Push the Limit (cadets)

[Lykeira]

Feeling the pulse in the air just prior to the one more handsome human male jump to his feet, she knew that someone had prompted that action, the witch grinned mischievously. There would be more than one in this cadre of Imperial Knights that had it in them to use the Force for more than just killing Jedi. Even though she kept that opinion to herself, she knew the empress' main problem with reconquering the galaxy were those meddlesome tree huggers. Rising with the rest of the class, she filed out and toward the entry to the immense training room. Climbing the stair to the central observation room, she was now wishing she had gotten involved, but it would be more fun to watch these three get their asses handed to them by the instructors instead. She could also learn their tactics from an observer's view which was easier than in the cockpit and trying to survive instead.

Claiming a seat, she reclined into the highbacked chair and viewed the variety of monitors now hovering before her. Each member getting situated in their simulated cockpit, the TIE interior was stark and just as she pictured them. Cramped and full of lights and controls. Now, she mused with a grin, let the show begin.

[Jeryd Redsun]

For convenience, the entrance to the simulator was located on the side, rather than on top. This suited Jeryd fine, because the last thing he wanted to do was mount the damn thing only to confess himself incapable of working a simple ingress hatch. It released with a hiss, and was heavy to operate. He took a small measure of comfort in that. A strong build meant safety. What exactly the simulators were capable of was, as yet, a mystery, but, upon inspecting the interior within, one unmistakable truth became painfully clear: it was going to be rather uncomfortable.

The cockpit was tiny; much smaller than he imagined. In essence, it was a seat surrounded by instruments, and nothing more. For someone of his size, to get inside required a feat of contortion worthy of the Circus Imperialus. First, he lowered himself, and then he shuffled in sideways, squeezing himself into the cosy pilot’s chair. Now he understood why the access hatch was typically on the roof. There was a deep clang as he closed the door, and thereafter, an oppressive silence. His heart felt like it was lodged in his throat; it pounded violently against the walls of his chest, and throbbed like an entire percussion section in his ears. Above, he spotted a cluster of surveillance sensors, glistening in the dark like spider eyes, but he pretended not to notice them. Instead, he cast his gaze around at each of the buttons, dials, and switches, and threw caution to the wind. The red one was always for power.

There was a whine, and the pod stirred, manipulated by unseen influences. Columns of lights and displays flickered into existence on either side, and the flight yoke leaned closer, beckoning his touch. So far, so good. And it didn’t even smell of farts, yet.

[Baron Tadriin Ketterzau]

As the cadets began clambering into their simulation pods, Baron Ketterzau and his wingmates took their position in the Opposing Force (OPFOR) pods. One by one, each of the heavy doors sealed with a hermetic hiss.

Bathed in red interior dome lighting, Tadriin accessed his pod's instructor controls. The Heads-Up Display (HUD) boards for each pilot flickered, showing the Baron's face and the simulator user interface.

"Welcome to the Arena, Squire Squadron. Each of you will see on your screen a menu of available starfighters for simulation. It's not comprehensive, I'm afraid, but you should find a representative assortment of a wide variety of ships you may choose to fly."

The Baron's smirk skewed into his mustache.

"Choose carefully. While you may live, die, and live again many times over in simulation...the day will come when you only live once."

Tadriin glanced down at his menu, making his own selection. As he did so, a computerized voice spoke to simulation participants and the outside audience in unison.

Vassal leader has selected Sienar Fleet Systems Twin Ion Engine / line (TIE/ln) starfighter

Length 8.99 meters
Maximum acceleration 4,100 G / 20 MGLT/s
100 MGLT
Maximum atmospheric speed 1,200 km/h
Maneuverability rating 96 DPF
SFS P-s4 twin ion engines(rated 150 KTU)
SFS P-w401 ion maneuvering jets (2)
SFS I-a2b solar ionization reactor
Titanium alloy hull (rated 9 RU)
Sensor Package SFS S-c3.8 multi-range TAG
Targeting Package SFS T-s8 targeting computer
Avionics SFS F-3.2 flight avionics system
Armaments SFS L-s1 laser cannons (2)
Communications AE-35 subspace transceiver

[Khoovi Wan]

Khoovi, as opposed to his larger 'subordinates', had little trouble getting himself seated inside the simulator. He was looking intently at the list of supported ships when two harsh tones indicated that Redsun and Rayner had activated their headsets and were strapped in.

"Suggestions as to the craft?" he asked. "Our instructor seems to be keen on making a point of us, but we shouldn't make things too easy for him, should we? A-Wing, Interceptor, or...?'

