FROM: Colonel Stryker, Squadron Commander
TO: LC Denys Elara
CC: HA Anahorn Dempsey, Firebird Squadron
DATE SUBMITTED: February 20, 29 ABY

Chapter 3 – The Next Day

Stryker brooded while he watched the Astromechs and mechanics aboard the Hermes perform repairs on the damaged or disabled craft of Firebird Squadron; Shadow Squadron’s ambush had set them back by hours, perhaps days, and with every passing minute the renegades were getting further away. Without knowing their objective, they couldn’t even plan a daring intercept that would take them to the edge of their endurance – like in the holos. It was probably for the best…

One of the Hermes’ communications officers approached from just outside Stryker’s peripheral vision with a datapad in her hand, she coughed gently to attract his attention and handed it to him before departing. A quick glance at the screen told him that they had intercepted a transmission from the Y-Wings as they departed; recordings of a Star Destroyer opening fire on civilian vessels, of the Audacity and Retribution snagging the Deliverance out of Hyperspace and crippling her with pinpoint salvoes of weapons fire designed to disable her. Confused, Stryker checked to see if the files were genuine and the validator confirmed that the data had not been tampered with. Confused now more than ever, Stryker assembled the pilots and revealed what he had discovered – some reacted with shock, some with anger, while others seemed less than surprised that something like this had happened. The Strike Fleet was still full of die-hard Imperials who ascribed to the old ways, and the more moderately-minded members of the Infiltrator Wing were seen at best as weak, at worst as traitors to the Emperor – apparently someone in the Kawolski battlegroup, probably the Commodore themselves, had decided to cull the weak themselves…

If the Deliverance had been attacked without provocation and the Kawolski had ambushed and destroyed civilian freighters without warning, then their mission would need to be modified, but it did not change the fact that Shadow Squadron had gone off-mission, ceased communicating with their superiors, and fired upon TIE Corps vessels. They would need to be brought to heel as much as those they apparently tracked, but for now there were bigger fish to fry.

The squadron’s next mission was a dud, as was the mission after that – neither the Kawolski or the Deliverance were in a position to be tracked, it was as if both ships had simply disappeared from space simultaneously – hiding an Imperial-II-class Star Destroyer wasn’t something just anyone could do, even within the space controlled by the Emperor’s Hammer. Meanwhile the Security Office demanded updates; the Kawolski was now under investigation as well, but Shadow Squadron was not off the hook and the Admiralty Board was not impressed with the constant delays – they wanted progress, and they wanted it sooner rather than later. Deep down, Stryker wondered how long it would be before Firebird Squadron was recalled and a less understanding unit was sent in its place – Praetorian Squadron, for example – they’d show up and simply gun down anyone who they considered complicit in the crimes that had been reported, submit a report with minimal detail, and get a chest-full of medals for their time. There had been a time when Praetorian had been honourable, but gone were the days of Ric Hunter and Abel Malik, replaced with pro-Imperial fanatics who would gladly sell their lives and souls in the name of a monster long dead.

Maybe Shadow Squadron’s pilots had a point after all; was the corruption limited to the Kawolski, or had it spread so far throughout the fleet that it was impossible to tell who was fighting for law and order and who was simply in it for the power?

For the first time since returning, Stryker began to wonder if it might have been better if he’d not rejoined…

Firebird Squadron Training: Every two weeks, Firebird will assemble for Multiplayer Training! Star Wars Squadrons, EA Battlefront 2, and others; let's try to get full flights working together!

Flight of the Firebirds (Shadowhunters): Narrative campaign starring Firebird Squadron, story progresses each week. Challenges issued to squadron every Saturday in report, with rounds concluding every Friday.

Chalquilla Cup: 3v3 Multiplayer event using Star Wars Squadrons. Match pairings and results can be found here.

TIE Corps in Battle (TCiB): The TCCOM's High Score Hunt, one battle each from TIE, XvT, and XWA will be assigned monthly.

COL Stryker
CMDR-WARD / COL Stryker / Firebird / Wing X / ISDII Challenge