boys, we're babysitting the ground pounders. And Jalb?"

"Sir?"

"Get your feet off the dash!"

Jalb's egg yawed slightly as he hastily dropped his feet and slid his butt back into the couch. He had a quick look over at his CO and he was buggered if he could see anything.

Boss must have had his visor tuned again, the sneak. He thought to himself with a rueful chuckle.

Just minutes later a pair of assault transports came out of the shadow of the planet, one heading for the shuttle, the other for the corvette. As the assault shuttle neared the corvette, Blindman manoeuvred his A-wing over in front of corvette, cycled through it's components on his CMD and locked a pair of advanced missiles onto the bridge.

"Corvette Ferkawe, this is Corsair Leader, if you give the boarding party any trouble, I will decompress your bridge and you may share the fate of the Barlan."

"Corsair Leader, this is Captain Teldin, I offer unconditional surrender. My crew and myself will not interfere. We can see the numbers are unfavourable and there is wisdom in living to fight another day, just the sides may change."

"A wise decision, Captain. Assault Group Viagra, you are clear to commence docking operations."

The assault transport docked with the corvette and within 30 minutes had completely secured the corvette and downloaded the memory core. After that, a repair team was sent in to de-ionize the equipment, and the corvette would be turned over to the Alliance and added to it's growing fleet. Once the corvette had been repaired, a skeleton crew was temporarily assigned and it hypered out heading for the closest Alliance repair yard for a full refit and commissioning into the Alliance fleet.

After Corsiar was ordered to return to the Liberty, the four friends met in the lounge, as had become their custom after operational deployments. After they were all seated with a drink close to hand the conversation quickly turned to the last engagement. Try as they might they couldn't outdo each other with stories of spectacular skill this time, the battle had just been too short. Krayt soon got bored and followed suit when Jalb sat back to listen with an amused grin as Condor stirred Hellcat up.

"Ha! Your dreamin' Kitty. Those Uglies would have fried you if Knight and I had not of been there. In fact, I dare say we'd be having this conversation in sick bay about now, but I'd be saying I told you so!"

Hellcat looked indignant, flustered and then, looking at Krayt and Jalb, pleading. Jalb laughed out loud.

"Sorry Josh, I can't follow his logic either, but I think he has a point."

Krayt leaned down and pulled a deck of cards from a leg pocket, then sat up and started shuffling them flamboyantly. As was his goal, he soon had the attention of his three wingmates. He shuffled for a moment longer then placed his elbows on the table and leaned forward conspiratorially.

"Sabbac?"

The next morning, Jalb awoke to find his pockets empty and a message indicating a briefing at 0800, which he was required to attend. He quickly changed into his uniform and headed towards the briefing room. As he arrived, he scanned the room, noting that with the exception of Admiral Ra'Kaat, Blindman, and Guardian, he was the only non-Rogue in the room. Just then, Krayt and Hellcat walked in, and Stryker motioned them to take a seat with the other Rogues. As soon as the rest of the Rogues had arrived, Stryker lit up a holographic map of a small planet and began.

"With the information we managed to download from the corvette, we have been able to locate the pirates' main base."

The holographic depiction slowed and the view zoomed in on a small island like continent, well away from the main inhabited continents. It continued to zoom until it was displaying a small town, or large facility on the coast.

"We have received a recent intelligence report from the planet Garvin 8, including a blueprint of the complex they are currently using," he stated as he indicated towards the hologram. "It has been decided that we need to strike as soon as possible. Due to the speed in which this mission needs to be accomplished, it has been decided that Rogue Squadron will be the basis of the assault team."

He looked up to gauge the reaction of those present in the room. He didn't need to tell them why; they all knew that the Liberty was the closest to the Garvin system by about 3 light years.

"This will be a ground assault. No X-Wings. We will be inserted by Alli in the Cor Darei." He held up his hand to forestall any argument.

"I know a 1300 isn't the norm but I want something that's going to have a bit more atmospheric stability than a transport and more defensive options, and I think Flight Officer Ralter is up to the task. Your datapads have a more specific mission briefing in them, it has identified the areas that we suspect contain supplies, but we will need to make sure. Lt. Kinney, that will be your job. We are leaving in 16 hours - till then, get your gear together, and go over the mission briefing."

He motioned for Animal, Krayt, Hellcat and Jalb_k to join him while the rest of those present made their way out the door.

