"Live Fire" represents the third installment in the second season of the animated series Star Wars Resistance. Its original broadcast occurred on October 20, 2019, via the Disney Channel network.
The episode commences with a sweeping visual of the command bridge aboard the Colossus. A service droid is depicted dispensing beverages to Ace Squadron members, including Torra Doza and Freya Fenris, within the confines of the Aces' Lounge. Griff Halloran is shown having consumed multiple alcoholic drinks, while Bo Keevil appears dispirited and uninterested. Hype Fazon, taken aback by the demoralized state of his fellow Aces, inquires about the cause of their distress.
Freya explains that the First Order nearly destroyed them during their recent skirmish. Hype attempts to uplift their spirits, but Torra agrees with Freya, emphasizing that battling the First Order is unlike confronting mere pirates. Hype assures them that adjustments are being made and that the First Order's pursuit will not last indefinitely.
Griff dissents, drawing on his experience with the Galactic Empire to assert that the First Order will relentlessly pursue their capture and imprisonment. Captain Imanuel Doza observes the Aces' shared concerns and commends their past efforts in safeguarding the platform. However, Doza acknowledges their disadvantage against this new adversary and proposes methods to enhance their preparedness for future conflicts.
Hype questions whether Doza intends for them to engage in drills, reminding him that they are primarily race pilots. Doza counters that they have much to learn regarding ship-to-ship combat. Doza assures them of their advantage, possessing a seasoned starfighter pilot and commander. Doza then introduces Jarek Yeager as their new squad commander, along with Kazuda Xiono as the latest addition to Ace Squadron. While Kaz expresses his enthusiasm, Hype feels offended by Kaz's inclusion.
Captain Doza leaves Yeager, Kaz, and the Aces to re-establish their relationships. Kaz attempts to connect with his new squadmates, but Hype dismisses Kaz's piloting skills and reminds Yeager that he never enlisted in the Resistance. Yeager clarifies that he is not seeking to recruit Hype into the Resistance, but rather to enlist their aid in protecting their home, questioning whether they desire a recurrence of their recent experience.
Torra accepts Yeager's offer, suggesting that they give him a chance. Kaz expresses his willingness to share his experiences as a pilot with the New Republic Navy. Hype declares that he will remain at the top of the group, relegating Kaz to the bottom, derisively referring to him as "Kaz-tastrophe."
Concurrently, aboard Commander Pyre's Resurgent-class Star Destroyer, the Thunderer, Jace Rucklin, Lin Gaava, and Tamara Ryvora are seen hurrying through the corridors. Tam accidentally drops her helmet. Rucklin urges them to accelerate due to their lateness. Tam retorts, telling Rucklin to cease his complaining and move faster, as he was the one who misplaced his helmet. The trio then passes through a set of blast doors and enters a hangar bay where an Atmospheric Assault Lander has recently landed.
They join three other TIE fighter pilot cadets and put on their helmets. Their training officer, Lieutenant Galek, observes that some of them lack the necessary professionalism to wear the complete uniform. She informs Tam and her companions that they have not yet earned the privilege of being seen. Tam apologizes, and Galek reminds them that their purpose is to refine their piloting skills. She emphasizes that her role is to train them, and their role is to obey her commands.
Lieutenant Galek instructs them to prepare their ships for their initial exercise. Before departing, Tam attempts to address her commanding officer. Lieutenant Galek asks Cadet DD-533 if she heard her instruction and orders her to proceed to her ship.
Within Yeager's garage, R23-X9 is engaged in conversation with SC-X2. The pilots' droids, including Bucket and CB-23, are gathered in a corner, while the Aces, Yeager, Kaz, and Neeku Vozo convene at a table. Neeku expresses his desire to join them, but Hype dismisses him, prompting him to eat with the droids. Griff complains about being back in flight school, while Torra hopes that the training will be engaging. Freya questions why they couldn't have a briefing in a more pleasant environment, with Hype adding "like our hangar."
Yeager instructs them to be quiet, acknowledging their reluctance to be there. He emphasizes that their presence is not about personal desires, but about survival. Yeager aims to assess their combat skills and activates a holoprojector displaying an ice moon. He informs them that an uninhabited ice moon nearby will serve as the location for a mock skirmish. He instructs them to disable all weapon systems and use only stun settings. They will be divided into two teams: Kaz and Yeager versus the rest. Hype is dismissive of Kaz and Yeager's combat abilities, but Yeager wishes them luck.
While traversing the atmosphere of the ice moon, Hype questions the whereabouts of the "great pilot." Torra reminds him that Yeager instructed them to be prepared, as they never know when the enemy will strike. Hype boasts of his readiness, but Griff advises him to watch his back. Hype returns the advice.
