[Tales of] The New Sith Order (Redux)

[Defender_16]

+++

Tyrannic held the center of the Imperial formation pulling back from the failed bombardment. The larger star destroyers did their best to drag disabled Victory destroyers behind them using tractor beams. The Rebel capital ships continued to harry the Imperial capital ship while their starfighters caused havoc. The damaged Vic's, while slowing down the retreat, were acting to draw some fire from the Rebel ships who didn't want to allow the smaller Destroyers to become operational again. In return, the Rebel Vic's were able to use the hulls to stay out of the heaviest Imperial counter fire.

 

A Corellian Corvette that had closed with Tyrannic realised they'd put themselves in too much danger and began to turn. An aft firing turbolaser barrage burned one side of the corvette's hammerhead bow along with the underside turbolaser and a few of the sublight drives. Before she could be hit by more fire it ducked into the Destroyer's engine wash and decelerated, fast falling behind the Imperial formation.

 

An X-wing squadron swept through the Destroyer formation to port of Tyrannic. Tie squadrons made swooping attacks on the group only to fall prey to a mix of Tie craft that were shadowing the X-wing unit. The fighters stayed clear of the Lancer frigates and refused to come too close to the Nebulon B Frigates.

 

Two X-wing's separated from the main unit both showing signs that they were avoiding the attacks from Interceptors before they were even fired.

"Sensors isolate those two X-wings."

 

The display screen showed one to have Green markings and the other to have grey.

"Those have to be Jedi pilots, designate them as priority targets."

"Aye sir."

"Where are our Advanced starfighters?"

"Covering the rear guard of our formation sir."

"Fine, tell the Lancer Frigates to suspend friendly fire protocol if they think they can manage a shot."

 

At Nalgol's direction the Lancer Frigates had already closed to just above the hulls of the Star Destroyers. If the Rebel starfighters wanted to menace the larger ships it would greatly endanger their starfighters.

 

+++

 

Corran and Tyria, the only two force gifted members of the Bothawui Elite squadrons, had spit off from their squadrons to draw the attention of the Imperial squadrons nearby. Someone must have noticed the way they were flying because soon some six squadrons diverted their attention to focus on the two fighters.

 

"Corran it's working!" Shouted Tyria.

"I know it's working, run!" Replied Corran as he lead them down into the thickest concentration of Imperial capital ships, hoping to use them for some cover. A storm of green bolts criss-crossed space not just behind them but all around. If not for the improved speed and maneuverability of the new XJ's even Jedi senses wouldn't have been enough to save them. The pair flashed under the spar of a Nebulon B and then over and around a Carrack. A near miss from the Carrack's Ion cannon fuzzed the sensors on both X-wing's for half a second.

 

"Split up!" Shouted Corran and the two fighters turned away in opposite directions. A Heavy turbolaser bolt split space where they'd just been.

CorSec and Wraith squadrons, along with a few wayward A-wings were doing their best to down the Ties pursuing the two Jedi but it wasn't enough by any measure.

It was time for desperation tactics.

 

Corran dove toward one of the Star Destroyers a Lancer Frigate was protecting. As he came up over the portside edge of the ship the Lancer above opened fire. Skimming the shields and hull of the Destroyer the Lancer didn't seem to care if each miss hit the larger Imperial ship. Through the Force he saw a wall of laser beams forming just ahead of his fighter and wrenched the X-wing into a ninety degree turn. The shield power dropped as ten beams grazed the underside shields.

 

A handful of Interceptors crazy enough to dare the fire from the frigate dove down so the Corellian changed direction again, still skimming the shields, and flashed past the bridge tower, heading back to the main Rebel force. Tyria and the rest of the elite squadrons soon joined up with him, ties still pursuing, and they looped around to join the Gunships at the edges of the Rebel force.

 

+++

 

The Tyrannic's com officer raised his voice. "Sir we have a priority transmission from an oncoming Strike cruiser group. Audio only."

"Put it on." Commanded Nalgol.

 

"Tyrannic, this is Strike Cruiser group Alpha, we're going to try to scrape as many of those Rebels off you as we can."

Nalgol shook his head even as he head the other man.