"Animal, take these guys to the quartermaster and get them their gear. Jalb, I've had your personal weapon and your 'black' bag moved over from Corsair so it's there waiting for you. Alright, I'll leave you gentlemen to your preps, final team briefings one hour before launch. Carry on."

Animal grinned at Stryker. "Yes, sir!"

The quartet watched as the Admiral and trio of COs left the conference room and Animal turned to the three junior pilots.

"Come on, we're going to go see the Rogue QM," he said with an evil gleam in his eyes.

Hellcat, Jalb, and Krayt looked at each other questioningly. Krayt just shrugged and followed Animal out the door. They followed him down to the Rogue Squadron Armory and the fun started. The QM was waiting.

"All right, thanks Animal, your gear is on the CORT. I told the guys not to stow it so you can check it before you go." He turned his gaze onto the remaining three.

"Reynolds, sit! Houseman, Kinney, in here!"

What followed was an hour of boredom for Jalb and a whirlwind of measurements, fittings and instructions for Hellcat and Krayt. Black suit, body armour, harness, helmet, comms equipment and finally, weapon. Hellcat was somewhat bewildered by it all.

"Hang on QM, I'm only along for the ride, doing a little slicing, I don't need all this," he said as they neared the end of the weapon familiarisation.

"This time, Hellcat, this time," the QM replied ambiguously.

Hellcat looked at Krayt, who returned his look with an arched eyebrow. His shoulders started to rise.

"No, don't shrug man, that's been your answer to everything lately," he added with a wry grin.

"OK, you two, here's your bags, stow everything after a final check, but your weapons, they stay by your sides until you return them."

They packed their 'black' bags under the watchful eye of the QM, slung their weapons and followed him back to the front of the armoury. They noticed he was also carrying a 'black' bag and a weapon that was slightly different to the one they were carrying. They got to the front and Jalb looked up from his datapad, and a grin split his face. He stood up and stepped over to the QM.

"Thanks mate, been a while since I've seen this baby." He went over the weapon then cracked the case and inspected power relays, resonators and amplifiers with a practiced ease that was almost instinctive, even though it had been several months since he'd used it.

The QM stood by with an almost paternal look on his face as he watched Jalb. "I understand you modified that yourself, Reynolds," he said. "I can understand the wind down in power and the narrowing of the beam, but the nano repeater has me stumped. What was wrong with the market version?"

"It all ties in QM," Jalb answered noticed the blank looks on Krayt and Hellcat's faces. "I'll explain. I designed this specifically for stealth and Stormtroopers. I wound down the power, which cuts the blast to a spit, effectively silencing it. Obviously this reduces the power of the beam so I narrowed it to focus what was available, which still wasn't enough to significantly damage Imperial armour, hence the repeater. Conventional weapons have a recharge lag, and a cyclic rate of bolts per second. Because of reduced energy loading I can fire much quicker and I need a cyclic rate in nanoseconds to maintain accuracy. I have it programmed for three shot bursts, and they have to group within millimetres of each other. The first hits and weakens the armour, the second hits and is able to burn through the weakened spot, then the third meets flesh. I don't need to tell you that dialled down power is still enough to maim, even if I don't make the head shot, and it's more than effective against unarmoured targets."

"Ha, effective! That's one mean piece of work you have there, Mister, and I'm sure that the armourer will want to have a closer look at it when you get back."

"Not a problem," Jalb responded as he lay his weapon down and unzipped his bag. He went through quick equipment checks with speed that comes from familiarisation and, satisfied all his personal equipment was secure and operational, zipped it up and stood.

"Well boys, you happy?" he asked rhetorically.

"Let's go and store this on the Cor Darei, find a quiet briefing room, some kaf and have a look at your tasks. See ya later QM, have a good one," Jalb added with a small wave.

"Same to you. Good luck, Rogues."

Six feet stopped dead in their tracks and three heads turned to look back at the quartermaster. His expression changed from jovial to embarrassed guilt and then to an affected nonchalance so quickly that they hardly noticed the intermediary stage.

"Sorry, gents, force of habit. I don't often farewell non-Rogues from here, good luck all the same." With that he turned quickly and strode away.

"OK, let's go. I refuse to be drawn into another three-way look." Hellcat said as he marched off towards the hanger. Krayt and Jalb looked at one another and Krayt shrugged before they too headed off to the hanger.

****

"I was kinda expecting a more formal brief by teams but that's obviously not going to happen until tomorrow. No matter, I've had time to go through the whole operation; I guess I can give you a heads up before you start studying it yourself."