As the Aces fly in formation, Freya remarks to Griff over the intercom that she didn't realize Imperial pilots were so concerned for one another. Griff responds that they weren't, which contributed to their defeat in the previous war. Hype is about to taunt Kaz and Yeager about losing again when Yeager and Kaz suddenly descend upon them in Yeager's racer and the Fireball.
Torra reminds the other pilots to provide cover for each other. As the training exercise progresses, Yeager instructs Kaz to gain altitude and swing out. Kaz flies behind Griff's racer, Black Ace, and stuns its engines, causing it to descend into the clouds. Freya locks her racer, Red Ace's, stun cannons onto him. Yeager instructs Kaz to draw her out while he takes her down.
As Freya pursues Kaz's ship, Yeager swoops down on her racer and stuns it. As Kaz celebrates, Torra complains that they are being eliminated quickly and suggests forming up. Bo agrees, but Hype tells them not to leave him behind. The Aces descend deeper into the ice moon's atmosphere, flying over several ice pillars.
Torra is about to eliminate Kaz, but Hype suddenly dives in front of her, forcing Torra to pull her ship out of the way. Torra complains that it was her shot, but Hype taunts her that there are no rules in war. Yeager informs Kaz that he has gained their attention. Kaz agrees to lead the way, guiding them closer to the surface and passing a large creature with a long tail. Before Hype can eliminate Kaz, Yeager swoops down on him, reminding him to remain vigilant. Hype slams his fist in anger.
Back at the Colossus, Hype and Torra are in disagreement. Torra points out that Hype broke the formation. Yeager says that Hype was acting like a good racer, which makes him a bad combat pilot. While racers prioritize individual performance, good fighter pilots depend on teamwork to survive. Hype is offended and says that he thought that Yeager wanted to improve his piloting skills. Hype refuses to be constrained by his teammates and storms out, brushing past Griff and R4-G77. R4 drops Griff's helmet before following his master. Griff scowls at Hype's selfishness.
Later, Hype and R4-G77 visit Aunt Z's Tavern where he compliments his droid for showing those "moof brains." Hype requests the spiciest drink that Aunt Z has. However, Aunt Z serves him water, explaining that they are running low on supplies. She cautions that she may soon start charging for water.
Just then, Kaz arrives and compliments him for choosing water. He says that hydration is beneficial and tells Hype that he acted as any cadet or rookie would. Kaz appeals to Hype's shared desire to protect the Colossus. Hype blames him for causing Tam to leave and says that he doesn't blame her now that he has gotten to know him better. Hype says that his antennae are twitching, which means he is upset and tells Kaz to leave. Kaz leaves and greets Torra on the way.
Hype goes to play on an arcade machine. He tells Torra to leave him alone. Torra says that Hype choosing to leave or stay will not change her opinion about him. Torra reassures Hype she is not mad at him but that she is scared of the First Order's pilots, who are coming after everybody on this platform. Hype agrees and likens the First Order to the Empire during his childhood.
Torra says that Hype had a chance to run but he chose to come back. She says that they are stronger together and that she is stronger when Hype is on his wings. When Hype concludes that she still wants him despite him not being a team player, Torra teases him that she would be the best pilot on the platform should he choose to leave.
Returning to the Resurgent Star Destroyer, three black and red X-wing drones are leading several TIE/fo space superiority fighters in a training exercise. On the bridge of the Star Destroyer, Lieutenant Galek informs the cadets that this is a live fire exercise and that there will be no stun guns. The cadet who destroys the most drones will be appointed squad leader. She orders them to begin.
Tam reassures herself that she is capable of succeeding. Tam shoots down the first drone, and Galek awards her the first point, addressing her as Cadet DT-533. She challenges the other pilots to impress her. Over the intercom, Rucklin vows to get a shot. However, Tam beats him to it and cheers.
Commander Pyre remarks that their new recruits are showing great promise. Galek clarifies that DT-533 is performing particularly well. Pyre recalls that she was the volunteer who provided the comlink that led them to the Colossus. He is pleased with Tam's usefulness.
Tam leads the chase for the X-wing drone and taunts Rucklin that she is going for the clean sweep. Rucklin responds that she can try and tries to manuever his starfighter but collides with another and loses control. With Rucklin in danger, Tam breaks formation and flies to his aid. Before Rucklin can crash into the Star Destroyer's hangar, Tam manages to slow down his descent by using her solar collector to guide him upward. The two fly past the command bridge.
After regaining control, Rucklin remarks that she lost her sweet but Tam tells him that she didn't lose him. She remarks that it is almost a fair trade. Pyre remarks that Lieutenant Galek's most promising pupil is quite the hero. Galek is visibly displeased and orders the pilots to return to the hangar because the exercise is complete.