 

"That's not going to work Alpha, there's just too many of them to pull that off. Come about and decelerate into our formation, that's the best thing you can do for us."

 

"Understood. Should we send our Tie squadrons into that big brawl happening just off your aft?

 

"Negative, keep your ties for close support and to form a screening line.

We need to keep as many Rebels from..." Nalgol looked out ahead and then checked the sensors.

"Alpha decelerate immediately. We have Carrack Cruisers retreating across our course. We've Rebel ships ahead."

 

The Destroyer captain considered the options. He would have to punch through this group of Rebels fast if they were going to survive the ones coming up from behind.

 

+++

 

"What is the delay with bringing our Destroyer line back into the main fight? They're coming in too slowly and not pressing the attack."

Turr Phennir raged at their inability to quickily counter the Rebel attacks but did his best to keep it from his features.

 

"Sir, the Destroyers report that their shields and even some weapons took heavy damage from the Mon Cal Cruiser's Torpedo attack."

 

The General frowned at that news. "Tell them to move in and start fighting their way through the main battle. Our ships that are engaged there won't last much longer without support and the entire bombardment group is going to be cut off if they don't draw some of the Rebel ships back."

 

"Aye sir!"

 

"What have we got left in the main battle?"

 

"Some of the light cruisers and support ships are still hanging on and two of the Destroyers that weren’t damaged in the opening pass have been fighting non stop, but the Rebel cruisers are starting to concentrate on them."

 

"This is going to be close... any word from the Inquisitor?"

 

"None yet sir."

 

068

 

May contain minor spelling and grammatical errors that the spellcheck only made worse. Feeling too tired right now to do any more.

Edited November 3, 2007 by Defender_16

[Paul]

Good post Defender. - Grand Moff Conway

[Defender_16]

Crap!

Realised once I got to work that I hadn't finished my second pass through on certain parts of the post so it may seem a bit unfinished until I can correct it.

 

EDIT: Part I was concerned about has finally been fixed.

[Defender_16]

+++

 

The three Bothan Assault Cruisers and converted freighters pushed back a small pocket of Carrack Cruisers. One of the Star Destroyers caught in the middle of the battle was forced to fall back to the Carrack Cruisers as well. The small Strike Cruiser force approaching the Bombardment force decelerated and came about.

 

"Tyrranic to Destroyers and Strike Cruisers, concentrate fire forward. We're going to plough straight through that Rebel mess. Support ships do what you can to give us more cover."

 

The Star Destroyer's heavy Turbolaser turrets fired off one last volley aft before beginning a slow steady turn to point them forward. Within seconds the group closed to weapons range with the Rebel ships.

"All ships fire at will."

 

Turbolaser bolts flashed out striking the Rebel cruisers and a few lighter ships. The Bothan cruisers broke off their attacks on the light cruisers and Destroyer that had been pushed back putting more power to shields to survive the attacks. The Bothan ships were equipped with generators offering twice the protection of the old Victory Destroyers so they wouldn't go down easily.

 

"Increase speed, we won't be able to buy much time like this."

 

"We don't have the power to maintain weapons and the tractor locks if we increase speed sir."

 

"Redline the reactors if you have to. Find the power somewhere! We have to cut our way through to the command ships."

 

"Sir! Obliterator and Rebel support ships coming in on the flank of our group. They're trying to link up with the planetary forces."

 

+++

 

"Kyp? Kyp come in." Octa had been trying to contact the Jedi ever since she'd felt something strange come through the force focused in their area. She was beginning to suspect it had been focused on Kyp now. She could feel the red crackling anger that he normally gave off whenever he slipped back toward the dark side but it was starting to grow more than normal.

 

Despite it all though the two Jedi pilots continued to burn through Imperial Starfighters, so Octa continued to shadow his movements. A Tie Avenger fired a concussion missile at Kyp's fighter nearly point blank before pulling up. Suddenly the missile acted as if it had bounced off a wall and flew back into the Tie's path, the explosion tearing off a wing array.

 

That wasn't normal. She glanced down the her sensors and realised that they were starting to move towards the other side of the battle now. Towards where the other Jedi pilots were.

 

"Ramis to Horn, come in."

