Operation Inoculation -- copyright (c) 1995 by Christian Schock and Si Siorek. All rights reserved. This is a fictional story taking place a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. It was originally written as a serialized story that ran concurrently with the 1995 X-Wing Competition. The story line and missions of the competition were similar. Any resemblance to people living or dead, or actual events, is purely coincidental.


Prologue

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To:		Sector Commanders
From:		Alliance High Command
Security:	Secret (Need to Know Basis)

Alliance Intelligence has intercepted fragmentary reports of a new Imperial weapons research project, code-named Project Influenza. Intelligence estimates that this may be some sort of biological weapon research project. Such a project would be consistent with the Empire's general disregard for life, but we have no hard information at this time.

You are instructed to forward information on any new weaponry and all information on Imperial Research centers to Alliance Intelligence on a priority basis until further notice.

This operation has been code named Inoculation.

transmission ends...

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To:		Squadron Commanders
From:		Starfighter Command
Security:	Routine

In preparation for the final acceptance testing of the Super X-Wing Space Superiority fighter, Starfighter Command is sponsoring an intensive set of battle simulation exercises in cooperation with Research Command on board the Destiny. You are hereby instructed to forward the names of up to three squadron members who will be briefed and trained in the Super X-Wing. These squadron members will be posted for a brief detached duty on board the Destiny.

transmission ends...

On board the Destiny

Rich Chesney, Gray Leader, finished reading his incoming communications for the shift.  He'd known about the acceptance testing of the Super X-Wing, but the other information was worrisome. "The Empire always seems to try to develop super weapons, no doubt this is something similar," he muttered to himself.

The Destiny was cruising in the far reaches of the Outer Rim, preparing the first production units of the Super X-Wing for the upcoming battle exercises.  Rich couldn't help but be pleased that his design was finally reaching production.  The Super X-Wing had been a labor of love, and a lot of work for himself and the research staff over the last two years.  Now the Empire would soon have a taste of the Alliance's newest fighter.

Two Weeks Later

Chris "Electro" Schock, Gray Squadron Executive Officer, walked into the briefing room with Si "Quicksilver" Siorek, Gray Squadron Tactical Officer.  This was the first briefing of the other Alliance Squadrons on the Super X-Wing, and each had a role to play.  As he moved to the front of the room, Electro noted many familiar faces among the pilots sent to the training exercises. Members of Red, Blue, Gold, Green, and Rogue were all present and he looked forward to seeing their reactions to the new design.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen.  It is with great pleasure that I welcome you on board the Destiny for this training exercise.  Over the next hour we will be giving you an orientation briefing on the Super X-Wing to familiarize you with the basic design of the fighter.  You'll find detailed technical specifications in the datapad on your console.  This information is classified.  At this point, I will turn the briefing over to Captain Siorek."

Si walked to the podium and keyed the hologenerator.  A green three dimensional model of the Super X-Wing shimmered into existence at the front of the room.  "The T67 C3, or Super X-Wing, is the next evolutionary step in the development of the X-Wing.  It was intended to convert the basic design of the X-Wing, which is an excellent all-around craft into a Space Superiority Fighter.  You will notice that the ship's essential layout is identical, but this masks many subtle alterations in the design."

"Overall the Super X-Wing is half a meter longer, at 13 meters.  The spaceframe was stretched to accommodate the new Incom 4j.6 engines.  The increased output of the engines coupled with weight savings from reducing the armor plating on the hull allow an increased cruising speed of approximately 120 MGLT, a twenty percent improvement.  Maximum speed is also increased proportionately.  Power output from the engines also provides slightly faster weapons recharge capability."

"Shield rating has been slightly reduced due to the size increase and the use of the same shield generator's.  With slightly modified avionics and flight controls, the acceleration, roll rate and pitch rate have also been improved, though not significantly."

"Finally, you will note that instead of proton torpedoes, the Super X-Wing is designed to deliver concussion missiles, up to 4 from each of two launchers.  This is consistent with its role as a space superiority craft."

The briefing continued for almost an hour, the pilots absorbing the data and asking infrequent but pointed questions on the design at intervals.  Finally, Electro rose and thanked everyone for attending.  "Tomorrow you'll get a chance in the simulators and then flight checkout in the cockpit in the next two days.  After that we'll be running live combat exercises.  I think you'll enjoy the new ship. That will be all."

As the briefing broke up Jim "Raven" Lee walked out of the room with his CO, Jim "Crazy" De Vico. "Seems like a cross between an X-Wing and an A-Wing, could be fun!"

Operation Inoculation Mission 1 Briefing

BlackDeath muttered to himself at the back of the room, annoyed.  "All these other squadrons get to have fun in the Super X while all of us run around the Galaxy protecting the party. Life is just not fair."  He returned his attention to the briefing, Captain Padua was going over the sweeps for this shift.

