Malefic's shuttle had the advantage of distance, but the TIEs had superior speed. Still, Dak and Wedge had already left the planet's atmosphere before they came into sensor range of their target. Ahead of them, suspended in the dark void, loomed the Star Destroyer which acted as Malefic's flagship and mobile factory. Even at this distance its sheer scale was apparent.
"We've got about two minutes until we're in rangeof the Destroyer's cannons." Dak said, as he scanned his fighter's tactical sensors. "Not much time to target Malefic."
"It'll have to be enough." Wedge cycled through the TIE's weapons readout, taking stock of the tool at his disposal. Heavy turbolasers and ion cannons would be useless against the cortosis shielded shuttle, as would the energy based proton torpedoes. However, the missiles were promising.
"Switching to concussion missles." Wedge announced. "They should have enough of a punch to crack that armour."
"Shame these things only have four onboard." Dak replied. "Theres no room for error." The TIEs broke formation, Dak veering one way as Wedge swung in another. The both looped in a wide arc, aiming to converge on the shuttle, limiting its options for maneuverability.
***
"Sir, Andriss command has confirmed that the Rebel pilots stole our fighter escort. Those aren't our pilots behind us." stammered the timid shuttle pilot to the Admiral. Malefic stood directly behind the pilot, one hand bracing himself against the cabin ceiling.
"It is of no concern. They have nowhere to run, and we are safely protected."
"Shoukd we signal the Escutcheon for fighter support?"
"And deprive us of this opportunity to field test my personal shuttle? Nonsense. Stay your course, pilot, and follow your procedures. Let's see what tricks these Rebels think they can pull."
***
Dak turned his craft towards the shuttle engaged his targeting computer. The cockpit was filled with a high-pitched beep. As the computer established a firm lock, the tone became a steady whine.
"Target locked, standing by." he declared.
"Acknowledged, also locked." Wedge replied. "Firing." Both pilots released a pair of missiles simultaneously, and swung their ships away from the target, regrouping in its wake. The thin missiles streaked through the void and impacted against the shuttle, detonating in a cloud of vaporized gases.
Dak frowned at the sensor data readout. Malefic's transponder was still broadcasting.
"What's his status? Do you have a visual?" he asked Wedge, frowning. Wedge could see part of the shuttle through the fading haze, its surface shimmering slightly. He felt his stomach sink.
"That shuttle has an active shield." he sighed. Wedge adjusted his scanner to compensate for the shield's energy trace. "Its still at sixty percent effectiveness."
"Kark it all!" Dak replied, slamming his console in anger, before hastily pulling back on the flight-stick to prevent a spiral. "We don't have the firepower to dent it!" He glanced downwards. Only a minute left until they were in range of the Destroyer. "Any ideas?"
Wedge considered their options. They needed the remaining missiles to penetrate the cortosis armour, but, as long as the shield was active, the cortosis was protected. Though, that also meant the cortosis couldn't absorb their energy bolts either.
"Dak, you switch to photon torpedoes." Wedge said, hurriedly. "Hit him hard enough to lower the shields, and I'll follow up with the concussives."
"Agreed, but it'll be tight. Form up." The pilots again moved into their positions, as the seconds slipped away. Dak felt his palms growing clammy with nerves. The plan was very risky; if he hit the shuttle too softly, the shield would hold, yet if he went too hard, the excess energy released would be absorbed by the cortosis, recharging its shield generator. He willed himself to focus, stretching out and letting the Force flow through him. He envisioned himself a fishing net, stretched across a flowing river, existing within the current but not impeding it. "Here goes nothing..."
As they reached position, Dak again took aim at shuttle. Checking he had indeed toggled his weapons to proton torpedoes, he listened for the whine of the targeting computer, and released the payload. Two orbs of purple energy streaked out from underneath his fighter, and soared towards the shuttle, leaving a streaky afterglow behind them. The torpedoes struck their target, and Dak risked a smile as he saw the shield's shimmer flicker and fade away.
"All yours Wedge, take your shot!" he yelled, excitedly.
***
Aboard the shuttle, Admiral Malefic struggled to maintain his footing as the shuttle was rocked by the impact." Despite his physical discomfort, he showed no sign of worry. "Shield is down sir!" the pilot gasped, as he frantically tried to reroute power from the shuttle's tertiary systems.
"A fine effort." Malefic mused. "But once I have anticipated." With his outstretched arm, he opened a communication channel with the Escutcheon. "Commence fire. Authorisation Omega."
"Sir!" the pilot protested. "We haven't tested..." Malefic cut across the simpering pilot, and stated: "And so we are about to. Do I make myself clear?"
***
"Commencing my attack run." said Wedge, a steely edge in his voice. He tried never to revel when claimed a kill, but Wedge was willing to make an exception for Malefic. A sudden alert drew his attention towards his sensor readout. The Destroyer's primary cannon was charging. He disregarded it. All that mattered now was taking out Malefic before they went down too.
Wedge fired his missiles, and took immediate evasive action. Dak could only watch as the Destroyer's main turbo laser battery fired a single shot. With initial confusion, followed by a creeping dread, he noticed the target was not either TIE, but the shuttle itself. The green plasma bolt enveloped the shuttle completely. A direct hit like that should have vaporized any craft of similar size to the shuttle. However, he stared aghast as the beam passed, leaving the shuttle intact. Parts of its surface were charred, and some exposed cortosis had even begun to melt slightly, but it had recieved no damage. Worse, the energy absorbed by the cortosis had re-energised its shield, just in time for Wedge's remaining missiles to impact on the surface.
"He's insane!" Wedge remarked. "What are we going to do now?"
"There's nothing we can do. We can't run, these things don't have hyperdrives. We can't hide, but we can't let Malefic escape."
"Well, we could ram him."
"Wedge, that's suicide."
"Look around Dak. We're two star fighters against an Imperial Star Destroyer. We crossed that line before we left the surface." Wedge's voice was unsteady, yet determined. "We have to stop him. By any means."
Dak hesitated. He had already considered their options, and expected that this would be their only option back on Andriss. He was old, he had a lifetime of regrets to atone for, so his mind was made up. Dak was just sorry he'd dragged Wedge along with him. "Fine." he said, stoically. "I'll go first, the impact should weaken the shields. You follow up and finish him. May the Force be with us."
He steeled himself, one final time. Briefly, Dak though of R3, waiting below. "Sorry buddy. Guess I won't be coming back after all."
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