Deep Water

[Loco]

Deep Water

The Imperial attack on Manaan wasn't entirely unexpected, but that doesn't mean we were prepared for it. The Manaan Alliance is an absolutely vital part of the Rebel Alliance, and our counter attack is a bold move that we really, really need to work. Teams have been dispatched to the sparse surface cities in an attempt to quickly remove top civilian personnel from the battlefield. The Selkath Prime Envoy is one of these targets- He's our number one go-between with the Selkath, and he's Pro-Rebellion. We need to get him out of harms way as quickly as possible. Scouts report the Envoy and his security detachment are holed up in the deep levels of Ahto City, and the Imperials aren't far behind him. Get him out.​

Objectives

• Rescue the Prime Envoy and get him off planet. Do it fast.

"Evasive maneuvers, git us into the uppe' etmosphere end fire on thet Cruise'!"

The Corusca initiated a sharp dive that the inertial compensators struggled to handle, forcing Arya to grip the railing of the raised command platform tightly. Vibrations rattled the frigate as the starboard weapons poured fire into the shields of the Enforcer class cruiser standing between her and the glittering blue surface of Manaan. Brilliant trubolaser fire filled the air between the vessels as the Corusca broke into the upper reaches of atmosphere, her dagger shaped nose glowing as the shields absorbed the stress of entry.

"Launch the shuttles!" Arya barked. The goal was clear. Anything the Corusca managed in space was secondary to what needed to happen on the surface.

"Shuttles away! Ma'am our shields are at half strength and we can't take much more of this. That Enforcer is out of our weight class!"

"Make way, Corusca." Came a new voice over the comms, deep, but wavering. The Rondel swooped into view of the Corusca's view screens, interceding into the path of the Enforcer's fire. This was not the first time the Nebulon Frigate- the Corusca's sister ship- and her Mon Cal captain had interfered on her behalf. "Get your shuttles out and then we'll deal with this schutta together, eh friend?"

"Good copy Rondel. Thenks for runnin' interference, yeh?" Arya breathed a sigh of relief. Jumping into the big middle of this battle wasn't the dumbest thing she'd ever done by a long shot, but that didn't make the potential consequences any less serious. A glance at the board showed both shuttles and her fighters were away, and she tapped the button labeled "Rogues". Forim. "Rogue Leade', this is Corusca. If you don't git those shuttles to the surface I'll flay you' blue sheb myself, tayli'bac?"

 

[Minuteman75]

The newly labeled Rogue Leader grinned in respond to his captain's order/threat. Sometimes he actually believed Commander Arya would flay someone alive if given a big enough reason.

"Loud and clear, Corusca. We'll keep these babies safe and have them back to ya before dinner. Alright Rogue Squadron let's roll!"

By the Force, the Durosian pilot never believed that he and his squad mates would ever take on the title of Rogues. It felt so surreal ever since it happened. Yet seeing through the view of his cockpit, the chaos that reigned over Manaan, reminded him to stay focus on the present. He tighten his hold on the flight stick as his fighter and other X-Wings surrounded the shuttles in escort formation. The second battle for this world was in doubt, but regardless of the overall outcome, the Corusca's mission today could very well assist the Rebellion's efforts.

With his fighter leading in front, Forim looked over to his left flank where Bol Icab, his wing-man flew. For the Mon Calamari veteran, this was a homecoming in the worse way possible. To see your beloved homeland invaded not only once but twice was a real punch to the gut. Especially in Bol's case that his wife and children were somewhere down on the planet helpless and he couldn't do a kriffing thing about it. With a concerned expression, Forim spoke up in the squadron comms' to Bol.

"Rogue Six you holding up okay?"

"Don't worry Rogue Leader, I'll be fine. Carla knows what to do, she and the kids will be hiding somewhere safe in the sea, away from the city. Trust me they know the drill, but let's stay our focus on the mission." Bol replied in a friendly tone yet filled with a little hint of frustration.

"Copy that Six." Forim answered, as the flight of rebel fighter-craft and shuttles dove closer to Ahto City.