"We'll be flying recon on all of the approach vectors to the area.  1st Recon will take the lead, and 6th Interceptor will be flying backup missions on the alternate shifts.  Our goal is to make sure that we know about any potential Imperial movements well ahead of the time they could locate the Destiny.  With all the Alliance pilots flying in unfamiliar ships, a major task force dropping in could be troublesome."

Someone snorted in derision, but Typhoon hadn't noticed who it was.  "Probably Alderaanian," he thought.

The briefing display changed to show the area near the Destiny.  "As you can see, we'll be patrolling over a wide area..." The briefing continued for several minutes.

"The final sweep will be in the Extreme. Watch for smugglers in this area, it has been used by them in the past.  You'll be piloting a Z-95B prototype on this mission, as we don't expect a lot of action and we need to run more shakeout missions on the new series.  Remember, the Z-95B is lightly armored but very fast, use that to your advantage to identify any shipping in the area."

"If you do run into Imperial forces, use your discretion.  Eliminating them would be the ideal solution, but if you are outnumbered, identify them and bug out.  We need the information and you aren't to take any unrequired risks on this sortie, we need the flight data more than a few extra kills at this point.  Oh, and you are strictly on a tight weapons basis, don't engage neutrals, even smugglers."

Captain Padua shut off the briefing display. "OK guys, this should be routine.  Hit the flight line in twenty minutes."

Operation Inoculation Mission 1 Debriefing

The lone fighter dropped out of hyperspace. Venom, Gray 9, glanced at his scanners and noticed two Imperial transports several klicks away. Moving to full throttle he moved toward them, but not in time, as both went to hyperspace a few moments later.

Slowing, he reset shields and lasers to max recharge.  Hed just completed his recharge when his scanners noted the appearance of three freighters and two Y-Wings.  He moved to intercept and quickly identified the freighters. Since they were neutrals, he did not engage and settled back to watch them move through the area.

Just as he had settled in to enjoy an uneventful flight, his threat warning warbled in his ear and six Imperial shuttles and an escort of TIE Advanced dropped out of hyperspace near him. Hed been told to ID everything, so that was his first task. He moved to maximum speed and made a quick pass by the shuttles. Hed missed a few, and turned to catch them, while simultaneously arming his concussion missiles.

His sensors squealed as the enemy launched two missiles. He went evasive for a few seconds and then turned and blasted all of his missiles into one of the shuttles. It exploded in a brief fireball and he turned to tangle with the escort as he noted the other shuttles moving to hyperspace.

He locked onto one of the T/A and adjusted his speed. Following behind the evasive foe, he used his lasers, breaking off from time to time to evade the missiles the others were launching. He finally managed to destroy one of the T/As and moved to the second, narrowly avoiding a missile as it exploded directly in front of him.

It was over quickly, as without numbers, the superior speed and evasiveness of the little Z-95B proved more than a match for the TIE Advanced. Smiling to himself he patrolled the area for a few minutes and then with some minor hull damage decided that it was time to head for home and report what hed found.

Later...

Chris "Electro" Schock, Gray Squadron Executive Officer, sat in the film room going over the recon films.  He'd been at it for hours.  Intel had also been reviewing them, but so far no one had come up with anything interesting.  Still, he couldn't help thinking there was something about this he was missing.

He restarted one recon sequence again, cueing the audio replay with it.

"Mission Time 06:37. Z-95B exits hyperspace in the Extreme. Course set to 115 mark 90, speed 120 MGLT." Electro forwarded the film past some routine identification of what looked like possible smuggler craft and restarted the tape as the film showed Imperial ships exiting hyperspace.

"Mission Time 11:45. Imperial Shuttles and TIE Advanced on scanners, range 4 klicks." The voice droned on as Electro watched the film.  The Z-95B pilot had managed to identify the shuttles and avoid the intense fire of the TIE advanced for several minutes, and had even managed to destroy one of the shuttles before the rest hyperspaced to safety. The TIE Advanced had not disengaged with the shuttles, and the pilot had expertly eliminated the escort and then decided to head for home.

"Nice flying," he thought. "Computer, what do we have on the sensor logs for those shuttles?"

"Shuttles were carrying Gordile Tentranium Steel plating and an unidentified biohazard.  The Tentranium Steel could be used as a radiation shield."

Electro pondered that for a time, but was interrupted by the comm unit. "Sir, sorry to bother you, but General Chesney has received a Code IC communication and has asked you to join him in his briefing room immediately."

"On my way, Schock out." Electro shut down the equipment and left the film room.  "New Intel report, huh? Maybe the hotshots got more out of this than I did."

Operation Inoculation Mission #2

General Chesney was pacing the briefing room. Seven steps over, seven steps back.  His pacing was legendary in the squadron.  One of the squadron members had even started a betting pool on when he'd wear a hole through the briefing room carpeting.

The doors whisked open and his second in command walked through the door. "Reporting as ordered, sir."

