As the TIE Defenders of Tempest Squadron reverted back to real space, Naiilo noted that all 4 starfighters did so at virtually the exact same moment. They had been trained well. The Missile Boats would follow soon, for some reason they were always a bit slower. He quickly cycled through his computer, and noticed a Victory-class Star Destroyer in the distance. He cursed. He didn't have much time to consider his options, as his comms started crackling.

'Tempest leader, this is the Victory-class Star Destroyer Reminiscent. We're transmitting approach vectors. Make haste and get into the hangar, we have places to be and little time to get there.'

Naiilo wanted to respond, but he noticed the comms had shut down already. Whoever was on that Star Destroyer wouldn't hear him. Instead, he switched to his squadron's secured frequency. 'Let's head for that Star Destroyer folks, but keep your shields at max and be ready for trouble.' He had already double checked, the Vic was indeed sending out an Imperial IFF transponder signal, and the security clearance codes attached were confirmed to be Emperor's Hammer codes. Yet Naiilo had never heard of the Star Destroyer Reminiscent. Of course there could be a few Star Destroyers not on the official duty roster, but he still didn't like it.

The arrival of his new Spectre Advanced Missile Boats distracted him for a moment, and he sent a signal for them to follow.

Major Shadowclaw meanwhile was having a similar experience. His squadron of TIE Phantoms exited hyperspace far from the Reminiscent. Instead, he was welcomed by empty space. No stars nearby, no planets, nothing of interesting. He frowned. He punched a few buttons to double check his navi computer, but he was at the coordinates provided to him by the Wing Commander.

'All Thunder pilots, engage the cloaking system,' he said into his comms, and flipped the switch that engaged his cloaking systems. He didn't know why he was here, but he doubted his squadron would remain alone for long, and he wanted to have the element of surprise on his side. He powered down his ion engines, and allowed his fighter to drift through space, as he knew his pilots would be doing as well. The TIE Phantom's stygium crystal powered cloaking device would ensure his fighter wouldn't be picked up by scanners, but he wasn't too confident that they would remain undetectable if they were being very active.

The wait lasted for half an hour, and then his computer bleeped, signalling the approach of a hyperspace event. Seconds later, he saw a large ship revert to realspace. He fired his lateral thrusters, and oriented his fighter towards the newcomer. He jaw dropped as he recognized the bulky shape of Mon Calamari star cruiser. He cursed and started flipping switches. He was about to break radio silence and start handing orders to his pilots, when a voiced boomed over the comms.

'Thunder squadron of Wing X, this is Commander Kress of the Imperial Star Cruiser Night Huntress. Welcome to this side of the Outer Rim. Our hangar as awaiting your arrival.' A warbling sound rang in his ears, and the computer bleeped. He glanced, and noted the computer had received and accepted an Imperial security clearance code. He relaxed.

'Thunder,' he spoke into the comms. 'Disengage cloaks and head for that cruiser. Seems we've been reassigned for the time being.'
 

A midweek report, barely 2 days after my previous COM report. I can hear you think 'This can't be good'. Well, that depends on your point of view. There are two reasons for this extra report:

First off, congratulations to Silwar Naiilo, who was promoted to the prestifious rank of General earlier today. A well deserved promotion considering all he's done for Tempest squadron. He's picking up the tab in the Challenge cantina for the rest of the month.

The second bit of news is quite different. Earlier this week, I have informed the Squadron Commanders, Wing Commander and TIE Corps Command Staff that my tenure as your Commodore will be coming to an end at the end of the month. After just a few days more than a full year at the helm of this mighty warship, it is time to give someone else a chance to to great things, leading us through Imperial Storm III and Raise the Flag 2021. The Wing Commander has declined the position, so the next step is up to the Admiralty Board. I have given them my recommendation, and that's all I can do. Thank you for allowing me to do this job, and lead this ship to greatness once again. I won't be gone, I'll take a FM spot somewhere on the Challenge, although I haven't yet decided where. And yes, I am taking bribes on the matter.

Until next week!
 

TRANSFERS

Challenge ship-wide competitions:

Dempsey's Weekly Screenshots

Every week, the report will have a screenshot. Not necessarily from a Star Wars movie. First Challenge pilot to send the correct answer to the mailing list wins. Each victory earns you an IS-BR. Unless it's a 5th victory, you then get a IS-SR. Unless it's a 10th victory, which gives you an IS-GR!

Current screenshot:

Last week's winner:
COL Stryker for Basic Instinct

Current standings:
7pts: COL Stryker
6pts: MAJ EvilGrin
3pts: COL Mell Kerrigan, LC Tygra Shadowclaw
2pts: CM Richlet, LCM Wreckage, LC Phalk Sturm, LC Kadon Beir, GN Elwood the Brave, COL Marenta, GN Silwar Naiilo
1pts: LCM Dougal Cealleigh, CPT TI-40026, CPT Kalve Ryder, MAJ Talon Jade

2 or 3 more reports from me to go. 2 or 3 more screenshots to be won after this one. Go for it!

COM-TACA-FSE/HA Anahorn Dempsey/ISD-II Challenge, signing off

MoH/ICx2/OoR/GOEx3/GSx21/SSx43/BSx39/PCx16/ISMx9/MoT-51rh-52gh-9bh/MoI/MoC-11doc-11poc-11goc-10soc-91boc/IS-12PW-192GW-443SW-408BW-4PR-18GR-
   21SR-89BR/LoC-PSx9-RSx2-IS-CSx2/LoS-PSx23-RS-IS-CSx3-Rx4/DFC-SW-Rx3/CoS/CoEx4/CoLx14/CoB/LoAx3/OV-14E [Imperator] [Tan] [TAR]
{IWATS:MCBS-XAM-XMD-TM/1/2/TM/3-XTM/1-MP/2-AMP-XWAI-BFM-TT-XTT-SFT-CTW-AT-SU-CM2-MD1-DT3-ARTY1-VS4-ST-SC-SEA-SD-SZ-SR-AIR-CC-SFW-WPN-
    XWAC-ESET-ISET-TIE-SMA-AWAK-BWAK-XWAK-YWAK-SN4-SM/3/4/5}
{IU:C/TC,C/DB,C/DIR,S,UL,CRD,EJE,TD,REP,WM,FT,IO,INST,MI,BTL,LDR,COE,WD,AIM,ICQ,MS1,TLN,ASP,BX,CSS,CBX,DW,FLA,LIN,GFX,IBX,JS,WIKI,PHP,VBS,XML,
    MAN1,MAN2,WKS,INO,HIST,INTEL,PRER,GR,SPW,HAD,GHA,THR,OSS,M/1/2,IIC/1/2/3,IA,CA,ARG/1,STM}