Back on the Colossus, Yeager tells the Aces that they are going to try it again and tells them to split into three pairs: one wing mate and one lead. He tells them to focus on working together as a team because the last pair standing wins. Just then, Hype laughs and asks who is teaming up with him. He rides on top a plane ladder being drawn by R4-G77. Hype boasts that he is back.
The other Aces grumble and Bo asks if he has come back to apologize. Hype is not ready to apologize yet but says he has come back to help them out. Kaz and Torra are glad to see him. Yeager reminds them to get started and assigns Kaz to be Hype's lead. Both Kaz and Hype protest but Yeager ignores their complaints and asks if there is going to be a problem. Hype warns Kaz about what he can do.
Back on the icy moon, the Aces and Kaz fly in formation while Yeager watches them from a higher altitude. He reminds the pilots that they might be what stands between the Colossus and total destruction. He tells them that they have to learn how to get this right. Bucket mutters in Binary.
As the fighters spread out, Kaz tells Hype to follow his lead. Hype grumbles but obliges. As the two fly through ice pillars, Kaz tries to make conversation but Hype tells him to speak only when necessary. Kaz points out they are being ambushed by Torra and Griff and narrowly escape. Torra fires on a pillar, causing debris to drop to the ground and disturb a large creature.
During the pursuit, Hype asks what happened to their friendship. Torra teases him by telling him there are no friends in war. Just then, they are ambushed by a giant flying ray, which chases after them. Torra asks what is that thing. Freya warns Hype that the creature is on his tail. Hype panics and tries in vain to shake off the giant ray.
Kaz says he has got him and switches to laser mode. Kaz blasts the giant flying ray from behind while the other Aces converge. However, Kaz's blasts can't penetrate its tough hide. Griff asks what is that thing made of. Yeager tells everyone to spread out in an attempt to disorientate it.
Hype manages to break free but the giant flying ray traps Yeager, Bucket, and their racer in its claws. Kaz flies after his mentor. Freya asks Kaz what he is supposed to do but Kaz responds that this was not what he was trained for. Torra tries to blast the creature and asks how they can make the giant flying ray let Yeager go. Griff says they can't because they lack the firepower.
As the flying ray scrapes past an ice pinnacle, Hype has an idea. He says that he needs his wingmate. Kaz asks him what is the plan. Hype explains that their target is not going to be the creature but the ice pillars ahead of them. Kaz sees Hype's plan. When Keevil asks him to explain, Torra says that their plan is to topple the ice pillars on top of the flying ray.
Freya and the other Aces agree. Before the flying ray can devour Yeager's racer, Hype tells them to target the ice pillar ahead of them in a simultaneous strike. The ice pillar crashes on top of the giant flying ray, causing it to let Yeager's racer go. Yeager and the other Aces fly to safety and they all cheer at their teamwork. Yeager is pleased and says that this was not what he had in mind for teamwork but that it got the job done. The Aces head home triumphantly.
Back at the Star Destroyer hangar bay, Tam greets Rucklin as he climbs out of his TIE fighter. Rucklin says that he never thought that he would be so happy to see her. Tam tells him not to mock the girl who saved his life. Rucklin says that he has to admit that he wouldn't have done the same. Lieutenant Galek says she shouldn't have.
She tells Tam that her stunt cost her the position of flight leader. Tam is shocked and says that she downed the most drones and helped a fellow pilot. Galek responds that she risked the entire mission by breaking off the attack. She tells Tam that her job was to destroy the enemy and not to rescue lesser pilots who shouldn't have survived on their own merit. She says that Tam embarrassed her in front of Commander Pyre.
Rucklin tries to speak up for Tam but Galek shushes him and says that the First Order is built on the "survival of the fittest." If one pilot can't do their duty and they die serving the First Order, then so be it. The Order becomes stronger by culling the weak. She reminds Tam that it is her job to follow orders. Tam says that she understands her orders before donning her helmet. Rucklin also dons his helmet and walks away.
Back at the Colossus, the Aces, Kaz, Yeager, Neeku, and several bar patrons including Al and Gorrak Wiles celebrate Hype's role in saving Yeager at Aunt Z's Tavern. Hype tries to be humble and says that he only saved Yeager. He says that the creature was no joke and that its teeth was all nasty. He gives credit to his wingmates Torra and Kaz, telling them that they were right that they made a mighty good team together. When he jokes that he could have taken on that creature himself, Torra playfully smacks his knee. Hype says he was kidding.
He welcomes Kazuda Xiono as his newest wingmate and member of the Aces. Hype invites Kaz for a drink and tells him that he is no longer a catastrophe. The two hug with Neeku saying that he makes him so happy. Kazuda hugs Hype in a tight embrace but Hype reminds him to notice his annoyed antennae.