Jalb went on to explain Hellcat's primary tasking. He was responsible for Intel and had been assigned the job of developing and slicing a code into the base's main computer that would supply them with updated information on personnel in the facility, and effectively make them - the assualt team - invisible. After that he was to fly co-pilot with Alli and maintain communication with the troops on the ground. He finished with the preliminaries then sat back and sighed.

"Well guys, this is going to bring back memories. They've opted for a straight-up assault; three major buildings and three small assault groups. Krayt, you will be going in with the CO and Wolfman; I'll be with Rainman and Animal; while Vids, Kid and Mustang make up the third. You get to sit back and watch our butts, Kitty."

Krayt looked up and gave Hellcat a wink.

"Here's how it's going to run ' should be by the numbers and dead easy. You can see by the blueprints that the only building with rooms is the main admin facility here," he said indicating the central building.

"Fortunately, it's the smallest, but the four rooms means it will be the hardest to clear. I guess that's why I'm on it," he said with a grin. "The other two are basically warehouses, full of equipment and stuff that is likely to make loud noises and lots of sparks when the right things are left about, like thermal detonators." He let go a chuckle.

"Krayt, you're going to have the easy part on your team. You're what we refer to as the 'door kicker,' except your kick will be supplied by one of these." He held up a small hollow rectangle of thin plastic film with two wires coiling off it.

"Door charge, purpose design, goes straight over the lock, fires inward when you apply power to the leads. It also goes of with a lot of noise and light. Any one within 50 metres and not expecting it will be incapacitated for five to ten seconds. After you fire the door Stryker and Wolfman will be straight through and eliminating targets. You keep your head down pal, let them handle the take, you follow in and mop up. You will have 60 seconds to neutralise any opposition and place charges. If every thing has gone to plan we should be out of there in 90 and the place blowing at h-plus-three minutes. Things will be different on my side - we will have to go in and do some damn quick CRC, sorry, combat room clearance. At least we only have to grab the core and blow the computer.

"All in all it's pretty straight forward. I can understand the need to bring in some more manpower, and I think I can guess why it's us," he said grinning at his two friends, but a frown replaced it quickly

"But I'm concerned that they aren't taking enough time to get some rehearsals in and make sure everyone has the plan set in their mind. We haven't worked with the Rogues like this before, and I'm pretty sure it's been some months since the boys were out on one of these," he shrugged and shivered at the same time.

"I don't know, just the same pre-mission jitters I always got, I guess, let's me know I'm alive. Don't ever let anyone tell you fear is a bad thing, keep it tight with you and don't let it out and it'll sure as heck keep you alive." He looked into the eyes of both his mates, then wiped a hand over his face.

"Sorry guys, I kinda thought I was finished with this up close and personal stuff. I've never enjoyed it, but a job's a job I guess, and if your gonna do it, be the best at it, eh?"

Jalb looked at the other pilots. "I don't know about you guys, but I am heading to the sack. Try getting some sleep yourselves, it will be a rough day tomorrow."

****

The next morning the pilots who were going on the mission were all assembled an hour before launch as directed the evening before. Each assault group split up to discuss exactly how things were going to go, finalize timings and synchronize watches. Stryker was more than a little suprised at Krayt's understanding of the mission and the requirements of him and asked him what experience he had that he hadn't let them know about. Krayt thought about putting one over on the Rogue CO, but came to his senses.

"Less than you think, sir. Jalb explained it to me last night." He gave a cheery grin, "but I'm a quick study and not a bad shot when it comes down to it."

Once everyone understood all parts of the mission, they boarded the Cor Darei and Alli expertly lifted them off from the Liberty's hangar deck, and set a course to Garvin VIII. Enroute Animal and Hellcat went over the code Hellcat was going to interrogate the facility's computer with. Animal looked intently at the screen for a few moments then lent back and looked at Hellcat.

"An elegant piece of work my friend - simple, stealthy and perfect for the job. By the time they realise they've been sliced, well... they won't! We should have left a smoking ruin behind us by then."

After a brief hyperspace trip the Cor Darei came out a short distance from the planet, just outside range of the pirate base's early warning and defense systems. Hellcat initiated his short burst of 'static', as his code was camouflaged in white noise and the receiver on the pirate facility would suck it straight in. If it worked correctly, the enemy transciever would fail to recognise the transmission and shunt it to the computer for decoding, and by then it would be too late. Hellcat montiored his program, then made a fist in front of him and shook it at the screen in victory.

