Need help with the Talonbane Cobra in newbie area.Follow

I've been doing the Pilot missions in the newbie space station. However, I'm currently tasked with blowing up some Talonbane Cobra guy. I lure him out, destroy his four friends, and then he arrives on the scene. I spent about 15 minutes chasing him around, but to no avail. I'm not a professional game-player or anything...there's no way I can kill this guy. He regenerates his shield way too fast for my firing rate - I can't reliably hit him because he's fast and because space is a lagfest. My weapons are also weak, but I don't know where to find better ones. I'm in no danger of dying, he just despawns if I take too long. It's frustrating...like trying to shoot down a 747 with a slingshot. Does anyone know what I can do to beat this guy?