"Take a seat," Mystic said, continuing his pacing.  "Computer, play file IC-CHESNEY-17B."

"General Chesney.  We've analyzed the telemetry and sensor data from your recon missions yesterday.  Something odd was uncovered on one of them.  We picked up some sort of unknown bio hazard.  Coupled with the unusually high Imperial traffic and we think we may have stumbled onto a lead into Influenza.  You are hereby ordered to conduct strikes on known Imperial outposts throughout the sector to capture ranking Imperial officers for interrogation."

Electro looked thoughtful.  "That wasn't the whole communiqu."

"No. I can't let you see the rest.  Sorry.  With all of the pilots here for the training, we've got a lot of potential firepower.  Work up battles plans right away, I want to see the first strikes launch tomorrow morning."

"Aye, sir.  Will do."

Later...

Captain Siorek walked into the Briefing Room and surveyed the pilots seated there.  So far they had been doing well, but a simple recon mission is much different from what they'd been ordered to do now.

"High Command has authorized Hit and Fade attacks against Imperial Space Stations in an attempt to capture Imperial Officials."

Quicksilver turned to the holoprojector and activated the screens.  The 3-D image of the sector came into focus, and with a laser pointer, he indicated certain areas.  "We'll launch multiple teams of two against these stations.  You'll be flying the B-Wing for maximum firepower."  There were a few murmurs around the room.  There we're still some pilots who didn't like the B-Wing, but there was no arguing that it could hit a target, and hard!

"You will need to search any ships in the area that might be carrying Officials.  Transports, Shuttles, maybe even Freighters.  Once you've located them, a strike team from Lightning Force will jump in, board the craft, capture the personnel, and hyperspace out.  You will need to provide cover for our team during this phase of the operation."

Eddie 'Storm' Schenk, Gold 3,  spoke up from the back of the room.  "Sir, looking at the targets in question, those all appear to be defense stations.  All highly fortified.  You want two B-Wings to go against that?"

"That's the tricky part," Si continued.  Again, the grumbling.  "We think we'll have a better chance of finding information at Imperial Garrisons as opposed to light stations.  Yes, they are fortified, and I would expect heavy resistance from Imperial starships.  However, since we are launching numerous attacks nearly simultaneously, there should be little chance of reinforcements once you are in system."

The briefing continued for another half hour as specific questions and threat assessments came into play.  When the pilots had exhausted all of their questions, the Division Commander spoke up, "All right.  Suit up!  Flights begin within 15 minutes.  Check your gear and let's get going!"

The pilots filed out and made their way quickly to the Flight Deck.  "Just another walk in the park!" remarked Mike 'Strongbow' Hulen, Green 7, to no one in particular.

"We'll see..." JC 'Frenchie' Bureau, Blue 3, commented.

Operation Inoculation Mission 2 Debriefing

The two B-Wings were just about to exit from hyperspace, when their pilots did one final check over their instruments.  Chris 'Snyper' Lorentzen and David 'Pacman' Hopkins, Red 31 and Red 24 respectively, were teamed together on this mission.  Together they watched their timers as the numbers approached zero.  With a silent lurch, the starfighters exited hyperspace.

In front of them was a huge space station.  High Command wasn't kidding when they called these targets Defense Platforms.  Not only was there sure to be fighter cover, but there were numerous mines surrounding the facility.  "We're in for a battle!" thought Hopkins.

"Shall we?"  Snyper's voice channeled thru.  Chris was known for taking things in stride and apparently this was no different.  Scanning their targeting computer, they found a flight of transports heading towards the base.  In addition, a wave of TIE Advanced appeared on their scopes.

"I'll go for the TIEs; you ID the ships!" yelled David.  He banked over to make a head-on pass against the T/As.  "This is crazy!"  Luckily, the B-Wings had extremely sturdy shields, and the first pass did nothing but drop the forward shields to half.  Glancing over his shoulder, he noticed that the lead T/A stayed on his tail, but the second Imperial decided to go after his wingman.  "I just hope he can evade him long enough to find those officials!"

With a slight turn, Snyper headed towards the transports.  As he approached the targets, he noticed that there appeared a red dot in his rear scanner that was increasing in intensity.  Checking his six, he found one of the T/As closing in on him.  "No way I can outrun him.  Better just try my best to ID these guys."  Twisting and turning, Chris tried everything to keep from getting hit.  The B-Wing was just too slow, though, and after round one, the B-Wings shields were already dwindling!

While the T/A turned back around for another pass, Snyper made his first pass against the transports.  Luckily he was able to get all four in one pass.  Unfortunately, they were all carrying Droid parts.  "Well, that doesn't help me!"

Just then, Pacman's R2 unit chimed in.  A second group of ships were exiting hyperspace!  A quick scan revealed a set of 4 shuttles arriving.  Apparently Snyper also caught them, because he was already heading towards them.

