The Hex Wing Series, Chapter One

The two X-Wings hung in the vast empty void of space, almost completely powered down there was little chance of being discovered by a passing ships sensors. They were on a recon mission and had to remain out of sight. Since the fall of the Galactic Empire, the New Republics forces now found themselves hunting down the last of the Imperial forces and intelligence reports suggested that the ISD Retaliator would be using this sector as a hyperspace jump point.

Sticks looked out towards his fellow X-Wing, without the usual illumination of the cockpits displays and buttons he could barely make out its occupant. As the craft lazily drifted, a chink of light briefly illuminated a flash of pink from the pilot’s helmet. She must have known he was looking over, a dim light appeared, just enough to make out the arm that raised in a wave but ended instead with a raised finger. He chuckled, “Yeah same to you Angel!”

They were both members of Remnant Squadron, so called because their main role now was tracking the last of the Imperial warlords. They were pulled from the best pilots the Republic had to offer, places were by invitation only and Sticks led the roster. The squad trained hard and had studied Imperial tactics extensively to the point that they could take down a Star Destroyer in teams of five, saving vital Republic assets that could be deployed to take care of more mundane tasks. Today was different though, all the X-Wings had to do was sit there, if the Retaliator appeared they would alert a waiting New Republic task force then sit back and enjoy the show.

A sudden flash broke the monotony and announced the Retaliator’s arrival. Sticks keyed his comms button.

“Angel..”

“On it.”

She had already sent the subspace call, signalling to the Republic Fleet to jump in to the system and take down the Retaliator. Grand Admiral Karktiss (self-promoted of course) was on the command bridge and was wanted for multiple atrocities committed at the height of the Empires hold on the galaxy. The Republic wanted to disable the Retaliator and bring Karktiss to justice through the legal system. Angel understood the reasoning for having the Alliance fleet in on this mission, but she’d have preferred to have just destroyed the ISD with a Remnant strike force and left the bucket heads in vacuum.

“Sticks, Fleet says it will be here in 40 seconds.”

“Roger that Angel, start cycling power but don’t overdo it. We don’t want the Imps knowing we’re here and leaving the system before the Liberty and Defiance are here.”

“Gee thanks for the tip boss.”

Sticks looked over towards the Retaliator 14 clicks away. Even at this distance he could make out the ISD’s battle scars, its usual flat surfaces marked by holes lined with twisted metal and scorch marks from its last encounter with Alliance forces. Karktiss had been lucky to escape last time, it wouldn’t happen again. Another flash briefly blinded Sticks and he swore as the X-Wings now active sensor scan started wailing.

“Sticks, two frigates just joined the ISD.”

“I thought it was alone?”

“I guess someone decided to help him out.”

“We need to let Scorer and EG know, somethings not right.”

“They’re already in hyperspace, I can’t reach them.”

Sticks checked his scanners. Imperial fighters were now swarming from the larger carriers and taking up position around the small Imperial fleet.

“They know.”

“Yeah, 3 squads of fighters, 3 of squints and 2 with deuces. Should we engage boss?”

Sticks considered it briefly then shook his head.

“No, those odds aren’t in our favour and this is Scorers mission. They should have enough firepower, that ISD has already taken a battering.”

“Ok, fleet arriving in 3, 2, 1…”

The CRS Liberty and Defiant jumped in right on cue, escorted by a mixed bag of fighters from Blue, Grey and Green.

“ISD Retaliator, this is Fleet Admiral Scorer of the The New Republic forces. You are ordered to stand down and prepare for boarding. You will not be fired on if you comply.”

Sticks and Angels comm lit up with a message on the Squadrons private channel.

“Sticks, Angel, regroup with the rest of Remnant. We got this.”

“Roger that EvilGrin, Sticks out.”

On the bridge of the Defiance Lieutenant Commander Jarakin (callsign EvilGrin), watched as the two X-Wing fighters hypered out of system and off the sensor screen. A founding member of Remnant along with Sticks and Angel, he had taken a position as liaison officer between the squadron and the rest of the Republics forces. Fleet Admiral Scorer, commanding the Liberty, was an old friend and both were veteran pilots who had earned the respect of the crews on their respective ships. Neither of the two men dictated to their subordinates and their casual but firm leadership style had won the admiration of the men and women on board.

“Jarakin, it seems Karktiss has brought some friends to play.”

“He’s also already got that fighter screen deployed Admiral. He was expecting something, it could be a trap.”

Scorer scowled at being addressed as Admiral. He hated his old squadmates addressing him by rank, particularly as it was always made in jest. At least he thought so.

“Perhaps, Lieutenant Commander” he replied, stressing Jarakins own rank, “take all necessary precautions, I am not concerned with the cruisers but we must take that ISD in one piece. You know what to do, Green Squadron is yours. Good hunting!”

“Aye Aye, FLEEET ADMIRRRALL Sir!”

On the bridge of the Retaliator Karktiss gave his own orders. There was no idle chit chat on the decks of this ship, the crew around him quietly and efficiently set about relaying his directives. People had been known to disappear for just making small talk about the short and vindictive man who had somehow clawed his way to the top of the command chain. With the Retaliator already badly damaged, it only had one working set of heavy turbolasers to present to the approaching rebel ships, so his crew would have to constantly move the lumbering giant in order to fire with maximum efficiency. He would use the smaller cruisers and Tie Bombers to attack one ship and draw it away, while he dealt with the remaining MC-75. It wouldn’t be easy, but he was confident that with superior numbers he would once again escape the Rebels clutches.

The Retaliator began its slow turn to starboard and the two Imperial cruisers set off on a different vector, heavy Tie Bombers escorting them. As the two MC75’s approached they split apart in an effort to try and surround the Star Destroyer. In the empty space between these giant ships, smaller fighters were already within weapons range. Red and Green lasers flashes began to illuminate the pitch black star field, occasionally joined by a sudden flash as a ship vanished under the withering fire.