Push It to the Limit (GA Pilots)

[Zark San Tekka]

theme

In 850 ABY the Galactic Alliance Starfighter Corps established an elite school​

for the top one percent of its pilots. Its purpose was to teach the lost art of​

atmospheric combat and to insure that the handful of sentients who graduated​

were the best fighter pilots in the galaxy.​

They succeeded.​

Today, the Corps calls it Starfighter Weapons School.​

The flyers call it:​

TOP GUN​

Aviation Warfare and Development Center
Pelek Baw // Haruun Kal
Galactic Federation of Free Alliances

It was always hot in Pelek Baw.

The modest capital of the deadly planet was situated on the edge of a jungle in one of the atmosphere's few habitable zones on plateaus far enough into the atmosphere above the toxic layer of smog that covered eighty percent of Haruun Kal's surface. The heat and humidity were beyond oppressive, but it it was not the weather that would kill you. Safe behind the walls of their capital town, the Balawai are protected by durasteel and sterilization technology from the world's worst dangers, just a few dozen meters outside Pelek Baw's defense perimeter awaited hyper-evolved predatory wildlife and silicon eating fungi that would ruin any unprotected technology within days.

On the edge of the town was a modestly sized airbase that had just gone up in the last year, and was in many ways still very much under construction. But the same sterilization tech that shielded Pelek Baw from the worst of the planet's corrosive fungi strains also protected the base, although all the equipment still had to be rubbed down daily with portaak amber and even then malfunctions were commonplace. And then of course, there was that miserable heat. All in all, it was just about one of the worst places imaginable to build an air base.

And that was the point.

​Patrols and Live Training Exercises...

With the Weapons School's reputation, incoming pilots might expect a cutting edge facility with state of the art infrastructure, but the room where most of the facility's instruction occurs is just another humid, mostly empty hangar with chairs, a table, and a two dimensional tactical display on an upright stand. Even basic holoprojectors were far too prone to malfunction on the surface of Haruun Kal, so the facility had to make do with the basics.

Behind the table is Captain Mazik Stazi of the ANS Rebel's Hope, who is currently serving a tenure as head instructor. While not a legendary pilot himself, Stazi has commanded starfighter carriers for decades, and is one of the most experienced officers at training pilots in the entire fleet. The duros officer will send pilots out on patrols and arrange for live training exercises where pilots go head to head above the planet's surface using simulated weapons fire.

The Hangar Bay...

Across from the hangar that houses the main instruction center, there is another, but this one is filled with starfighters and their deck crews. The Navy sends their best flight engineers to Pelek Baw as well, to train under the most unforgiving environmental conditions imaginable. It is their job to keep the equipment running on a planet that devours technology itself, and the lives of the pilots who train and fly here depend upon it. Fighters are rotated out every other day from orbit, and still accidents have been known to happen.

Pilots assigned to train at Pelek Baw are provided with their starfighter of choice, the idea for each ace to be flying at their best and against a variety of different models.

Rebel Ace Cantina...

There are precious few bars and taverns even within the capital 'city' of Pelek Baw, but in light of the recent upsurge in Alliance pilots stationed nearby over the past year, one cantina has rebranded itself in an attempt to cater to the new clientele. Tacky GA memorabilia covers the walls, and the drinks all have hokey fighter jock names like Ballistic Shots or the Crazy Ivan. The instructors at the air base grant leave to visit the city rarely, but an institution that caters to type A personalities like combat aces has an established system of sneaking off base for a night of drinks.

The Balawai regulars often sit in quiet resentment, for no other reason than they know the pilots will soon get a chance to leave this miserable world. But although they are a rare sight within the boundaries of 'civilization', any Korunnai visiting from their nomadic jungle tribes to trade see all offworlders as outsiders and to be deeply mistrusted.

