“Clockshape on yer six, Werdna!” warned LCM Cal Sinis over the radio.

“Well, do me a favour and get on his!” ordered Werdna back. The pirates that Beth Squadron had been fighting the past few weeks hadn’t given up, even though they had made huge losses. Intel found out that they had a backup base in the Heir system, usually used as an outpost for the Bounty Hunter’s Guild. The Guild doesn’t normally like too many Imperial ships in the area, but since we were only going after their competition, they didn’t mind so much.

The pirates were hiding out in a battered VSD on the other side of orbit from the planet Dar. The engines didn’t work anymore, so escape was impossible, but they still had plenty of starfighters to avoid having to do that.

“This is your Commander speaking,” notified CPT Sequoh Marden over the radio, “I want Flight 3 to hit the engines with everything you got. Flights 1 and 2, keep the Missile Boats covered.”

“Don’t be daft,” shouted LCM Var Zoraan back, “I’m not sending in my pilots to destroy something that doesn’t work.”

“No, Var, just do as he says,” insisted Werdna, “I’ve just noticed myself, there are fighters launching from the engines.”

“You heard Sequoh, Flight 3, get behind me and we’ll show ‘em that we mean business!” ordered Var.

The Flight 3 Missile Boats formed a diamond formation and the TIE Defenders surrounded the formation, pulling away when they had to go after a pirate starfighter. As they got closer to the VSD, it became clearer that the thrusters at the back were not just dim, but non-existent. As the Missile Boats got into firing range, it was possible to see 4 more Clockshape fighters launching from one of the back thrusters.

“Flight 2, keep the Missile Boats covered, my flight will go for those Clockshapes,” ordered Sequoh.

“Flight 3, let rip into the VSD,” ordered Var, “Try to keep it to one missile per hanger so we hit each one.”

As the Missile Boats opened fire, Flight 1 engaged the enemy. “Pick a fighter and stick with it, pilots,” shouted Sequoh over the radio, “I’ve got the lead fighter.”

The TIE Defenders broke from their formation and attempted to swing around so they would surround the enemy. The Clockshapes realised this quickly, and split of into different directions.

“Right, Flight 2, the Missile Boats are in the area, patrol around them and attack anything else which is launched. While your at it, put in a few shots against the VSD,” Werdna told his pilots, “I’m going to see if Flight 1 need any help.”

The VSD’s shields were quickly going down, as each missile hit the hanger. Debris from the fighters inside were being blown out as each hanger was hit. “Primary target is taking hull damage,” burst out the computer, after the shields were brought down.

“I’ve bagged my Clockshape! I’m going to help LT Loor with his fighter now,” LCM Cray Mikalen shouted triumphantly.

“Good work, Cray,” Werdna spoke up, “My flight’s work is done too, I’m moving in to help with the lead Clockshape.”

“Cheers, Werdna,” thanked Sequoh over the radio, “I could do with the help!” The way the words were said sounded like Sequoh was struggling, “This one is incredibly slippery!”

As Werdna closed in, it was apparent that the Clockshape had gained the advantage over Sequoh. “Pull to the left, Sequoh,” shouted Werdna, “and then dive.”

Just as Sequoh manoeuvred, the Clockshape opened fire. One of the laser bolts skimmed the TIE Defender and it span as it dived out of the way. The Clockshape was moving too fast to turn and get more shots in and shot past. This allowed Werdna to get behind the enemy fighter and show him what happens when you try and take on the Empire.

Werdna had just got the fighter into his sights when it suddenly dived to the right and disappeared from view. After peering around for the enemy, Werdna checked the sensors to find the Clockshape slowing down right below Werdna’s TIE Defender.

“The clever…” Werdna mumbled to himself, as he cut the engines. The Clockshape was slowing down faster though, so Werdna decided that there was nothing else to do but…

Werdna dived down and smacked the Clockshape, inflicting damage into both of the ships. Werdna felt confident that his TIE Defender was tougher, and sure enough, the Clockshape fighters hull buckled before Werdna’s ship did. Werdna hit the engines to pull away before the enemy blew up. “Engines down!!!” was the reply that came from the computer.

“Oh, Crap…” Werdna told himself has he reached for the eject button.

“KABOOM!!!”