Trooper

Unfocused Capabilities

Dantooine: 12 BBY
"Survivor"
Ryn Alera

Ryn gritted her teeth against a fresh wave of pain that washed over her. "Not now," she muttered. She had briefly explained her plan to General Merrik. The fighters were already forming up accordingly. Ryn brought the Survivor alongside Merrik's X-wing.

"Red Squad, Green Squad, break off and attack the center and starboard Star Destroyers," Merrik's voice ordered over the comm. "Blue Squad, on me. We're targeting the left flanking one. Freighters and additional starfighters, keep protecting the cruisers and give us cover."

Ryn began flipping switches and preparing the ship. "I hope this works," she said. Azie chirped his agreement. Blue Squad surged past the ship and opened fire on the Destroyer.

    "Attack the shield generators," Merrik ordered the fighters.

    "The rest of you, start attacking the bridge of the ship. Attack on the far side if you can and try to angle it towards the others," Ryn added.

"Captain, you've picked up several TIEs," someone reported.

"Attack the objective. We'll handle it," Ryn replied. Azie began firing the forward cannons and whistled excitedly as TIEs exploded before them. Ryn swerved the ship about, trying to shake their unwelcome tailgaters. She heard the gun turrets rotating and open fire.

    Ryn glanced across the battlefield. The other X-wing squadrons were making passes, attacking the shield generators. She flipped the ship around as the last of the TIEs behind them were destroyed.

"Their shields are failing!"

"Press the attack!"

"I've got two on me!"

"Hang tight, Blue Four. We're coming," Ryn replied. The fighter streaked past them with two TIEs hot on his tail. Ryn whipped the ship around. Jess and Cassian rotated the gun turrets around, firing on the TIEs.

One of them exploded. The other managed to land a hit of Blue Four. Cassian let out an annoyed hiss and fired again. The second TIE exploded. "You're clear, Blue Four," Jess said.

"Thanks, Survivor."

"Captain Alera, their shields are down," General Merrik reported.

"All wings, press the attack to the Destroyer's outer flank," Ryn exclaimed. "Let's push it towards the others."

"Fighters, get clear of the Destroyers," someone said.

Ryn dropped the ship in beside General Merrik's. All of the ships around them blasted at the Destroyer. Slowly, it began drifting towards the center one. The two cruisers collided with a shriek of metal and sparks.

"General Dodonna, how are the cruisers?" Ryn asked.

"There's only one still unable to jump," he replied.

Azie whistled suddenly. Ryn's eyes widened in shock and dread. "Tell them to evacuate to the Republic. Azie said he scanned one of the Destroyers. It's carrying rhydonium."

Instantly, voices screamed over the comms and ships began withdrawing. Ryn heard some of the shouted orders from General Merrik and General Dodonna. She pulled the Survivor away from the Destroyers. The first two were preparing to crash into the third.

"Republic, make your jump," General Merrik shouted. "All wings, return to base!" Ships began jumping left and right.

Ryn programmed the navicomputer, casting an anxious look back at the Destroyers. They were within seconds of collision. The Republic moved into position and disappeared into hyperspace. General Merrik's X-wing disappeared along with it.