As the shuttle came out of hyperspace, all that was visible was the looming vestige of Aurora Prime. It had been months since he has seen it last.

 

"Incoming Shuttle, Come to a complete stop. Transmit identity code and prepare for scan." Boomed the shuttle's com.

 

A few minutes later they were cleared into orbit.

 

"Sir, we are coming up to her now." called the pilot

 

The Officer got up from his seat and headed to the cockpit. Just as he did so, the massive hulk off the SSD Avenger came into view. She was beautiful even with the Dry-dock completely surrounding her.

 

As the shuttle neared the main hanger, several battle scars became visible.

 

"Must of been one hell of a fight." murmured one of the pilots

 

"Shuttle Omega, you are cleared for docking." came the com again

 

After a few moments the shuttle landed with a HISSS as the loading ramp came down.

 

As the new arrival stepped off the shuttle he was greeted by 2 officers.

 

"Welcome onboard, CPT Braxus. I am CM Colhar Jeth Sudar, commander of Storm Squadron. Wing Commander LC Zack asked me to meet you and show you your quarters." Announced the taller of the two with a slight grin.

 

"Thank you for your help, but im sure I can find my way." Replied Braxus sarcastically

 

Just then both officers burst out laughing.

 

"So you finally got Storm Squadron? Big mistake." joked Braxus

 

"And you getting Flayer again is any better?" retorted Colhar with a smile

 

"Come on, we can catch up in you quarters." continued Colhar

 

After two hours of talking, CM Colhar finally decided to leave, but just as he was sitting back in his chair, there was a beep from the intercom.

 

"This is Braxus." he responded

 

Just then the image of his good friend and suppirior came into view on the screen.

 

"Captain, its good to see that you haven't gotten lost. You remember where the Wing Commander's office is?" he said with definite sarcasm.

 

Braxus took a quick glance at the chronometer. 16:45. He was 45 min. late for his meeting with WC Zack.

 

"Sorry Colonel, Colhar and I lost track of time a bit." Responded Braxus with a grin.

 

"Understandable. Although I was hoping to talk to first, it appears your a little late. The meeting with Vice Admiral Khaen is in 15 minutes. I hope your prepared."

 

"I am. Do you know what its all about, Sir?" questioned Braxus

 

"I honestly don't know. BGCOM's usually don't meet with CMDRs." Zack replied

 

"Good Luck, and again it's good to see you back."

 

With those words, LC Zack closed the channel.

 

15 minutes later, CPT Braxus stood infront of VA Khaen's office.

 

"Come." Came a voice as the door swung open with a hiss.

 

"Captain Braxus reporting as ordered." He Boomed as he gave a crisp salute.

The Admiral didn't reciprocate the gesture.

 

"Captain, I've agreed with you taking command of Flayer Squadron again against my better judgment. Please answer me why I shouldn't have you transferred out of here right now? Khaen stated with obvious contempt.

 

"Sir, with all due respe....." Braxus was cutoff by a wave of the VA's hand.

 

"Why is that saying always followed by something to the contrary?" asked Khaen

 

"Im not a cold hearted SOB you know? Im giving you this chance to prove yourself because i feel that deep down you are a good officer." he continued

 

There was a brief pause as the BGCOM surveyed the CMDR.

 

"Dissmised! And Captain, don't disappoint me."

 

That night Braxus entered his old office. it was empty, but he could still feel the memories here. They where burned into the walls just as sure as if they were the paint.

It was good to be back.

 

The next day came.

 

CPT Braxus marched to the Flayer Squadron Briefingroom. He had worn his dress uniform as was tradition. AS he came to the door, he took a deep breath to prepare himself. He ordered the meeting at 0800, but wondered if that was best. He had been up half the night organizing his office. He entered the room and was shocked at what he saw.

 

"Where are the rest of the squadron??" Yelled Braxus with blood red eyes.

 

"Sir, I don't know. We all knew to be here at 0800." replied LCM Celchu

 

There were 3 pilots. 3. 3 out of 8. And to make things worse, 1 was dressed in fatigues.

 

"Pilot. Name and Rank!" Commanded the CPT.

