Ambushing The Gallant (BP)

*Reference Book: Star Wars Saga Edition Scum and Villainy*

*Main Page: Boarding Party*

*Preceded by A Visit to Arkanis*

Once the heroes have The *Gallant's* flight plan, they can study it to devise an effective ambush. Their best bet is when the Starship exits Hyperspace midway between Moorja and the Ison Corridor- a particularly empty area of space. According to the flight plan, The *Gallant* is going to take extra time here to conduct an evacuation drill with the cadet crew members. If the heroes lie in wait at the proper coordinates, they should have ample time to catch the ship when most of the crew members are away from their stations.

### Lying in Wait

Although this part of the Corellian Trade Spine is somewhat deserted, it is also lacks the usual debris that could hide the heroes' ship- meaning they have to power down to almost nothing, long enough for The *Gallant* to conduct a routine sensor sweep and satisfy themselves that they are alone before they drop their guard.

To get close to The *Gallant* without being detected, the Pilot of the heroes' ship must use maneuvering thrusters (not their main engines), and only in short bursts, letting momentum carry their ship up to The *Gallant's* Airlock. Performing this tricky maneuver requires a DC 25 Pilot check. If the check fails, the maneuver succeeds, but the crew of The *Gallant* can make a Perception check to Notice the heroes' ship approaching. If the heroes' check fails by 5 or more, the crew members of The *Gallant* get a +2 circumstance bonus on their Perception check.

If The *Gallant* detects the heroes' ship approaching, The *Gallant's* crew cancels the evacuation drill and prepares for combat (though they make several attempts to contact the heroes' ship first, in case it is merely a derelict). If the heroes do not respond, The *Gallant* maneuvers out of its way. If the heroes adjust their course- or attack- The *Gallant* fights them off until it can enter Hyperspace.

#### **The *Gallant* Crew**

Because The *Gallant* is mainly crewed by a group of Vensenor Flight Academy cadets, apply a -4 penalty to all attack rolls and skill checks the ship makes.

### Boarding The *Gallant*

Because so many of The *Gallant's* crew will be assembled in the escape-pod access tunnels during the evacuation drill, the heroes' best point of entry is the forward airlock. Entering at this point puts them one deck below the bridge, enabling them to get aboard and reach the flight deck in less than a minute.

The heroes can best access this Airlock by coming up from beneath The *Gallant* while it is stationary, and docking with the Imperial ship. Their only real obstacle is The *Gallant's* lower Turbolaser, manned by a pair of Gunners (even during evacuation drills). On the round that the heroes' ship approaches the Airlock, these Gunners get one additional Perception check to notice the Starship flying past them. If they notice, they panic and immediately fire at the heroes' ship.

Assuming that the heroes maneuver their ship to the forward airlock, the Pilot needs to make a DC 20 Pilot check to dock with The *Gallant*. Opening the Airlock then requires a DC 20 Mechanics check. Alternatively, the heroes can cut through the hatch, or use explosives to blow it open. The hatch has DR 15 and 80 Hit Points.

*Continued in Storming the Bridge*