[Halajiin Rabeak]

"E-wing," Hal replied over the com. Whether or not his team agreed, Hal hammered the Select key on his screen, then strapped himself in. Maneuverability, high rate of fire, and most importantly: shields one could adjust. He'd never actually flown one, but damn if the tech manual hadn't made it look badass. "We can either pick the same and swarm, or pick a nice variety and support each other. Your choice. I'm going for dogfight."

Squire Two has selected FreiTek Incorporated E-Wing escort starfighter

Length: 11.2 meters
Maximum acceleration: 4,200 G
MGLT: 120 MGLT
Maximum atmospheric speed: 1300 km/h
Engine unit(s): FreiTek J8LF fusial thrust engines
Hyperdrive rating: Class 1.0
Hyperdrive system: Equipped
Shielding: Equipped
Armament: Taim & Bak IX9 medium laser cannons
Proton torpedo launcher
16 torpedoes
Crew: Pilot
R7-series astromech droid
Passengers: None
Cargo capacity: 100 kg
Consumables: 1 week

[Jeryd Redsun]

When the Baron’s selection was announced, it was acknowledged with a thin flicker of a smile. He had deliberately chosen the most basic model of TIE fighter available. Khoovi was right. He was going to make an example out of them. And, therein, the only solace he could glean from finding himself thrown into the deep end with the sharks: it was expected of him to lose. However, it would be the degree of failure that would inevitably haunt him. Kyle, on the other hand, appeared to have no concerns about how he came across in front of the class, opting to pilot some flashy FreiTek abomination instead of the tried and true from Sienar Fleet Systems.

“I am not piloting a rebel’s fighter.” Jeryd’s gruff voice buzzed over the comm, “Interceptor. Manoeuvrable. Fast.”

He made his selection, and the computer regurgitated an impressive slew of statistics:

Squire Three has selected Sienar Fleet Systems Twin Ion Engine / Interceptor (TIE/lN) starfighter

Length: 9.6 meters
Maximum acceleration: 4,240 G / 21 MGLT/s
111 MGLT
Maximum atmospheric speed: 1,250 km/h
Maneuverability rating: 104 DPF
SFS P-s5.6 twin ion engines(rated 175 KTU)
SFS P-w405 ion maneuvering jets (2)
SFS I-s3a solar ionization reactor
Titanium alloy hull with Quadanium steel solar panels (rated 16 RU)
Sensor Package: SFS S-c4.1 multi-range TAG
Targeting Package: SFS T-s9a targeting computer
Avionics: SFS F-s4 flight avionics system
Armaments: SFS L-s9.3 laser cannons (4)
Communications AE-35 subspace transceiver

[Baron Tadriin Ketterzau]

The Baron watched Cadet Redsun make an appealingly partisan choice. He donned his helmet, smiling unseen as he did so.

"Cadet Redsun obviously has an eye to the future. Good lad. Of course, don't let that hamstring you. A good pilot will do whatever it takes to win. I won't think less of your choice if it nets success."

[Xynn Mattox]

Being a night dweller had its disadvantages as having to rely on caffeinated beverages was not a comforting thing. Xynn was used to alcolhol and sports drink, he wasn't used to getting up in the morning when he decided to pass out right before dawn. Waking the tall newcomer slammed the controls to the curtains and watched it close tightly, the light quickly dimming as he sat back down to retain his composure.

Looking over to the alarm clock he shrugged and swiped the drowseeness from his features, reaching over he grabbed a white tank with a pair of black pants and began to dress for the first class of his newly boring life. Moments later the tall recruit looked in the mirror as he grabbed his jacket, taking a moment to look at his reflection and leaving his apartment "Damn the force" he quietly said to himself as he walked down the hall and out the front doors and into the daylight.

Half hour later he made it to his destination. The tall doors of the academy brimming with an interesting color. Heading inside he made his way to the classroom and entered even though he was a late arrival. Swiping his new shades from his face he took a seat, plopped his feet on the desk and watched as the others took their holo-piloting exam.

Looking around him while taking out his smoke he nodded as he removed his lighter and lit up. Standing he kicked over the chair and headed out the door after realizing the hologram room was not actually in the current classroom and headed out the door and walked directly into the adjacent room while puffing the sweet.

