Squadron (episode)

"Squadron" is the first part of the sixth episode of the animated series Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. It was released on Disney+ on May 4, 2023.
==Official description==
The Jedi are flight tested.
==Plot summary==
===Flying the Firehawk===
On the planet Tenoo, Nash Durango gives the Jedi Initiates Kai Brightstar, Lys Solay and Nubs a ride aboard the Crimson Firehawk. She gives them a demonstration of the "Throttle Buster" and flies the Firehawk around a giant Tenoo tree. After reaching the top of the tree, Durango brings the ship into a dive. Nubs uncovers his eyes while Solay says that it was great. Brightstar asks Durango if he could fly the Firehawk but Durango thinks he is not ready. However, she relents and lets him take over the controls. RJ-83 is concerned and shakes his head.
Despite Durango telling him to be gentle, Brightstar takes the ship on a dive into the nearby river. Brightstar mouths an apology before continuing flying over the river. After some period of Brightstar flying at low levels above the river, Durango compliments his piloting skills. Brightstar says he has taken some beginner lessons and takes the ship up. While distracted, he flies the Firehawk too close to a Tenoo tree and scrapes the port side of the ship's wing. Brightstar accelerates the ship towards the Jedi Temple's landing field. The jet force released by the ship's thrusters causes Jedi Master Zia Zaldor Zanna's cape to blow over her.
The inexperienced Brightstar gives the ship a rough landing. Brightstar apologizes but Durango reassures hum that the Firehawk is tougher than it looks. When she touches the console, metal can be heard rumbling. After disembarking, Brightstar apologizes to Master Zia for his rough landing. Zanna reassures him that she has seen worst landings and reminds him of an upcoming flying lesson tomorrow. Solay quips that Brightstar could do with another lesson.
===Visiting Zepher===
While the three Jedi younglings are laughing, Zanna tells them that they will need starships to fly and that she is sending them with Durango to pick them up from her friend Zepher, who runs a starship workshop on one of Tenoo's moons. Durango recalls that Zepher is a friend of her mother. Durango finds a damaged thruster on one of the wings. Zia tells the younglings to fly their ships back to the Temple. While Brightstar is eager to learn, he is inexperienced. Brightstar promises to bring the ships back without a scratch. As the Firehawk engine sputters, Durango asks for help. Solay says they will leave for the mission right after they help Nash.
Later, Durango takes the younglings on the Firehawk towards the two moons of Tenoo. She says that Zepher resides on the big one with rings around it. While gazing out at the asteroid field, Brightstar says that it will be a fun place to fly a starship. He is alarmed by a space creature, which Durango explains is a space slug. Solay says it is amazing while Nubs mouths something in Poobian.
The Firehawk lands inside an underground circular landing field. After landing, they are greeted by the Mon Calamari Zepher, who hugs Durango and remarks that she has grown. He also greets RJ-83. Durango introduces her three Jedi friends, telling them that Zepher taught her moms about starship engines. Zepher, who is familiar with Master Zanna, has been expecting the three younglings and shows them the way to their ships.
===The Jedi Vectors===
The three starships turn out to be Jedi Vectors, which excite the younglings. However, Zepher explains that he has modified the starships for younglings and that it will take time to get used to them. Brightstar thinks it will be fun but Zepher says that they will have to prove they can use the ships safely before he lets them fly the Vectors back to the Temple. Solay asks if it is going to be a test flight. Zepher confirms this is the case and tasks Durango with leading the three younglings on a test flight.
Durango asks the younglings a riddle about a wipplebog snorting when it sleeps. The younglings are puzzled until Durango says the answer is yes. Brightstar, Solay and Nubs climb into their Vectors and power up their starships. Durango takes the lead aboard the Firehawk and tells them that they are going to do some fancy flying. She tells them to follow her as they fly over the rugged mountains of Tenoo's big moon.
===Test flight===
Nubs toys with the seat controls and the accelerator. Durango and the younglings fly their ships through large rocky rings. Solay is distracted by a flock of Karnis birds and her Vector almost collides with another Vector. Durango reminds her to pay attention, prompting Solay to say thanks. Durango is pleased with Brightstar's flying skills.
As Durango is about to take the younglings on the second part of the test flight, Brightstar gets distracted and decides to fly into the asteroid ring. Brightstar takes his Jedi Vector on a joyride in the asteroid ring. Durango and the others soon follow. Solay says that they didn't realize he had left and asks Brightstar if he is alright. Brightstar says that he got distracted by the asteroids and thinks that they are amazing. While flying with RJ-83, Durango thinks that the asteroid belt should be a fun place to test their skills if they stay together.
Brightstar leads the way. As they approach a large asteroid, Brightstar thinks that it will be a good place to do a Throttle Buster. Durango tries to advise against it but Brightstar is determined. Before he can complete his run over the asteroid, Brightstar pulls the throttle too soon and scratches part of the ship on the asteroid's surface. Though he manages to regain control of the Vector and rejoin the others, his actions rouse a space slug inhabiting the asteroid. Brightstar tells the others why he didn't proceed with the manuever. Durango thinks the Zepher will be able to fix the scratches.
===Escaping the space slug===
The four younglings' starships are pursued by the space slug. Though Brightstar manages to escape, Durango and the others are swallowed by the space slug. The children are safe from the slug's digestive system for now. Speaking over the comlink, Brightstar apologizes for taking risks with the Throttle Buster. However, Durango has an idea and tells Brightstar that he will have to listen to her and follow her directions. Brightstar says he is listening and asks what is the plan.
While the space slug rests in the asteroid, Brightstar goes over Durango's plan for him to use the Throttle Buster to get the slug to chase him. Durango hopes that she and the Jedi can escape when the beast opens its mouth while pursuing Brightstar. Kai is nervous but Durango tells him that she believes in him. Solay says that they are going to blast out as soon as he makes the slug open its mouth. Nubs says something in agreement.
After praying to the Force, Brightstar baits the space slug into a chase. As Brightstar prepares to perform the Throttle Buster, the others fire up their starships' engines. Durango is pleased that Brightstar is following her instructions. Brightstar fires up the throttle, putting him out of harm's way. Durango and the others jet out of the space slug's maw. Following their escape, Durango tells Brightstar that she knew he was ready. Before returning to the Temple, they fly back to Zepher's depot to repair Brightstar's ship.
===Lesson learned===
At the depot, Brightstar apologizes for not following Durango's instructions. Zepher reassures Brightstar that these are just training ships, which are expected to get damaged. Zepher is happy to help repair them. Based on Durango's feedback, Zepher thinks that the younglings are ready to fly them back to the Temple. Following their adventures with the space slug, Durango thinks that flying home will be easy. Zepher offers to repair their ships in the future.
The younglings return to the Jedi Temple with their Jedi Vectors. Master Zanna is impressed with Zepher's handiwork. Durango tells Zanna that her younglings are ready for tomorrow's flight lesson. Zanna invites the younglings for a practice flight before tomorrow's lesson. Brightstar, Solay and Nubs express their eagerness. When Durango asks who wants to try the Throttle Buster, Brightstar declines the offer.
==Appearances==
==Sources==
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==Notes and references==
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