Star Wars_ X-Wing 06_ Iron Fist - Aaron Allston [113]
The Wraiths were following his presentation with rapt attention. They seemed different this morning—more possessed of themselves, more cocksure, some of them nearly smug. Alive and eager. Once again Wedge offered thanks to whatever turn of fortune had brought Runt Ekwesh into this unit.
“Piggy,” Wedge continued, “has had some thoughts on this mission I thought he should share with you. Piggy?”
The Gamorrean pilot started to rise but thought better of it and stayed seated. The proper manner to make a presentation in a standard military briefing was on one’s feet, but the crowded nature of this conference module didn’t allow for it. “Once again I must turn to the subject of Zsinj and pirates,” he said, his mechanical voice vibrating the tabletop and the caf cups resting on it. “This time I can do so with some evidence instead of relying merely on speculation.
“We assume Zsinj is going after a new Super Star Destroyer. We know that he has requested the Hawk-bats to be part of this mission. My belief is that the Hawk-bats will merely be part of a large unit of mercenaries and pirates that will act as part of the defensive screen around the new Super Star Destroyer once it begins moving.”
Kell waved to get his attention. “You’re getting ahead of me, here. Why part of a mercenary unit, and why once the vessel gets moving?”
“From Zsinj’s perspective, optimum efficiency demands a certain set of steps,” Piggy said. “He can’t, for example, drop out of hyperspace in the midst of the Kuat system and do a boarding action against the new Destroyer. Every minute it takes to accomplish the takeover is a minute the forces of Kuat can be using to approach and attack. So—”
“So,” Face said, interrupting, “the takeover of the new Destroyer has to be accomplished before Iron Fist drops into the Kuat system.”
Piggy nodded. “Correct. And as soon as the new Destroyer begins moving, if not before, Kuat’s forces will be alerted and will move against her, to retake her … or destroy her.”
“So that,” Wedge said, “is when we predict Zsinj will drop in with Iron Fist and as large a fleet as he can manage … and it’s that fleet that will serve as a screen for the new Destroyer. It has to be escorted until it can get far enough from the nearest gravity well to launch into hyperspace.”
“If the pirates,” Piggy said, “including us Hawk-bats, are the first line of engagement the Kuat defenders encounter, Zsinj profits. Fewer of his TIE forces will be destroyed. Of the pirates who survive, some will belong to destroyed bands and will want employment … and they’re most likely to be the best pilots of the bunch.”
Dia frowned. “Your pardon, Piggy … but isn’t this all just guesswork?”
The Gamorrean nodded. “Educated guesswork.”
“What if you’re all wrong?”
Piggy looked between Wedge and Janson. “Between the three of us, we’d have a hard time being that wrong.”
Dia managed a smile. “Piggy, what if you’re wrong?”
“We improvise,” Wedge said. “We’ve come up with this model for Zsinj’s plan because we think it’s most likely. But regardless of what Zsinj’s plan is, our objectives stay the same. And our objectives are pretty simple in explanation even if they turn out not to be simple in execution.
“Before we get to that, we need to remember that this is our best shot so far at taking out Iron Fist and Zsinj. This means that other concerns … such as our personal safety and even survival … come second.” He looked around at the suddenly somber faces of the Wraiths. “I’m not asking anyone to go on a suicide mission. But I am asking you to keep in mind the same measures and balances I’ll be considering. If what I do can take out this enemy, who has caused so much pain and destruction, and who will continue to do so if allowed to, is my survival more important than his defeat?
“So … our goals. Number one, most important, is to get a transmitter on Iron Fist or the new destroyer or both. We have several ways to do this. One is Castin’s program, which any one of us invited to join Zsinj’s advance party might have an opportunity to plant.