[Lykeira]

Noting the stats on the various fighters that the group had all chosen, she knew that the instructor and his wingmen were about to show these boys how things were done. Grinning with interest, her more relaxed, disinterested mood soon became more focused and she chuckled as the simulators all "fired up". "Bout to go to school, boys," she mused aloud, gaining the attention of several others seated around her. "Start taking notes."

All the monitors arrayed before them each allowed for a semi-realistic atmosphere for those involved as she noticed crewmen sprinting around the outside of each cockpit, then the modulated voices clearing them for takeoff. She had to say one thing for the Empire, they loved training as close to realism as they could. Her own training had gotten her ready for each annual gathering with the coven and those that didn't do their own training and better themselves with their martial skills were owned by those that did. She had learned that lesson the hard way and vowed that it would never happen again.

[Khoovi Wan]

Khoovi sighed, and the highlighted text on his screen flitted down almost thoughtlessly until a particular ship was selected.

"So I guess we're the example," he murmured to himself, cycling the fighter's spec-list with the thoughtlessness of the intimately familiar or the dangerously foolish.

Squire One has selected Incom/Subpro Corporation Z-95 "Headhunter" fighter

Length: 11.8 meters
Maximum acceleration: 2,780 G, 16 MGLT/s
MGLT: 100 MGLT
Maximum atmospheric speed: 1,150 km/h
Maneuverability rating: 86 DPF
Engine units: Incom 2a fission engines (4)
Hyperdrive system: Gbk-435 hyperdrive motivator
Shielding: XoLyyn shields (rated 20 SBD)
Hull: Rated 14 RU
Sensor systems: ANS-5c sensor unit
Targeting systems:
ANq 2.4 tracking computer
SI 5g8 "Quickscan" imaging system
Navigation system: Zr-390 navicomputer system
Armament:
Linked Taim & Bak KX5 laser cannons (2)
Krupx MG5 concussion missile launchers (2)


"This is Squire One. Two, Three, do you copy."

[Baron Tadriin Ketterzau]

The final choice locked in, and the Baron leaned back on his simulator's gravity couch to ponder it.

"Interesting." he mused to himself, before opening the simulation channel.

"Cadet Khoovi has chosen a venerable design with an extensive tour of service. Something familiar, perhaps?"

The pieces were now set. All they required was the proper board to play. Tadriin cycled through his menu, finding an appropriate choice with enough scenery to make things interesting.

Vassal Leader has selected simulation theatre: Concord Dawn.

The blank screen that represented the world beyond the cockpit dissolved into a stunningly-realistic portrayal of space. The countless stars twinkling in the distance served as a backdrop for the visually-impressive sight of Concord Dawn itself. A moon by means of formality, the old Mandalorian stronghold had long ago been nearly blasted apart by war. What remained was a great body in space, encircled by the asteroids that once comprised about a third of the stellar body's mass. It looked as if a giant had simply taken a single messy bite of the moon, and moved on.

"Squire squadron, take a moment to familiarize yourself with your ships and your surroundings. When you are ready, Squire Leader will give the signal to commence, and your opposition will arrive."

[Halajiin Rabeak]

At the selection of his spacecraft, Hal watched as control panels flicked over to new settings, and mechanical buttons, switches, flight yoke and even his seat morphed into their correct positions while his monitors adjusted to fit the proper layout of an E-wing's cockpit glass. Part of him suddenly wished he'd specified a Super Star Destroyer, just for laughs, but the E-wing would do well enough. Paws ran over his control surfaces while he learned the layout of the ship, thankful that it was not too terribly far off from what he used to know, and the shield controls were well within easy reach. For a simulation, it was the best he'd ever experienced, and he could feel the gimbals move when he tugged at the flight yoke, while an artificial gravity net imparted G-forces not wholly unlike those he should be experiencing. To an average pilot, it was about as close to the real thing as one could get.

But Halajiin Rabeak was not an average pilot, and already his dread from flight sims of old began to come back. Too often he relied upon the Force in many aspects of his life, sensing matter, how it moved and how it intended to behave. In space it gave him the ability to sense friend from foe simply by the type of metal used in construction, and he always knew where everything was around him simply by feeling it. That advantage stripped away, he became nothing more than an average pilot, or perhaps less as his skills with tracking screens had suffered due to his abilities.

Of course, Hal had no intention of telling his squadron mates any of that. As far as they knew, Kyle Rayner was a trainwreck when it came to telekinesis, and therefore the ability to recognize metallic structure at range would clearly be as far beyond his abilities as not staring at Lady Vissica's crotch.