 

[Ral]

High above the watery world of Manaan Rogue Nine launched from the hanger of the rebel frigate Corusca, escorting the shuttles who had also previously launched to the ground. Her X-Wing had recently been repainted with the colors of Rogue Squadron, and Carii Galaar still found it a little surreal, a little dream-like, to be flying in the premier fighter squadron of both the Rebellion and the New Republic. Hearing Arya's threat over the comm channel, the Mandalorian woman giggled from the threat. Forim's response was fairly typical for the Duro, and Carii knew that it was all that need to be said at the moment.

After they had gotten through the pre-mission jitters with Forim asking Rogue Six if he'd be alright in the coming battle, Carii focused on forming up and leading her wingmates. Looking over her shoulder the woman saw the X-Wings flying in formation causing a smile to come to her face. With that smile on her face she spoke, "Rogues Ten, Eleven, and Twelve, how you mates looking back there? Everything Shiny?"

"We're all good up here, Carii." Responded Rogue Ten.

Smiling, she replied "Good." Entering the atmosphere, Carii prepared herself for a serious fight. She wasn't sure what they would be facing, but she did know there would be a hard fight with the amount of Imperial forces on the planet, who would all certainly trying to prevent them from completing their mission.

 

[BZenwrath]

The small strike group soared through the clouds far above Ahto city, Rogues taking the lead ahead of the two transports carrying two groups of ground troops. Why Lynwood was piloting one of the dropships was a long story, but orders were orders and Arya was not one to be argued with on the best of days. Today was certainly not one of her good days. And so, here he was; piloting a VAAT, carrying the new group of recruits he had led aboard the Corusca only a short time ago. He could only assume that Arya had her reasons for this…

The VAATs broke the cloud wall just behind their rogue escorts to reveal the ocean planet Manaan, Ahto city burning far beneath them. The strangely beautiful viewing was cut short but a blast that shook the dropship violently to one side. Lynwood compensated and righted the craft again, unaware that the hit had ripped a substantial hole in his dropships right wing. Other blasts followed quickly behind the first. A few came near but didn’t quite have the effect of the first.

“Ground fire! Rogues look alive!” Lynwood shouted over the squadron. He turned to face the troops that were waiting in the drop ships bay. “Hold on to something!”

Lynwood tilted the controls of the gunship downwards and sluggishly the ship began to drop into a steeper descent. Rather than weaving through it all, Lynwood gunned the throttle, pushing the heavy craft to its limit. The cockpit flashed orange as an alarm went off, the systems in the ship realizing the damaged wing. He corrected for the drag the damage was causing but it shook the craft more as the stress of the dive began to take its toll.

It was an attempt to pierce the veil of AA fire that had appeared around them. It was not a great option, but it was the only one where the dropship had a chance to survive long enough to get these guys to ground. Once they got low enough, ground fire wouldn’t be an issue but enemy TIE’s and the new QIE’s could be a whole new set of problems. However, he trusted the rest of the rogues would deliver them safely through it.

 

[Sin]

Manaan, Ahto City, H-HOUR​

It was a bumpy ride to say the least. Apparently Lynwood was having some difficulties up in the cockpit. Thought these were supposed to be the Rebellions finest? Ree silently questioned Rogue Squadron's reputation as hot shot pilots, keeping one hand for himself and one hand for the VAAT.

His unoccupied hand was trying to adjust his gear. Being jarred all over the place wasn't helping. They were under fire from the moment they'd gotten underway. Needless to say, it wasn't pretty. The manner in which the team's gear had somehow turned into a womp rat's nest was perhaps the most farkled thing about the whole situation. Okay, maybe not, but Ree wasn't happy about it. Someone had opened the fast rope bag prematurely, and now it was just sliding around the deck getting fouled with everything else that had come unstowed. Ree had tried to secure the rope, but busted his tail as soon as he let go of the ship.

It was about that time when Lynwood turned around and told them to HOLD ON TO SOMETHING. Ree shook his head--frustrated with himself and the situation--and pulled himself back up.

