This is the play report from the final mission of our Point of No Return Campaign. I didn't keep precise notes, so some of this is based on fuzzy recollection from the photos. But it generally represents the game play and flow.
The Rebels had won all three missions in the campaign, so we chose the following squard and free upgrades for the CR-90. We had some ideas for a more escape-oriented build, but decided the odds favored us if we focused on bringing the fight to each wave as they showed up.
Here was the Rebel's initial deployment (and the scenario layout):
And now, for the story of our escape.
Captain Tenstram eyed the asteroid field nervously. With the stolen transmissions secured on board, he knew the Imperials would be here soon.
The comms crackled. “Don’t worry, Tenstram. Etahn and I will get you out of here,” reassured the voice of the smuggler he’d just met. “I promised Goldenrod here he’d see his Artoo unit again.”
Tenstram laughed, as much to reassure himself as his crew. “Solo, I’m going to hold you to that promise,” as his sensor boards lit up with flashing red lights.
“Sir – incoming TIEs.”
“I have you now,” Darth Vader announced to no one in particular. These rebel scum had gotten his attention. Now he would show them what happens to fools who attracted his ire. “Dark Curse, follow my lead.”
The TIE veteran flew into formation, preparing to take his shot. “Yes sir,” he responded to the Dark Lord of the Sith. The Corvette would turn to get a broadside on he and Vader…
… “What?” Dark Curse exclaimed as he frantically tried to dodge.
Tenstram cringed as the TIE exploded in flames off the bow of his ship. “Damage report?” Tenstram inquired. Well, whoever that pilot was didn’t see that coming.
“No damage sir – shields held.”
Tenstram let out the breath he had been holding. “Open fire on the remaining TIE.”
The comms crackled again. “Nice piece of flying. Etahn and I are picking up more TIEs incoming. We’re going to engage. Looks like you can handle yourself?”
Tenstram had no idea Darth Vader was leading the assault on his ship, or he might not have said, “Go get ‘em. We’ve got this guy.”
The Obsidian Squadron pilot surveyed the scene as he escorted the two bombers into the battle. Lord Vader appeared to have lost his wingman. He wouldn’t fail Dark Lord, himself.
“Make your run. I’ll hold off that junk freighter.”
Han growled into the comms. “C’mon, Etahn, we have to take out those bombers before they can land a strike.”
Etahn expected the bombers to turn towards him, and cursed when they stayed out of range. “Where are they going, Captain Solo?”
Tenstram watched curiously, too, from his bridge. “It looks like they are trying to lead you into the asteroids. Could be a trap.” He tried to ignore the sounds of his crew handling the TIE shooting his rear.
“Of course it’s a trap,” Han squawked thru the comm system. “But they can’t spring it if they’re in it with us. Get closer!”
Tenstram shook his head at the crazy smuggler. He turned to his pilot, Tixata. “Let’s shake this TIE.”
“Sir, I’ve got a shot,” Lysa shouted as she brought the TIE Advanced into her scopes. Tenstram had guessed right – his fishtail had brought the TIE pilot right into his –
“Captain, missiles incoming! A flash filled the view port.
Vader reached out and sensed the crew’s panic. He smiled as he maneuvered for another shot.
Tenstram felt his heart jump up in his throat. But the shields held. It looked worse than it was.
Then Mek cheered. “Woohoo! We got one of the bombers, sir! That smuggler is a great shot.”
“Sir, another squad of TIEs coming in at five o’clock… looks like two Interceptors.”
Bantha poodoo, they really want these transmissions, Tenstram swore to himself. The remaining bomber was moving in for a shot. At least he’d managed to keep that other TIE pilot in Lysa’s firing arc.
Darth Vader calmed himself as he reached out in the force to find the gunner. Ah… there you are. You are losing focus… you… Wait. Wrong gunner – that’s the…
“NOOOOOOOOOOO…” Vader heard his own mechanized shout echo in his helmet as his fighter broke apart. As the stars spun around him, his vision went black.
“All right, Tenstram, the bombers are down,” Han’s voice shouted over the klaxons on Tenstram’s bridge. “Let’s clean up these TIEs and get you home.”
Tenstram watched as energy bled from his shields. He was relieved the bombers we gone, but the TIEs were going to tear him apart, cut by cut.
“Lysa, talk to me.” Tenstram looked at his rear gunner.
Sweat poured down her brow. “Not quite close enough, sir. Gotta bring me around or they have to get closer.”