"Yesss!" Hellcat grinned and looked at Stryker. "Ok Boss, it's in. You have a clear path in. All sensors and visual/audio snooping equipment is now on a rotation of the last five minutes before we appeared, stuck in a loop that they'll never break free of. Unless they have a technician manning the maintenance station down there'" He referred to a screen that just scrolled a paragraph beside him, "which they haven't. Well, it's that easy. We are invisible and target information has been uploaded."

Stryker looked at Hellcat. "Good, that should keep them off us for now. Alli, take us in."

Alli dipped the nose of her YT-1300 at the planet below and punched her sublight thrusters, which the inertia dampening system on the Cor Darei nearly failed to attenuate. Stryker grabbed at the bulkhead and steadied himself, threw a quick glance at Alli then turned and went to the main bay.

"Alright men, Alli's not taking her time here, we have two minutes to H-hour, final checks and in debus position in sixty. Go!"

Everyone got all their gear ready, fitted and comfortable, then took a final quick look at the blueprints Hellcat had just finished pulling up. The men of Rogue and the two Corsairs went through their check drills quickly and competently, then formed up at the head of the exit ramp. Two files of four and one center rear, the first three on either side would peel of to the left and right while the last three, who had the shortest distance to target would head straight in. Krayt, third man on the left turned and looked over his right shoulder at Jalb. He was tense and, Jalb sensed, more than a little scared.

"Don't sweat it, bud," Jalb reached forward and squeezed Krayt's right elbow, "a walk in the park, just wait until it's over and the adrenaline wears off."

He gave him a quick wink and glanced at his chrono to cover the nervousness he was feeling. The last few seconds before action were always the worst, trying to cover the plan in minute detail in your head, going through the 'what ifs' and worst cases. He hefted his modified Blastech and checked the charge again. He looked up at the back of Kid's head and waited for H-hour.

He didn't have long to wait.

****

Alli came in low and fast, out of the pre-dawn haze. She watched the horizon as Hellcat called of distance to target.

"Two klicks... one-five... one klick' okay, Alli, 600 to roll, groundspeed is good, 400.. 200.. 100.."

At the 100 mark Alli cut thrusters and let momentum carry them. At 20 out she kicked in repulsors and pulled the nose up, then let the transport drop quickly to the ground. At the same time Hellcat triggered the ramp down and as soon as the Cor Darei touched ground so did the first of the assaulter's feet. As Jalb ran towards his target he noted the lock on the left of the door and hit the wall on the right, Rainman behind him and Animal was in, slapped the charge on and hugged the wall on the left. All three were about a meter away from the door. Jalb triggered his comlink, sending two clicks. Five seconds later he heard two more and a further two just after; all teams were in position and set. Animal held up three fingers, then two. On one they turned their backs and closed their eyes. A concussion wave slapped them lightly, followed by the *karumph* of the charge nanoseconds later. Jalb_k keyed his mike.

"Gogogo, they know we're here!" Jalb yelled as he started moving. He spun and swept into the room with his left arm extended supporting the front stock of his carbine, the weapon pointing naturally with the swing of his shoulders.

He squeezed the trigger and three dull bursts of light flashed into the face of the dazed guard in front of him and pink mist appeared behind his head. Jalb had covered his arc and pinned the second guard before the first had hit the floor. Rainman was at his back covering the way they had come in and Animal hit the next door running, calling "Room clear" as he went through, echoed by Jalb and Rainman. Animal had the door open and Rainman went through firing at the person in his sights. As he went Jalb pushed in right on his heels and swept the opposite side of the room.

"Clear!"

"Clear!"

"Clear! Animal, with me; RM, take the storeroom! Move!"

The last two rooms of the building were the storeroom and the communications room, where the computer was installed, and the three had been over the routine before. Once again Animal was at the door, but this was going to be no easy kick. He pulled another small charge and placed it over the locked handle of the reinforced door. He and Jalb took up positions on opposite sides of the door and Animal gave the count. Jalb was into the room and firing in his arc before the debris had settled; he accounted for the guard and the armed technician before Animal made it through the door. Unfortunately Jalb's speed worked against him. Animal was unused to working with a veteran ground fighter and struggled to keep up. He saw the bolt of crimson light go past the open doorway and take Jalb between the shoulder blades. His gut churned.

"Man down, man down!!" he called as he rolled around the door frame and levelled his blaster.