 

"Horn here, go-" Corran's voice cut off as he grunted through a turn tighter than his inertial compensator was designed for. "-ahead."

 

"There's something wrong with Kyp. He's not responding and it feels like he's slipping into some kind of Dark Side trance." Octa glanced back at the sensors again for a moment.

"He's also headed straight for you."

 

+++

 

Corran knew that couldn't be good news. Kyp didn't get along with him that well on the best of days but years ago they had agreed to put their own feelings aside when it came to fighting the Imperials.

 

"Tyra, I'm your wing but try and keep us out of the worst of the fighting for a few seconds I need to try something."

"Gotcha."

 

"Kyp, respond." Corran commed, not really expecting a response.

 

Slipping his fighter slightly in behind Tyra's X-wing, Corran diverted more of his attention to searching out the battlefield with the Force.

The chaotic swirl of death filled more and more of space the farther he pushed his perceptions out until finally he felt the burning blazing comet that was Kyp. It left a path of destruction wherever it went and he could feel it's attention focusing in on him.

 

Near the edges of the Comet was the brightly burning speck that was Octa. Focusing more of his attention in on Kyp, blocking out as much of the battle as possible, he tried to find anything out of the ordinary. Anything besides Kyp turning into a giant engine of destruction that is.

 

He felt his X-wing shake from an explosion nearby, it had to have been a concussion missile, but otherwise ignored it. He tried nudging Kyp through the force but that only seemed to make him even angrier.

Dammit Kyp I'm trying to help you!

Something had to bee feeding Kyp's anger or shielding him enough to prevent others from helping him... perhaps both.

 

Then he noticed it. Like a piece of thread floating in the breeze. As soon as he saw it, it disconnected from the tail of Kyp's comet and started to seemingly burn away like some minor burst of the other man's anger. As it faded however Corran saw that it seemed to pull back toward the Imperial command ships still hovering on the edge of the battle.

 

He moved his focus toward the largest groups of life forms in the battleground. He caught the same thread disappearing just as he looked over the ships. Everything between the two ships was quiet...

Corran opened his eyes and looked over at the sensors, zooming in on the enemy Command ships. In the space between the two Super Star Destroyers was a Mark Two ISD. It's turbolasers fired off a shot towards the Rebels at extreme range.

 

Far from quiet.

 

"Horn to all elite squadrons, designate ISDII... High Order as a priority target. There may be an Imperial Inquisitor on board."

 

+++

 

Halmere withdrew from his trance and quickly shielded himself and as large a space he could manage from detection through the Force. He'd felt someone searching him out but he might have pulled back in time.

 

Nearly five full squadrons of Rebel fighters began to break off their current engagements and fight their way towards the imperial command ships.

 

The Inquisitor swore.

 

069

 

Post Number sixty nine... nothing kinky here folks, move along... move along.

[PsychoInfiltrator]

Gunners, get that superlaser back into position.

[Paul]

Good Post Defender- Grand Moff Conway

[BadSamaritan]

So far, this has been a very even battle. I like how give neither side any real advantage. From the looks of it, this may come down to who wants to give up first, meaning whoever decides that sacraficing their entire fleet is worth the effort of the mission....

 

Bah, rebels gonna win methinks.

[Defender_16]

+++

 

The Venture, ISD Storm Harrow and both MC-90's once again found themselves manoeuvring between the larger Imperial capital ships, space all around them filled with starfighters and freighters.

 

Defiance, finding herself hard pressed, unleashed her second last volley of Torpedoes into the bridge complex of a Destroyer. Secondary explosions ripped through the other ship's portside hull leaving her adrift. The Mon Cal cruiser then rolled to put her failing shields toward the crippled ship, allowing them time to recharge.

 

An explosion rocked the Starboard side of the Galactic Venture and then Booster suddenly found himself getting up off the floor of his bridge.

 

"What just hit us?"

 

"A Turbolaser barrage got through and hit a fuel storage tank in one of our Strike Cruiser hulls. Starboard Landing bays are out of commission."

"Get everyone out and seal it off."

The ship shook violently as another barrage ripped into the same sections already damaged by the explosion.

 

"Shields get something up to cover that."