"BEEP!  BEEP!"  The T/As had switched to missiles and apparently were very concerned about taking out the Rebel intruders. Both pilots were forced to dump all laser energy into their shields from being blown up from the Imperial missiles.  By this time, though, Chris was able to maneuver his B-Wing for a pass on the shuttles.

"There he is!" he cried.  Nestled amongst the ships was one carrying Officials.  Switching over to Ion Cannons, Snyper rolled hard over and lined up on the Imperial shuttle.  It took a few shots, but eventually the shuttle dropped speed as it's controls froze up.

The two Rebel pilots had their hands full with the T/As when Lightning Force hypered in.  It was only by pure luck that they noticed a pair of Imperial Gunboats hyper in a few seconds later.

"Uh, Pac?  I think we've got trouble."

"I'll get them!" David exclaimed.  Banking over, he tracked down the Guns, dumping all energy into his engines.  "Can't let them get thru..."  Switching to torpedo's, Pacman targeted the lead Gunboat.  With a good tone, he let loose a pair of deadly rockets.  Maneuvering in behind, he finished off the first Imperial with ease.

Unfortunately, the T/A was still on his tail, and making it more difficult to take on the second Gun.  He was just trying to force the T/A to overshoot when a salvo of torps appeared overhead.  With a true aim, they smacked into the second Gun and disintegrated the ship within moments.  Chris passed overhead, giving a victory roll just to show off.

"Thanks, Snyper!"  By this time, the Commando's had docked with the Imperial shuttle and were finishing up their end of the mission.  David and Chris were able to get around and take on the T/As without any other outside concern.  A few minutes later, the Rebels were informed that the Commando's had concluded their mission and had hypered out.

It took a only a few more minutes for the Rebel's to finish off thier adversaries.  They turned up towards the Space Station and let loose a few torps to start to weaken the platform.  They were about to commence a second attack run, when an Imperial Frigate hypered in, launching a full squad of T/As.

"Uh, David?  Shall we?"  Without an acknowledgment, the two Rebels turned around and punched in their hyper coordinates.  They won this day; they had captured the Imperial Official and had survived.  No sense in pushing your luck...  "Let's go home."

Operation Inoculation Mission 3

Chris 'Electro' Schock and Si 'Quicksilver' Siorek were going over the latest flight recorders when the general alarm sounded.

"Battle Stations!  Battle Stations!  All pilots report!  This is not a drill!"  The two officers looked at each other for a moment and then bolted for the door.

As they reached the Command Center, the deck was a flurry of movement.  Catching General Chesney's eye, the two made their way over to the Communications Console.

"We just picked up a distress signal from a neutral Frigate, the Bal'mari.  They are under attack from Imperial forces and have sustained heavy damage.  I'm ordering the Destiny to prepare for jumping to their position; however, I don't think they'll hold that long."

Captain Saturn 'Typhoon' Padua walked up the others.  "Sir, the alert craft are en route.  But we won't be able to launch any other starfighters until we arrive."

"I only hope they can hold off the Imperial attack until we arrive," mulled Electro.

Operation Inoculation Mission 3 Debriefing

Eddie "Storm" Schenk had contrived to convince the flight deck officer to let him launch on the picket patrol.  He'd been bored, too much book learning and simulator time in the Super X-Wing.  When he'd seen the Z-95B sitting on the flight line he'd figured it was as good a time as any to see the latest craft to come out of the Alliance R&D labs.  A sneak preview and some deep space flight time was just what he needed.  It hadn't taken much to convince Lieutenant Smith to let him take the ship, Ald was sick of the temperamental experimental ships and was more than willing to get some unexpected time off.

The patrol had been scheduled for the entire Swift Ferret flight of Gray Squadron, so in addition to Storm there were three other pilots.  He'd met Flight Officer Whitman and Lieutenant Bayer previously, not the third pilot.  He was a relatively new member of the Alliance, Flight Officer Rafael "Interceptor" Vieira.  But, he seemed competent enough and the flight had gone quietly as most patrols do. Until all hell broke loose.

Storm's comm-unit started warbling the alert as a priority one message was broadcast to the two Z-95B's. "Ferrets 1 to 4. Neutral Frigate Bal'mari under attack by Imperial forces. Make immediate jump to assist. Coordinates have been downloaded to preset six on your navputer.  Repeating..."

Storm hit the mute switch and thumbed his intership microphone. "Looks like trouble gentlemen. Power up to full shields."

"Such as they are," he thought to himself.

On board the Destiny

"What do you mean Lieutenant Smith isn't on the patrol?  Who is on the patrol?"  General Chesney was annoyed. "And while you're at it, get Smith up here."

"Yes sir. We're not sure sir. Right away sir," the harried duty officer was cursing under his breath as he tried to track down the information for his commander.