Spoiler

Rogues:
Rogue One/CO – Squadron Leader [member="Ben Carlin"]
Rogue Two/XO – Lieutenant Commander [member="Choli Vyn"] “Smalls”
Rogue Three – Flight Officer [member="Quinncolson"]
Rogue Four – Fight Officer [member="Arix Askrima"] "Droid"
Rogue Five – Fight Officer [member="Justinian Atreides"] "Doc"
Rogue Six – Flight Officer [member="Arisa Yune"]
Rogue Seven - Flight Officer [member="Lu Talbahar"]
Rogue Eight – Flight Office [member="Barnabas Harou"]
Rogue Nine – Lieutenant [member="Allyson Locke"]
Rogue Ten – Flight Officer [member="Wedge Draav"]
Rogue Eleven – Flight Officer [member="Karren Trask"] "Paladin"
Rogue Twelve – Vacant
Rogue Thirteen – Vacant
TBD - Flight Officer [member="Jax Rhane"]

Wraith:

Wraith 1 - Wing Commander [member="Asmus Janes"]
Wraith 3 - Flight Officer [member="Tela Uolmi"]
Wraith 7 - Flight Officer [member="Adder"]
Wraith 4 - Flight Officer [member="Naomi Carolina"]
[member="Loske Matson"] [member="Ryan Korr"]

OOC: All other GA pilots welcome!

 

[RC 212]

[member="Zark"]

The Hangar Bay...

Haruun Kal. It was such a deadly world, but beautiful as well. Karren had only spent a week here and her fighter had grown some circuit eating fungus though. That was nothing to say of what the boys in the med bay were going through. If they thought the Felucia Campaigns were bad back during the Clone Wars centuries ago, Haruun Kal put that to shame.

So many mechanics were out from flesh eating fungal infections devouring patches of their skin she was all alone today in the fighter bay. Clad in her Galactic Alliance grey flight suit, and a pro mask with filters she was busy scrubbing the side of her StealthX. She'd been at it for hours now, with a sani tarp and containment field generator set up around the thing.

On the deck beneath her fighter were the affected parts and circuit, strewn across the place with loose bolts an technical manuals. Some of the pages were ripped out, so she had doubles, trying to compare which pages were good and which weren't.

The rest of the bay was sealed off from the fungus, thankfully.

​

What a week. This place is the fething pits of hell. If ever there was one.​

She kept scrubbing, palms going raw, even with gloves to protect her hands from the handles of the brush. As she scrubbed she replayed the events of the past year, and all the beatings she'd taken. Some part of her wondered how the Jedi Order was doing back on Deneab. Since almost all her time had been sank into standing up the Silver Suns and Flying within Rogue Squadron.

She kept scrubbing.

 

[Tydeus of Tion]

Rebel Ace Cantina

"I don't like you because you're dangerous."

"That's right. I am dangerous."

Korr frowned as he walked past a group of arguing pilots and into the cantina. Fresh faces. Didn't recognize any of them. He wondered what they were arguing about, but figured that in the steaming jungles of Haruun Kal tempers would run high. Especially in the pressure cooker of stress this Weapons School put them through.

"A cup of jawa juice, please."

"Comin' right up."

 

[Zark San Tekka]

The Hangar Bay...


It wasn't the flesh eating bacteria that got to Flight Officer Askrima. There wasn't much flesh left on him to make for much of a meal anyway. The silicon devouring variety, however, was making him miserable. Dripping in portaak amber from head to prosthetic toe, the disgusting regimen was the only thing keeping his life support suit's systems running. Arix was used to being treated as an oddity, the metal boy who flew starfighters for the Alliance, but this was taking things to another level. Ignoring another malfunction alert projected through his cybernetic eye, the Jedi Padawan relied on every ounce of his training in self-discipline to focus on the task at hand.

The CF10 Crossfire was a bit of an oddity in the sweltering hangar, and truth be told since he had joined first the Wild Knights and then the Rogues he had had flown mostly X-Wings. But before [member="Roth Tillian"] had taken a chance on him, by far the ship he'd logged the most hours in was the Crossfire. Arix was beginning to wish he hadn't. The CF10's engine was far more prone to stress damage than the more popular Alliance mainstay, and practically every moment the cyborg hadn't been sleeping or out on training exercises had been spent here, tearing the craft's innards apart with the help of his equally miserable and equally amber coated astromech unit.

Untethered from the fighter's flight systems, Askrima was forced to communicate verbally with his astromech, although his translation software had thankfully not crashed and he was able to understand its electronic replies easily enough.

"You know perfectly well its not the hydrospanner," he bickered with the little droid still sitting plugged into the gunner's controls, "Its this fething planet. It corrodes everything it touches."

The little droid hooted indignantly at his side.

