Star Wars: Isard's Revenge by Michael A. Stackpole

Author:Michael A. Stackpole [Stackpole, Michael A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, scifi, Star Wars, New Republic, X-Wing
ISBN: 9780553579031
Publisher: Bantam
Published: 2011-10-27T10:27:57+00:00

Wedge glanced through the numbers hovering above the holoprojector pad. “I don’t know, Tycho. I don’t like the losses we took in that last run. Five pilots lost.”

Tycho, who wore his black flight suit unzipped to his navel, scratched at his throat. “They jumped us with thirty-six fighters and we blasted twenty-five of them apart. Nice kill ratio, and Nrin’s snoopscoot got away with its data intact. I don’t like the results of the exercise, but the performance wasn’t bad.”

Wedge sat back and tapped a stylus against his right cheekbone. “You’re right, we performed better than a computer projection would have had us doing; which means we’re capable of performing the mission within acceptable parameters for a worst-case scenario.”

“‘Within acceptable parameters for a worst-case scenario’? Feeling a bit feverish there, Wedge?”

“Would it get this mission scrubbed?”

“Probably not.” Tycho frowned. “What’s with the phrasing?”

Wedge tossed the stylus at his datapad. “Missions are being evaluated on a risk basis to determine if we go or don’t go. We’re only allowed casualties within acceptable limits lest folks in the New Republic think too much blood is being shed for too little gain.”

Tycho’s jaw dropped open, then he snapped it shut again. “Um, for us pilots, the acceptable level of blood being shed is zero, right? Especially if it’s our blood.”

“That’s my thinking, yes. As nearly as I can tell, losing Rogue Squadron would be a negative for the New Republic, and I’m certainly in favor of them doing everything to preserve our lives. Balancing our lives, though, against the discovery of a superweapon I think is rather short-sighted of them.” He shook his head. “I mean, you and I have survived Death Star runs before, but we had a bit more help than just the other Rogues.”

“Right, but this is just a recon run. We’re not being asked to take the thing out, just to see if it’s there.”

“And if Janson’s prediction is correct, that mission will be next.”

“And when was Janson ever right with one of his predictions?”

“Well, I can’t argue with you on that point.” Wedge hit a couple more keys on his datapad and the numbers hovering in the air collapsed in on themselves. “There we go, that’s it, I’ve just sent Command confirmation of our orders and mission specs. Unless we uncover some serious problems in future sims, we’re locked in. We pull a quick swing through Corvis Minor, get out again, and await orders from our masters.”

Tycho stood and stretched. “Back to the simulators, then?”

“Yeah. That worst-case scenario, I want to run it again.” Wedge nodded solemnly. “I want to run it until it becomes Krennel’s worst case, not ours.”

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