Mission 4 - A Goodbye Kiss

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

Rebels (125 points)
- 3 Green Squadron A-Wings with Assault Missiles and Push the Limit (71 points)
- 1 Red Squadron X-Wing (23 points)
- 1 Rookie X-Wing (21 points)

Imperials (100 points)
- Mauler Mithel, with Squad Leader and Stealth Device (22 points)
- 1 Black Squadron TIE Fighter with Elusiveness (16 points)
- 1 Obsidian Squadron TIE Fighter (13 points)
- 1 Storm Squadron Advanced TIE with Concussion Missiles (27 points)
- 1 Saber Squadron TIE Interceptor with Veteran Instincts (22 points)

Episode IV

A GOODBYE KISS

(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.  

The Rebel Alliance has prepared a parting attack against the space station 

that houses the Imperial garrison of the Erasmus system.
Nevertheless, Imperial scouts have detected the Rebel attack force and prepared 

a piecemeal squadron to defend the approach to the base.

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. The Rebels attacking the Erasmus system have been defeated and suffered grievous losses in their last attack.

The battle was fought in an asteroid field that protects the Erasmus space station

Darth Vader: (with an annoyed expression) I see, report, Commander!

 

The main Rebel force advanced using their left flank, while the Imperials decided to throw all their defense to the Rebel's weakest flank

Commander Majorl: The Rebels outnumbered our troops, so we used one TIE Fighter as a decoy against their stronger flank, while the rest of our spaceships charged full speed against their weaker flank.

 

 

Mauler Mithel positions himself behind the TIE Advanced to help guide the missiles as Squad Leader.
A risky maneuver, as all Rebel A-Wings were armed with Assault Missiles that may cause a lot of damage to ship groups.

Thanks to their better piloting skills, the Imperial defenders caught the weakest Rebel flank in a compromised position

 

 

Meanwhile, two of the Rebel best ships start pursuing an elusive TIE Fighter

 

Commander Majorl: Part of their stronger flank tried to come to the rescue of their weaker flank but their advance was disturbed by some asteroids.

 

The Rebel reinforcements suffered trying to reach their surrounded colleagues
(the Y-Wing in the photo is an A-Wing proxy)

 

Commander Majorl: The TIE Advanced blew away the shields of the first A-Wing with an accurate missile shot. Then, the Saber TIE Interceptor finished him off...The day started looking bright for our defenders!

The Imperials managed to take advantage of their numerical superiority in one of the flanks

The decoy Black Squadron TIE Fighter keeps fleeing from the main Rebel flank

Commander Majorl: The Saber TIE Interceptor continued with his amazing streak by destroying the A-Wing that had come to try to help the weaker Rebel wing. I would like to propose this pilot, Trel Skutu, to be given the honors of an ace pilot! He should also be commended for the Silver Valor medal.

 

 

The Saber TIE Interceptor used his superior Pilot Skill to his big advantage... 2nd kill for him!

 

Commander Majorl: The Rebels tried to bring their stronger flank into combat, even though their situation already looked hopeless. But Trel Skutu was on fire, and both his maneuvering and precision shooting were outstanding.

After finishing the A-Wings, the defenders moved to flank an X-Wing that remained isolated.

The Red Pilot target locks the Interceptor, but a timely Barrel Roll action allows the TIE Interceptor to both roll around the asteroid and avoid the Red Pilot's line of fire while targeting him at short range

A perfect roll for the Interceptor: 4 Damage in one roll!

Red Pilot had lost his shields in a previous exchange of fire;
the final Interceptor blast puts him out of action

Commander Majorl: The Rebels lost three of their best ships and we suffered only minor damage to one of our TIE Fighters... A brilliant victory for the Empire!

 

(cheers of celebration can be heard in the bridge, and some champagne bottles are opened)

Darth Vader: (with a dour semblance) I see... Your men may take the rest of the day off... I'll be in my quarters, considering our strategy for the next days...



(scene changes to Vader's quarters; he is considering his right hand with an eager facial expression)

 

Darth Vader: 

 

To be, or not to be - that is the question
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer 

the cravings of the Dark Force

Or to accept the victories against a sea of rebels

And by celebrating end them. To choke, to party

No more -- and by to party to say we end 

The heartache, and the intense dark lure

That flesh is heir to. 'Tis a consummation

Devoutly to be wished. To enter, to slumber - 

To slumber -- perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub,

For in that slumber of darkness what dreams may come

When we have transcended this mortal coil,
Must give us pause. There's the respect

That makes calamity of so long life.

For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,

When he himself might the Force Darkness embrace,

For conscience does make weaklings of us all,

And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought...

A drunken trooper out of his post! 

Oh, Galaxy far far away, in my orisons

Be all my sins remembered.

(curtain falls while the Trooper grabs his throat as if choking, Vader looking intently in the background)