Alderaanian hurried onto the bridge and immediately felt the piercing glare of his CO. "Lt. Smith reporting sir."

"Who's in that Z-95B?" Mystic demanded.

"Captain Schenk sir." Alderaanian stood at rigid attention.

"Gold 3?  What in Hades for?  Never mind.  If he can fly the thing, he'll do fine."  Chesney paced twice up and down the bridge.  Seeming to realize Ald was still there he stopped.  "Well what are you waiting for?  Dismissed. And tell Captain Padua that you're on report."

"Aye sir!" Ald rotated precisely in place and made a rapid exit thanking his luck that things weren't any worse.

On board Ferret 1

The four Z-95B's had exited hyperspace to find a Frigate broadcasting a neutral transponder code with its shields down.  Storm ordered the flight to form in a finger four formation and then opened a channel to the Frigate.

"Neutral Frigate, please identify yourself."

A highly accented, slightly avian sounding voice came back quickly. "Yes. Coynitian Frigate Bal'mari. We are under attack by Imperial forces."

Storm didn't see any Imperials, but the battle damage was clear on the hull of the Frigate.  Just as he was about to reply to the Coynitian his sensors noted the arrival of an Imperial Frigate.  It immediately launched three TIE Bombers and a TIE Defender.  Storm recognized the tactics, an Imperial Pop-and-Drop Attack.

"Ferrets 2 and 4 target the bombers, keep them off the Bal'mari.  Ferret 3, cover me." Storm altered course to intercept the TIE Defender.  As he did so the Imperial Frigate entered hyperspace. "They'll be back."

Storm pushed his ship to full speed and corkscrewed toward the onrushing TIE Defender.  Lasers streaked past him and as he opened up he heard his wingman cry "I'm hit!" The battle now joined at close range his Z-95B twisted and turned in the melee.  His attention riveted on his foe he lost track of time until jolted back to the present he heard "TIE Bombers destroyed." followed immediately by his threat alarm chiming that several Y-Wings had entered the system. "Bal'mari, are those Y-Wings yours?"

"No!"

"Everyone after the Y-Wings." He moved into position finally just behind the TIE and put shot after shot into it.  Just as he thought it was invulnerable it burst into a fire ball.

Venom streaked toward the first pair of Y-Wings and fired two of his concussion missiles.  Next to him Hellion did the same and the Y-Wing fragmented as it exploded.  "Hellion take the second, I'm on the next pair."

"Roger that Lieutenant."

Interceptor moved toward the Y-Wings, his craft somewhat damaged by a concussion missile launched by the TIE defender. His board was a fragmented mess, but he thought he could still engage.  He swooped and twisted to avoid the fire of the Y-Wings and slowed to get on the tail of one of them.  Pressing his firing stud he fired continuously into the rear of the sluggish Y-Wing. It exploded directly in front of him and he watched in helpless fascination as one of the nacelles crashed directly into him.

Hellion had seen the crash. "Rafael just bought it, but I saw the ejection."

Storm was about to reply when he noticed the arrival of two transports.  "That looks fishy, he thought and moved to intercept them.  They were in nearly perfect range to attack the helpless Bal'mari.  Just as he armed his missiles and began to acquire a lock he saw the lead transport fire torpedos.  "Damn!" Switching to lasers he shot one of them down as it went past him and then slowed and looped in behind the TRN. A few seconds later it exploded and his threat indicator showed 4 more Y-Wings arriving.

"No time for them just now, I hope the remaining guys can keep them occupied."

Storm rearmed his missiles and sent four, half of his complement, into the second transport. It exploded and he moved back to top speed as more transports entered the system simultaneously with the Imperial Frigate.

"This is not looking good." He dispatched a third transport with his remaining missiles and the final one with laser fire. Accelerating his missile lock warning screeched in his ear as a TIE Defender launched twin concussion missiles at him. He immediately went to extreme evasive but headed toward the TIE Bombers that were on an attack run toward the Bal'mari.

"Hellion, watch your six, you've picked up a bogey." Venom spun away from the Y-Wing he'd been targeting and moved to brush away the threat to his squadron mate. A few bursts and it broke off the attack.

"Thanks Venom, I got a little careless." He rebalanced his shields and snap shot a Y-Wing at extreme range. Gratifyingly it exploded and he turned to the next threat.

The missiles were tracking Storm, but the Bombers were nearly in range. "Balmari to Alliance fighters. We have serious hull damage. A few more torpedoes and we cannot survive."

With half of his mind Storm pondered on the arrival time of possible reinforcements. With the other half he flew his ship. He lined up and sent laser fire into one of the T/B. It broke off the run and he slowed to pick up the next. As he did one of the missiles hit him on the side and took out his shields, most of his hull and made a mess of his cockpit displays.

Unfazed he did a quick loop to break the missile lock from the TIE Defender and then took out a second TIE Bomber. The last was dispatched shortly thereafter and he turned his attention to the T/D.

