On the tac screen our fighters were doing their best to occupy the Imps, I could just imagine those little things firing on the lead ship, each shot like a sting from some insect. I didn't really know how to feel, one minute I felt like cheering as a red light blinked out, then a lump would rise in my throat as a green one faded. The Imps had slowed down out of our weapon range and were starting to make their own formation. The early part of the battle had been fought by the fighters but would soon turn in to something far more devastating.
The tac screen reeled off the ship readouts as the computers identified the enemy threat. Carracks, Lancer and a Bulk Freighter, with squadrons of TIE Fighters, Interceptors and Bombers. I watched as they moved in to position, more than a little curious at their choice. They'd moved to a straight line with the Bulk Freighter at the rear. Sure, it might have more protection but it could repair it's fellow ships just like our Gallo. I knew what they were going to try to do, drive right towards us and hope to scatter us. That way they could keep moving forward while presenting a much longer broadside.
Must have been a new guy in charge cause there aint no good commander who would choose not to present his most powerful guns to the front. Anything behind the lead vessel would have a reduced firing arc until it got side on. I tell ya, I survived a few battles in my time and those big ship firefights aren't just a case of slugging it out. You got to think about your options, communicate and group together to take out one target at a time. Quicker they go down, quicker you go home.
I kept my eye's glued to that screen, drinking in the information and analysing every move. I might not be no Captain but I picked up a few things. The Resurgence shuddered as its guns began opening up, they reckon you can't hear anything in vacuum but you sure hear those guns alright. I yelled at the young un's to watch the engines, power drain could catch you out sometimes when the salvos started. Our fighters broke off their attack and headed to the rear of the Imp formation, followed sure enough by the squints and eyeballs (hey I picked up some fighter jock slang). The Dupe's (thats a TIE Bomber junior) now grouped up and vectored off, no doubt to either attack us from the side or get behind us.
Our ship shook as the Carracks forward torpedo launchers opened up, the sound of those things booming through the ship as they explode makes the hair on the back of your neck standup and your stomach rise to your throat. But we stood. My boys looked at each other, kept their heads down and got on with their job and I could have cried. Those young boys and girls knew their duty was to their ship and each other and they kept right at it. Every boom, every shudder went without a flicker from them. Thats a crew for you and I hope each of them found a good path in this life.
Now, the thing about a Carrack cruiser's forward launchers is they pack four warheads at a time, with a tube on each side. That's eight warheads in one pass before it has to be reloaded, and a good crew can do that in less than a minute. When that first blast hit I knew what it was, turbolasers don't shake a ship like warheads. I counted, two hits which meant either 6 still in the tubes or they'd missed. I later found out they had missed, being almost head on to us the Resurgence was a pretty narrow target and the Cap'n had thrown us out a little. Later found out what he'd done, when he caught wind of the first missiles, they all came from the right hand tube. Cap ordered the helm in a left hand roll, too late to miss the first two but enough to dodge the second pair. Then he threw it straight back out to the right before the left tube was fired. The Gallo behind us caught one torpedo, dumb luck I guess.
A Wings broke off their lead on the Bulk Freighter and accelerated up, sure enough they'd been ordered to intercept those bombers. Fast little things those A's and we'd armed ours with seeking torps, not that they'd need em against the Dupes. Dupes? Bricks I call em. Slow, ugly and awful clumsy. Anyways, even with their speed the A's were gonna have a job catching em by now. One of em blinked off the screen, our little formation was holding tight and with the Imp bombers in range the anti-fighter guns had opened up. The bombers were coming in high and to the right so the Corvette on that side was taking the brunt of that attack.
Been asked what it looked like, folks say it must have been impressive watching all those lasers and warheads flying round. Dont know says I. I was stuck in my post down in the engine room and a real ship aint like those fancy tourist yachts. Don't have a lot of viewpoints, transparisteel windows may seem strong bu they don't hold up much under a barrage. If I had been watching then I'd prolly have wet my pants. I'm no wimp but if a man tells you he doesn't feel fear in a fight then he's either a liar or a madman. Now don't get me wrong, I faced my fear many times during those years but like most I hid it well. Can't let it get you in the middle of battle, do your job and deal with it later.
