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Double Cross

Second Lieutenant Mia StormChaser was pleased to note that instead of the squadron’s assigned A-Wings for the forthcoming mission, she had still been able to swing confirmation that she would be taking her trusty X-Wing, WildCard Two out instead. It really did pay to buy the hanger service crew few rounds of flameout to look the other way and let her take out her personal craft on this occasion.
Mia didn’t think it would do much harm anyways. Sure the A-Wing had the edge on speed and manoeuvrability, but she trusted that her astromech droid WarHog had managed to coax just that little bit more performance from her aging craft to minimise this difference. Sounded like it would be a routine mission anyways, a strike on an Imperial cache, using information from some captured pirates according to the briefing she had heard.
Settling back into the cockpit of the Wildcard Two, Mia ran past the last few pre-flight checks with a chirping WarHog, a soon sent her ready signal to her Colonel, Naes Draw, who was commanding Dagger Squadron on this mission directly.

* * * * * *

‘Dagger Squad, follow the Quicksilver to the Hyperpoint.’ Came the measured tones of Colonel Draw. Still, Mia couldn’t help but notice that Naes sounded tenser then usual, even over the sublight static. Not surprising if the mess room scuttlebutt was to be believed. Apparently the Colonel had been very vocal to command about the veracity of the information coming from the pirates, but had still agreed to go on the strike, because it was said, he had told his commander that despite what the pirates might throw at them, he knew that the Dagger’s would get the job done.
Reaching the Hyperpoint, Mia made final adjustments to her tarketing computer. She couldn’t place it, but she had to agree with the Colonel – something just wasn’t quite right.
‘This is Dagger Lead, prepare to jump on my mark and keep sharp people.’ Colonel Draw advised, as Mia jumped into hyperspace.

* * * * * *

Her squadron commander was soon proved right of course. As son as they exited hyperspace, they realised that the purposely minimally guarded Imperial cache of supplies, was in fact sporting several Star Destoryers, at least two Golan platforms and even an Interdictor, force help them.
Noting that Colonel Draw was already calling the fleet to try and notify them that it was trap, Mia picked accelerated and picked up scanning.
‘Damn.’ Mia swore, as her scanners were quickly scrambled by the Imperials. These guys were good; this was going to be a tough one. Picking up her visual scanning, she noted a flight of Imperial ships which made her blood run cold, as just exiting one of the Imperial ship, the Accuser was a squad of TIE Interceptors.
‘Heads up! Accuser just launched a squad of Interceptors.’ Mia almost shouted down her comlink at any in Dagger squadron who could hear, as she headed towards this new threat, lasers already firing to distract the lead Interceptor which appeared to making a run at one of her squad mates.

* * * * * *

Dagger squadron had got the Imperials on the run after a though fight. Thankfully, Dagger’s XO, the brilliant veteran pilot Chapple had quickly destroyed some commsats, allowing Colonel Draw to send for some reinforcements. Once the cruisers Defiance and Rebel Fist has arrived, they had been able to put some serious firepower onto the larger Imperial capital ships until they withdrew and the Golan platforms, which soon were destroyed.
Mia let out a held breath far too long as the last enemy fighter, a Assault Gunboat, disappeared into future stardust. Despite the odds, Dagger Squadron had done well, and best of all, not lost any pilots. Turning WildCard Two, Mia headed home.