There were still three Y-Wings engaging Venom and Hellion, but the tide had turned. Now it was only a matter of time until they were space debris. Hellion hull damaged one Y-Wing and it immediately jumped to hyperspace. "Coward!"

And then a Star Destroyer materialized a couple of klicks away. "Destiny to 1st Recon, report."

"Frigate Balmari is under attack by neutrals and Imperial forces." Storm replied.

Three Super X-Wings launched from the Destiny along with a Transport and headed toward the crippled Frigate. Storm finally dispatched the TIE Defender only to see an Assault Gunboat emerge from hyperspace. It was right on top of him!  He twisted and attacked the GUN, slowing to match speeds. A half minute later it was gone.

Typhoon targeted one of the last two Y-Wings and sent four missiles into it. It evaporated immediately. He did the same to the final Y-Wing as he closed.

"Nice shooting Commander, but you could have left some wreckage to analyze."

Typhoon grinned as he heard the voice of his wingman RedDawg come across the comm. "No sense coming back with missiles left buddy."

The rebel craft circled the Frigate, attentive to any new threat. None was forthcoming. The transport docked and began emergency repairs to the Bal'mari.

"Destiny to 1st Recon. Nice flying gentlemen, return immediately."

As he moved into the massive flight bay Storm saw he Search and Rescue shuttle launch to pick up Interceptor and any surviving Imperial pilots for interrogation. As he landed the landing strut on his ship collapsed from the battle damage he'd sustained. He paused and considered. "I think I'm probably as familiar with the Z-95B as I need to be at this point." A massive grin filled his face as he popped the cockpit canopy and climbed from the little ship.

Operation Inoculation Mission 4

The briefing room was filled with the cream of the Alliance. Pilots from every squadron sat, talking quietly waiting for General Chesney to arrive.  They'd nearly completed the Super X-Wing training and rumor was they'd be seeing combat in the craft in the near future.

Chesney walked in flanked by Commander Schock, Gray Squadron Executive Officer.  He moved to the front of the room and activated the projector. "Well, here we are." A predatory smile flashed across his face.

"The Coynitians have alerted us to a strong Imperial force near us. This is likely to be the source of the attack on the Bal'mari. We are going to take that force out. Well be launching a full scale assault to catch them unaware. Super X-Wings flown by the top training graduates will escort two attack units of B-Wings. You are instructed to destroy everything at the target location. There are at least two Frigates and some escort vessels. With this much firepower nothing should escape."

"Hit them and hit them hard. Electro will assign you to your ships. May the Force be with you!"

Operation Inoculation Mission 4 Debriefing

Raven became instantly alert as his Super X-Wing dropped out of hyperspace. "Gold 7 to Gold 5, status."

"Nominal," came the reply from his wingman StarDuster. "Scanning two Imperial Frigates and three Corvettes."

Six B-Wings entered the system as they spoke. "Strongbow to Gold, we are targetting the Frigates." As the Alliance fighters closed the distance they noted the launch of a variety of Imperial fighter cover and seconds later torpedos salvoed from the B-Wings toward the two Frigates.

"Raven, those are the new Advanced Corvettes."

"Roger StarDuster. Let's take them out. Cover me as I make my run." Adjusting his targeting computer and increasing laser recharge Raven moved to attack. As he made his run he lined up directly behind the Corevette in its blind spot. His quad lasers began to fire into the stern of the Corvette. And at the same time the Corvette opened up on him! "What the?"

Raven corkscrewed his fighter out of the line of fire. "Did you see that, it fired from the rear! Break and attack on my target."

Somewhat rattled the two Gold pilots pressed the attack. Just as they were about to finish the first Corvette the Imperial Fighter cover finally caught them and began to make life miserable. "Raven, I'll keep the gnats busy."

"Acknowledged."

Meanwhile Strongbow and his five wingmen were busy pounding the Frigates, but were themselves being hammered by a large number of TIE Bombers and heavy fire from the Frigates.  Already one B-Wing had been lost, and two more had made the jump to hyperspace.

Operation Inoculation Mission 5

Commander Padua was on the bridge of the Destiny, overseeing the routine operation of the ship.  The strike on the Imperial Task Force was in full swing, with a flight of Super X-Wings and four flights of B-Wings participating.  The repairs on the Bal'mari were complete, and they would be leaving the system shortly.

"Imperial Star Destroyer exiting hyperspace between Destiny and Bal'mari," reported the sensor officer.  "They are launching TIE Bombers."

"Sound General Quarters.  Scramble 1st Recon and 6th Interceptor to engage enemy fighters."  Saturn was calm, this had all happened before.

Little did he know what was in store for them in the next half hour.

