Polearm Squadron
A Note from the Author: This fanfic takes place about a year before the Scorpion fleet. Yamcha is the leader of the famous Polearm A-Wing squadron. Well, I hope you like my story. If you want to borrow this fic, e-mail me(rurouni_yamcha@hotmail.com)
My thanks go to: Bry, the Star Wars expert of the boards. Asam, for being Mint. And I'd like to say "Hey!" to everyone at Roleplaying and Fanfiction.
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
Polearm Squadron
With the newfound peace brought by the New Republic, formerly known as the Rebel Alliance, it seems that it is the beginning of a golden era. There are still remnants of the Empire scattered throughout the galaxy, and they still pose a potent threat to the Republic. There remaining forces consist of a single Super Star Destroyer, two Imperial Class Star Destroyers, one Victory Class Star Destroyer and an Interdictor class starship. Their base of operations is still unknown to the Republic Intelligence, and their most powerful vessels scour the galaxy to destroy the fleet of Imperials.
~~~~~
Yamcha sits in the cockpit of a space simulator with his squadron of elite pilots. He puts on his green flight helmet, covering his brown hair and the top portion of his face. The engine roars, as he enters hyperspace. His eyes look through the orange visor as the ship comes to a sudden halt. The voice of the training instructor is heard on the small comm unit on his helmet.
"Commander Yamcha, you and your pilots will be dogfighting against the X-Wings of Pulsar Squadron in this scenario. Your fighters are equipped with concussion missiles, as are the fighters of Pulsar Squadron. Do your best, and may the force be with you," he says with his last words being slightly cut off.
Pulsar Squadron, the second best group of X-wings...well, we're up for a good challenge. His voice crackles through the static of the comm, as he talks to the other pilots of his squadron. "Polearm pilots, are we ready to show those X-Wings what an A-Wing can really do?"
"You betcha boss!" number three exclaims.
Yamcha hears several cheers and yells from the pilots. He makes an evil grin, and brings up the HUD on the console. He sees a eleven X-Wings 15 klicks, led by a fighter about a klick ahead of the group. He hears a familiar voice over the personal communications line. "Yamcha, still piloting those rusty old A-Wings I see."
"Bry, you're still using that piece of junk X-Wing too"
"Is your squadron ready for the beating of their lives?"
"You think we're going to lose? Heh heh, you're still the comedian."
"Alright, let's make a small bet. The loser has to give the winner 100 credits. Deal?"
Yamcha replies, "We have a deal. I'll be expecting those credits as soon as the mission is over."
He cuts the line to give orders to the A-Wings.
"Shields full front, switch to concussion missiles. Target the fighters in the back. I'll take the leader." Yamcha pulls ahead of the group.
The lead X-Wing nears 8 klicks, as the two fighters zoom toward each other full throttle.
He flips up the laser buttons and waits for the auto-lock to confirm the sighted target with a shrill beep. They get closer to 2 klicks. He sees several concussion missiles scream toward him and banks a hard right. Likewise, twenty-two missiles fly at the Pulsars, destroying three of their fighters. A message scrolls on the main ship computer, Pulsar 4, 7, 12 destroyed. Polearm 5, 8, 9, 10 destroyed.
This is not good...
"We lost 4 fighters. All units, reduce speed and tail the X-Wings. Switch lasers to double and even out your shields. They won't be going down easy."
"Affirmative," 7 responds
"Right boss," 4 says in a dry voice
"Remaining fighters scramble!" Yamcha says before firing another missile. He sees Bry's unique X-Wing with the emblem on it. He matches speed with the starfighter and fires a few snap shots. The red lasers graze the side of the ship, producing a few sparks, before the pilot takes evasive action. Suddenly, the X-Wing performs a Talon Roll.
So that's the way you want to do it. That's a standard Imperial move, so I'll use my own counter. The HUD flickers green several times before he can acquire a full lock on the X-wing. Several full powered shot hit the X-Wing dead on the hull, leaving it severely damaged. He finishes the fighter with a shot to the cockpit.
Bry owes me 100 credits now. He hears someone speaking on the comm again.
"I, I've got one on my tail, I can't shake him...!" the message is cut off as 2 X-Wings fire quad lasers through the rear of an A-Wing.
