Star Wars_ X-Wing 06_ Iron Fist - Aaron Allston [72]
“How’s the wiring going?”
“Bastion’s ready to blow. She’s going to make a big mess.”
The Hawk-bats, in tight formation, dropped toward Halmad in the narrow corridor they knew to be unprotected by the planet’s sensor arrays. Their own sensors told them that Bastion was making its own approach to the planet, via a government-approved course, theoretically on the return leg of its regular refueling mission. But they would not be communicating with Bastion, could not get updates on the other team’s progress.
Within minutes, they were cruising at just above sea level and on a course for the port city of Fellon—or, more accurately, for a small, hidden Imperial base just south of the city. It was still before dawn in Fellon and points west, and several of Halmad’s moons shone down upon the Hawk-bats.
At the head of the Hawk-bats’ formation were Face and Phanan. Face, playing the role of Hawk-bat Independent Space Force founder Kargin, had to be in charge of the mission; their broadcasts were certain to be intercepted and recorded, and it would not do for Hawk-bat One to be heard issuing orders to Hawk-bat Leader. Wedge had few worries about Face, but Face’s wingman, Phanan, was not as skillful a flier in either X-wings or TIE fighters.
Behind Face and Phanan were Wedge with his temporary assignment of two wingmen, Lara and Shalla. Lara, low pilot on the rank ladder, had been assigned one of the squadron’s two TIE fighters, a less formidable starfighter than the interceptors, but she seemed to be handling it with uncommon grace and skill. Nor had Wedge any worries about Shalla’s skill with her interceptor. In fact, between her flying skill, her ability to work with the other pilots, and her ease with planning and analysis, he had placed her high on his list of candidates for lieutenant’s rank. She had yet to demonstrate leadership qualities, but Wedge was certain they lay within her.
At the rear of the formation were Janson, the unit’s second-most-experienced pilot, and Dia, who had made two kills during the escape from Lavisar, equaling Wedge’s total. No, Wedge was accompanied by a skilled team. This should be an easy run for the Hawk-bats.
Not that he ever put his trust in the promise of an easy run.
11
“About to enter atmosphere, on final approach for Hullis,” Runt said. He occupied Bastion’s pilot’s seat. He looked uncomfortable in a chair built for a much shorter human. “Five minutes until the break to the east.”
Kell, in the command chair, typed another diagnostics command into the oversized comlink-equipped datapad in his lap. It was the type of unit an infantry squadron used for reliable long-distance communications. “Have you got the new navigational program in place?”
“We do.”
Kell activated the comlink in his glove. “Nine, how’s the shuttle?”
“Ready to lift.”
“Stand by to lift.” Kell patted Runt on the back and rose. “Run the nav program. Then we run.”
“Initiating.”
Tyria and Piggy in the TIE-fighter escorts needed no further orders. Their task was simple: Pace Bastion as the ancient tanker dropped toward Hullis, then diverted east toward the second fighter base the military forces of Halmad were building. Protect the tanker from the starfighters that would inevitably rise against it, at least long enough for Bastion to get within a couple of kilometers of the base. And then be far, far away when Kell activated his comm unit and detonated Bastion and all the fuel remaining within her. At two minutes before detonation, safely away on the shuttle Narra, Kell would communicate with the base, recommending an evacuation. The base’s destruction was their aim, not the needless murder of base personnel.
With the nav program activated, Runt rose and Kell followed suit.
Then the sensor board lit up like a fireworks display. Kell and Runt stared, disbelieving, at the flurry of activity it showed in the west, the enormous signal from the east.
Kell dropped into the communications officer’s chair and activated Bastion’s comm unit. “Five to One, do you read?”
There was no answer, just