 

Booster watched the sensors as smaller ships started to draw the attention of the destroyer that had hit them.

 

"Helm, point us at the closest Destroyer in our forward arc, I want to get away from that one that was hitting us."

 

The ship started into a small turn and then began to accelerate. "Destroyer Trident dead ahead." Reported the helmsman.

 

The view screen at long last came online again showing the ship they were heading for. Straight as the Starboard profile of the target destroyer. The Trident fired a broadside into the Venture's bow and the ship shook.

 

"Prepare heavy turrets for forward fire. Helm, when weapons give the all clear bring the bow down."

 

The heavy topside turrets turned to point forward and charged to full power. A second Turbolaser volley hit the forward shields collapsing them.

"Weapons hot."

The helmsman brought the bow down five degrees giving a clear field of fire to the Turrets. The four Heavy Turbolaser turrets and two triple Ion Cannon turrets all fired at once striking the Destroyer's shields. The Venture's bow came back up just the other ship tried to train weapons on the turrets. Return fire struck the armoured bow plate. Whole sheet sections of metal boiled off into space from the laser hits.

 

"Fire the remaining rockets!" Shouted Booster over the scream of metal carrying through the hull.

The forward bay doors dropped open and slightly more than a dozen Heavy Rockets flashed out. One Turbolaser beam aimed for the Rebel capital ship struck one of the missiles but the rest didn't encounter any resistance until they hit shields. The wave of missiles detonated simultaneously, none of them making it through to the hull but pouring all of their damage into the Destroyer's shields. The Starboard shields crumbled away.

 

"Bow shields back online!" Reported operations just before another hit rocked the ship. The same man sighed. "Bow shields down again."

 

The Tie clutch Squadron that had stayed near the Venture began strafing the exposed weapons on the Imperial ship.

 

"Helm, bring us up and over Trident. Operations, put all shield power to Port. After we begin our climb roll us... 50 degrees."

 

Starfighters began pouring laser and Ion cannon shots into the Trident's Heavy turrets. One Clutch dodged the wrong way and was blown apart by a stray Turbolaser bolt. A Tie Interceptor squadron hid from the Venture's quad laser cannons behind their carrier, striking at any Clutch that came near enough.

 

Venture's Bow came up and over the top of the Destroyer, her starboard shields now holding against the weakening return fire. As the Modified super freighter rolled her topside heavy turrets came into line with the other ship's exposed hull. All six turrets fired into the base of Trident's bride tower, Heavy Ion bolts cutting off the ship's command and control. The next barrage cut into the Destroyer's remaining weapons.

 

A converted Sorro Subb Ferryboat caught up to the battle and fired her bow ion cannons into the Destroyer's belly, sparing her laser cannon an Quad laser to chase off the remaining interceptor squadron.

 

Even as the light from the Imperial Destroyer's engines flickered out the ship's Portside weapons continued firing at smaller Rebel ships that were nearby. It took the Venture's gunners another four Turbolaser barrages to drill through the primary power conduits cutting the last power to the ship.

 

A short distance away another Star Destroyer slipped through the Rebel formations, blasting apart a C3 passenger liner. It wasn't the only one to make it through the fighting. Several others either linked up with the Bombardment force survivors cutting their way through, or made it to the relatively safe zone created by the long range guns of the Super Star Destroyers.

 

Booster took a moment to breath, wipe away the sweat on his brow and look at the screens.

"Begin a full restart on all shield generators. Helm, give us a course to intercept any smaller Imp ships then bring us in on the Imperial Bombardment force."

 

The Venture began to turn away from the crippled and drifting Trident.

"And find some of our starfighters in this mess. We're going to need the cover."

 

On the displays one of the Bothan Cruisers and an Imperial class ship both exploded.

 

070

Edited November 3, 2007 by Defender_16

[Paul]

Good post dude. - Grand Moff Conway

[tacoJoemeru]

*crickets*

[Defender_16]

Got some days off! I can do writing! Wooooooo!!!!!

