This week's mission is the final mission of Tour 3, and is called "Suicide"

::the Greys and Cadets were all gathered in the briefing room, and Castor paced back and forth as he spoke.  It was time to attack the Star Hammer project itself, and everyone was on edge - it'd been a long and hard battle.  Every scrap of information has been paid for dearly, and everyone is tired.  Tired from many hours of combat in which they were able to rely on no one but themselves, trusting that each team was successful at their separate missions.  Tired from even more hours of training on the simulators in their down time.  Castor had deep dark circles under his eyes from countless hours of strategic planning with General Greedo::

::after a few minutes more of pacing, and frowning, Castor finally stopped and began::

We have found that the Star Hammer project was begun, and funded, by Emperor Palpatine before his death.  It has been continued by members of the Emperor's Hand, who have subsidized the funding of the project by means of slavery and piracy.  The person in charge of the project is named Malachite, and we know him to be quite formidable.

However, with all the data that we've accumulated on the project, we've found that it's defenses are geared toward a large scale attack.  To mount such an attack would involve an incredible loss of personel and materiel.  The bad news is that after uncountable runs on the strategy simulators, using uncountable variations of tactics, we've found that the best chance of success, at the lowest cost of lives, requires us to send in a single StarFighter, followed by a series of single StarFighters if needed.  

The worse news is that in all the runs on the StratSims, we've found that the best StarFighter for the job is the Y-Wing.  Based on all available data that we've accumulated on the project's defense tactics and craft, you're going to need the ion capability, the extra shielding and hull strength, and the "dead-nuts" accuracy of the laser spread.

The project consists of a group of modules surrounding a ComSat and NavBuoy.  There will be mines, and an on site first-line-defense Frigate and it's support craft.  We expect that there are more remote forces than we know about, but we are sure about a number of capital craft of various types and a LARGE amount of Advanced TIEs - that's why you're going to need the ions and the accuracy.

Our mission, this time, is to destroy any means of communicating the project data out of the area, cut off any means of escape for the project scientists, and ID and destroy each module of the project.  We must not allow even the tiniest bit of data already accumlated for the construction of the Star Hammer weapon to survive.  To do so would mean the impending death of innumerable star systems, and the way of life we hope to promulgate.

Be advised, you will never be assigned a more important, or more difficult mission.  The conditions being what they are, I want volunteers at my office in ten minutes.

::with that Castor left the room.  Grey sat, some shaking their heads, some only staring at the place where Castor had stood.  The Cadets were in animated converation about the liklihood of surviving the mission, the craziness of the mission, and the state of mental health of anyone who volunteered for a suicide mission such as this one.  Grey knew which of themselves would be best qualified for this mission.  They also were quite sure of the order in which they would fly - if needed::

::ten minutes later, you sit at the other side of Castor's desk, having volunteered for the first run of this seemingly impossible mission.  The odds of completing this mission have been calculated 14,723.785 to 1.  But as a Grey, you've never been one to listen to the droids' calculations::

::Castor, having brought all the volunteers in - every single one of Grey, along with a few of the Academy Honor Grads who chose to remain with Grey - and assigned a flight order to the volunteers, Castor continued his private briefing.  Castor had even assigned himself a spot in the rotation.   Even in his out of practice state he wouldn't ask on of his pilots of less ability with a Y-Wing for a sacrifice of this nature before he made such a sacrafice himself::

Understand, I'd be going on the first run on the project, myself, rather than send you.  I've spent so long behind a desk working strategies with General Greedo that I scored too low on the simulators - it would take too long to hone my combat skills, and we need this mission flown now - before Malachite has a chance to regroup.

::Castor contemplates the situation with a frown on his face for a few moments.  Suddenly leaning forward to place his elbows on his desktop, Castor says::

I'm not going to lie to you.  The worst news is that if you make one mistake, you'll be dead.  It's not likely that we'll be able to recover you, even if just to bury you.  With the amount of StarFighter, capital craft, and project debris in the area - along with the velocity it will be travelling - the chances of having your Y-Wings trashed by the debris alone are high.  If you are ejected from your Y-Wing, with the continuation of the battle, it's highly likely that you will be hit by other debris.  That's the best reason for making the first run on the project the only run necessary.

Take advantage of all the Imperial craft and strategic weaknesses, and all the tricks and maneuvers that you've learned throughout your brilliant careers as a Combat Pilots - you'll need every one of them.  Keep in mind all of the little tactical tips and Y-Wing maneuvers I've given you throughout our time together.

One final bit of wisdom, I give to you.  My master of the tunnels once said:  It's better to be a live jackal than a dead lion.  But, it's better yet to be a live lion - and usually easier.

::Castor paused for a short time again::

Gentlemen, this is our time, our destiny...  We may never assemble as this group again.  Some of us, if not all, may find our way to each our own warrior's heaven this day.  And those who survive, will not remain the same as this morning.  Know that it has been my extreme pleasure serving and leading you.  I know that being associated with Grey has enriched my own life immeasurably.  I can only hope that I've given each of you something with which to make life as we know it a better, safer, and more just place to be.

We all have our assignments.  Nest high, gentlemen.  And SOAR with the Gods!

