[right][color=teal][b]Aboard the [i]'Endurance'[/i] // Deep Space // Imperial Territory[/b][/color][/right]

The pilots sat in the briefing room. There was quiet chatter from the command pits where officers exchanged data chits and idle conversation as they reviewed the latest information provided by the fighters running exercises, drills and patrols in the space around the ship. A holoprojector in the middle of the room was showing the battle as it had unfolded between the two training squadrons. Rae was only half watching, in the downtime after she had seen to her ship she had done nothing but pour over the attack. Two kills, twelve deaths. It was unheard of by an Imperial Squadron.

Colonel Tynrons voice sounded disappointed more than anything. As if he had been hoping for a different outcome. [color=FFFFF0]"Now we all know what went wrong in this fight."[/color] He nodded at the Major who hit a couple of keys on the holoprojector as it displayed a hologram of what was called the [I]TIE Defender[/i]. [color=FFFFF0]"Lets see that this doesn't happen again.[/color]

A file was then transmitted to all their datapads.

[hider=image][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1154894968847093861/1173196355334836304/latest.png?ex=65631340&is=65509e40&hm=8764c18e5d6b4fbe7f3c918c43e1dd18abc4efbbb47a1fba9215f743c9c380e3&[/img][/hider]

Rae poured over the information as the Colonel spoke, while the Interceptor and standard TIE had basic shields the lack of space and power generation meant it lapsed the stronger shields of the GRM or Alaskan fighters. The hyperdrive was also only a class five and only really capable of aiding in retreat if the command ship was destroyed, or short hops in combat. Meanwhile, the Defender had strong shields and a Class 2.0 hyperdrive.

[color=FFFFF0]"This is the TIE Defender, it is better than anything else we have faced before and the pilots aren't like anything else we've seen before. It's slower than an Interceptor but it makes up for it in strength. Heavy cannons, shields, more concussion missiles."[/color]

A hologram of the Interceptor appeared beside the defender. [color=FFFFF0]"We need to lead into the advantage the Interceptor gives us. You're all more seasoned pilots than those in the Defender wing-"[/color]

[I]Well obviously, considering the fact they're literally teeneagers.[/i] Thought Rae. Interceptors flashed round the hologram.

[color=FFFFF0]"-we need to play into that. I expect you to all take the time until our next drill to analyse their flight patterns."[/color]

The ships moved in the hologram, and Rae watched as it panned outwards from the [I]Endeavour[/i].

[color=FFFFF0]"This time around we're going to be the aggressors. Your squadron will be supplemented by a wing of bombers.[/color] He turned to Major Thrace. [color=FFFFF0]"The Major will fill you in with the plan."[/color] As the Colonel stepped back the Major stepped forward.

[color=slategray]"Everybody listen up."[/color] The pilots stood a little straighter. [color=slategray]"We're going to operate in two groups-"[/color] The Hologram shifted, following everything he said. [color=slategray]""One and Two will swoop in fast to engage the Defenders, with any hope this will split their number in two. Six on Three is a lot more manageable."[/color] He grimaced as if he didn't believe what he was saying.

Rae wasn't sure if she believed him either. [color=slategray]"We're going to target one Defender at a time-[/color]

[hr]

[right][color=Teal][b] Attacking the [I]Endeavour[/i] // Deep Space // Imperial Territory[/b][/color][/right]

Raes fighter wing hung behind the bombers. Hugging as closely behind the fighters as they possibly could in an effort to mask their sensor shadow. The biggest issue is while this made them blind to the enemy, they were also blind. She sent a double click on the comms through to her wing, who gave her two chirps in confirmation. They didn't dare risk full comms due to the risk of being detected. 

The four bombers swung through space lazily in pre-determined manoeuvres that had been agreed upon beforehand. Her finger hovered over the trigger, while the adrenaline coursed through her veins. It took all her restraint not to hit the throttle. Laser bolts raced over her head, several of them bouncing off the bombers shields. [I]Come on. Come on.[/i] 

The communication came through from Lieutenant Ert, number eight. [color=honeydew]"Now Ten![/color]

Pulling the stuck up and around her and her TIEs spun up and around. As soon as they were clear of the bombers her sensors screamed to life. Flights one and two had already engaged three defenders, she couldn't focus on them at the moment. Green laser bolts lanced out towards the Defender wing, clipping one as it spun off wildly. The other two broke off. 

[color=teal]"Eight, I'm left."[/color]

[color=honeydew]"Copy, I'm right."[/color]

[color=teal]"Eleven hard, twelve soft. I'll keep peppering."[/color]

[color=darkgray]"Copy."[/color]

[color=gainsboro]"Copy."[/color]

Rae watched as Eleven pulled up and did a hard burn in a loop to lead him ahead of the Defender, meanwhile, Twelve was going so that if the Defender turned hard he would have it covered. Peppering its shields, she saw as the bolts sparked out harmlessly against the back shields. She watched as Eleven came back down around, as soon as he was above the Defender he switched to target lock.

[color=Darkgray]"One out."[/color] Rae smirked as she continued to keep her finger down on the trigger finger. Peppering it, it ducked and weaved as the missile streamed in from above before shooting past harmlessly. 

It turned, and was instantly facing twelves laser fire. Rae had to suppress a whoop as it was disabled. Their plan worked, in singling out individual targets they could overwhelm them- then the moment of celebration was ruined when a missile 'collided' with eleven knocking it out. [color=teal][I]"Sithspit."[/i][/color] She banked hard to the right, twisting in a roll. The entire ship shook as the Defender rocked past in a near miss. Twisting and banking hard she watched as Eleven was knocked out. Giving her a keen sense of Deja-Vu. 

It was almost as if with the more pilots the Defenders lost the more bold and effective the remaining vessels became. [color=teal][I]"So that's how its going to be is it."[/i][/color]

Pushing her engines to full she twisted rocking against her crash harness. Targetting computer beeping as it honed in to lock in on the target vessel. It narrowed in, the tone quickened before it became constant indicating a lock. Switching to missiles, she swung in behind the defender. Finger on the trigger ready to fire. 

Rae winced as the comm silence broke. [b][color=honeydew]"All units, all units. Stand down and prepare for hyperspace jump. 3-5 form up on the [I]Endurance[/i] in escort formation, all other units are to dock immediately and secure for hyperspace launch."[/color][/b] Rae swore and threw her helmet off in frustration, as it bounced harmlessly off the cockpit wall. Right when she had the shot.

That said, as the frustration rubbed off and the adrenaline lapsed as she swung back in towards the [I]Endurance[/i] goosebumps formed. They were supposed to be in training, as part of a top secret mission and they were being called away at the last minute?

[I]Something was going on.[/i]