Fingers rolled over the shield controls, cycling their position and intensity before settling on three quarters strength forward, then flicked on his squad comms. "What's the plan, Squire Leader? Looks like we're being given the opportunity to play defense, in which case we can use this terrain to our advantage. You're the master tactician here, thoughts?"

[Jeryd Redsun]

"This is Squire Three. Copy, Squire Leader."

Words that he'd only ever heard uttered in holofilms rolled off his tongue. It was reassuring to know there was some authenticity in all of those big budget productions featuring starfighter pilots and space battles, he'd be relying on it a lot more before the simulation was over, and it might mean the difference between him sounding competent or coming across like a total greenhorn.

In the sparse few moments he had, Jeryd familiarised himself with the controls at his disposal. Some, like the flight yoke and the acceleration pedals, were commonplace in all flying craft, whereas others, such as a neat row of yellow switches to the right of him, remained a total mystery. Fortunately, it did not take a genius to determine the trigger for the laser cannons. His finger feathered the smooth curved button with a familiar sense of longing. He was reminded of his first time on the shooting range with a live E-11, and the thrill of nailing his targets. Suddenly, he found the anxiety that bubbled inside of him was consumed by a fire.

When the asteroid field materialised before them, he wasted no time, and gently eased his foot down upon the pedal. The ship lurched, and raced towards the nearest rock. Jeryd, held firm against his seat by powerful forces, tugged at the flight yoke and soared up just in time. It was then he remembered to, first, remove his foot from the accelerator, and, secondly, to take a breath.

"Oh, shit."

[Khoovi Wan]

You're the master tactician.

Khoovi restrained an anxious whimper. He didn't feel like a master tactician, but if that was the way he was seen, he would try to live up to such expectations.

"We're not good at defense all round," he said in return. "If we want to make a good showing, we'll have to work together. Your sensor package is the best of ours if I read the specs correctly. You'll be our eyes and ears, and back up Redsun — er, Squire Three — on the attack. Three, you'll be our flanking attacker. Speed and firepower at max at all times if you can. I am the weakest of us, and will be the most likely target for any attacks. I'll try to draw them in to good firing zones."

As he rattled of his spur of the moment considerations, he felt his anxiety start to ease up, though there was an unwelcome tension in his muscles as the timer counted down to commencement.

"We'll use the asteroids as best we can for positioning and scanner interference. They'll probably want to do the same thing, so don't ignore warnings; if you're being targeted, break off and seek help. Once we start our counterattack, I'll attempt to fence them in and keep you both alive."

[Halajiin Rabeak]

"You're not the weakest of us, Squire Leader; that'd be Squire Three. Seriously, Redsun, why in the hell did you pick a ship with no shields?" Hal snorted into his comm, then flicked it off to sigh, "What an idiot."

Khoovi's plan wasn't the best they could have come up with, but it also wasn't the worst, and as he was their leader Hal would follow his instruction, with a slight modification. Turning his comm back on, he steered into the asteroid field and said, "Okay, this is Squire Two. I'm moving into position, but since I've got the heaviest shields here, might I suggest that if anyone draws fire, it's me? We're not going to win this, but we at least need to make a good showing. I bet you both five credits that if we can even take one of them out, we'll be better than about 90% of cadets who run this course for the first time."

Were it up to Hal, their strategy would have been far different. Each of them would have found a sizeable asteroid with a strong metallic content to get close to, anchor to it, then fully shut down all systems so that they had no detectable signatures. That would force the opposing TIEs to come and hunt for them with their eyes instead of their sensors, allowing Squire Squadron to ambush their hunters, hopefully taking out one, or maybe even two, before the TIE aces knew what was hitting them.

But that was the strategy of a man who'd watched a lot of holovision, and had fun in his life, so clearly neither Khoovi or Redsun were going to think that up.

[Khoovi Wan]

"We need your firepower to attack," Khoovi replied. "Your shields will allow you to last longer, but I'm expecting them to target you the second you appear."

With a flick of a switch, he'd changed the frequency to the training channel.

"This is Squire Leader," he said. "Squires are ready."

He switched back to the trainee's frequency.

"...as we'll ever be."

[Baron Tadriin Ketterzau]

The Baron grinned behind his helmet, leaning back slightly on the gravity couch he was harnessed into. Confident hands feathered the controls of his TIE fighter, which picked up speed as it began to take the field, followed in matchstick-tight formation by the rest of Vassal squadron.

"Then the game is afoot, Squire squadron. Match begins...now. May the Empress favor you."