"Just hurry up and get us down there!" Ree barked back at the pilot.

He didn't speak often, but when he did, he was straight to the point. And when he did speak, you had to listen up to hear his quiet vulpine voice. That wasn't the case here, however. Ree's voice broke through the orotund fanfare of the battle being waged. He'd had enough of the VAAT already, he was ready to touch down and do what he does best.

 

[Grizz]

A wave of nostalgia washed over the old soldier as the VAAT made its descent into the stratosphere of Manaan. Under-fire from the get go, possibility of being blown out of the sky before he could make a difference planetside. Wasn't that a familiar feeling? Woody didn't have to tell him twice, Grizz was already clinging for life with one hand, and the other trying to secure the team's gear that had come apart from their restraints. His teammate Ree had been doing the same, but was having some difficulties with the fast rope that came free from the bag. In addition, somewhere along the craft's dive, he was pretty sure his stomach had been turned upside down several times. Of course it's a good thing he's had his share of rough rides in the past, and the ex-soldier simply hung on with an annoyed look on his ragged features.

Personnel recovery, that was the mission they were given. The Selkath Prime Envoy or 'Big Fish', was holed up somewhere in deep in the urban sprawls of Ahto City with his security detachment. The Imperials were on their way as well, and Grizz couldn't help but feel some sort of anticipation for the encounter. Perhaps it was the score that he felt wasn't settled after all these years. For once, it seemed like they had the Empire on the ropes, which was a refreshing feeling considering the losses he endured during his time with the Alliance. He was given a chance to set things right.

Providing they make it in one piece anyway, but Lynwood has been doing fine so far. Grizz could only hope for the best, and hold on.

 

[Minuteman75]

Forim sensed danger moments before the aa gun barrage was unleashed on their party. He turned hard left away from the coming blasts and heard Lynwood's warning as he did so. The rest of the Rogues followed similar maneuvers to avoid the shots but making to stay with range of the gunships/transports they're protecting. When VAATs descended even further for the besieged city the Rogues stayed with them. Soon the pressure from the anti-aircraft lessened but soon the Rogues' sensors picked up a mixed squadron of mostly TIE fighters along with some QIEs flying to intercept them.

The Imps' arrow shaped formation was aiming to hit the convey on right flank and will within a minute. Forim called to his squad;

"Rogue Six, Four, Eight, and Three with me. We're going play tag with these eyeballs to keep them off the babies. Rouge Nine lead the rest and stay with the transports no matter what."

As soon he finished, Forim maneuver his craft with his selected party in a school of fish formation and met the Imperials flyers head above the waters near Ahto City. Soon a chaotic dogfight ensues between the opposing fighters. The Duros ace knew that some Imps will ignore his counter-attack and continue for the convey, but he believed that Carii, Lynwood, and the others can handle it and complete the objective.

 

[Ral]

The AA bursts took Carii by surprise, the redheaded Mandalorian did her best to swerve her X-Wing out of the way, looking out over the edge of her canopy to the rest of the squadron as they began a series of evasive maneuvers. Kicking her foot down and the pedals of her ship causing it to yaw to the right while pointing the control yoke down towards the deck. The result was an X-Wing descending quickly towards the planet's surface picking up speed and hopefully becoming much harder to hit. Picking out one of the VAATs out of the corner of her eye, Carii made to form up with them. Looking back to her scanners and scopes she saw the mixed squadron of enemy fighters inbound.

"Excellent," Carii smirked as she whispered quietly to herself. "This is what I've been waiting for."

Hearing her flight leader give out the orders, the woman nodded to herself. "Roger that Rogue lead, alright boys and girls, form up on me. We're going in. Rogue two, take your group and hit them from the top, I'm going to hit them from the bottom."

Pointing the nose of her X-Wing towards the enemy fighters, Carii linked her cannons, and picked her target out of the line up. As the two formations flew towards each other, the gap closed quickly and within no time at all they had dropped into weapons range. "Alright Rogues, weapons free. Let's show these Imps how Rebels fly!" She banked he X-Wing so it would come up beneath one of the QIEs at an angle, her ship leading it just so slightly as she squeezed the control yoke's trigger and a blast of scarlet energy screamed towards the Imps.

