Project Boussh: Mission Planning
by scifantasy

"I've been working out these assignments for Mendellia, Two." Sci was
sitting in the pilot's chair of the shuttle.
"You want my input?" Tycho sounded a little surprised.
"You're the highest-ranking officer here."
"True. So what do you have?"
"Well, we have three groups. First are the fighters Atner might
have--I'll probably assign a few of the fliers to that one. Second is
defending the caverns. That's mostly Resistance but I'll assign a few
Terrans and NR people to that one. Third and last, the assault on the
High Palace. We need to get our people out, and we also need to raze
the cloning facility. That will be just about everyone else."
"Sounds like you have everything worked out. So what do you need my
input for?"
"Who goes where? This is what I have.
Group One will be the pilots. I have Rogues Two, Four, Six, and
Twelve, Gonad One, Wraiths Four and Eleven, and Ace One. Possibly a
few Resistance pilots if there are any."
"So few Wraiths?"
"The Wraiths are designed to be a commando squadron first, fighter
squadron second."
"Point. No Terrans?"
"Very few of us have flight experience."
"All right. Group Two?"
"Well, we already have a few people on base. Namely, Wraiths Five,
Six, and Seven, Terras One, Two, and Three, and Wives One, Two, and
Three."
"Better not let them ever hear that."
"I don't expect them to. Besides that, I want to assign Wraiths Ten
and Eleven."
"Good idea."
"Thanks. This leaves the following for the High Palace: Rogue Nine and
Ten, Wraith Nine, Terra Lead, Four, Five, Eight, Eleven, and Twelve."
"Sounds like very few to take on the High Palace."
"We're strapped for people."
"What about Terra Six, Wraith and Rogue Three?"
"I believe they intended to lead the teddy-bear war. If they show up
they get assigned to Group Three."
"Well, couldn't we pull a few people off of Group Two, since the
Resistance group is there?"
"Hmmm...Yeah, I guess we could. And now that I think about it, we'd
need Terra Three if we were going to attack the High Palace."
"So we add Terra Three and her Wraiths..."
"Five, Six and Seven..."
"Right, we add them to Group Three."
"Sounds like it would work, Two. Are we forgetting anybody?"
"Well, Rogues One, Three, and Seven are absent. And Wraiths..."
"Wraith One! He should go with Terra Four, so he's in Group Three."
"OK. Wraiths Two and Three are also absent."
"Polearm Five, according to Terra Nine, is also missing."
"And of the Terras, we don't have Nine, Ten or Seven. And the
mechanics are similarly absent."
"Sounds like everybody. Now I have to make up precise units for Group
Three..."
A voice cut in. "Sci?"
Sci turned around. "Mike, what's up?"
"You're making up mission assignments?"
"Yes." Sci knew the next question...
"Can I request an assignment?"
"Sure. I may or may not agree to it."
"I want to take out the cloning chambers." Sci couldn't read Mike's
eyes because of the sunglasses, but he could tell Mike was serious.
"I'll take it under advisement, Mike. And I plan to assign Face to
you."
"OK."
Next, he heard Josh's voice. "Sci?"
He walked over to where Josh was lying, having clearly woken up. The
ropes were a giveaway. "You're making up..."
"Yes." Sci cut him off.
"Can I go alone?"
"What? That's suicide."
"Well, if not alone, then with a few Ewoks?"
"Why?"
"The stormie. If I go with other people, I might mistake friends for
foes in the middle of a lightfight...I don't want that to happen."
"Me neither. But I don't want to see you dead, either. I'm going to
have to refuse, Josh...I'm sorry."
Josh sighed. Sci went back up front and reactivated the comm. "Okay,
here's what I have for Group Three. Group Three-One: Terras Four,
Eight, Eleven, Twelve, and Wraith One will destroy the Spaarti
cylinders. Group Three-Two: Terra Three, Wraiths Five through Seven,
and Terra Five and the Ewoks will try to rescue Quiara. Group
Three-Three: Terra Lead, Wraith Nine, Rogues Nine and Ten will
go for Atner. Capture if possible, eliminate if necessary. And if
there's no more air support, Group One will be able to land and help
both of the other groups."
"Odd final group."
"I wanted people who would be able to resist killing Atner on sight.
We'll see what happens. I wouldn't object to a dead Atner, but we
aren't exactly the judge, jury and executioners here."
"Sounds like you're all set."
"See you at Resistance HQ. Terra Lead out."