Andretti's Journal of Heroism

Well, that was fun! (Mostly - killing weaponless, surrendered enemies doesn't really fit my code of ethics, but I don't want to be passed up for promotion. And they were slavers…)

I didn't pay much attention during briefing - I was trying to figure out who to pick for my squadron. Major Brenna understands greatness, and she chose me as one of the squadron leaders. This is just how I imagined my career would take off!

I still don't know the uomini that well. I decided on Rabbit, who picked me off in training. I don't trust her, and my father told me to keep my enemies close. Turns out she stinks at following orders - I think I'll choose someone else next time.

I wasn't sure about the rest, but I thought that animal names might be a cool theme for a squadron, so I added Raven to the team. I found out that she's actually a decent shot with a gun.

And then I ran out of animal name callsign teammates, so I figured that Vortex would fit in - she tried pulling some stunts in the final training session, and I think she's a little crazy, like me.

Anyway, my attention came back into focus long enough to hear something about the enemy hiding on Bimmisaari, and that we were supposed to perform a recon sweep. I decided that my group would do a daring low-level flyover of the jungle far away from settlements while my buddy Rabee's squadron hit the town to talk to the locals. Juru's squadron decided to do flyovers on the perimeter of the city.

Things went fairly well - it wasn't long before I spotted some carbon scoring on a cliff face: target practice? I tried to order my squadron into a better formation to do a closer inspection of the area, but Raven and Vortex started arguing, and Rabbit tried wandering off on her own and hit a tree, damaging her wing. She just decided to land in the middle of the jungle to take a look at her fighter, so I told her to stay with her TIE until help arrived.

We performed one pass of the area when the comms blazed to life; “Help!” came Rabbit's cry. I facepalmed with a free hand as I ordered Raven to land with me while Vortex provided aerial cover. At least they listen to orders.

Rabbit was nowhere to be seen, and we quickly discovered footprints leading off into the jungle - multiple sets. Ai! I was angry at Rabbit, but at the same time excited that we found these enemies - and honestly I wasn't too sad that Rabbit was the one caught. She deserved it for her horrible flying.

I commed the capital ship, requesting backup, and then ordered Vortex to land and follow me and Raven into the jungle, a minute or so behind us to cover our flank. The jungle was quiet, and I drew both pistols and Raven pulled up close, her weapon drawn as well. I tried to focus on the sounds, but my concentration was broken by a shout from behind: Vortex yelling at me to watch out! She had noticed a squad of warriors step out behind me. Once I saw their camouflage gear, I looked forward and realized there were two other groups flanking us, and Rabbit tied up not far ahead.

Springing into action in the blink of an eye, I, the great Andretti, unleashed a barrage of blaster bolts into a rather startled group of soldiers. Raven followed my lead and scored a hit or two as well. Another group leveled their blasters and I was hit hard by crossfire - I'm used to sitting in a cockpit, surrounded by plasteel. Maybe I should invest in personal armor.

A soldier behind us in the third group told his squad to spread out and flank us, and blaster fire covered our location, trees and bushes smoldering with the deadly bolts. At the same time, I heard a yell and a splash. It turns out there was a rushing river nearby with steep banks, and someone had fallen in.

I smirked. With Vortex laying down covering fire on the group behind us, Raven and I focused our fire on the more deadly squad ahead. I heard the whine of Rabee's squadron arriving, and he met up with us just as I ordered the last criminal to surrender. “Nice timing, bro!” I cheered, and asked if he would patch me up.

We got the coordinates of their base of operations from the survivor, and Juru joined us back in the city. We spent time scouting, and it looked like a really large warehouse, dark and empty.

The next bit is almost not worth noting - it was a simple job, with no resistance. I tried to interrogate one of the injured, but coercion didn't seem to work. Hmm. I wonder if I misjudged the situation here? It felt good to see the uomini quiver with fear - maybe I took it too far, but I was thinking back to the times when some muscular scemo would take advantage of my less than brawny physique.

In any case, we took down the leadership, and the Major told us later it was a slavery operation. We executed Imperial Justice; I certainly have no love for slavers. Though I think it would have been better to bring them in to interrogate - who knows if this organization had interplanetary ties elsewhere?

As a memento of this first mission, I decided to pocket the leader's heavy blaster pistol. The first addition to my collection. I am still quite excited.

As I reflect on the group, I think that some of the uomini are not so bad. Raven followed orders quite well, and Vortex saved my bacon in the jungle with her ambush warning. Rabbit… well, if she keeps up her antics, I think she won't be living much longer. After the mission I decided to show my gratitude by sending each one a small box of chocolates. The adventure holovids I watch all say that uomini women like chocolate, so I thought it wouldn't hurt. I gave Rabbit the chewy ones with peanuts - I hate peanuts.