Ace's meditation was relaxing, allowing Ace to become more one with the Force.  He could start to feel the larger universe around him.  After what seemed like a short time to him, but was certainly longer, his cabin door chimed.  Ace roused from his meditative trance to hear Camber inform him "Master, we're about to pull out of hyperspace."

Ace made his way to the cockpit where Camber was already in the co-pilot's seat and Kiel in the gunner's seat.  As Ace pushed the hyperdrive lever, reverting them to realspace, he could see the colossal cruiser that was Home One, the Republic's flagship, floating in nearly empty space--there were no planetary bodies anywhere in visible sight.

Almost as soon as they emerged from hyperspace, their ship comlink chimed.  They answered and Admiral Ackbar himself appeared on the two-dimensional screen.  "Captain Sunka, I'm glad you're here," Ackbar said in his watery Mon Cal accent.  "We're proud to be of service," Kiel answered.  "How can we help?"

"I'm sure you came as quickly as you could, but I'm afraid the Imperial task force's arrival may be imminent," Ackbar admitted.  Ace was only able to pick up on a slight worried tone to the admiral's voice.  "I need every able-bodied Rebel you have with flight experience to get into the cockpit of a starfighter."  Camber's eyes seemed to brighten at this request.  "I plan on having a picket line set up at the jump point where I believe the Imperial ships will arrive."

"What is your current complement of fighters?" Kiel asked.

"48 X-wings, 24 Y-wings and 48 A-wings," Ackbar answered.

"We have brought two X-wings of our own, with two of the best fighter pilots I know," Kiel offered.  "And of course our Citadel cruiser, the Rain."

"Excellent," Ackbar complimented.  "I'm not yet sure what the size or make up of the Imperial task force will be," he admitted, "So we will have to adjust our strategy once they arrive."

As Ackbar and Kiel continued to talk strategy, Camber whispered to Ace, "Master, would you prefer I fly one of the admiral's fighters or pilot the Rain while you fly one of the fighters?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:49, Fri 04 June 2021.

"I'll take the Rain," Ace replied.  "Transports are always more complicated than they seem."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:41, Fri 04 June 2021.

Camber seemed to light up at the opportunity to fly a fighter.  With that question answered, Ace was able to get back to hearing the conversation between Ackbar and Kiel.  "Would it also help if we sent over our master technician to help with the repairs?" Kiel asked.

"Yes, most assuredly it would," Ackbar answered.

"Very well.  Give us a docking bay to land in, and we'll transfer personnel and let you give us our assignments," Kiel responded.

Ace easily piloted into the designated docking bay.  After they landed and disembarked, Kiel started the introductions.  "You remember Ace," Kiel started.

"Of course," Ackbar agreed.  "Great to see you again."

OOC: Any comments from Ace?

Ace nodded in response, unsure if Mon Calamari shook hands.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:46, Sat 07 May 2022.

Kiel pressed on with the introductions.  "These are the Danns brothers, both excellent X-Wing pilots."

"Good, we'll have them each lead a fighter group.  Many of our pilots are green around the gills, pun intended!" Ackbar said.  After a little chuckle from Danns brothers and Kiel, the greetings continued.

"This is Tal-Mij, our brilliant tech specialist."

"Glad to have you helping out with repairs," Ackbar said excitedly.

"And these four young adults are Ace's Jedi apprentices, Aris, Tashor, Camber and Filup," Kiel concluded.

"Definitely glad to have people with those skills on our side," Ackbar admitted.

"Can I fly one of the A-Wings?" Camber asked excitedly.

"I think we can arrange that," Ackbar agreed.

"The rest of the apprentices will be on the Rain with us," Kiel noted.

"Let's go to the briefing room and we'll get your crew and my crew on the same page," Ackbar concluded.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:12, Mon 16 May 2022.

Ackbar led Kiel, Ace and the rest of the crew to a white-walled circular amphitheater briefing room.  Ackbar's crew, mostly composed of Mon Calamarians, was already there.  In the center of the room was a large holoprojector.

After everyone settled in, Ackbar laid out the situation before them.  "Not long ago an Imperial scout ship stumbled across our location.  Unfortunately it jumped to hyperspace before we could capture or destroy it.  I fully anticipate that an Imperial task group is on its way to engage us while we're vulnerable.  Our plan is to use our fighters and Captain Kiel Sunka's fighters and Citadel cruiser to set up a picket line at the point where we believe the Imperial ships will arrive."  Ackbar paused to click a button on the holoprojector, it brought up a virtual image of Home One with starfighters heading out to a point far away where an image of a Star Destroyer suddenly appeared.

"We will need the Citadel cruiser and the Y-Wings to harry the incoming Star Destroyer while the faster X-Wings and A-Wings engage enemy fighters and prevent TIE bombers from getting through to Home One."  The image changed to show enemy TIEs and TIE bombers.  "Are there any questions?"

"Not from me.  Let's get everything prepped," Ace said enthusiastically.

Everyone scrambled to their assigned vehicles and headed out to the designated picket line. There was sporadic chatter on the fleet intercom, but Tashor soon turned it off. The tension on the Rain was palpable.

OOC: Does Ace have any comments?
Also note that during this battle we will be using the Vehicle Combat Actions and the Special Vehicle Combat Rules from SECR pg. 170-174. In addition, Ace will be leading a fighter group (see SotG pg. 31-32).