Starfighter Training

In space above the planet of Thyferra, 60 fighters were flying around, dodging grey stun bullets.

They were having a true dogfight, 30 against 30, however, the lasers they fired were unique. It wasn't the color red, blue, green, or even yellow. Instead, it was the color grey, and it didn't do any damage.

Instead, whenever a grey laser hit the hull of the fighters, the fighters' power would short-circuit for 2 seconds. After regaining power, they would simply fly away.

This was a training dogfight; however, 2 fighters were standing out. The standard procedure and the most effective one was to work in teams of 2. Also known as flying in a section, there were 2 members in one section, a lead, and a wingman. The lead fly at point, being the first to fight meanwhile the wingman Is just a bit behind to the back, protecting the lead against any fighter trying to attack from behind.

The Wingman was flying in an Alpha-3 V-wing Starfighter. While the lead was in a much more advanced and special starfighter. The Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor. However, the Eta-2 was way ahead of its time. It was currently 34 BBY, but the Eta-2 Actis was only introduced during the later stages of the Clone Wars, which ended in 19 BBY.

The Wingman was the pilot Fenn Rau. He was of Mandalorian birth, he was currently at the age of 18. He had been recruited 2 months ago after graduating from the Mandalorian Fighter Pilot program. Although he had just 2 months to get used to the Alpha-3 he had already become more skilled than most of the Thyferran Starfighter Corp. He was flying excellently, dodging grey lasers and obliterating anyone turning around towards his lead.

However the lead was also quite good, while not having the skill of his wingman Renn Fau, he was able to predict his opponents' line of fire and dodge it. His starfighter flew like a calm blade through the wind. Looking around and shooting any opponents before they could get to him.

The Pilot was of special origin, Count of Thyferra, Lord of House Veridian, and Senator of Thyferra, Thalron Veridian. The 14-year-old count was flying around outmaneuvering men well into their twenties and some even in their thirties. However, the other team was no slouch either.

The opponent team lacked outstanding pilots like Thalron and Renn, however, they more than made up for it due to their tactics. The 30-man starfighter team was working as a team, having a squadron of 12 go around and hit major wins against enemy fighters, while the other 18 were fighting the rest. And as such the battle continued. This strategy was commanded by one Commander Tytos.

The ace duo of Thalron and Fenn went around slaughtering enemy fighters, while Tytos was commanding an excellent defense with his 18 men while the 12 had no equals.

Soon enough, Fenn as the excellent pilot had extremely good eyesight and therefore spotted their tactics early.

"This is Orion-1 to Orion-0, I can see a squadron detachment in the enemy lineup hunting down single or double starfighters." He said over to comms.

…

I had been fighting in the space for a few minutes now. I have spent any extra time over the last 4 months training in starfighter combat. I had played Star Wars Squadrons but truly, it was quite different in real life. I only got combat cleared 3 days ago and this was my first battle.

I was flying with Fenn as my wingman in my first-ever practice battle when he notified me of the new strategy.

"This is Orion-1 to Orion-0, I can see a squadron detachment...…" I heard over the commlink. I was known as Orion-0 because I couldn't become an official member of the Squadron. Orion was the name of our most skilled squadron led by Fenn Rau himself.

"Should we intercept them?" I asked over the commlink. The communications included either section, squadron, or group. A group is anything of more than 2 squadrons but less than 5.

We currently use the section one.

"Aye, but we should get reinforcements." Fenn said over the commlink.

"Very good." I said before switching comms.

"This is section-1 of Orion Squadron, we are requesting assistance from 3 or more available sections to counter-attack their infiltrating squadron at coordinate 3.4.8.2." I said and I got a few responses.

"Section-2 of Orion cannot help at this time."

"Section-4 of Orion will provide assistance, where will we regroup." I guess section-3 is down for the count.

"Section-5, of Orion cannot provide any assistance."

"Section-6 of Orion needs dire assistance, we are under heavy scrutiny from 2 enemy sections."

"Section-1 of Element is on our way section-6 please hold on."

"Section 2 of Element will provide assistance."

"Section-4 of Element can provide assistance."

"Section-6 of Element cannot provide assistance."

"Section-1 of Flame cannot provide assistance."

So we lost 3 sections already, damn.

"This is Section-1, meet us at 3.4.3.2 and fly around if you arrive early, don't stand still." I said before switching back to Section commlink.