"No I did not request a Crossfire to punish you," the electronic modulation of his vocoder lost some of his exasperation in translation, "I swear you are the most neurotic droid I've ever met. They asked what I had the most experience in, and I told them! You know what, I'm not having this conversation."

Self-consciously he remembered that they were not exactly alone. Nearby [member="Karren Trask"] was working on her own craft, close enough to be within earshot. Rogue Eleven was one of the squadron's newest additions, even greener than he was, though by all accounts Paladin was not exactly a combat rookie. Arix had not spoken much to her, in the way that he didn't speak much to anyone, but he hadn't gone out of his way to avoid interaction. Still, even more than the others she was an unknown variable in the squadron's equation, and more than most Jedi the Flight Officer was slow to trust.

"What? No I do not think she might need a new droid," Rogue Four snapped in response to his partner's whistling query, "Get back to work, bolthead."


[member="Ryan Korr"]

 

[Duke Dyson]

Rebel Ace Catina:

First impressions were tough and like all fresh meat Jax Rhane would have to earn his keep. He was a fresh face straight out from flight school, like any pilot who had yet to get his first glimpse of action but all around he was eager and impatient to get away from the training exercises he still had to endure but until he was trusted not to make a bold move out of line then he was grounded until further notice. The humidity of the atmosphere that surrounded him all over was enough to irritate him. Out of all the worlds they could have picked did it have to be a planet with volcanic activity? Haruun Kal's atmosphere was beautiful all around but dangerous and he was in no position to make further judgement, he'd just have to tolerate wherever the Alliance sent him. On a good note, he wouldn't be here if it wasn't his calling. He could be the best. If they just gave him a chance he could already be flying with his own squadron within a year if he was lucky. Jax just had to make the most of it for now while he was still breathing. He at least owed that it to them.

When the opportunity finally arses to take vengeance, he would take it at full grasp without hesitation. For now he just had to make the most of it while he could.

Stepping foot into the cantina the venue was bustling with activity. Out in the corner to his left a couple of some sort engaged in some physical activity of their own while to his right his eyes idly caught a glimpse over towards an arguement between a few pilots that rapidly took a heated turn. It was too early at this point in time to make any enemies so Jax set his sights towards the bar in search of a strong beverage, something that could keep him at bay long enough. Catching the barkeep's attention he beckoned them over and put out an order out for the first thing that popped into his mind. "Some ballistic shots over here and keep em' coming."

 

[RC 212]

The Hangar Bay...

[member="Arix Askrima"]

Karren glanced over and grinned. She could tell the two droids, or was he cyborg?, were having a little tiff. Over the past few eeks she'd seen more and more of Arix as he took apart and reassembled his craft virtually every day. She glanced back at the fungi on the chassis of her StealthX and then back to Arix.

They were both new, though she'd flown less than he within the Rogues. Still a burning curiosity surrounded her thoughts with Arix. He was reclusive, and somewhat of a shut out. She figured every good squadron needs some comraderie. Scrubbing off the last of her StealthX she put the now cleaned parts back into position. The hydrospanner did the hard work, cinching the components into place.

Then she slid out, de-conned from the containment field around her fighter and peeled her mask off.

She came to stand over Arix, glancing down with a wide grin.

"Hey Four, this droid's giving you some hell eh?"

She wiped the back of her hand across a sweaty brow, stowing the mask in her bag.

"Wanna jet. You've been working on this for a couple days now I've seen. Let me get you a drink, then I'll help you finish it tomorrow."

The only real contact she had with him was at the Mentina raid, and even then, she'd only sent her Column to retrieve him. She herself had been marooned in the lower levels of the station due to her stupidity. That earned her the letter of reprimand as well, which she shrugged off. Rogues were wildcards, that's why they existed in a separate secretive unit.

​

Let's see what robo pilot is all about.​

 

[Zark San Tekka]

The Hangar Bay...

The expressionless mask of of Arix's droid-like features tilted to the side quizzically in the direction of [member="Karren Trask"] when the other pilot shouted his way. Amber oozed down his mostly mechanical frame unheeded, and when it became clear to the Padawan that Rogue Eleven was suggesting they sneak off to Pelek Baw, about a half dozen denials and excuses flooded into his mind. It was against regulations, he didn't really drink, the locals were hostile, it was against regulations...but he voiced none of them. A love for rules was not going to do much to engender him towards a squadron had been flown with throughout most of the war and still hadn't really gotten to know.