Operation Inoculation Mission 5 Debriefing

Gripper had blasted wave after wave of the TIE Bombers.  The Imperials had been attacking with suicidal single mindedness to destroy the Destiny.  And their attack was working, the shields on Gray's home base had fallen.  The Destiny was waiting for the tech crews to come aboard before entering hyperspace, but they'd have to leave soon.  He refocused his mind and set out after another wave of TIEs.

"Mayday, mayday!" came the call. The Transport pilot spun his ship about in a vain attempt to outmaneuver the TIE Advanced that pressed the attack.  And then, from nowhere a Super X-Wing fired dual missiles and destroyed the TIE.

"You're all clear."  Gripper moved again to the attack.

Seconds later

"General, the 'sports are aboard and the Bal'mari has entered hyperspace."

"Set course, flank speed to the hyperspace point."

Elsewhere

The attack was both a success and a disaster.  They'd destroyed three Advanced Corvettes and a Frigate so far, but they'd lost six B-Wings and a Super X-Wing in the effort. The last Frigate was under attack from the last two B-Wings and StarDuster's Super X-Wing.  He'd been hull damaged but was still in the fray.

He twisted his ship around, trading speed for firepower now that the Frigate's shields had gone down.  Two last torpedoes struck the foe as StarDuster took several hits to his forward deflector.  His scopes showed the Frigate was hull damaged, it wouldn't be long now...

"StarDuster, he's powering up his hyperspace engines, we're gonna lose him!"

"Not if I have anything to say about it," muttered StarDuster to himself as he lined up for one last pass. At short range his quad laser cannons spoke again... again... the Frigate began to pull away.  And, then at extreme range his final salvo of lasers hit a crucial point and while the drive section of the ship tried to enter hyperspace, the rest of it crumpled.

The resulting explosion sent shock waves through the ships still in the system.  StarDuster's damaged fighter bucked and kicked, and then he heard a heart stopping shriek of metal giving way. His board flashed red and died as he pressed the emergency eject button.

On board the Destiny

"Have we got anything left to sortie, Lieutenant?"

"Nothing sir," came the response.  "Wait, I have a single B-Wing incoming, two B-Wings incoming."

"Status?"

"Heavily damaged, they are from our attack on the Imperial outpost."

"Order them to engage."

"Yes, sir!"

In space

Fractal was surprised to see the battle raging as he entered real space.  The Destiny was in trouble, nearly overwhelmed by sheer numbers.  He raised what little remained of his shields and moved into attack position.  His B-Wing wasn't the most maneuverable ship around, but it could take out TIE Bombers without a passing thought.  He closed on two lining up to fire their torpedoes into his flagship and dispatched them quickly with shots from the tri-cannon.

The tide had turned.

Operation Inoculation Mission 6

The technicians and repair crews had been working feverishly to repair the damage caused in the Imperial surprise attack on the Destiny. That coupled with the massive starfighter losses they had suffered in their recent missions made Chesney grateful for the surplus of pilots and fighter craft on board due to the Super X-Wing training program. He might need every one before this was all over. He could sense that the climactic battle was about to be joined, but didn't know on who's terms it would be fought.  All the evidence they'd uncovered pointed to the Advanced Corvettes being the main focus of Project Influenza. His job was to neutralize this new threat if he could.  Operation Inoculation was nearly over, one way or another.

Elsewhere

The Z-95B, beaten and near destruction limped through space. Twice already Debris had dropped out of hyperspace due to problems with his drive system. The control board was a mass of warning indicators, his comm was out, and he prayed to the maker that he could nurse his craft home. What he'd seen was certainly worth reporting, if only he could do so. An Imperial Frigate and numerous other craft, including some Advanced Corvettes. It had looked like an assembly station to him, but perhaps the Intel staff could make something of his flight recorder film. That was, if it had survived the damage he'd taken from the TIE Advanced that had jumped him as he entered the system. Speed alone had saved him, and that had been a near thing, as just prior to jumping he'd taken a missile hit.

And then he dropped out of hyperspace again. Momentarily exasperated by the recurring problem, he looked up to see a Victory Star Destroyer. He could only hope it was the Destiny as he cut in the sub-light engines, or what was left of them, and made his way to the hanger deck.

Operation Inoculation Mission 6 Debriefing

The roster was thin.  With recent casualties and the recall of several pilots to their squadrons the Destiny was now well below her fighting complement.  So much so, that for this battle Electro had assigned himself to lead the Star of Dagobah B-Wings into combat.  He glanced over his data pad again, wondering if this was the right set of tactics.

In principal the attack was simple.  Super X-Wings would drop into the area ahead of the B-Wings to confirm the target and to clear a path for his flight of B-Wings to disable the target.  Once that was done a shuttle loaded with commandos would storm the Frigate and capture the plans to the Advanced Corvette while the fighters provided cover.  Simple.  Only about a thousand things could go wrong, and most of them probably would.

"Too late for this anyhow," Electro thought.  Everything was ready.  The fighters had met at the rendezvous point a microjump from the target zone.