 

 

 

 

+++

 

 

Corran and Tyra flashed through the clouds of tie's and battling starfighters filling space between the heavier capital ships. The Imperials still held the advantage in numbers but the light freighters and blastboats converted with additional laser turrets were keeping things on a roughly equal footing. Behind them, despite all their efforts, Kyp was still closing in.

 

The Wraiths in their slightly faster ties had been able to catch up to the two Jedi while CorSec squadron held off just behind Kyp's position. The other three XJ squadrons were moving to join them just on the edge of torpedo range for the three Imperial command ships.

 

Face's voice came in over the com. "Wraith Leader to Elite units. I'm detecting a strong force of ties protecting the Imperial command ships.

Two squadrons of Defenders and eight of Tie Gauntlets. A mix of the Gauntlets look to have shields. High Order has a small screen of Assault Gunboats."

 

"This is Gold Leader. Suggest we try to save countermeasures for fighting the Defenders and Gauntlets. We've seen those things go missile happy before."

Double clicks came back across the Com from squadron leaders as they acknowledged the suggestion.

 

The Wraiths edged around a lone Star Galleon and began their run in on the larger ships. The remaining squadrons edged into position alongside them seconds later. Kyp still hadn't closed enough to get a solid lock on the lead fighters yet.

 

The newer model Assault Gunboats formed up to slow the incoming assault. Off to the sides the tie squadrons protecting the Super Star Destroyers began to form into attack wings and angle in toward the center. The Gunboats opened fire with lasers and Ion cannons. The X-wings either looped and dodged their fire or took hits to shields then returned their own laser and concussion missile fire. The tough shields on the Imperial craft held up well and only a few exploded.

 

X-wings flashed past still at full throttle. Asyr's voice came over the Com. "Red leader to all X-wings, prepare to fire torpedoes on my mark."

The Bothan had lost the least time dodging the Gunboat fire and would be the first to lock weapons on the Destroyer. "Transmitting telemetry... Double torpedo lock... Fire! Fire! Fire!"

 

A full seventy Proton Torpedoes, all riding blue flames, flew in towards High Order. The ship's Turbolasers had been holding fire, gunnery crews anticipating a missile barrage, and they now opened up on the incoming warheads. Some fifteen or so detonated in ball explosions when they were intercepted by laser fire but the rest hit in a wave. The first thirty or so piled into the shields knocking down the energy defences.

More than twenty Torps ripped into the topside hull of the Destroyer, cratering the hull and tossing debris into space. A secondary explosion lit up the ship's superstructure but failed to cause any more damage. The X-wings quickly closed to laser range and began pounding the weapons on the ship's surface.

 

Corran walked single fire laser bursts up the ship's midline then fired a Torpedo at the bridge. Before the missile could strike the bridge a damaged section or armour plate ripped free of the Destroyer and flew into it's path. The back blast from the explosion blinded sensors for a fraction of a second. The armour plate had been completely blown apart by the torpedo blast. As he started to come about for another pass, more pieces of debris began to lift from the hull.

"Active debris!" someone shouted over the com.

A chunk suddenly turned and flew straight for Corran's fighter. A quad laser burst from one of the Wraith's Defender's blew it into smaller pieces which bounced off his shields.

Tyra cut in front of him, blasting armour pieces as they looped in towards the Destroyer again. "Corran, let me know when to get out of the way. Kyp has nearly caught up."

 

The Corellian could feel the Inquisitor now, starting to use the force to move debris into a swirling storm that would sweep away the rebel fighters if given enough time.

 

He wasn't going to get it.

 

Tyra battered and blasted a path through the growing storm with Corran in just behind her. One large piece sheared through her shields and cleaved off a laser cannon. "Tyra, fire your torpedoes, then break."

 

The other Jedi did as told, firing and pulling away. Once she was clear Corran fired his own torpedoes and reached out towards the enemy force user. Tyra's torpedoes struck debris and exploded. Watching it Corran did his best to copy the image of the dual explosion when another piece of debris swept in towards his missiles. He pushed the image towards and into the other force user's mind with all of the strength he had left.

The debris didn't continue to adjust it's arc and missed the weapons.

 

Both Torps struck the hull where the bridge tower met the Destroyer's main hull.

