Mission 3.10 - This week's mission is called "Sabacc - Part 1"

::Castor paces back and forth, his eyes darting back and forth around 
the room as if his thoughts are whirling around in his head as he 
tries to catch them::

::As the room quites, Castor starts to speak excitedly::

General Greedo has come up with an absolutely brilliant plan - 
extremely dangerous, but strategically brilliant.  The execution of 
this plan is going to take an extreme effort of timing, and almost 
anything could go wrong at any time.  But if it works - and he and I 
have brainstormed the specifics - we will not only find out more 
about the Star Hammer project, but also who's behind it.

The General is going to allow the Odin to be captured!
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::A collective gasp is heard throughout the briefing room.  Some of 
the Grey pilots were jolted to the edge of their seats, while a few 
of the Cadets were moved to a vocal protest (which was quickly 
squelched by those whose calmer heads prevailed)::

::Castor let the statement sink in and the reaction settle before 
continuing::

Here's the plan.

The General and the Shock Group Commandoes will attach and conceal 
themselves on the outside of the docking platform and bay port among 
the irregularities of the outer hull.  They will set up and wait 
there, under cover, while the hyperdrive engines and shield generators 
are disabled - just as if the attack the enemy just made was more 
successful than it actually was.

We expect that they will find us shortly and renew their attack.  This 
time they will be successful and complete their capture of the Odin.  
However, little do they know, it will our game - and an incredible 
gamble it will be.

I have volunteered to remain on the Odin, in command, as I will have 
the greatest chance of survival in that position, due to my particular 
"specialty" using the Force, on the off chance that the operation 
should go sour.  I'm also the most expendible officer of that level.

If anyone doesn't know what I'm referring to, please read my bio.

::Castor paused with that to let the murmuring from the Cadets die 
down.  He heard a few of them asking others about Castor's "specialty" 
with the Force, and noticed a general lack of knowledge about Castor's 
background - except from the Grey pilots.  They knew about Castor's 
Force training in the Kesselian spice mines, and displayed general 
acceptance of Castor's assessment of the situation."

The General and part of Shock Group will transfer to the hull of the 
Imperial task group command craft via the outer hulls of any Imperial 
craft making runs from the Odin to that craft.  I will give you the 
specifics of this part of the operation later - but from that point we 
hope to effect the recapture of the Odin and the capture of the 
Imperial task group command craft as well.

Your job, for this mission, is to allow the Odin to be captured, but 
do not let it be taken cheaply.  Our resistence must be convincing, 
and the cost must be high for them, but the Odin MUST be captured.  
You'll be in one large A-Wing fight group for this one.

When the Odin has been captured and taken hyper out.  The coordinates 
for the Independence has been fed into your NavComputers.  When you 
get there the Recue and Salvage team will return to this area.  The 
Independence will supply and arm you for your next mission following 
this one, and I have recorded two sets of orders for you.  The 
commander of the Independence will hand you your next orders once you 
are ready for the next part of this operation.

Also, stay alert - we aren't sure where the General's agents ended up, 
but they may have the opportunity to return some time in the upcoming 
missions.  They will certainly will not be able to change the ID code 
to register as Alliance on your CMD screens and leave the Imperial 
task group command craft alive - if they have managed to reach there 
at all.  However, as all of the Imperial Starfighters are called after 
letters in the g'Reecian alphabet, if they are returning, they will 
have an odd name which is not a true g'Reecian letter.  Watch for, and 
do not kill a craft which you suspect may be the General's agents.

This is the most dangerous operation we have undertaken as yet.  Every 
last being on the Odin will be at risk of life and limb in a very "up 
close and personal" manner.  Much depends on your performance in the 
missions ahead.  But we will each have our separate parts to play if 
this mission is to succeed.

I'll explain more in your next set of orders.  For now, this is all 
you need to know.

God speed!  I sincerely hope that I get the chance to buy drinks for 
everybody in the Odin's bar soon.  But until then...  May the Force be 
with you.

::as the Cadets and Grey got up to leave, several of the Grey pilots 
volunteered to remain on board with Castor, and several of the Cadets 
volunteered to fly with Grey::

::Castor chose a few from each group, and reiterated the instructions 
for the Cadets which were to fly, so as to make sure that they 
understood the limits to which they should go, and had them report to 
the flight deck officer.  Then Castor gave specific instructions to 
the remaining Grey pilots, who did not receive the duties that they 
had hoped for.  Castor told them that he fully appreciated their 
concern for his personal welfare, but their services would be far more 
valuable if they concerned themselves with the crew.  Instructions had 
to be given in preparation, and panic had to be avoided.  When the 
time came, the crew would have to be organized and act as a unit, but 
until then, they must be kept calm and reassured.  Who better to do 
that than some of the revered Grey pilots::

::the activity aboard the Odin became quite focused for the next few 
hours::