The trio of TIE fighters gunned their acceleration in unison, a twin ioned howl filling each cockpit as they drew along the contours of a nearby large asteroid, shimmying just over the surface and then out of sight in a drift of planetary detritus.

[Lykeira]

Listening to the banter back and forth, Lykeira knew already these guys were in trouble. Another thought that entered her mind was that they couldn't use the Force in any form or fashion which this simulation was perfect. As her mother always told her, don't depend on the magic that you've been trained in for there may one day be a moment when you don't have it at your disposal. Natural ability trumped magic every time, especially when you catch them at a disadvantage. Growing up, she had learned to be tough and solid on her stance and though their training had yet to begin with the Imperial Knights, she hoped that it would start soon. The Empire loved their training and definitely had the money to spend, but with fighters she was out of her element. Freighters was another matter altogether and now that she thought about it, a Skipray Blastboat would have been nice in this fight.

Now that the battle had commenced, she watched with rapt attention as their instructor charged toward the classmates and she began to wonder now how long it would be before the baron claimed a victory.

[Jeryd Redsun]

"There!" Jeryd blurted into the comm. To his private shame, he had actually pointed, as if his wingmates could see him. But, as soon as he noticed it, the bright shimmer of durasteel vanished behind an asteroid. "They were on your right, Squire Leader. Uh... zero two hundred hours. I mean...

...Frack!" he hissed to himself, and butted his headrest in frustration.

There were two voices vying for attention inside his head. There was that of Squire Leader, Khoovi, firing off confident instruction, and then there was Kyle Rayner, scoffing, and mocking, over and over again...

With a kick to the pedal, he sent his ship screaming off at max speed. Despite the ridiculous surge in G-forces, the contents of his stomach remained intact, bolstered by the swell of anger that had him gripping the flight yoke like he meant to choke the life out of it. He was upon an asteroid in no time; he watched it consume the entirety of his viewport, until he could make out in detail the grainy texture of the rock, and yanked the stick towards him. His Interceptor rotated on its axis with astonishing grace, and shot out of the turn without so much as a drop in velocity. Behind his helmet, the corners of his mouth ticked with satisfaction.

Max speed and firepower at all times - that's what Khoovi had said. His gloved finger stroked the smooth arc of the trigger in anticipation. He could manage that.

His ship dipped behind another asteroid.

"Squire Leader, this is Squire Three. Commencing flanking route now."

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, where you shall have your asses handed to you. Hal's mind laughed to itself. Let's see if we can at least not totally embarrass ourselves, though.

"Only registering one ship on scanners, meaning they must be right on top of each other," he spoke to his squadron mates through comm. "If you guys get incoming fire it'll probably be from multiple fighters at ones, so angle down and to the left to escape. Most rookies pull up and right, because they're right-handed and are still thinking in terms of terrestrial navigation." It wasn't much advice, but it might at least save one of them for a few moments longer.

With Redsun peeling off, Hal stuck close to Khoovi until he broke off as well, leaving Hal to be the most easily recognizable thing on anyone's scanners, and for the moment there was nothing to do but fly.

Well, at least for most trainees that's all there was to do in a simulator, but as an Imperial Knight, Kyle Rayner was expected to use every weapon in his arsenal at all times. In space, Hal could locate ships all around him by keying in on their metallic structures through the Force, and while that option was not available to him in a simulator, he could still find their flight yokes and either lock the TIE aces out of directional control, or spin them off in directions they didn't want to go. As tempting as such a thought was, Hal ruled it out as it would reveal his mastery of telekinesis which he had so far been sandbagging. No, another method was needed, and with a grin he decided upon it, thanking Garfife he was granted a bit of quiet flight time to start to implement.

Quiet fingers of the Force stretched out, locating all five other pilots in their sims. Knowing which two pods contained Khoovi and Jeryd, it was a simple enough task to locate the other three pilots, and sync in on their minds. Reading them would do him no good, as pilots of such skill would be acting on instinct too quickly for him to respond to, but to feed them information was something else entirely. Bit by bit, he began to open up a telepathic channel to all three Aces, sending only quiet, almost imperceptible white nose for the time being which would register in the form of a mild headache, and a suggestion of static. Many Force telepaths would have to work to impart such an effect, but being a Nehantite, Hal came with the ability built-in to deliver discomfort with telepathic signal, as his brain wasn't built for it correctly. Yet it was not without cost, as the same dull annoyance could be felt within his own head, concentrated in the temporal lobe. The real fun would come later, but for now it was all about establishing and maintaining that link.