"Very well," he answered at last, after an awkwardly long pause, before turning sharply towards his companion, "Not you. You'll fall apart out there before we reach the first marker. Take an oil bath."

The astromech wailed plaintively, only modestly appeased at the notion of soaking its circuits, before trundling off with its head lowered towards the floor.

"Do yourself a favor and always memory wipe your droids," Arix shook his head as he followed the other flight officer out of the hangar.

Rogue Squadron was an elite group of atypicals. Outcasts with authority issues who otherwise tested so off the charts that the Starfighter Corps simply couldn't afford to lose them. But the Jedi's difficulties conforming with other teams had been on the surface level, and there was a chance he could be the only Rogue in history to have never broken a reg. It made him feel alienated, even in a squadron that pilots joined to finally find a place that they belonged. Which was why, even though he'd much rather be finishing his repairs or in solitary contemplation of the Force, he was taking advantage of a split second gap in the air base's motion sensors along with the greenhorn.

The sterilization field around Pelek Baw was a welcome relief, and this time of day as the sun was starting to set over the plateau of jungle uplands, the normally uncrowded streets to begin with were now almost deserted as any business that must necessarily be conducted out in the sweltering heat had been concluded for the day. A crude neon outline that vaguely approximated the silhouette of an X-Wing blinked steadily around the sign that read Rebel Ace Cantina, and ignoring his growing sense of unease Rogue Four followed his wingman for the evening into the smoke filled room.

[member="Jax Rhane"] [member="Ryan Korr"]

 

[Duke Dyson]

Rebel Ace Catina:

If his brother were here right now there would always be a constant steer in the right direction. That's how it had always been with them since they went out on their own into the galaxy to see what adventures they might throw themselves at. Their ongoing feud had been civil, childish. The kind of thing two bickering brothers do when they aren't on the same page and looking back now if things could be different then Jax might have listened to Kerk more. His older brother was the only support he had for many years, the only reliable source to go to but now all that remained were empty promises and abandoned dreams that were nothing more than specks of debris floating in the depths of space. The induction to Rogue Squadron was simple really, he might have let in his fleeting confidence take the reigns. Of course when given the question towards his purpose, Jax left out any details that would link his past towards a common goal. Emotional attachments were truly the downfalls to this never ending war but it served it's striving goal towards a greater calling if dealt with accordingly.

Halfway through his second round Jax's cerulean hues started to scrutinize with his surroundings; with every standard hour, activity resumed to it's usual pace. Locals would come and go as they pleased while he would just chug every shot with every bit of enthusiasm.

For dad... for Kerk and for Neo..

Out of the blue he caught sight of two of his squadron mates, not officially since they hadn't become properly aquainted but he had caught sight of [member="Arix Askrima"], Rogue Four and [member="Karren Trask"], Rogue Eleven who actually had been at his induction into the Squadron. He knew nothing about their backgrounds in the slightest but he had a vague notion that he'd have to get to know them eventually since they'd have to rely on one another and by coincidence they were both in sight so why not start now?

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Jax Rhane"]

Rebel Ace Cantina

Asmus' had given up on his suit within a few days of arrival. Now he just sported an Incom branded tee that almost always had a deep 'v' of sweat down the back. Technically he was here as an Incom test pilot to work with the new pilots, deal with any issues with their Incom gear and generally be helpful. Helpful enough to ensure the company kept being paid truck loads of credits.

By now it had done the rounds a few times that he occasionally flew some black ops off the books. When they were in the air the Wraith Squadron were officially designated as "Black Squadron." The name did not exist on any record the GADF kept. Only the SIS records named them.

Asmus took a long swing from a cold beer. His shoulder only slightly ached from a blast wound that had finally finished healing. There was an empty glass of water beside him. Getting into orbit and being air conditioned was almost a relief from the weather.

Before Jax could head to the others Asmus caught his gaze. "New Rogue pilot isn't it?" He asked. He heard someone ask for a jawa juice behind him. [member="Ryan Korr"] was probably feeling the heat too.

Two days ago: [member="Choli Vyn"]

His arm was still bound up in a sling. The Doctor had peeled off the dressing that morning and had commented that everything was healing nicely. However, the arm had to be kept immobilized for a few more days and then it was going to be a rather uncomfortable course of physio by the sound of things. He’d barely been clipped but a blaster bolt could tear through flesh as if it were paper.

