Star Wars_ X-Wing 01_ Rogue Squadron - Michael A. Stackpole [20]
“The reason I mention all this to you is so that you’ll be aware of something that might not have sunk in during your selection process. You are elite pilots and you are more than just that, but no matter who you are, or how good you are, you’ll never be considered as good as Biggs Darklighter or Jek Porkins or anyone else who has died in service to Rogue Squadron. They are legends, this unit is a legend, and none of us are ever going to be able to be more than they are.”
Except for someone like you, Commander, who already is more. A grin blossomed on Corran’s face. And I can dream, can’t I?
Wedge opened his hands. “Truth be told, most of you are already better pilots than a lot of the men and women who have died in this unit. You are an eclectic bunch—two of you had death marks against you before you joined the Alliance and the rest of you will earn them as soon as the Empire learns who has been assigned to this unit. You were chosen for your flying skill and for other skills you possess because Admiral Ackbar wants this unit to be more than just a fighter squadron. He wants us to be able to operate independently if necessary and perform operations that would normally require a much larger group of individuals.”
Rhysati leaned over to Corran. “Baron-Administrator Calrissian had his own group of Commando-pilots back home. The idea’s got merit, even if they couldn’t stop Darth Vader from causing trouble.”
Corran nodded. “CorSec had its own Tactical Response Team. Wanting to make Rogue Squadron into something similar explains why some of us made it when others didn’t.” Corran still wondered what special skills Gavin was going to bring to the group, but he was willing to wait for an answer instead of assuming there wasn’t one.
The Commander continued his briefing. “Over the next month you’ll get the most intensive training you’ve ever had. Captain Celchu will be in charge of it. For those of you who do not know him, Captain Celchu graduated from the Imperial Naval Academy and served as a TIE pilot. He left Imperial service after his homeworld of Alderaan was destroyed. He joined the squadron shortly thereafter and participated in everything from the evacuation of Hoth to the Death Star run at Endor and more. He is a superior pilot, as some of you have already learned, and what he will teach you will keep you safe from the best pilots the Empire can throw at us.”
Wedge nodded toward the droid. “Emtrey is our military protocol droid. He will deal with all requisitions, duty assignments, and other administrative duties. You will be moving to a separate complex here to continue your training—Emtrey has your room assignments and initial craft assignments and will give them to you at the end of this meeting.
“So you’re all now part of Rogue Squadron. What you can expect of the future is this: endless amounts of boredom and routine punctuated by moments of sheer terror. As good as you are, statistical studies of fighter pilots indicate most of you will die in your first five missions. While survivability goes up after that, the odds are still not good that you will live to see the complete destruction of the Empire. The reason for that is that you will be there to see bits and pieces of it being lopped off. Rogue Squadron will be given tough assignments and will be expected to complete them, specifically because we are the best there is.”
Wedge rested his hands on his hips. “That’s it for now, unless you have any questions.”
Jace stood. “Will our training consist of more simulator work, or will we be given actual X-wings to fly?”
“That’s a fair question. Emtrey has informed me that our squadron has been assigned a dozen X-wings. We have possession of ten at this time, with two more expected inside the week. When those ships arrive we’ll start training in them. Until then,