****

With most of the base's support staff in the Admin building, and the fleet away, entrance into the storehouses proved to be a simple matter. With entry gained the same way as the other assualt teams and guards dispensed with it was merely a matter of a quick running circuit to ensure no suprises. Both teams were in the middle of clearing their respective buildings when they heard the casualty call on the open frequency.

"This is One; stay on task, extend timers by 90 seconds, extraction as planned," Stryker ordered over the same frequency.

He hoped that would give them enough time to make the pickup if needed.

****

Animal had a sight picture of the guard who had just fired. He saw the rifle coming to bear on him and he squeezed off a shot at the center of the seen mass. The bolt caught the guard directly in the chest and a spray of blood erupted from his back before the wound cauterized. His arms dropped to his sides and his shoulders slumped and he looked down at the smoking hole in his chest, a quizzical expression blossomed on his face and he keeled over, face first onto the floor at Animal's feet. Rainman burst into the room and took a quick look.

"OK, we're secure. Animal, start on the core. I'll check Jalb."

Rainman took three paces and dropped by the Corsair's side. He noticed a few rag ends of what looked like Ion burst on shields and then Jalb convulsed and rolled over onto his back, breathing deeply, his eyes wild.

"Woah, Jalb, settle down, man," Rainman soothed.

Jalb took a double take, gulped a lungful of air, and swore.

"Man I hate that!" he said finally. He noticed Animal staring at him with his jaw on the ground.

"But' I saw you' right in the back' you're not dead?" Animal stammered.

"Macquarian disruptor armour," Jalb said by way of answer. "Expensive, and not fun to have triggered, but a bacta spray to fix the burns I'm going to be wearing is a small price to pay not to end up like him," he said pointing to the guard at Animal's feet.

He slowly got to his own feet with Rainman's help while Animal pulled out the core stuffer and relayed information back to Hellcat on the Cor Darei. Rainman continued to support Jalb as he reported over the open freq.

"One, this is Five. Sitrep, over."

"This is One, send."

"One casualty, walking, Pri three only. Target secure, secondary tasks commenced, over."

"Roger Five, out to you, Two, this is One, over."

"Two!" Vidster responded.

"This is One, this callsign is moving to effect perimeter security on Team 3's target. Complete your primary task and hook up with us there, over."

"Wilco, give us 15 seconds and we'll be there. Two out."

Animal looked up from where he was working, sweat beaded his top lip and he had a grim look on his face.

"Man, they must have triggered their security protocols, the core's been encrypted and we're locked out. How long have I got?" he asked.

Rainman checked his watch.

"About two minutes to get on board if we want to reach safe distance before this whole place goes up!"

"I guess we do this the old fashioned way, then!"

Animal pulled a large vibro-blade from a sheath on his back and cut straight into the console in front of him. Sparks flew and terminals died as he continued to carve through the exposed panels. He finally put his blade away and inspected the unit he had exposed. About two metres long, one deep and fifty centemeters thick with large, severed conduits at either end, he had opened up the computer to physically access the core itself.

"Grab an end," he looked at his chrono, "quickly!"

****

Hellcat watched the sensor screen in front of him. Most of the blaster fire had already stopped, but he heard some every now and then. So far the mission had gone almost as planned, no real casualties among the Renegades, but there were some minor injuries. He heard a beep from behind him, as he turned around, he noticed that the planetary sensors had picked up a ship moving into orbit. He quickly brought up the specs on the ship. The results of the specs put a ball of lead in his stomach.

"One, this is Minder, we have a frigate just come into system."

"Roger that, we are pulling out now. Keep me informed of the situation."

Hellcat watched the screen carefully. If any other capital ships entered the system, their escape would be extremely difficult. From the entrance to the freighter, he heard the first team returning, followed by the second and third a few seconds later. As soon as everyone was aboard, Alli shut the access door and lifted off. Stryker checked his chrono.

"Ok, thirty seconds till detonation. What are our friends up to?"

"Sir, they just launched some fighters - profile looks like squints. Sir, they are heading directly for us."

Stryker took a quick look around, just to visualise the people going through his mind.

"I want Animal to take over the sensors; Hellcat, you get in the dorsal turret, I have the ventral one; Vidster, you can have the warhead launcher. The rest of you sit tight and hold on."

Alli brought them on a course out of the planet's atmosphere as a series of large explosions went off behind them.

Everyone took their positions as Animal read off the distance to the fighters. As they closed in Alli brought the freighter out of the atmosphere and began running to escape the planets mass shadow. Checking the computer, their course out of there was just about complete. Just as the computer beeped signifying the course was ready, the first lasers splashed over the rear shields.