He hummed quietly to himself as he took the steps down into the dim and murky corridors of deck E. Someone had made a sarcastic comment about his ship being in a mess so he had come to have a look. Light spilled out onto the corridor from one of the other bays and he slowed up as he passed by.

A pair of legs stuck out from under the U-Wing in there and he heard a familiar grunt of frustration. Asmus got three more steps and then turned on his heel.

He realised that he’d been so wrapped up in himself - and Kaile - that he hadn’t gone to check on their junior pilot of a while. It seemed a good idea to pick up on that again, especially after the incident with Omar. He had always been a talkative sort. He talked to Kaile more through physical contact than verbally and there was a lot he had to say. Couldn’t talk to Max about it because of the obvious. He was such a nice person he would probably try, but it just didn’t seem right. Anything shared with the rest of the Squadron would filter around before long. And it wasn’t as if he could have a heart to heart with Vo or the bridge crew.

He sauntered into the bay and seemingly went unnoticed until he sat on the lip of the opening into the U-Wing’s hold.

“Knock knock,” he called out.

 

[RC 212]

[member="Arix Askrima"] [member="Jax Rhane"] [member="Asmus Janes"] [member="Ryan Korr"] [member="Zark"]

She followed her cyborg companion in and grabbed a table for the two of them. Pictures of famous dog fighters littered the walls, some of them with Imperial logos were marked through with an X and the pilot's that had killed thems call-sign. She smirked and kicked out her chair, plopping down and leaning back.

Her brown eyes spotted Jax, far away checking the pair out.

She locked eyes with him, stern visage breaking into a grin as she waved him over. The bartender already familiar with the now rather liquor happy Jedi hobbled over. A rodian with a bum knee and an eye-patch. They called him Lucky Spades. Supposedly a great fighter pilot back in the days of the Republic-Mando wars.

​

Lost an eye at the second battle of Roche!, He'd always proclaim.​

"Karren!"

"Lucky Spades, a beer for me please. Arix what're you having? On me."

She slapped a few creds into the Rodians smock.

 

[Duke Dyson]

[member="Asmus Janes"], [member="Karren Trask"]

Rebel Ace Catina:

"Is it that obvious?" Jax furrows a brow at the inquisition thrown in his direction, taken aback slightly at how rapid it was to figure that one out. Of course it was a no brainer and to think he could even get away with it and be considered a full fledged member was pretty darn pathetic at this rate. Careful now... he did not want to be deemed unworthy to be flying alongside the Rogues who had already made an outstanding reputation to stand by for themselves and the historical facts were in the archives for all to see. A laugh comes forward at the orders that follow through for his new companions, he's rather suprised at himself to how much evesdropping he has stumbled upon tonight but the pilot just can't help himself.

A beer? could no one aim higher then that?

For good reason too probably. He was already disobeying protocol with how drunk he was getting with every shot taken. He was nowhere near passing out fully yet but just the thought was tempting enough.

 

[Choli Vyn]

Approaching Rebel Ace Cantina
[member="Jax Rhane"] [member="Karren Trask"] @Arix Askrima [member="Zark"]

Welcome back to Rogue Squadron, Lieutenant Commander Vyn.

The welcoming words from the Squadron Commander echoed in her ears. As Executive Office of Rogue Squadron and being one of the youngest, it still felt a bit surreal. Everything did. Most might look at her and believe her to be a fresh faced cadet out of the Naval Academy instead of a decorated officer.

Choli couldn't blame them for it.

She spent one month as a Prisoner of War with the First Order. A month that was completely blank to her. One minute she had been shot down onto a muddy field on Kaeshana, the next strapped to a medical cot on Polis Massa with a month of her life missing. She'd been transferred to light duty until she passed the psych tests and physical training. They allowed her to work with Ochre Squadron flying a U-Wing and troops, which lead to the Battle for Mustafar and once again, her subsequent shot down and battle against the bio-chemical weapons the First Order had deployed.

Now several months later, Choli was coming back to Rogue Squadron. How have things changed? What familiar faces will she see and which new ones would come around?