"Alright, Orion-1 let's move out." I said and I only got a slight "Mhm" in response.

I took the lead as usual and he followed me as we headed to the correct coordinates, the other 3 sections were already waiting. I switched back to squadron comms.

"This is Section-1, follow our lead. The infiltrating squadron is heading toward section-6 and 7." I said as all 4 of our sections sped up to max speed towards the enemy squadron.

"This is Orion-0, we will be hitting them through the side, push through their formation then disperse into your sections." I said as we closed in on the enemy squadrons' positions.

"Hold fire." I said slowly.

"Hold…."

"Fire!" I shouted as I saw their fighters turn towards us, probably spotted us coming.

I sped up and launched 2 missiles. The Eta-2 had 4 missiles, I had already used 2 of them.

However, the other 7 out of 8 total fighters launched a fury of laser. Missiles are extremely effective when they aren't expected and they therefore took out 2 starfighters, meanwhile, the other fighters took out 3 starfighters in total, and Fenn was responsible for 1 of them.

I then turned to the Astromech situated on the left side of the wing.

"R1, how many hostile ships are left?"

"Beep boop biip boop boop biii" ( theres 7 ships in front of us and 4 incoming )

"Alright." I then switched to the squadron comms again.

"We got 7 hostile fighters and 4 incomings, watch out for the reinforcements. Spread out!" I said as I sped up and we flew out of the dogfight, I looked behind me to see Fenn still following. I then turned the joystick heavily to the right turning the fighter around back towards the dogfight.

Pressing a button on my joystick I released waves of electronic laser upon my fellow starfighter pilots. One unlucky pilot was chasing one of our pilots and he flew straight into my laser fire. He was down for the count.

I then spotted his wingman gunning straight towards me, probably attempting a quick revenge. However, he was no match against Fenn. He didn't even get to point his laser cannons towards me before his systems short-circuited.

However that's when I spotted Tytos, he was flying with his Wingman and another section, and he was using his 3rd-party tactics even while getting his 3rd party attacked.

"Orion-1, let's go take out the Commander." I said as he responded with a

"Aye boss."

I then sped up again flying through and dodging fights, they had long gotten their 4 man reinforcements however we were only outnumbered by 1 as of right now due to mine and Fenn's actions.

Usually, a proper dogfight would take minutes. Not those 10 seconds Luke used; however, he had his reasons. 1, the X-wings' unique gun placements allow it to shoot a lot and cover a lot of ground. 2nd the TIE-Fighters didn't have shields, the Alpha-3 could take up to 5 shots before getting out, while the TIE could only take 1. And lastly Luke was a Jedi, which honestly is a pay-to-win ability. Completely overpowered.

Luckily for me, Tytos was more concerned with the general picture and looking for people to hunt. He saw that none of our sections had banded together and therefore didn't find a threat. And as such he never expected to be attacked.

Both me and Fenn targeted the first fighter to enter our range, but he didn't survive for more than 5 seconds against our fury of focused strikes.

We then moved on to the next. However, this one was prepared, and he was already swinging around, doing 360's when we got our aim on him.

We focused all our firepower on him trying to cut down their advantage. The 2 teams were equal due to our surprise attack, and if we took out this guy we would be leading.

This continued for 1 entire minute until I heard something over the commlink.

"Orion-0, watch out! Tytos maneuvered around us without us realizing, he's now behind us with his wingman." I heard and I immediately looked behind me.

He was right, 2 Alpha-3s had managed around us and were now on our backs.

"Fuck, evasive maneuvers!" I exclaimed as I began swinging and turning.

However, Tytos wasn't our best starfighter commander for nothing. He realized the potential destruction I and Fenn posed and he had called in reinforcements.

And as any good commander will say. Focus on the weak link.

He had sent his best pilot on Fenn, who surprisingly was the guy who kept us at bay for 1 minute, while he had 3 others on me.

I switched onto the group comms.

"This is Section-1 of Orion speaking. Orion-1 and I have been engaged by 4 enemy fighters and we badly require assistance! I have 3 fighters on me!" I exclaimed through the comms.

"Orion-0, this is Flame-1, I am 0.02 clicks out, hold on for 1 minute." He said.

However, I knew I couldn't hold out that long. The Alpha-3 and Eta-2 were made for quick movement and intercepting, however that worked on me as well.

And 20 seconds after I made that call, my systems short-circuited.