 

+++

 

Halmere saw the torpedoes detonate but knew that couldn't be right. He shook off the mind trick that had momentarily addled him. He found the bright highly explosive specs that were the target missiles in the force just before they hit the hull.

 

The explosion was close enough to his meditation chambers that little of the shockwave was dampened. He was thrown to the opposite side of the chamber. Unable to get an arm in place soon enough his head struck the wall.

 

+++

 

Kyp came to his senses as he saw a quad burst that had to be his glance off the shields of another X-wing. One of the laser bolts made it through and burned a hole in one of the wings.

 

"Why the hell am I attacking another X-wing?" He wondered allowed.

 

He remembered something about having a conversation with someone, they'd been discussing greater control of the Force and who would know more about it but could remember little else.

 

He keyed his com. "This is Kyp. Sorry, to whoever I just clipped with my lasers."

"Kyp! You're back!" came Octa's voice, at the same time nudging him through the force. "That was Corran you were attacking."

 

"Ok, I'm not too sorry then but what's going on?"

 

"There was an Imperial Inquisitor trying to manipulate you. It looks like we took him out though. Now we've got Advanced Ties coming at us from all directions."

 

Kyp Glanced at his screens and saw Defenders and Gauntlet's everywhere with Super Star Destroyers to either side of them. The huge ships began to open fire with Concussion Missiles and carefully placed Turbolaser shots.

 

"Sithspit!"

 

071

 

 

I wish for the NSO story to continue.

 

Granted but it's all GGMW.

 

Joking, but seriously you guys may interpret these next ones as GGMW. I'm hoping ti finish this up ASAP and then get back to Dorja again.

[Paul]

Even if its GGMW it is good writing dude. - Grand Moff Conway

[Defender_16]

(Image from Warlords Mod.)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h293/Defender_16/Destroyers.jpg

+++

 

Kre'fey hauled himself upright then braced against a console as the Ralroost was hit by yet another burst of Turbolaser fire. One of the bridge officers used an emergency extinguisher on some paneling that had caught fire. The floor lurched under him with another hit as the Admiral made his way back to the holo display. He looked at the display just in time to see the nearly two wings of advanced Ties crash into the X-wing's battling in between the enemy command ships.

 

"Com, get Voyager and Defiance to pair up and start slugging the SSD farthest away from the planet. I want ships supporting them. When they get within range they're to overlap shields. Designate that ship a priority target for any fighter with remaining missiles. After that tell Nunb to accelerate. She's got to overtake those Destroyers soon."

 

One last powerful hit rocked the ship and then the number of hits Ralroost was taking diminished.

"Turbolasers four and ten have been hit!"

 

"What's drawing the Imperial fire?"

Kre'fey panned the holo display around until he caught sight of the Venture angling to cut across their bow. The Smuggler warship had taken some heavy hits and her bow was a mass of melted Durasteel. She changed her angle of attack slightly enough to allow her heavy turrets to fire and then resumed course after firing.

A determined squadron of Tie Bombers was trying to make torpedo runs against her heavy guns but were kept away by a dozen T-wings.

 

"Helm bring us alongside Venture as she starts to cross our current course."

 

Aril Nunb's Victory Destroyer force tried yet again to get past the disabled ships under tow and attack the Imperial bombardment force. After a few shots against the aft shields of the larger ships, the Strike cruisers that had been escorting them dropped back to confront the Rebels.

 

"Those Strike Cruisers don't stand a chance but it's going to buy time for the Destroyers that are running."

Another Imperial Destroyer not part of the Bombardment group changed course to help cut off the three Rebel Vic's.

"Damn."

 

Ralroost began her turn to come along side Galactic Venture then. The two of them headed for more of the heavy ships that had formed up on the flanks of the bombardment group. Slightly above, the already damaged Obliterator continued to trade broadsides with the other ships. If it hadn't been for the light freighters weaving in and out of the heaviest fighting the Rebel fleet would have long been defeated.

 

A pair of A-wings flashed past Ralroost's bridge and into the huge Tie melee still taking place. Ralroost and Venture joined up with Obliterator in the slugging match.

 

+++

 

Phennir shook his head as he looked over the displays. "Com, tell the Destroyer Captains not part of the bombardment force to use their own discretion. It's nearly impossible to tell what's going on in that mess."

