Automatic weapons systems, trackers, and controls were all very well and good, but when it came down to it, this kind of all-or-nothing combat boiled down to ships, their pilots, and how good both were. One way or another, this First Order weapon had to be not damaged, not temporarily disabled, but completely destroyed.

The entire Resistance was depending on him and those following him in. вЂњGive the order.вЂќДЄs he sent his X-wing into a steep dive, Poe knew this was one attack where failure could not be an option. вЂњThis is no time to worry about collateral damage.вЂќ His voice was steely. вЂњIn an atmospheric skirmish, sir, seekers will have a hard time distinguishing between our fighters and those of the enemy.вЂќ When this is over I donвЂ™t want to see a single X-wing aloft.вЂќ Take out every attacking craft, no matter the cost. Turning, he snapped at a mid-level officer. DidnвЂ™t the attackers realize what they were risking? Watching the aerial assault on the centerвЂ™s monitors and through its sweeping windows, a grim-faced Hux knew they probably did-and that it didnвЂ™t make any difference to them. Within Central Command, officers looked on in horror as one strike after another shook the hexagonal structure. Rising from the seat, he rushed out in time to see the Resistance fighters drop toward the massive structure-and begin their bombing runs. His deliberation was interrupted by a thunderous roar as squadrons of X-wings dropped from the sky, rocketing toward the hexagon-shaped bulk of the containment field and oscillation control system.

There was nothing in the deserted cockpit, but he delayed leaving anyway, settling down in the pilotвЂ™s seat. Kylo Ren ignored him as he strode past, his eyes raking every corner of the crashed vessel, looking for-he wasnвЂ™t sure. No antipersonnel traps encountered.вЂќ Startled by the sudden appearance of a tall, caped figure, the trooper stepped aside and came to attention. Eventually a noncom spoke into his comm unit. One never knew when even a seemingly harmless freighter might be rigged to blow up in the face of an uninvited visitor. Industrious troops were cautiously concluding their inspection of the shipвЂ™s interior. That the shipвЂ™s landing had been less than precise was plainly evident. Set down on the snowy surface, two TIE fighters and a troop transport flanked the battered, half-buried disc of the Millennium Falcon. He could barely stand the silence as they worked. Further haranguing would only rattle the officer and the other techs in the command center. Hux knew there was nothing more he could do.

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