"Fuck, Orion-1 I'm out. Good luck." And with that, I headed back to one of the Munificents.

I reached it in 20 seconds and I got my Eta-2 remodifed to fit live blaster ammo and rockets.

I then went out again and began practicing evasive maneuvers. I badly needed them.

4 minutes after I died Fenn appeared as well. Apparently, Tytos had switched his attack squad to Fenn after I died. And when Fenn died he continued onto the rest until most of his original squadron was cleared and he then used them.

7 minutes after I died the battle ended.

Tytos won with only 6 fighters remaining. This was quite the feat seeing as me and Fenn destroyed over 5 fighters alone.

After Fenn arrived we used the missile lock to fake-fight. Like they did in top-gun.

However, as the last fighters entered the Munificent it went wrong.

I got a call from the Vice Admiral. Vice Admiral Howard, he was the only Vice Admiral and in charge of our Defensive Fleet. Or what it was called, it was basically a task force though.

"My Lord!" He exclaimed

"Yes, Vice Admiral Howard?" I asked as me and Fenn stopped dogfighting.

"We just detected a single jump from hyperspace. It is not one of ours." He said.

I looked at Fenn as our fighters stood beside each other before looking towards the hyperspace exit, a single ship was there, however, it must be bigger than a CR90.

"What type of ship or class is it?" I asked

"Due to the ship's size and assumed guns, it should be a destroyer. We're currently running the number." He said.

"Alright, order the ground hangar to prepare to send out fighters, and refit all the fighters back to live laser ammo." I said and I got a "Yes, My Lord." In return.

Soon enough he came with a response, meanwhile the destroyer was getting closer and closer.

"My Lord! The ship's size, customization, and number all point towards it being a Sabath Destroyer. From the mercenary Sabath Squadron." He said a bit fearfully, they were known for their cruelty.

"Hmm, however, that is a dumb move of them, even if they are paid well. If I'm correct then they have multiple of these destroyers, and a single can only carry 12 fighters. It would be dumb to attack us with 12 fighters and a destroyer when we have 4 Munificents and 20 DP20s…. Vice Admiral, check for any additional fighters." I said.

"My Lord! Scans show there are 48 fighters following the ship, all are Sabath Fighters." He said.

Hmm, perfectly 60 fighters. Equal to our training fighters. They would never score a major victory against our forces with that fighting force. However, they have the perfect force to combat our training session where none of our fighters wear ammo.

Unless they were after me... However, they couldn't possibly know that. Unless they got assistance from someone influential, down on the ground. Who could see the battle and potentially my recently received Nu-shuttle arriving in space.

"Hmmm, how many fighters do we have?" I asked.

"Each Munificent has 40, but one Munificent is currently switching the ammo to live. Another 20 from a second Munificent Is also gone, we only have 100 fighters onboard the Munificent. 100 Alpha-3's. We then have a further 150 Z-6 on the ground." He said.

"Very good, attempt to contact the ships. If they do not respond, then launch all our fighters and inform the ground fighters to prepare. I'll be leading the starfighter battle." I said and I got the expected reaction.

"My LORD!? You cannot think of joining a live dogfight? You are the only leader and have no heir. Additionally, although you are more skilled than most of our fighters you have only trained for 4 months." He exclaimed with a slight tremble. He'd probably get chewed off by the admiral if he let me. He had unending loyalty towards me.

"It is fine, Vice Admiral. Assign Orion to escort me and I'll have Fenn as my wingman. Order Tytos to return to the battle as the overall starfighter commander." I said as I and Fenn sat there waiting.

"I guess this will be your first real battle eh, lad?" He said like he was some experienced veteran, his ass was legit a few years older.

"Why are you talking like you're 40. You just graduated a few years ago." I said as Fenn chuckled.

"Perhaps, but you're still a lot more greener than I am." Fenn said, I was about to respond but Howard was too fast.

"My Lord, they are completely ignoring our attempts to communicate, and their fighters have sped up. They are about to enter our range." Howard said through the comms.

"You know what to do. Launch all fighters and send the 10 DP20s in orbit ahead. Have the Munificent focus on the destroyers." I said and he nodded, it was the basic procedure while the rest were up to him basically.

"Alright Fenn, we're heading into battle." I said into our comms as I saw tens of starfighters leave the Munificent.

"Time for the green grass to grow." He said as he began chuckling like crazy.

"Crazy wannabe veteran." I said as we joined the other fighters.

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