@BZenwrath

 

[BZenwrath]

"Got it Rogue Nine, try to keep the fire off us."

Proceeding as ordered Lynwood angled the VAAT skyward, his sister dropship trailing close behind. A wave of fighters tore through the sky between the rogues just moments after the maneuver and for a moment it looked as though the duo of VAATs would escape the dogfight without so much as a glance from the enemy fighters. That vision was brought to an abrupt end as green laser fire exploded into view around the pair.

Weaving through the fire, Lynwood maneuvered his already injured VAAT into an evasive drag. The lumbering VAATs angled upwards as he dropped the throttle back, causing the ship to slow to crawl in comparison to the enemy TIEs. It was only milliseconds before he saw the first of the enemy craft overshoot him, but it felt like an eternity. Immediately, Lynwood gunned the throttle while pushing down hard on the control stick. Sluggishly, the heavy gunship sped downward towards the City and the objective of the mission. He needed to drop these soldiers off before it wasn't an option anymore. Lynwood scanned for a new and closer drop point for the ground forces. A few moments later, he spotted a relatively unscathed plaza that would work for the time being.

"Get ready," He shouted to the back, "I've gotta drop you off early. We've got too much heat to get you all the way there."

His words where punctuated by the sound of rushing air and distant battle as the side hatches of the VAAT slid open, revealing the full situation to the squad of soldiers. The strangely beautiful sight of the conflict was cut short as Lynwood banked hard, once again avoiding the fire of incoming TIEs. After a tight turn, the VAAT came to a hover meters above the plaza. Lynwood shouted once again, his voice betraying the real sense of urgency that he felt.

"Get out now!"

 

[Minuteman75]

Forim made a dive toward a TIE pursing Rogue Four aka Greeta and once target locked he unleashed a laser volley that destroyed the TIE's shields. This forced the Imp to take evasive action away from Forim, but Greeta turn her craft around and finished off the hostile. The Sqaudron Leader smiled when hearing the Rodian girl say her thanks and they flew around to continue the dogfight.

Sadly they lost Rogue Eight, a newcomer named Kin Yun earlier. The Sullustan runaway had only been with their outfit for a week and this was his first and now last mission. Fortunately his group repaid the batch of Imps responsible for it by wiping them out. Forim and his first group spotted the rest of the Rogues had eliminating their share of fighters and went in to assist. Several minutes before Forim received word from Lynwood that he dropped off the commandos and that he had to shake off more Imperial fighters pursing him through the city.

Then suddenly he picked up chatter from the ground team, confirming they got the Envoy and his guards and had set up a rendezvous point for pick-up. However they were occupied with having to fight off a wave of stormtroopers, assaulting their position. Just as Forim was redirecting the squadron to fly over the city, Lynwood's ship and the other transport reach the rendezvous and extracted the commandos and the Prime-Envoy. Grinning even more the Duros pilot lead the Rogues to link up with the fleeing shuttles at the west edges of Ahto City. When they meet however turret fire clipped the top right wing of Bol Icab's fighter, causing the X-Wing to spin out of control as it was about to crash into the sea.

"BOL!" Forim yelled out in horror and was about to dove his fighter after his falling comrade, refusing to leave him, but heard Bol call out to him.

"Never mind me, just finish the mission Rogue Leader!" The squadron's second in command replied in a tone that left no room for argument. Realizing that the Mon Cal was right, Forim forced himself to look away and flew back to the reformed convey as Rogue Six finally crashed into the water with a huge splash. He didn't know if Bol survived or not not knowing pained him to no end but they had to leave now.

Quickly the transports and their X-Wing escorts soared back up into the sky until they reached the Corusca and its sister Rondel as the two frigate continues their duel with the Enforcer ship.

"Corusca this is Rogue Squadron we have the package. I repeat we have the package."

Forim spoke through the comms to Commander Arya. Seconds later all surviving fighters and the shuttles entered the hanger bay.