Nirro stands and salutes before leaving the room. Wow, this is nothing like flying for those Imperial bastards. If this had been an Imperial sim we would all be demoted or dead! Nirro heads back to his room making sure to say his polite goodbyes to his squadmates. doesn't make sense to get too friendly until I'm sure who is gonna be a permanent part of the team. He stops and gives Neeva and Zenna a very warm goodbye. I'm pretty sure you two are staying. Looking forward to flying with you.
He returns to his room and changes his dress uniform. Aftr which he figured he would wander the ship for a while until 1600. He runs into Cyril and Jamie in discussion and decides to stop and find out what they really thought.

Hey guys, still disecting the sim?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:47, Mon 13 Mar 2006.

Jamie leaned against the corridor wall and stroked his chin, thinking hard.
He had just opened his mouth to answer Cyril when Nirro appeared.  He paused as Nirro greeted them.
"If the commander is happy, I've done enough disecting.  I'd rather not lose sleep over it, eh?  So what's your conclusion?"

Neeva offered a weak smile when Nirro expressed his belief that she was staying.  After he exited, she turned to Zenna and spoke quietly.

After the debrief, during which had stayed silent and let the others do the talking(possible because the player was on holiday?:)), Devon decided to explore the ship.  Having seen a Nebulon B in the sim, he figured he'd see what one looked like on the inside; but first, he'd go and get changed.

Sometime later, Devon was ambling down a corridor with no particular goal in mind when he turned a corner and practically walked into Flight Officers Web, Hyquin and Savin.

Devon waited for their brief back and forth about the purpose of the sim to end before speaking.
'Personally, I'm more interested in why the commander selected us - what is it we have that makes us what he wants? Like he said - he can get pilots anywhere, so what sets us apart?'

Jamie smiled as another pilot turned the corner and bowled into him, knocking him over.  "Apparently, something's gonna explode, because, heh, I'm here.  That's what I do," he said with a grin as he stood again, and took a cautious step away from Devon.

To: Cyril/Jaime

Nirro shakes his head. I think it went well for the most part. We didn't do as bad as I thought we would. When I looked at how the sim was set up I didn't think we would make it. Nirro got silent for a second or two I don't mean to pry Cyril but, what exactly was your plan? From what you said on the comm I don't think it was a hotshot flyboy maneuver. I am pretty sure however that some people probably think it was. he runs his hands through his hair Just for curiosity's sake.

When Devon walks up Nirro greets him, he answersI dunno what sets up apart but I'm willing to stick it out and find out. So what about you others? Planning on staying on?
This message was last edited by the player at 18:32, Mon 13 Mar 2006.

Reply to Nirro while inside the Debriefing room
Zenna replied to Nirro with a question, "Where else can I go?"

Quiet discussion with Neeva just outside the Debriefing room but off to the side
The young woman mirrored Neeva's smile. "Experiment? Zenna brought down her voice as she kept an eye on the men down the corridor.

Edit: Included location where Zenna is having conversation
"Men" is a generic term :)
This message was last edited by the player at 20:31, Mon 13 Mar 2006.

Xil notices Webb, Savin and Kern huddled in conversation and walks to the group.  "Is the argument of who did what wrong still going on?  I thought we dropped that?"

Neeva raised a single eyebrow.  Then responded, talking quietly to Zenna.

Cyril Hyquin waves to the others as they arrive.

"Well, yeah, Exilim, judging from the way the others spoke in the briefing room, I'm pretty sure it was all my fault," he states, as if it was all a joke to him. "So yeah, that issue's been resolved."

"Actually, Nirro and Jamie here were just asking what I thought of the sim, and what my plan was, since the Commander let us all out before I got a chance to speak. So, if you all have time to listen, I'll lay it out for you."

Cyril turned to Jamie first, saying in a more serious tone, like a teacher instructing a student, "First, about my conclusions:

In the sim, Grey 2 confirmed that a standard Nebulon-B frigate can hold up to two squadrons. Well, this ship is a Nebulon-B frigate, and the logos emblazoned in the briefing room mean there's already two squadrons on the ship - ours would be the third. Either the resistance diverted a lot of creds to modify this ship way more than the Blood Angel was, or we're expected to share ships with the two other squadrons. In either case, the first conclusion is: we can't afford to lose even one starfighter. Losing Grey 5 and 6 meant we failed that unstated objective.