The B-Wings, X-Wings too for that matter cause they was all armed with a pair of missiles too, well they must have done ajob on that Carrack. Couldn't have fired more'n two salvos from those tubes before it crumpled under our guns. Remember now, we'd formed up so's near enough every turbolaser battery was presenting to the front. We were taking a poundng though from the other Imp ships, but now we had four to three. A-Wings had reached those bricks, sorry bombers. I know, lots of slang but thats the forces for ya, you'll catch on one day. Well anyways, with the A's engaging them they were forced to break off from the Corvette. Thing with Imps was they always needed superior numbers, bombers had to be escorted and the fighters and interceptors were so weak being unshielded, they always had to hunt in pairs.
On the screen it looked like our fighters were doing a job on their own. I could count more green than red now but they still had to worry bout the imp antifighter batteries. We only had three B's left and they were all on the Bulk Freighters rear, good place to shoot a ship from the engines. Scared me any time we took fire from that direction, not only cause its a weak spot break through the hull and you send up the engine plant, (that means instant internal explosions) but cause I was in there. Two of the B-Wings blinked out so the Imp gunners were'nt as bad as some might tell ya. Those guys were well trained, all the Imp forces were really, they just didnt get the equipment they should have. Knew a few Imp defectors and they were real professional and showed us a few tricks.
Well, we only had one B-Wing left and the X's were engaged in keeping the remaining Imp fighters off him. Or her, women get funny sometimes if you don't mention they was involved too. Well, the Freighter went up and I swear I heard it go. Four to two, at least I thought so, right up till that Corvette on our right went down with all hands. More bombs landed than we thought and those Imp gunners were firing on the weakest target. We were flying right through a graveyard now. Wrecks, shrapnel and bodies drifted in space and we ploughed right on through, occasionally you'd hear a thud if something hit us. Real creepy to think it might have been someone I knew, heck just the thought of it being a body makes the bile rise.
I don't know the exact numbers, just that lone B-Wing, but the fighters got the clear to jump and jump they did. Do I blame em? Nah, they was following orders and better that those ships survive to fight another day then go down for no reason. We had three against two and could still repair and with the Imp bombers gone we stood a better chance. Sure, there were a few Imp fighters left but only a suicidal maniac would take one of those things up against all our anti fighter guns. Course they tried, not much else they could do though they kep their distance. Makes it harder for the gunners that way, specially those tiny things.
The left hand Corvette moved forward a little, giving the Gallo a chance to slip across and gain more cover while still giving running repairs. We were still taking a beating, those Imp crew's were bent on taking us down, but with the Gallo doing it's job they were finding it hard to break us. The lead Imp started flashing on the screen indicating the shields were down, even our anti fighter batteries were firing on them now. The rear Cruiser was starting to back away, not fancying its chances now it's remaining escort was in trouble. Wasn't more than a few seconds before that lead ship went down. More thuds on the hull as it spewed debris out. One of my guys gave in, grabbing a bag and bending over as he vomited. I couldn't blame him. Whatever our feelings about the enemy a lot of people had just died.
We were only taking the occasional blast now from the Lancer, it's captain had turned her so she was side on to our guns, hoping to make a run. It left some of her own out of view though, half the firepower she was capable of rendered useless. Our own guns continued, I'm sure the Cap would have called for their surrender but it didn't come. Imps used to say that we'd kill and leave no survivors, it wasn't true. Often they left us no choice, fighting to the last man. Sure enough, that Lancer fought to the end. I closed my eyes and bowed my head when she went. So many more dead and for no reason. I knew my Captain, I knew that he would have exhausted every chance to spare lives, offering surrender and even a ceasefire to allow them chance to leave. Perhaps if the Imp crew had led a mutiny against their Cap...
Maybe, if, but..they often came up back then. This wasn't a war against people, it was a war against Palpatine and what he and his so called government stood for. Whats funny is that people don't realise how it affects ya. Sure, I didn't pull the trigger, watch a living being fade beneath my sights, but I was still just as responsible. If it wasn't for me and my crew doing our job those ships wouldn't have fired. They wouldn't have been able to go from battle to battle, but we did and those ships did their job. I'm sorry people died, and I do think of what we could have done, but if it had been any different, I'm not sure I'd still be here.
Well, with that Lancer gone we were able to get underway to a safe jump point and thats all there is to it. Prolly not as exciting as some of those books the fighter jocks and Cap's wrote, but even the little guys had their part. Right, time for you to get ready your ride'll be here soon. Now remember son, listen to your instructers and follow the routines. I'm proud of you kiddo, my son, a future X-Wing pilot. Who'd have guessed huh?
Bite my shiny metal Tie Fighter!
Closed Alpha Test & Deth..
