(Life Day LTC) A Red Baron Christmas

While not officially under Imperial control, the intelligence apparatus of the Freedom Fighters had long been aware that a covert Imperial presence was maintained on the fiery planet of Mustafar. The Nimbus Network worked with several native Mustafarians to keep tabs on the Imperial elements, with the promise that the Freedom Fighters would intervene if the Empire ever threatened to place their planet back under subjugation. So when multiple reports that a new prototype TIE fighter was being tested from a secret research facility in one of the old foundries, the Freedom Fighters jumped into action.

It was to be a special reconnaissance mission – the target was not to be engaged, only observed. It was vital to assess the capabilities of this new fighter. It would be a difficult mission - there was only one Sullustan for the job.

Twas the night before Life Day and Lieutenant Snoo Py soared across the night sky, searching for his quarry. In his SoroSuub Kamel he felt invincible. An older model, it wasn’t quite the match for an X-Wing, or SoroSuub’s newer Paladin, in space combat. But in atmosphere, its larger control surfaces made it unmatched in maneuverability. Designed for flying near the volcanic surface of SoroSuub’s home planet of Sullust, it was the ideal starfighter for operating above the fiery planet of Mustafar.

A flicker of movement below caught his eye and, with a smile, he dived. As he closed from his target’s blind spot, he got a good view of the prototype TIE. FF Intelligence had given it the codename “Baron” and, like his Kamel, it appeared to be designed primarily for atmospheric combat. Snoo started his holo-recorder and settled in behind the TIE. It hadn’t spotted him yet. This opportunity gave him plenty of time to observe this new opponent. It performed exceptionally well in the turbulent, super-heated air above the lava. Perhaps the “Baron” would replace the old TIE Striker. Hm, that was an interesting paint job, I wonder if-. Without warning, the Baron’s attack foils sprang into position and the TIE snapped to the left. How did he see me? I shouldn’t be close enough for his sensors, Snoo thought, as he accelerated to keep pace. It was difficult - the Baron was fast. Racing only a meter above the lava fields, they began a desperate dance. Snoo smiled – he hadn’t had this good of a challenge in a long time. The other pilot was good. With a grin, he toggled his missile lock on. He was strictly ordered not to fire - but the other pilot didn’t know that. A new level of desperation came over the TIE as it juked and jinked, trying to escape his sensor lock. It was all Snoo could do to keep the Baron in front of him. The analysts were going to love this holo-footage.

This close to the lava, there was an element of randomness that no skill could overcome. Without the mystical powers of the Force, there was no way to predict the frequent lava bubble bursts that sent geysers of molten rock shooting into the sky. Not blessed with that god-like ability, Snoo had no way to avoid the sudden fountain of flame that sprang up between him and the Baron. A lesser pilot would have instantly been killed, but LT Py’s Loth-cat-like reflexes barely allowed him to escape with his life. His Kamel, however, did not escape unscathed. A splash of lava had damaged his engine and he immediately began to slow.

As his Kamel slowed, Snoo watched the Baron pull away. When the opposing pilot realized what had happened, he banked sharply and raced back, ready for the kill. Snoo watched in dread as he turned and fled. With the Baron’s now far superior speed – and presumably without a similar “no contact” order, he was a dead Sullustan. There was only one way he could see out of this. Angling to his right, Snoo limped to the rocky bank at the edge of the lava field. There was a small village situated on a ridge there – perhaps, if he was lucky, he could lure the Baron into crashing into the ridge.

The Baron was gaining on him. In one last desperate maneuver, Snoo yanked the stick back, climbing straight up, over the village, hoping the Baron’s superior speed would lead him right into the rocky ridge ahead. He nearly brushed the tops of the buildings as he passed – the ringing of the Life Day bells clanging below him. Py held his breath as he waited to see if his opponent had made the turn. His target-lock alarm went off. The Baron had made the turn. This was the end. Snoo closed his eyes and offered a silent prayer.

The Baron had Snoo Py dead in his sights

He reached for the trigger to pull it up tight

Why he didn't shoot, well, we'll never know

Or was it the bells from the village below?

Snoo watched in shock as the Baron pulled up and flew next to him in close formation. Why wasn’t he dead? Was the prototype not fully functional? Was the pilot forbidden from engaging him as well? With a crackle, his comlink came alive. “Happy Life Day, my friend!” It couldn’t be. No Imperial would ever let him go just because it’s Life Day – right?

The Baron then offered a holiday toast

And Snoo Py, our hero, saluted his host

And then with a roar they were both on their way

Each knowing they'd meet on some other day.

Snoo left with a grudging respect for his fellow pilot’s skill, but a much more profound appreciation for his character. Perhaps not all Imperials were so bad. 

Life Day bells those Life Day bells

Ringing through the land

Bringing peace to all the worlds

And good will to man!

SoroSuub Kamel cruising through space

TIE Baron skimming the lava fields of Mustafar

Dogfighting over Mustafar

TIE Baron

This story was based on the song Snoopy's Christmas by the Royal Guardsmen

The design of Snoo Py's Kamel was based on the Sopwith Camel

The TIE Baron design was based on the Fokker Dr.1, flown by the Red Baron in WWI.

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