"Gray Eight, this is Gray Thirteen, you are go, I repeat you are go."

Typhoon made a last check of his instruments and then keyed his microphone.  "OK Rats, its show time.  Jump on my mark.... three, two, one, mark."

Electro watched as the Super X-Wings jumped away.  He had a feeling some of those pilots wouldn't be coming back.  Now he waited until he received the jump signal to begin his own attack.  This was always the hardest part of any mission and why he often despised being in command.  Waiting, wondering, unable to do anything while others fought and died.

elsewhere

The Super X-Wings dropped out of hyperspace a few clicks from the target zone.  Each began instantly to search for targets.  "Target those Corvettes first boys," came the orders from Typhoon, "I'm making a closer pass on the Frigate."

The formation split as three Super X-Wings headed toward the first Advanced Corvette while a lone fighter headed at top speed toward the Frigate.  "Gray 15 here, I'm picking up new targets, TIE Advanced and TIE Defenders launching from the Frigate."

"Roger that Debris. I'll fly cover, you and Sparks hit the Corvette's."  Archon reset his power settings to provide more speed while dogfighting and targeted the TIE Advanced that were on an intercept course.  Out of the corner of his eye he watched the progress of Typhoon, who made a close fly by of the Frigate and shortly thereafter heard Typhoon on the scrambler frequency.

"T to E, Commence."

Moments later Archon's scanners picked up six B-Wings entering the area.  Their target would be the Frigate.

"SOD, fire four torpedoes each at the Frigate and switch lasers.  Make passes in threes.  Target laser turrets and hull to bring down the shields. Switch to Ions as soon as they fall."  A chorus of confirmation met this command and Electro settled down to business.  He armed his torpedoes and targeted the Frigate.  A few seconds later he fired his first salvo, followed by two more torpedoes every seven seconds.  His squadron mates were just as efficient and soon a swarm of torpedoes was headed toward the target.

As his final torpedo was away Electro began to pick up a lock indication on his scanners, something was on him. "Break and engage at will."

A furious battle ensued, the faster TIEs kept at bay by the impressive shields and armor of the B-Wings.  But even so, the rebel losses were mounting as wave after wave of enemy ships tore into the ships.  The Corvettes had been destroyed and the Frigate defenses were falling.  Electro saw the Frigates shields fall and immediately switched to ion cannons.  He altered course and made a straight run toward the ship.  His B-Wing rocked under the fury of the Frigates laser batteries, but after several of his and other ion bolts struck home they were quieted, their electronic circuits overwhelmed temporarily.

"All fighters concentrate on the TIEs, we need to secure the area. Our shuttle will arrive momentarily."  A few seconds later, as if one cue, the assault team arrived a short distance from the Frigate and began its boarding operation.

Moments after that, apparent victory turned to imminent disaster as an Imperial Star Destroyer entered the system and instantly launched new fighters.

"Bad guys popping up all over the place," commented Sparks to himself.  He swung his Super X-Wing into a tight turn to target several TIE Interceptors that had ignored the Alliance fighters and were heading toward the disabled Frigate.  As he moved within range he realized they were moving to attack the assault shuttle. "We've got trouble.  Interceptors on the A Team."

"I'm in range," responded Archon as he locked on to a T/I with his last missile.  He fired and targeted the next Imperial fighter as the first was destroyed.  The remaining TIEs were starting their strafing run on the Shuttle.  Bolt after bolt of green laser light stabbed toward the shuttle as it jinked, realizing belatedly the danger it faced.

Now both Sparks and Archon were within range and the TIEs had bigger things to worry about than the evasive shuttle.  In a minute the threat was past and the Shuttle docked.  The raid for the plans had begun.

The battle raged as the remaining B-Wings moved to attack the newly arrived Star Destroyer.  Only four of them remained of an original strike force of twelve.  Still, with the help of the three Super X-Wings still operational they had already destroyed one shield tower and with a final torpedo the second fell.  Everyone concentrated ion fire and lasers on the now helpless Imperial who never had a chance to escape.  The Super X-Wings were now loitering outside of the launch bay and picked off fighters as the sortied, giving the B-Wings plenty of breathing room to maul the Star Destroyer.

It was all over within five minutes.  The Star Destroyer, ripped from bow to stern by countless laser shots was hull breached in countless places.  Finally, one shot found a critical spot and the skin of the massive battleship erupted in a gigantic explosion.

"The shuttle is clear, scuttle the frigate gentlemen, the more havoc we wreak here, the better."  The remaining rebel ships turned their attention once again to the helpless Imperial ship while the few Imperial fighters left disengaged and fled, their base ship destroyed.  The frigate finally collapsed under the punishment as the boom severed and explosion tore the main section away, spinning and rippled by secondary explosions.

"OK, everybody out of here, rendezvous at the Destiny."  Six fighters leapt from normal space and into the unknown, triumphant.

the end