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Starship: The Memphys Belle
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Weapons: Twin Laser Cannon Turret Proton Torpedo Launcher Concussion Missile Launcher |
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The Story of The Memphys Belle |
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| Lt. Jehrade is "a fair pilot" on his worst day. On a good day, he's capable of some very impressive maneuvers. He'll never be famous, though, because his duty as a Rebel officer requires him to operate in classified... um, operations. That's all I can tell you about Vidar without getting in trouble with the hierarchy. However, Vidar's ship, the Memphys Belle, is no secret. He's proud of this vessel and freely distributes its specifications whenever the opportunity to brag comes about. The most impressive thing about this ship is that it is technically an Imperial vessel. Vidar has made "special modifications" himself, but essentially this ship is a perk, a gift from the chain of command. Vidar acquired the ship himself, but the Higher Ups let him keep it as a reward for valor in combat... | |
After the Battle of Endor (in which Vidar was not directly involved), much of the Imperial Fleet was dispersed throughout the galaxy. For a time, Vidar was convinced that he would be reassigned to do gruntwork, towing Rebel starship carcasses across space or something. But instead he was recruited for a new type of Rebel Squad, a high-priced outfit of well-trained operatives. Vidar became the co-pilot of the drop ship that carried Sed Atum and his squadron of elites. Well anyway, the scattered Imperial Fleet was not obliterated, and so still a threat to the weakened Rebel forces. Aurek Squadron, as it was henceforth dubbed, was supposed to infiltrate a tightly guarded industrial complex on a planet with an allegedly poorly defended orbit. Their mission involved the destruction of key Imperial war ship factories. The Squad was dropped, and Vidar and the pilot hid the drop ship in the upper atmosphere. This turned out to a bad place to hang out, as reconnaissance failed to anticipate the arrival of the Imperial Dreadnaught The Eviscerator. This hulking ship dropped out of light-speed within shouting distance of the Squad's tiny vessel. The Eviscerator immediately picked up the Rebel ship on its scanners and began to send volleys of laser fire in their direction. Vidar and the pilot (an experienced Bothan named Kalu) managed to avoid being incinerated and swooped down deep into the atmosphere. They radioed the team for extraction, but got no response. Kalu was prepared to leave, but Vidar threatened his commanding officer with the pain of death if he didn't wait for Colonel Atum and his men. Soon enough, sensors on a nearby Imperial base picked up the drop ship and sounded all alarms. Laser cannons on the ground sparked to life, trying to pick the circling ship out of the air. Fortunately the ground crew failed to locate the Rebel squad, and within a few tentative minutes the cannons went silent. Long story short, the squad was picked up, and Vidar assumed command of the ship. He was sure that The Eviscerator was still around, but it was difficult to pinpoint it from the lower atmosphere with the crappy instruments the drop ship was fitted with. Colonel Atum, still worn out from all the running around he had to do, suggested an alternative strategy. Vidar popped the ship into high gear, sending it screaming through the cloud cover and out into cold space. He took The Eviscerator by surprise, which couldn't maneuver to follow. Instead, the Imperial beast spewed forth a half dozen Skiprays, all armed to the teeth. Well Vidar was having none of this. He turned right around and skimmed the surface of The Eviscerator, while members of the squad fired the drop ship's small laser guns from the port and starboard. The Skiprays followed, but did more damage to The Eviscerator than they did to the Rebel ship. Eventually The Eviscerator became crippled, and reinforcements arrived (at Kalu's request) to save the squad. The Eviscerator surrendered, and four of the six Skiprays were destroyed in the battle after the three Corellian Gunships arrived. Only one of the Skiprays, The Kadria, was left in working condition. When the medals for bravery were distributed, Vidar asked that he be allowed to restore and pilot The Kadria instead. The generals were impressed with his bravery and imagination and conceded. Vidar renamed the ship The Memphys Belle, and has been at her helm ever since. |