It was a bit unsettling but Choli took a deep breath, staring up at the entrance of the cantina. Her thick black hair was braided down along her back. It was one of the few times she dressed down to spacer clothes of dark slacks, beige blouse and tan leather jacket with a warm lining inside. Dark aviators covered her kaleidoscopic eyes allowing her a measure of privacy when it came to their emotive color changing.

"Well, time to find out," she told herself, stepping inside.

The Past

[member="Asmus Janes"]

At least Captain Janes hadn't said that loud enough to startle Choli.

That might not be said of the Squadron Commander once he caught sight of the face that went popping out from on top of the bulkhead over head, one dark braid slinging down as Choli peered at Asmus upside down.

"Hey, Captain Janes." she began, a bit surprised but none the less amused if she managed to startle him. It was a curious thing to see him. What with everything that been going on. The entire crew had been gossiping Mynocks about it, and to an extent, Choli could sympathize.

But who would have thought that the Whiskey Girl Janes kept talking about was actually real and on the ship!?

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Jax Rhane"] [member="Choli Vyn"] [member="Karren Trask"]

Asmus grinned at the question. "It's quite easy when you've been given the latest roster and it had profile pictures."

He turned and offered a hand. "Rhane wasn't it?" He asked. He couldn't actually remember the first name. "I'm Asmus. Used to fly with the Rogues but now I'm here with Incom."

He spotted Choli enter the room. It was good to see her back with her squadron after all this time. The other Rogues were also waving Jax to their table.

"Oh sorry, don't let me hold you up," Asmus said.

---

"Asmus is fine right now Choli," he grinned. He'd only flinched a little at her appearing from the opposite direction to his expectation.

He leaned forwards and placed one elbow on his knee. The one in the sling was kept tight to his body. It itched more than it hurt him. A particular Bothan nurse had rather roughly slapped his hand away when he'd tried to in the med bay.

"Sounds like you had a boring time hiding from star destroyers whilst waiting for me?"

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Rebel Ace Cantina...

Arix resisted the habitual urge to simply order water. While his studies as a Padawan had lapsed during his time serving in the Alliance Starfighter Corps, the Jedi was very orthodox in his lifestyle. The injury had helped in that regard. Spending his life separated from the rest of the galaxy by a metallic exoskeleton made eschewing attachment much easier, and given the newfound limitations such an existence presented he was even less inclined towards the fleeting pleasures of the flesh than he had been when he was still whole.

"I will have the same," he said instead, not wanting to offend [member="Karren Trask"]. A single beer would not kill him, so what was the worst that could happen?

"Sorry, Karren. Your droid will have to wait outside," the Rodian bartender replied hesitantly, giving a peculiar expression at the cyborg's request.

Before his companion could interject, Arix simply tossed his flight wing on the bar in between them, the distinctive Rogue insignia on clear display.

"I will have the same," he repeated gently, and yet despite literally wearing an expressionless mask Rogue Four affixed Lucky Spades with a gaze that made clear there would be no further discussion on the matter.

As the bartender hurried off to fetch their order, the flight officer caught sight of two passingly familiar faces in [member="Asmus Janes"] and [member="Jax Rhane"]. Gently nudging Karren beside him, he jerked his head discreetly in their direction.

"That's Asmus Janes over there, talking with the rookie," Arix raised his voice loud enough to be heard over the din but not enough to carry, "He was Rogue Leader when I joined the squadron. Works for Incom now, or so the official story goes."

Glancing back towards the cantina entrance, the cyborg did a double take and the optical ports on his helmet refocused on [member="Choli Vyn"].

"Lieutenant Commander!" Droid exclaimed loudly in surprise, jumping to attention immediately in the presence of his squadron's XO, "I can explain."

We're not supposed to be off the base!

[member="Ryan Korr"]

 

[Duke Dyson]

Rebel Ace Cantina:

The name [member="Asmus Janes"] suddenly rang a bell. Jax had heard of him, in stories mostly but naturally war changed people and with time they just got wiser or so they'd like to think. The pilot had previously flown as rogue leader before moving on to further pastures. One would think the guy would have be leading his own squadron with that much experience on his records and the rookie failed to understand how some legend winded up as some test Incom pilot but the rookie was naive, wild and spirited in that sense. Jax had yet to experience action at first hand so all he really wanted to do was get out there and take down as many imps as possible and any other alternative was just a no go. "Jax, sir." He said with an easy smile, straightening himself up from the stool he was perched upon in a sudden form of respect and a high regard for the veteran as he grasped the hand shake with a full grip. As as soon as Asmus indicated that his sights were on someone else that was Jax's cue to leave. He didn't want to throw away his good impression out the door and there would be other encounters in the long run so he casually started to walk away from the scene and towards the table who awaited his arrival.