 

The General looked out the forward viewport and watched the expanding starfighter battle between the elite units of both sides. The Inquisitor appeared to be dead through no fault but his own. Now it was up to him to deal with the Rebels. "If only it wasn't for those blasted Jedi pilots I might take my own personal fighter out." he muttered.

 

Out in space several of the X-wings came about and fired Torpedoes at nearly the exact same time. The blue tailed weapons streaked in at the bow of his ship.

The sensors officer's head snapped up. "Incoming Torps, thirty plus!"

"Brace." Phennir said calmly but loudly as he grabbed hand hold. The impacts shook the bridge slightly even five kilometres away, but failed to penetrate the shields.

The X-wings had resumed their fight against the Ties as soon as their Torpedoes were away.

 

"They can't have many more torpedoes left. Activate Tractor beams, see if you can get a lock on any of the Jedi pilots. Don't drag them aboard, just hold them so the Turbolasers can hit them."

 

"Aye sir," responded the tractor officer.

Sensors spoke up next. "Sir, the Mon Cal Heavy Cruisers are accelerating towards our position."

 

"Weapons, destroy those bothersome ships."

"They're coming on from dead ahead sir, we can only bring a fraction of our weapons to bear." explained the weapons officer.

Sensors also spoke up. "Sir the two ships are starting to move in concert. They're overlapping forward shields."

 

"No, no, no."

 

Turbolaser fire glanced off of the heavy overlapping shields of the two Mon Cal Cruisers. A group of smaller support ships clustered around their aft, protecting them while all of their shields were pointed forward.

Small numbers of modified Z-95's and Tie Clutch were starting to take up positions supporting the ships. The heavy ship pair began their barrage then added their last Torpedo salvo to it after a few seconds.

 

"Incoming Torpedo barrage."

 

"Emergency power to forward shields!"

 

The warheads struck the already weekend shields, the explosions lighting up the bow in silhouette. The bridge shook though not as violently as the General might have imagined. The display screen lit up showing red for the forward shields and parts of the starboard.

 

Turr Phennir had to shout to be heard over damage reports coming in from the bow sections. "Helm, hard to starboard. Com, get Anguish to come across and cover our flank while we re-establish shields."

 

"Incoming Torpedoes from the other X-wings... It's an indirect spread, not specifically targeting anything."

 

The bridge shook more violently as missiles struck the shields much closer to the ship's command center.

 

072

Edited November 3, 2007 by Defender_16

[PsychoInfiltrator]

Uh oh...

[Paul]

Good post Defender. Though I dislike the direction this is heading, lol - Grand Moff Conway

[Defender_16]

No spell check available at this time. Will correct later tonight.

 

+++

 

Four Jedi pilots working in concert cut a path through the Imperial fighters and toward the Imperial Command ship. The Rebel Elite squadrons were taking losses fighting the Imperial advanced ties but it seemed that most of the pilots on both sides were spending more time dodging than killing.

 

Corran, out of torpedoes and missiles began transmitting missile lock data to other Rebel ships and fighters. A handfull of A-wings and some EZ-95 Uglies fired their last concussion missiles from maximum range. The missiles hit the starboard shields of the damaged Super Star Destroyer as it began it's turn. Meanwhile the Corvette Flight Stream edged toward the outer sections of the battle and began to launch it's heavy rockets.

 

+++

 

Blade of the Empire was finally far enough into her turn that the portside batteries had a clear field of fire. The deck plating under turr Phennir's feet vibrated slightly as every weapon emplacement on the port side of his ship fired simultaniously. The barrage struck the re-enforced shields that the Mon Cal cruisers were putting up, turning the energy defenses a bright green. The MC-90's ceased firing their turbolasers for a few heartbeats as they sent more power to shore up the shields.

 

"Weapons, use the concussion missile batteries to keep the starfighters away if you can."

The General looked over the displays. Things were looking pooly.