 

"umm, Sub-Lieutenant Kaek, Sir." he replied with obvious embarrassment

 

"And tell me, SL, why you are not in Dress Uniform?" asked the CPT

 

"Sir, I umm didn't know that the situation required it, Sir. It is no excuse, I will take whatever punishment you deem fit, Sir." he replied

 

"Well, at least you showed up." Said Braxus of handedly

 

"Name?" Braxus asked the third pilot who was in Dress.

 

"Sir, Lieutenant Lorn Pavan, Sir. We had talked a few days ago while you where on the ISD Challenge" was the reply

 

"I remember, LT. Do you know why the other members of the squad decided NOT to come?" asked Braxus

 

"No Sir, we haven't seen much of Darklighter, Master G, Luke Horn, JKast, or Infamous since they came onboard." he replied

 

Just then, they were interupted by a battle klaxon.

 

"All Squadrons, report to Briefing room 4. Repeat. All squadrons to Briefing Room 4." came the voice of the Flight Officer

 

"let's move pilots!"  commanded Braxus

 

As what was left of Flayer squad ran to the briefingroom, all CPT Braxus could think of was "What a day. Cant get any worse, I suppose."

 

10 minutes later he was proven wrong.

 

The Briefing room was a bustle of activity and confusion. Pilots from both of the SSD Avenger's wings  were present.

Flayer squadron, as they sat in their seats, were as curious as the rest.

 

"CPT, any idea what this is all about?" asked Celchu

 

"No clue. We haven't  heard about any enemy movement in our territory." Replied Braxus

 

"It might be pirates." Suggested Kaek

 

"Na, no pirate clan would dare attack us after the pasting we gave them on Hyner III." Said Paven

 

Just then the lights went dim and the situation screen came to life.
Everyone hushed.

 

"3 days ago, 4 of our outer outposts in the Minos Cluster have gone out of contact. In response, Sector Admiral Astatine sent the closest ship to investigate, the VSD Domain. That was 2 days ago. We just received a transmission that confirms that the Domain and the outposts have been destroyed by an aggressor." Said Rear Admiral Davi Anthol, Commodore of the Avenger.

 

The message played, "This is Grand Admiral Jeff Loruss, commander of the Trident Strike Force."

 

Gasps could be heard throughout the room.

 

The message continued. "The True Grand Master and the Brotherhood have declared the Minos Cluster under our protection. Many of our brethren have fought and bled for these territories. We will stand aside nomore as they are plundered by Grand Admiral Ronin and the Emperor's Hammer. We are prepared to do whatever it takes to secure their future. Do not attempt to thwart us. Stay out of our territory and we will leave you alone. We wish no hostility between us."

 

As the message ended, there was a long silence. The lights turned on and VA Khaen was at the podium.

 

"You heard right. The rDB has just annexed the Minos Cluster. Seen as an internal DB matter, GA Ronin has issued that the Avenger cancel the current refit and repairs. As Flagship to the Brotherhood, we will intercept the TSF and annihilate all opposing forces." Khaen paused to look at every pilot in the room.

 

He continued. "Intel indicates that the TSF has only 1 ship, a Super Star Destroyer. The Balestarius. How they acquired her is yet unknown. She is understaffed and has only a few squadrons of Sith pilots. The Command Staff feel that they will easily fall to our might. Wing Commander Zack." As Khaen finished, he handed the podium to the LC.

 

"Thank you. I speak on behalf of MAJ Kai aswell." he began

 

"As of now all outbound transmissions are forbidden. It will take an estimated 7 days to reach the Minos Cluster. Squadrons will begin mock battles in the simulator. Not all of you are Dark Jedi, Sith pilots are among the toughest you'll ever encounter so be prepared. Results will be into my office no later then 6 days from now. Good Luck and High Flying." As LC Zack finished all the squadrons began talking.

 

"Can we really fight our friends?" said one of the pilots from Trapper Squadron.

"I cant believe they want us to kill them all." Spoke a Flight Leader from Rage Squad.

 

And so it begins..........

 

TO BE CONTINUED

 

 

Flayer Report # 1   06.26.03    By CPT Braxus

Well, this is my first report as Flayer's CMDR in over 2 months. For those who dont know me, I've been a member of Flayer Squad since it was commissioned just over 2 years ago, under the Command of CM Predator (Now in the rDB). Ive recruited a total of 12 pilots to her since then. I have been Flight Leader of Flight 2 for 9 months and from then to CMDR for 9 months before i was removed. Well, now im back (Braxus smiles as cheers are heard throught the ship). I've seen Flayer go through good times aswell as bad.