Bringing the CORT around to their exit vector, Alli saw one big problem - the frigate was in the way.

Hellcat watched as the first interceptor came into range. Opening up the turret he began firing into the formation. His first couple missed, but then one of his blasts caught one of the squints in the port wing, melting it and throwing the interceptor off course and into another one. The other two interceptors began firing at the CORT. Their green lasers splashed across the shields, dropping the strength a little.

Stryker began firing at another group of interceptors as they came within range. His first shots pierced the durasteel canopy of one of the interceptors, and the second one clipped a wingtip. That formation split up quickly, and Stryker's third shot took one of the engines off from another interceptor.

Animal grinned as he saw how quickly the interceptors were disappearing from his screen. His smile faded as he picked up another flight of squints, and a flight of dupes.

Alli winced as the CORT took another couple of laser blasts to the rear shields. Those last couple of hits brought the shields down below 20% not a good thing when they still had to go through a frigate. Checking her sensors, the original interceptors had been destroyed by the combination of the turrets and the warhead launcher. She began feeding energy back into her shields. With her shield strength back up and no fighters flying around, she began to feel a bit more secure, until the warhead lock warning came on.

Vidster looked at the combat display in front of him and quickly tagged the closest threat. Fortunate that they were head-on he had good solid tone from the warhead launcher's acquisition in no time and released an advanced missle at each of the two closest dupes. He cycled through the threat display to bring up the next pair and fired again.

"That will keep them off us, if it doesn't frag 'em," Vidster chuckled to Alli.

"Keep on towards them. Stry, Cat, 4 dupes trying to outrun missiles coming up - fish in a barrel time."

"OK, I see them," came Hellcat's reply.

Stryker, too, answered in the affirmative and the two soon opened up with the quad lasers on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the YT-1300. The slow moving TIE Bombers, intent on evading the advanced missiles launched by Vidster, were caught in no man's land and were whittled away to fine space dust by Stryker and Hellcat's intense, accurate fire and the secondary impact of advanced missiles on their targets. The four squints that had launched behind the dupes were now inbound on firing runs, but the Rogues on board weren't going to let them get a chance. Vidster's first missile caught the leader head on and his second caused another one to break off and evade. Stryker and Hellcat each locked up on one and nailed them at range, before they had a chance to return fire. Animal breathed a sigh of relief as the last fighter was dispatched, though the feeling didn't last long as they came within range of the frigate's guns.

The shuddering impact of heavy turbo laser fire echoed through the ship. In the cockpit Alli ignored Vidster and calmly went through her options as the Cor Darei's shields went through 5%.

"Alli!!!" Vids yelled.

She reached up and flipped two breakers. The shields jumped back up to 55%, but just as soon started dropping rapidly again

"Hang on!" she stated as she goosed the last of the forward cannons power to the engines and punched up the thrust on sublight. Flying in the classic box manoeuver of a snubnose attack she threw the old freighter around like a toy. The occasional beam struck but nowhere near the amount and intensity of the previous attacks. She started to evade vertically to the frigate, knowing that they would be exposed to the fewest batteries on the upper hull of the battleship below them. Suddenly there was no sound but that of the freighter's engines growling to get them out of danger.

"OK, we must be clear off the guns... at one-point-two klicks... wait a minute..."

Over the comm came a small amount of static and then a voice broke through.

There was large jolt as the inertial compensators failed to react to a sudden deceleration.

"We have you in our tractor beam, your engines are not strong enough to escape. Power down your systems and prepare to be boarded!"

Alli glanced over at Vidster with a questioning look in her eyes.

"Bring the engine power off slowly, be ready to punch it when I say so."

Vidster cycled through the systems on the Frigate. "Maybe, just maybe this one hasn't received the shield upgrade yet'"

Finding the tractor beam generators he locked on and fired off a pair of AM's.

"Punch it, Alli!"

Alli threw the CORT's engines to full thrust just as the advanced missiles impacted on the tractor beam generators. The engines on the CORT whined for a moment before taking on their deep thrum as the tractor beam was cut off at the source. The sudden acceleration was enough to throw everyone back into their seats as the CORT sped away from the frigate. By the time the frigate opened up with its turbolasers again the CORT was well out of range. Alli chanced a quick grin at Vidster.

"Hyperspace in 4, 3, 2..." She pushed the hyperdrive actuation levers forward and space erupted into starlines before taking on the eerie blue nimbus of hyperspace