Mission 2 - The Heist

(based on the original campaign by Jim Chadwick, originally posted in http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/945073/the-erasmus-campaign-feedbackrequested)

As we still don't have a Lambda shuttle, we played using the old version of the mission.

Rebels (100 points)
- 3 Red Squadron X-Wings, two of them with the R5 Astromech (71 points)
- "Dutch" Vander Y-Wing, with an R5 Astromech and an Ion Cannon Turret (29 points)

Imperials (90 points)
- 1 Storm Squadron Advanced TIE with Concussion Missiles (27 points)
- 1 Tempest Squadron Advanced TIE (21 points)
- 2 Black SquadronTIEs with Veteran Instincts (30 points)
- 1 Academy TIE (12 points)

Episode II

THE HEIST

(epic background music)

It is a period of civil war.

After the destruction of the Death Star in the battle of Yavin,

the Rebel Alliance has tried to establish a new secret base  in the Erasmus System.

Some days ago, they managed to destroy most of the Echo Net satellites

that connected the system to the Core Worlds.

Information has now reached their ears that some spare parts

and upgrade components have been sent to the Erasmus garrison.
A valiant group of Rebel pilots has been assembled to carry out

another daring strike against the Empire and capture the Shuttle

and thus gain access to the new technologies their intelligence

places on the minds of the scientists aboard the Shuttle.

Shortly after the attack, in the bridge of the Devastator Star Destroyer,

Darth Vader receives the report of the battle from Commander Louis Majorl.

Commander Majorl: Your Excellency, urgent report from the Erasmus System. Our spies were correct in their previous report and the decoy worked admirably...

While a Senatorial Shuttle with scientists and upgrade components approaches the main planet in the Erasmus System...

... a select group of experienced Rebel pilots goes out of hyperspace in tight formation

Darth Vader: Yes, Commander? How well did the new recruits fight? I hope this was an interesting exercise for them.

The Rebel fighters start their attack, the X-Wings escorting the famous "Dutch" Vance pilot... their goal: capture the scientists in the Shuttle alive

Commander Majorl: They executed a pincer maneuver. The advanced TIEs charged head on, protected as they were by their shields, while the TIEs flanked the Rebel formation in an attempt to gain positional advantage.

Expert Storm pilot guides the Tempest rookie in evasive maneuvers against the Rebel formation in an attempt to keep them occupied and away from the Shuttle

Meanwhile, the TIEs start flanking the Rebel fighters, the rookie Academy pilot taking the farthest position

Commander Majorl: The shields and maneuverability of the advanced TIEs proved strong against the focused fire of the Rebel attackers and they managed to disrupt their formation.

The rookie Tempest pilot flew a bit too eager into the Rebel formation creating chaos in their ranks but failing to cause much serious damage. The veteran Storm, in the meantime, dishes out some serious damage on the leading X-Wing

Commander Majorl: One of our veteran TIE pilots died due to a lucky shot from an X-Wing escort.

'nough said!

Commander Majorl: Heavily damaged, the Rebel ships barely escaped the pincer maneuver and started chasing the Shuttle.

The Rebel formation turns their attention to the escaping Shuttle

Commander Majorl: They nevertheless were too late to prevent it from reaching the planet's atmosphere. Most satisfactorily, during the dogfight our pilots managed to destroy one X-Wing and the Y-Wing of the notorious Rebel scum "Dutch" Vander... it is too soon to know for sure, but apparently he died when his Y-Wing exploded and was unable to escape the conflagration!

"Dutch" Vander could not escape the wrath of the combined sustained fire from the four TIEs

DarthVader (a bit somber): Ehm, brilliant news indeed. Now we know for sure the Rebels have a keen interest in the system, our double agent is feeding them very useful false information... And all of this without any risk, as the Shuttle with the components already arrived to Erasmus two days ago... Start preparing a strike force to attack their base in the System as soon as our informers find its location. I don't want to miss the chance!
  
Commander Majorl: Yes, Lord Vader! I will start immediately with the preparations! (he wanders away and starts shouting orders)

DarthVader (murmuring morosely to himself): A pity, as my fist is now itching with the Force... Well, I'm pretty sure some of these nitwits will fail miserably at some point and then I'll be able to exercise my grip before the hand grows numb...