Next, according to the in-flight breifing given to us by the Captain, the Sarah and the Deepstar were bound for two different systems, on different missions. Yes, the remaining pilots did ensure that the crews and passengers of both ships escaped the system, but in doing so, the resistance failed two missions, and lost the Sarah in the process. Since it has much, much less resources and personnel, the resistance cannot afford to lose any capital ships, and every mission failed by a captial ship can be considered a major setback. Therefore, the second conclusion is: we cannot afford to succeed in our missions at the expense of the resistance. I'm sure you'll agree, we'd failed that one too.

With these two conclusions, we come to a third: our missions will have a zero percent margin of error, and we are expected to do it with maximum efficiency and minimal resources. I'm sure you've heard that before, but there's one major difference - even a 1 percent margin of error means that one of us will be dead."

Cyril let the ominous words sink in before facing Nirro.

"Now, for my plan:

First, you remember that the moment we arrived, Alpha-4 turned tail and started heading for their frigate. It couldn't have been cowardice - he was still undamaged after dealing with a squadron of more rugged Y-Wings - so that meant he was heading to provide escort to the bombers or the frigate itself. Conclusion: the Blood Angel had no fighter screen left. That was proved when I got to the Blood Angel unchallenged.

Second, the first ones to take significant damage in the sim were Grey 5 and I, and Green had already taken too much of a beating. Numbers was the only advantage we had during that dogfighting, and it was important that we retain that. If Grey 5 and Green had left the firefight with me when I asked, we would all be out of danger, and I'd be bringing with me two Z's with a barrel-full of missles, and three Y's with nearly a full payload of torps just itching for some payback on the unprotected Blood Angel. On top of that, we'd still have 8 undamaged interceptors keeping the TIEs busy - a flight of 4 against more maneouverable but less in number T.F.'s and another flight of 4 against the greater number but less maneouverable T.B's.

You saw that maneouver I did, sideslipping and firing off four missles, aiming for the shield generators before I was taken out? Now, imagine if that had been me, Grey 5 and Green Squad with their torpedoes - assuming we all managed to fire four each, and shot at the rear flank, that would be 8 concussion missles and 8 torps on a flank that couldn't shoot back. You do the math."

Cyril paused for a while before concluding, "My plan had three objectives: no losses on our side, the Sarah and the Deepstar would both complete their missions, and the Imperial forces would be crippled or destroyed.

"I know some of you must be thinking, 'but that's impossible'. Well, you all heard the Commander - ever considered that maybe that's why we're here?"

Jamie leaned against the wall again as Cyril explained his conclusions and plans.
He then placed a hand on his forehead and drew it slowly down, considering the plans.
"Well, it certainly seems like a great plan you had there...except for one fine point...no one was put in charge, so everyone did what they thought best.  Perhaps they would've worked with you if you had mentioned your plan instead of giving apparently counterproductive orders."

Devon nods agreement with Webb.  'he's right - all the rest of us saw was an apparant suicide run; and why should we follow instructions that we beleived would simply get us killed? Like Jamie said:  no chain of command means no clear battle plan; we all ended up doing what we thought best.'

Devon shrugged.  '  Personally, I figured our best shot was to gang up on the TIEs, then the bombers and then the frigate in turn - clear out one threat before moving onto the next.'  He grinned disarmingly, 'But then again, I've never flown combat - hell, that was the first time I've ever flown a combat SIM; I used to steal speeders for a living.'

"Shall I remind you, Grey 1, that it was you who said 'The Blood Angel is no immediate threat' the moment I gave those orders, and that you, Grey 5, followed Grey 6 to your death shortly anyway? Besides, to explain my plan to all of you would have taken more time than we had at the moment - and I'd have difficulty explaining it while we were actively engaging TIE Fighters.

Ah, but forget it. I have no illusions of taking command - I just like figuring out puzzles that everyone says are difficult to solve, especially those deemed impossible," Cyril said, with a big smile on his face.

"I wonder how difficult the next puzzles will be, and I wonder just how receptive our squad leader's going to be with my suggestions, whoever it is."

