>> Oh, while I'm on the subject, one more thing: My personal
>>wish-list for UF technology. In Twilight, I don't recall exactly what
>>the GENOM ace (was Rayna Tangril her name?) was flying, but I think it
>>was an Advanced, maybe?
>
>It was a prototype - Advanced x1, similar to the special TIE Darth
>Vader used in A New Hope. Rayna was just starting to develop
>the Advanced at the time (2390). I would expect that by the time of
>the Symphony (currently 2405) the completed design has been in
>full production for some time, and Rayna and her team are working on
>the next rev. (In addition to being one of their top combat pilots,
>Rayna is also the driving force behind the design and construction of
>the TIE series - her conversation with her wingmates in
>Twilight alludes to that.)

Aaaaah, okay. And they're clear in TIE Fighter that the Advanced was a refinement of the ship Vader flew. In that case, the Advanced is, indeed, the next ship to come out. Concussion missiles still eat them for breakfast, unfortunately (One Adv. Concussion Missile blows away their shields and knocks them to something like 16% hull strength), but at least now, they perform like A-wings with four guns rather than Z-95's with no shields. >_<

As for Rayna Tangril, I remembered everything about her but the name itself...I coulda sworn I saw her in a book or the old Star Wars RPG Empire Sourcebook or somesuch. In any case, I look forward to seeing the Advanced. The later TIEs rock, though the Missile Boat just made combat too danged easy. No dogfighting...just tagging and bagging, particularly after the stronger tractor beam came out.

--"I invoke the rites of fiery Muspelheim, and give thy soul up to the inferno's embrace..."