A message appears on the monitor, Polearm 6 destroyed. "Computer, display remaining fighters." A list of friendly and enemy craft appears. Polearm: 1, 2, 3, 11, 12; Pulsar: 2, 3, 4, 5, 8. "We have to finish this now, Leader out". He spots a lone X-Wing and stars to fire some weak shots at it. It waggles a bit, and a wing explodes. It goes careening into a nearby A-Wing. He puts the missile HUD back up and targets the remaining Pulsars. It gives out short beeps as the display turns yellow, then confirms a solid lock with a steady tone. He fires it away, and it hits an X-wing. The wingmate makes a U turn to counter attack.
He hears another familiar voice. "Yamcha, very good job you've done training these recruits. I never thought that A-Wings could be so lethal. Alas, X- Wings still remain the superior dogfighter. Lieutenant Blair out." He notices that the frantic frenzy of laser fire has stopped. A new message pops up. Remaining Pulsars defeated, except for Number 2. Out of the blue, a red streak scorches the green paint on his fighter, as an X-Wing flies away from a hit-and-run.
Pulsar 2...Blair's almost as good as Bry. His HUD reverts back to lasers, and turns green as he targets the remaining X-Wing.
"Commander, do you want us to-"
"No, this one is mine..." he responds. The A-Wing's lasers skim the side of the fighter. He fires a few more shots, and the X-Wing explodes. He barrel rolls through the debris as his wingmates give him shouts of triumph. The screen goes pitch black as the hatch opens.
Yamcha removes his helmet, and descends the yellow ladder to the ground. Bry stands a few feet away tapping his foot. "It took long enough," he says handing him a small plastic card. "You won this time, but next time you won't be so lucky." They salute each other, and Bry leaves with his squad. Blair nods to him as he leaves the room. A woman with long brown hair runs up to Yamcha and shakes his hand. "I'm Captain Jan Sjr of the Valiant." She presses a button on the holo in her hand, displaying a Nebulon-B Frigate.
"A pleasure to meet you. But why did you want to see me?"
"I was watching the battle, and I wanted to congratulate the winner."
"Thanks..."
"My ship needs an elite team of starfighters. Since you won that simulator, You must be the better of the two squadrons. Are you interested?"
"I don't know...would you let me discuss this with my pilots?"
"Sure, I'll be waiting in the hangar for your response," she says with a grin on her face. Yamcha smiles back weakly. She leaves, and all the pilots of Polearm shout to him.
"Commander Yamcha, excellent performance in the simulation and with the lady," number five says to him sarcastically.
"Shut up Bail," says pilot number seven, Tina with her arms crossed. Bail looks back at her with a fake grin on his face. Tina just stands there scowling at him. Another pilot asks Yamcha, "What did she want?".
"It seems that we're finally getting our big break. I wanted to ask all of you if this is what you wanted to do."
"Well, we accept of course!" Bail responds.
"Hmph, I could care less," Tina replies.
The other nine pilots agree that it would be better to accept the offer, and they walk to the East Hangar to see Captain Jan. They see her leaning against a nearby ship. She brushes the hair out of her face and salutes them. "So, what do you space jockeys have to say?"
"We'll join your crew."
She smiles again. "We're leaving first thing tomorrow morning. My crew will load your A-Wings onto the ship. We depart at 0800 hours."
Yamcha nods and signals for the rest of the pilots to leave. Tina looks at Yamcha then to Jan with a frown before Bail drags her out.
"0800, I'll be sure to get them ready by then."
They salute again. Yamcha leaves the hangar and walks to his room...
~~~~~
Yamcha makes the long walk to his room located in the Republic personnel quarters. A man stops him in a narrow corridor. A vibro blade slips from his sleeve into his hand. He flicks the switch on and it begins to glow. Yamcha stands in a fighting stance facing sideways. The attacker lunges at him, but he sidesteps it and kicks him down. Yamcha then advances and dodges a thrust attack to punch him in the jaw, He then jabs the attacker in the stomach two times, then throws him to the ground rendering him unconscious. He turns off the small knife lying beside the man.
That's a bounty hunter, I remember that face somewhere before...what's going on here?
He calls for sentries over the comlink, "This is Commander Yamcha, I think I found a bounty hunter on the premises in the east hallway. Bring a pair of binders too.
Two guards approach him. One of them lifts him up, the other fastens the binders on him. "Are you alright sir?"
"I'm fine." Yamcha says. He feels a sharp pain in his left arm, and grabs it. He can see the blood running through his fingertips, down his shirt. His eyesight blurs as he passes out...