The pilot hardly knew anyone as it was and it wasn't wise wasn't to refuse a clear invitation so he sat down at the table [member="Arix Askrima"] and [member="Karren Trask"] were positioned at with their beer. "Mind if I join you two?" He doesn't wait for a sign of approval or an indication that he's been inducted into their inner circle. With the first seat that catches his eye Jax sets himself down to join in with their banter.

 

[RC 212]

[member="Arix Askrima"] [member="Jax Rhane"] [member="Asmus Janes"] [member="Ryan Korr"] [member="Zark"]

Rebel Ace Cantina

------------------------------------------------------

Karren glanced over, spotting Asmus as Arix spoke and nodded. she knew that name, and she had flown the last mission with him. Of course Arix had been there as well. Mentina, and it had looked like she died, which she was happy she didn't. Still she lingered a moment longer, overhearing the argument between Lucky Spades and Arix and then her thoughts were broken by Jax joining them.

Karren grinned, cocking her head to the side.

"Pretty confident there eh Handsome! Nice to meet you. Karren Trask, Rogue Eleven, Callsign Paladin. And this is Arix-"

She tired to continue but was cut off when Arix froze up. She felt his apprehension hit her in the gut like a cannon ball and her head went on the swivel. spotting Choli.

​

Feth.​

"Well we're busted now eh boys?"

She brushed it of, trying to act cool when really she was waiting for a chewing out she knew might come. She had to force herself to get in the right mind to accept it. Should it come to it she made the snap decision to jump in and shield the two from any of it.

"I lured them here Lieutenant Commander. Sorry bout that."

Then she slammed her beer, waiting to see how the other woman would react.

 

[Allyson Locke]

Rebel Ace Cantina

Whistling a special little tune, a jacketed figure wearing the squad’s iconic aviators. She saw a figure walking into the bar and it took her a minute to really take in who it was. Obviously, she had seen that rear end walking through the hanger before and if she was heading into that cantina it meant one thing. That woman was a pilot – a rogue pilot to be exact. It was a good thing there was night vision in the aviators that was issued to the pilots. Yep, it was a female and it was someone she recognized. Allyson paused and remembered what she had remembered about the woman. She was the Lieutenant Commander, she was promoted if she remembered right when Asmus became squad leader.

She had interacted with Asmus the most out of all the rogues. Allyson kept to herself most of the time. Didn’t help with team building, she was known as an outsider most of the time – Allyson knew it wasn’t the way to go and when she was reinstated then afterwards cleared for unrestricted flight – a change of mind occurred. This time around, with this group of rogues she’d hopefully make some friends, make some sort of connection with the people she fought with and hopefully things would be different. Her footsteps started again, the woman strutted proudly in the form fitting Corellian Bloodstripes she had earned, simple white v-neck cut t-shirt covered by the lovely chestnut brown Rogue issued bomber jacket.

Allyson continued her happy little tune as she entered the bar behind Choli. She smirked and looked at the long-lost rogue with a wink. “Glad to see you back, Smalls.” Seeing the new group of kids that had joined the squad now that there were open slots. Sighing softly, she blinked and could almost see all the old faces. A part of her wondered where they went, what happened to them, and then the pangs of guilt of never getting to know them. Looking towards [member="Karren Trask"], “Loosen up Kid, you’re not going to be in that much trouble.” She smirked and then tucked the glasses away into the inside pocket of her jacket. She doubted anyone knew who she was or her rank, but still she was here to fly and fly she will.

At the bar, she quickly ordered whiskey neat and pulled out the small official looking paper that seemed to have been open and shut several times since she had received it. A lovely little letter of promotion along with her reinstating note to fly.