Jamie sighed.
"Anyone would be more receptive to your ideas if you practiced explaining yourself quickly and thoroughly."
Jamie glanced at his wrist-chrono, then backed away, giving the others a slight bow.  "Excuse me please, sirs; I should go prepare for the next meeting."
He left the corridor and changed again into his dress uniform.

"But what would be the fun in that?!" Cyril playfully called out as the Flight Officer left the group.

"You guys seriously need to loosen up. No sense going on a mission with a frown on your face," he shrugs. "Anyone else need to go, or do the rest of you want to keep touring the ship with me?"

Xil turns away from the group and walks toward his quarters.  As he walks away, you can just catch a few spoken words, "...useless squabling..."

Devons eyebrows go up at Nallis and Webbs parting comments - he could see personality conflicts forming already and was sure that wasn't a good thing.



Devon looked round at those still with him - although he was interested in exploring the ship, he didnt want to be seen taking sides - not until he was sure which faction was which.

'Another time, perhaps.  For now I have something to do before 1600.'
Grinning, Devon gave Savin and Hyquin an overly precise salute; pirouetted neatly to face Neeva Simestra and Zenna Kern where they were stood further up the corridor and bowed extravagantly to them, nearly loosing his balance and having to flail limbs for a moments to avoid falling flat on his face.  Still grinning, Devon practically danced round the corner and his voice came echoing back to them.

'Never let it be said that I take life too seriously...'


Come 1600, the others who were staying with the squadron found Devon already in the briefing room as they entered, dressed in the padded flight suit they had seen him in earlier; sprawled bonelessly in one of the seats, scratching the back of his head with a datapad stylus and apparantly deep in thought.

"That's the spirit!" Cyril shot back, admiring Devon's little performance. Turning to Nirro, Cyril tells him, "I kind of want to see the starships, so I'll head to the hanger now. You're welcome to join me."

With that, Cyril Hyquin starts walking to the lifts, intending to tour the hanger deck.

Sure, why not? Nirro replies to Cyril while waving goodbye to the others who were leaviing. He heads to the turbolifts with Cyril.

Unbeknowst to everyone, Cyril had already begun solving the puzzle that was the squadron. The biggest question he wanted to answer was, simply, "What kinds of missions would need such a diverse group of people?" That was considering he still didn't know what the others who hadn't introduced themselves did for a living, though he theorized that Grey 2 was a ship technician, what with her knowledge of the Nebulon-B Frigate's standard configuration. He already knew what the general purpose of the squadron was, and how crucial success was to it. He knew then that his best move was to figure out everyone's profession, so he could get the question out of his mind as soon as he could.

As they ride the lifts to the hanger deck, Cyril asks Nirro, "So, Exilim and Ashlyn are snipers, Christian's a career soldier, Jamie's a demolitions expert, Devon's a speeder theif, and I'm a comm officer. What about you, Nirro? What did you use to do before you were assigned here?"

 Well, I am a slicer. I also used to fight for the empire. I worked on one of their capitol ships as a computer analyst. he sighs But that was before I realised what a raw deal the've been giving the galaxy. Nirro suddenly becomes quiet and says no more.

Ashlyn sat quietly through the meeting with arms folded across his chest.  He listened and nodded when needed but didn't offer up any comments.

Afterwards he up and left with the others, not keen on conversation at the moment.  He listened with only half an ear to some of the banter as he followed along quietly.  When Hyquin and Savin moved to the turbolife he silently joined them as well.

His rapid departure from the sim had left him wanting and a view of the real thing certainly seemed to be in order at the moment.

He turned his head at the mention of his name.

"It's all right, Nirro. We've all had our share of realizations about the Empire," Cyril says solemnly. He remembers the faces of his parents vividly, just before he lost them to Palpatine's iron fist.

"Like countless other people, I lost my family on Coruscant. The resistance was the only place I could go. How about you, Ashlyn? What made you join the resistance?"

Ashlyn cocked his head and studied Cyril for a moment.  He then glanced at Nirro.  "They killed my father."  A simple statement that held all his contempt and hatred for them in those few words.

As the lift stopped on the hanger deck and the doors opened, Cyril commented, "Ah, that explains everything."

Stepping out of the lift, Cyril takes a good view of the hanger bay. Seeing the starships docked makes him smile, and as he takes his first steps into the bay, he asks the others, "So, how much flight experience have either of you had before?"