X-Wing The Iron Fist by Aaron Allston

Author:Aaron Allston [Allston, Aaron]
Language: spa
Format: epub
Tags: 7 ABY
Amazon: 0553578979
Publisher: Bantam Books
Published: 1998-07-06T03:00:00+00:00

and blow up some ground facilities with them. But the good, news is that

we really do have fresh caf for you in the mess. He gestured with a flick of

the rifle tip toward the main exit.

"Let's go."

When the rifleman and his captives had gone, Tyria activated her comlink.

"Five, the pilots are on their way. We're going to need Two to get through any security on the TIE fighters?

"He's on his way, too."

"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 planer'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 wasstill 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.

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