Spoiler

Rogue One/CO – Squadron Leader [member="Ben Carlin"]
Rogue Two/XO – Lieutenant Commander [member="Choli Vyn"] “Smalls”
Rogue Four – Fight Officer [member="Arix Askrima"] "Droid"
Rogue Five – Flight Officer [member="Shesa Gragatus"] "Jaws"
Rogue Six – Flight Officer [member="Jax Rhane"]
Rogue Eight – Flight Office [member="Barnabas Harou"]
Rogue Nine – Lieutenant [member="Allyson Locke"] "Lucky"
Rogue Ten – Flight Officer [member="Wedge Draav"]
Rogue Eleven – Lieutenant [member="Karren Trask"]

 

[Duke Dyson]

Rebel Ace Cantina:

So the woman with [member="Asmus Janes"] was a authority figure? varp! Jax could only recall his earlier thoughts about making first impressions. He possibly blew it just now but he kept calm in a sense knowing that he wasn't the only culprit involved breaking apparent curfew hours; he considered showing early signs of a dash and run scenario but that would only decrease his chances of building up a bond with his fellow companions even the thought was tempting as of now. He couldn't risk being suspended so while breaking the rules was his ideal motto he knew that breaking the rules this early in his rogue career would only be his downfall. Before he could say something in his own defense [member="Karren Trask"] cut in to take the fall, she didn't even have to do that for him so to speak. Jax had arrived earlier meddling with his own thoughts before she or [member="Arix Askrima"] had waltzed in but those were the earlier signs of being a grounded team and if they even had the slightest chance of surviving then they all needed to work together against all odds.

The bewilderment only broadened as the other authority figure took her say on the matter, so they were off the hook for now. This night could only end in disastrous results but the young pilot was in it for the ride head on. It was very clear that he had understimated the whole lot of them at his induction and he could truly find a way to make it all work. "Jax Rhane, Rogue Six. I don't really go by labels here but it's an honor to be flying among the best Squadron the Alliance has to offer, cheers. " He said with a grin as he took another swig of the alcholic beverage he ordered. It had truly been a long time where he felt at home and while this new group of strangers were foreign, he had a feeling that for once everything would be alright.

 

[RC 212]

[member="Arix Askrima"]-[member="Jax Rhane"]- [member="Asmus Janes"]- [member="Ryan Korr"]- [member="Zark"]

Rebel Ace Cantina

"Great."

Karren relaxed a bit, fingering the straw in her drink and then ordering a refill. As the other pilots caught up, she roved her eyes around the room, until she spotted a familiar game on the wall. A board, marked with squares and a number next to them. she grinned and glanced back at her comrades as a fresh beer was placed in her hand by Luck Spades.

Rogues were notorious for rebellious bad behaviour. And she aimed to misbehave. Being a Jedi, and a goody good got tiring sometimes. That combined with her recent injuries, and her shock from Mentina demanded a little aggressive release of stress.

"Sweet. Tell you what boys and girls. I challenge you to a game of knives."

She pointed to the wall. The game was simple, score the most points by hitting various boxes. Knock and opponents knife out to negate their score.

"You first fly girl." She said, nodding at Allyson.

 

[Wedge Draav]

Skies Above




The sun. Come down from the sun. Descend from heaven like an angel to bring a demon's wrath. His X-wing was flat-winged, scorching towards the would-be aces in formation below. Sentinents had a unique factor, save for maybe the Wookies and a few other races- they didn't look up enough. Most of them became the apex predator on their worlds. Made sense- why would they need to look up? They only had to look down.

The wings opened up and the wind pushed against him. Created more drag. He ran a helix manuever, and with the simulated blaster fire, knocked out two of the pilots. He dove straight under the other pilot. Came at a 45 degree, and then pulled up, coming at the opposite angle. The pilot dived down, and Wedge met him at the apex of their angles, and would've sent him to his death, however- the X-wing just blipped, and his HUD notified he was dead.

Wedge rolled off. He didn't need to debrief anyone. Someone else could handle that. He just wanted a drink.


Rebel Ace Cantina

The bartop was simple, the bartender understood he didn't want to talk. He didn't wear anything that marked him as a GA pilot. Could've been any other schmuck now. He sat at the bar alone, trying his best to be apart from the other Rogues in here. Ever since Velga, he pulled away from socializing, talking- or generally being a person. Being shot down was equally damning. Made flying particularly nerve-wracking when he experienced what it was like to nearly die.

He felt more or less dead inside, already. Velga robbed him of the youth he wanted so badly to have back. So many dead, so little saved. He tapped the bar as his whiskey came to him. He didn't say anything, he just slid his credits and began his nightly routine of drinking himself into a stupor.