First, I have to fully update the Squad site, so check it often for Orders and Assignments. The Squad Message Board is now underconstuction and will be up soon. Now, Im trying to set up a weekly Squad meeting on mIRC in #Flayer on the undernet. It will be held everyweek and will be manditory unless RL interferes. I need all of you to email me with all the times and days you know for a fact you are available, after reviewing these with LCM Celchu we will set a time and day thats good for all. If you dont have mIRC or worse dont know what it is, email me and ill send you a link and explain. Everyone should be as active as they can, everyone in the squad knows that RL (real life) takes up alot of your time, but every moment you can spare to the EH would be greatly beneficial. I want to see you guys being active!!!!, you could fly single player battles or multiplayer ones, write fiction, recruit new members, or help me with the squad website. The more active you are the better the chance of you being promoted and recieving medals!!!   :)  (Sounds easy, right? well it is!!!!!!). With all the choices there really is no excuse for inactivity.

 

And lastly can everyone send me all data on any other sub-groups you guys are in other then the TC, like the DB? I also need your AIM and mIRC names.    Thanks. Anyone who doesnt send me an Email by July 2nd at 11pm EST will be declared AWOL and removed from the squad!!!!!!!!!!!!!   
This is of upmost importance.

 

Wing News:
Nothing right now.

 

Squad Orders:
First, if you liked the fiction at the beginning of this report and want to know what happends. After the next report, i will hold a weekly Run-on fiction competition. It will be held every Thurs. until the following Weds. Any that I pick will recieve an IS-BR. So, get thinking and start writting. Lets come up with some good ones people!!!!

 

Next, every week I am going to assign us a battle from TIE, XWA, and XvT to complete (including me but i dont get a medal). Whoever gets the most total points in a battle, will recieve an IS-BW. Also, whoever completes the most battles that same week will recieve an ISM. These battles will be as if you are flying them for the Fiction Run-on. This weeks assigned battles are:
TIE-TC 184, XWA-TC 23, and XvT-TC 5.
Good Luck and High Flying!!!

We also need a new Flight Leader for Flight 3. The pilot who completes the most overall missions (including the assigned ones) by July 9th will recieve this prestigious position. So get in those cockpits and fly your asses off!!!!!!!

 

Finally, I want you guys out there recruiting for us. From this time on, any pilot the recruits a pilot to this squadron will recieve an ISM for ever recruit!!!!!!
Lets get Flayer back to Full strength!!!!!!!

 

Squad News:
I would like to take this opertunity to welcome Flayer's newest pilot, SL Kaek. Dispite how I depicted him in the story, he is not new to the EH. He had been a member for 4 years and is quite seasoned. I plan on anouncing FL2 Flight Leader by the next report, you all already know who it is.   :)

 

Pilot Activity:
CM Braxus - Completed SM3 last week and im still waiting for the results!, updating Squad site, and assumed command of Flayer.

 

LT Kyle Darklighter - No contact. Give me a shout!

 

SL Master G - No contact. Complete your INPR to receive full LT!!!

 

LCM Tycho Celchu - Completed TIE-TC 130. Tried to complete XWA-TC 33. Good job!!

 

SL Luke Horn - No contact. Give me a shout! INPR to get LT!!

 

LT JKast - No contact. Give me a shout! will be removed as FL3

 

LT Kyle Infamous - No contact. Give me a shout!

 

LT Lorn Pavan - Active in helping me with the squad, writing fiction for the beginning of next weeks report.

 

Final Thoughts:
Fly missions, take IWATS courses, keep in touch via email, and do whatever else it takes to make us the best.

Good Luck & High Flying.
Braxus Out.
Respectfully Submitted,

CMDR/CPT Braxus/Flayer/Wing XIX/SSD Avenger
PC/ISM/MoI-GC/IS-4BW-2BR-1GW/LoC-CSx2-Rx1/CoB/OV-2E [CAVL] {IWATS-CBX-M/1-SM/2}
(TIE Defender-"Diavolo")--(PIN#6352)
BTM/JH Braxus/Apocalypse/Oriens Obscurum/Arcona
SCx2/SEx2/DCx4 -- ID#153
"Your suffering will be legendary... even in Hell."