Star Wars_ X-Wing 01_ Rogue Squadron - Michael A. Stackpole [85]
The X-wings were fast enough to elude the Lancer, but there was no way the Y-wings could outrun it or fight it. The Lancer’s guns made it the equivalent of eighty TIEs. Wedge glanced at his fuel monitor. He didn’t have enough fuel remaining for a long fight with the Lancer and the run home. I don’t have enough fuel to let the Eridain run for help. The best chance the Y-wings had was for the X-wings to engage the Lancer while they ran.
Before he could reply to Tycho’s request for orders, General Salm’s voice came over the comm. “Rogue Leader, screen Warden and Guardian squadrons and get them out of there. Champion will buy you the time.”
“Negative, General. Champion will die that way, Rogue may die if we hit the Lancer and you break out.”
“I’m making this an order, Antilles.”
“Rogue Squadron takes its orders from Admiral Ackbar, General.”
“Rogue Leader, this is Nine.”
“Not now, Nine.”
“Commander, I know how we can get the Lancer. Worst case, we lose one ship.”
“What is he babbling about?”
“Easy, General. Go ahead, Nine.”
“Ships have to close to two and a half klicks to get a firing solution for a proton torpedo. The Y-wing getting that close to the Lancer will be vaped. An X-wing can get in and send targeting data to the Y-wings, increasing the range for their solution. Same thing Captain Celchu did in the Forbidden at Chorax. The proton torps will home for thirty seconds, which means they can hit a target at just over fourteen and a half klicks. That will keep them safe from the Lancer.”
Wedge frowned as he worked through Corran’s plan. A weaving X-wing might be able to get in close to the Lancer.
General Salm saw the flaw in the plan at the same time Wedge did. “A weaving X-wing won’t be able to get a targeting lock on the Lancer, Antilles. This is nonsense.”
Corran’s voice came back strong. “The X-wing doesn’t need to get a targeting lock, he just needs to get in close. The Y-wings will be targeting the X-wing’s homing beacon. Time it right, put the Lancer between the missiles and the X-wing, and you can scratch one Lancer.”
“That just might work.” Wedge pulled back on the X-wing’s stick and started up toward space and the waiting Imperial ships. “I’ll make the run.”
“Negative, Antilles.”
“General …”
“Rogue Leader, this is Nine, outbound. Release Warden Squadron to me.”
Salm’s fury sizzled over the comm. “Under no circumstances! Stop now, Rogue Nine.”
“Release the squadron to me. I’m outbound and I’m going to play tag with that Lancer.”
“This is treason, Nine.” Salm’s voice cracked with anger. “I’ll have you shot.”
“As long as it’s Warden Squadron that’s doing it, I don’t mind a bit. Nine out.”
“Antilles, do something!”
“He’s got the altitude, General.” And the attitude. “Release the squadron to him.” Wedge let a deep breath out. “Then form Champion up on me, just in case his run doesn’t do the trick.”
Corran keyed his comm. “Okay, Wardens, this is how we become heroes. Link your torpedoes so you’ll be shooting two. You’ll shoot them on my mark. Timing is critical here—go too early and you won’t hit anything. Go too late and I’m … look, just don’t go too late. Ten, I need you to match their speed and don’t let them get any closer than eight and a half klicks from me. And not much farther either. My homing beacon will be on 312.43. Use that as the frequency for the target lock on the torpedoes.”
“Got it, Nine.”
“Control, Nine here. Be prepared to scatter the Wardens with evasive maneuver plots in case the Lancer gets aggressive once the torpedoes are away.”
“On it, Nine. Good luck.”
Corran’s hand strayed to the medallion he wore. “Thanks, Control. Nine out.”