ITOD Home > RS Tour 4 (XWA Mixed Tour) > XWA 402: Elornia System Recon (IBG 202)

Four Gold Squadron pilots had claimed a corner booth in the Bar & Grill of the cruiser McGrath, a datapad with a large screen centered on the table between them. Several mugs and glasses with varying levels of liquid and a crumb-laden plate accompanied the datapad.

Ace Antilles, Gold's youngest member, drained his latest mug of ale in one long pull. "I still say those Gunboats came out of nowhere." He set the empty mug on the table in front of him. "Just look at that recording!"

The group watched a clip of Ace's demise at the hands of the three Assault Gunboats play on the datapad's screen. The pilot attempted to evade, but was unsuccessful. The massed laser fire converged on his A-Wing and ripped it apart in seconds.

A chuckle slipped out from InterlinkKnight. "You've gotta watch your back, Ace. Enemies can creep up on you with no warning."

Ace Farlander, a recently returned member of Gold, tapped his fingers on the side of his glass. "Keep an eye on your sensors, too. It can easily save your ass when all seems quiet."

"I know. Could have sworn the flight of squints was the last of the fighter opposition, though." Ace Antilles eyed his empty mug, considering whether he wanted a refill. "Guess I just took too long to jump back to the Kalinga."

"Don't worry Ace, it was a great run up to that point." Hermus Dogan leaned forward on the table, a grin spreading across his features. "Blasting the two freighters wasn't part of the objectives, though!"

Everyone laughed at that. Ace Antilles shrugged. "Guess I was just caught up in the frenzy of killing Imps."

Interlink nodded. "Can't fault a pilot for that."

Shaking his head, Ace Farlander spoke up. "I still can't believe you went to the trouble of destroying the platform in an A-Wing, Interlink. Especially when it was to be destroyed in the next mission."

"Consider it one less mission Command needs to plan out," Interlink replied as he claimed the mug in front of him. "Were that a real mission outcome instead of a simulation, I don't think anyone would complain."

"Quite true." Hermus signaled to Levar Mighten, the McGrath's usual bartender, for another round before turning back to his squadmates.

"By the way," Ace Farlander asked, "when's the next run scheduled?"

Everyone looked to Hermus, Gold's CO. "The next window begins in about a week. We'll get more details when the time comes."

Levar appeared at the group's table, drink tray in hand. "Here's your next round, fellas. I'll clear some of those empties." In a blur of motion the veteran bartender confiscated the plate and empty drinking vessels, swapping them with fresh replacements.

"Thanks Levar." Hermus slipped his fingers through the grip on his mug and raised it above the table. "Here's to Gold, top squadron for the Elornia System recon mission." The other three pilots acquired their drinks and followed suit.

Four voices called out as one, drowning out conversations of the other B&G patrons. "GO FOR THE GOLD!"