Rebel Squadrons

PBF NL September 11, 2003

By FA Tyrell "Spokes" Borran
Unit: Patriot Starfighter Group
Fleet NL, Sep 11, 2003
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PBF Newsletter – PBF 5.04 “Awaiting Reenforcements”

Theseus, Oberon System
Office of the Governor
09:34 Planetary Time

Governor Klint lay the datapad containing the latest Inventory on his desk and felt the anger welling up inside him again. “We’ve lost more ships since we ask the Rebel Squadrons to send help than in the previous six months.” He glared across his desk at the RS Officer who had been sent after his urgent plea and could not help but feel that he would be better off with Imperial protection.

“Perhaps you would prefer to have the Empire return.” The officer stated flatly as he took a sip of the hot caf that he had request. “I’m sure they would be happy to control the Expanse again.” General Spokes watched the Governor closely through the steam rising from the cup and knew that Klint was only now remembering that the return of the Empire would not be an improvement. “They were able to efficiently put the raw minerals from this Sector to use.”

Governor Klint’s anger subsided slightly as he remembered that Imperial efficiency had all but ended turning a profit. “The Empire may well be returning, General. These incursions into our trade lanes are an indication of that and you must admit that your track record at protecting our ships is poor to date.”

Spokes set the hot mug on the Governor’s desk, noting the instant look of disapproval as the heat began to mar the wood, and pulled out his own datapad. “From what we have collected, both from your people and on our own, I seriously doubt that the Empire is directly involved...”

“And just how do you know that?” Klint interrupted.

“...but they may be financing or supplying these raiders.” Spokes finished as though Klint had been silent. “We should have a better idea after our next engagement.”

“Next?” Klint was almost afraid to ask, “Will this require us to sacrifice more ships?”

“No. That was bait for a trap and it’ll pay off. I’m heading back to my ship unless you have anything further for me.” Spokes backed away from the desk and stopped when the Governor asked his last question.

“Why don’t you have any ships protecting Theseus?”

“Governor, Theseus is not directly engaged in mining or shipping. If you are attacked here, it’ll mean that my Fleet is gone. Good day.” Spokes spun around and out the door before Klint could wipe the stunned look from his face. *Bureaucrats* Spokes thought to himself....


CRS Windstorm – Holding Steady
22:50 Ship Time

The General sat in front of the viewscreen on his desk looking at the two Wing Commanders from Valor & Crusader. Blazer sat across the desk and waited impatiently for the computer to verify that the channel was secure. A small green light came on at last...

“Let’s get started.” Spokes stated flatly. “But first, welcome to the Outer Rim. I’m glad each of your groups made it through intact.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Jan-lo Sunner responded quickly. “Shouldn’t we have rendezvoused by now? We can clear the Expanse in force...”

“That’s why I set up this conference.” Spokes cut her off. “You’ll understand in a moment.” He reached out and flick a switch and a holomap of the Cadrel Expanse blossomed where everyone could see it. There were three blue dots set in the map. “These are the three primary routes through the Expanse and we need to cover each of them if we are going to get the jump on these raiders.”

“Raiders?” Blazer asked. “I thought these were Imps.”

“Aye. So does Governor Klint. However, based upon the Intel we have gathered since entering the Expanse, I’m convinced this is, at most, a minor Warlord. More likely than not getting support from the Empire, but nothing overt.” Spokes replied.

“Intel?” Vykk asked with a raised eyebrow. “Hmmph....”

“I have to agree with Colonel Tharen, Sir, we’ve been getting our butts kicked so far.” Jan-lo’s look seemed very similar to the one Governor Klint had shown.

“Agreed. And I’m tired of it, too.” Spokes sighed inwardly as he tried to get the briefing back on track. He used the pointer and lines appeared along the major trade lanes of the Expanse. “As you can see, we’ve been given a lot of space to cover and the only way to do it is to split our forces for now. That puts each Wing in an area of space covering about 22 waypoints each.”

“Twenty-two?” Vykk was leaning forward now and looking more closely at the map. “That’s a bunch.”

“Hopefully, one of us will get lucky. As far as we can tell, they know the Windstorm is here but they may not know that the whole Fleet is here.” Spokes paused, expecting questions. None came. “So, we maintain long-range radio silence after this. If you need help, send an A-Wing. If you find their Fleet, then break radio silence only if there is no time to set a trap for them.”

“What if they find us?” Blazer asked. “This Expanse looks like it’s filled with trouble spots.”

“It is.” Spokes thought back to the War that had ripped through these systems and how few of the Fleets pilots had any real experience with the Expanse. “And they know it better than we do. I’m transmitting a detailed map with everything that I collected during the War. Put it to good use. You’ll be on your own for a while, so use your best judgment on when to flee and when to fight because somewhere in there...” Spokes indicated the map, “...is a refinery and maybe a shipyard. Those are our ultimate goals.”

The klaxons of the Windstorm began blaring. Spokes comm pinged and he touched it lightly. “Yes?”

“Sir, we have incoming.” Commander Plynn Morra, the Windstorm’s First Officer stated calmly. “You were right about them tracking that holofeed.”

“Get under way. Best speed.” Spokes clicked off the comm and turned back to the viewscreen. “Our party’s started. Out for now.” Spokes broke the transmission and looked up at Blazer. “Our status?”

“Two X-Wings in the air with Fireclaw on alert.” Blazer clipped out the info.

“Good. Make sure we get out of these asteroids intact. Dismissed.”

Blazer was out the door before Spokes could turn off the holomap. “It is a lot of space....”

************************************

Greetings All and Welcome to the much anticipated and late NL. First, a few announcements:

We have a new Fleet Commander, RA Gavin Cantorph Kravis. We all wish him well.....

Sabre Squadron needs a CO. Anyone interested in joining the Command Track needs to contact the Crusader Wing Commander, Colonel Vykk Tharen, with an application.

The XUG is getting AND graduating Cadets again!!! Way Good News there...

And now, at long last...

PBF 5.03 Final Results:

------PBF Medal of Victory-----

The medal awarded for the best overall performance in the current PBF mission.

Felipe Zammit
[<|=(V)=|>]
-----PBF Mission Report Medal-----

The medal awarded for the best written narrative for the current PBF mission.

Tym Angel
[<|=(PBF*MRM)=|>]


-----PBF Activity Medal-----
Given to each member of a squad that reported with 70% of its pilots for the current mission.


{[-PBFMoA-]}

Red 100%
Gold 100%
Green 82%
Crimson 75%
Blue 70%


FLEET REPORTS
62 of 100 (62%) A bit of a drop folks

SQUAD REPORTS

Green 82%
Crimson 75%
Red 100%
Blue 70%
Gold 100%
FireClaw 60%
Jade 56%
Phoenix 18%
Sabre 9%

Fleet wide was 63%.

Now that Summer is over and folks are getting settled, activity should get back up where it should be. All Medals and Merits have been awarded.

PBF 5.04 “Awaiting Reinforcements” has been posted and Flying Reports are due September 28, 2003. Narratives are due September 30, 2003.

Fly Fast & Shoot Straight!!!


\";)
General Tyrell \"Spokes\" Borran
PBF Commanding Officer

--Rebel Squadrons-- a H.I.E.R.* organization–
--(* Honesty, Integrity, Equanimity, Respect)--

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