While the Imperial fleet had still lost very few Destroyers, most of the smaller support ships were drifting hulks. Except for a few places anti-starfighter cover was drying up and would soon leave more ships vulnerable. The converted freighters were concentrating their attention on the mainstay of the Imperial fleet, but almost a third of the Rebel fighters were starting to break free of the starfighter duels that had held them since the opening shots. Something on the order of five squadrons of Rebel starfighters were already making their way toward the command ships.

 

Anguish was starting to move in to cover his ship's flank but he knew it would still take a few minutes. The bridge shook from new impacts as explosions blossomed on the Port side shields.

"Report on those explosions." He asked as the portside guns fired again.

 

"Heavy missiles sir. They're being launched from a corvette on the far side of the battle. We don't have anything free in that area to attack it."

 

The bridge shook as more missile and turbolaser fire struck the Port side.

"Increase power to the portside shields and try to repair the forward ones."

 

A pair of X-wings flashed past above the bridge, continuiously firing into the Dorsal shields. A flight of A-wings streaked in from near the Mon Cal cruisers using turbolaser fire for cover, also firing non-stop.

 

"Flight Control, where is our starfighter cover?"

 

"They're too heavily engaged with the Rebel Elite squadrons sir."

 

Another rocket exploded and the portside shield indicator went from green to yellow. The Forward shields still wern't up yet. Some of the Turbolasers were attempting to track the Rebel fighters that the Missiles couldn't hit instead of concentrating on the captial ships. The two Mon Cal Heavies at last dragged enough power out of their reactors to fire another full turbolaser volley.

 

His command ship was being endangered, and the Imperial forcces needed to regroup, repair and reequip with starfighters.

"Com... issue orders to withdraw from battle."

 

"...Sir?" Asked the Com officer?

 

Phennir lifted his comlink to his lips and triggered it.

 

"This is General Turr Phennir. All Imperial capital ships and vehicles are to make best possible speed to rally point Delta and prepare to jump to hyperspace. Blade and Anguish will cover the rear guard action. All available Droid fighters remaining will immediately begin screening actions for both SSD's."

 

The general lowered his com and went back to watching the battle through the viewports.

"This is just a temporary setback. I mean to keep it that way."

 

Out in space some four full squadrons of rebel fighters broke upon the ship's port side like a wave.

 

+++

 

Captain Nalgol heard the order but didn't want to believe it. He'd already fled from the system once before and now again?!

 

"Helm what's currently our best possible speed to Rally point Delta?"

 

The Helmsman looked up from the crewpit.

 

"Fifteen minutes sir if we continue towing."

 

The sensors officer looked up. "Dreadnaughts launching from the planet's surface."

 

"We'll be left behind if we try to bring the Vic's along any farther."

Nalgon looked over the sensor screens at some of the Rebel ships still taking cover behind the towed ships.

 

"Com issue orders to those Destroyers with Vic's under tow. Reverse beams and push the Vic's back at the rebels hiding behind them. That should buy us time to get away."

 

+++

 

Kre'fey was watching the sensor screens when the Disabled Victory Destroyers suddenly began to reverse direction.

"What are they... oh no." He lifted his comlink. "Kre'fey to bombardment persuit ships, begin emergency maneuvers. Change course to avoid the Victory Destroyers!"

 

A corvette and a modular transport were both too slow to get out of the way and were crushed by the drive sections of the Victory Destroyers. The atmosphereic stabilizers on Arril Nunb's ship caught and were torn completely away when they scraped against the gunwells on a Vic's Starboard side. Nunb's wounded Destroyer spun, nearly out of control, and fired a broadside into the aft shields of the fleeing Imperial Destroyers.

 

"Sir." Called the Ralroost's sensor operator. "All Imperial ships are making best possible speed for a point just past their command ships. They've ceased all towing operations."

 

"What are their starfighters doing?"

 

"Enemy droid starfighters remaining are converging on their command ship, all others are taking up escort roles for the Destroyers."

 

"Good. All available ships, concentrate fire on the Super Star Destroyers, they'll take longer to jump away."

 

+++

 

Phennir watched the sensor screens as the confused melee became an equally confused attempt by both sides to score parting hits. The remaining I-7 Howlrunners and droidfighters swept past the bridge and engaged the growing numbers of Rebel fighters attacking his ship.

 

Anguish had at last closed enough to intercept fire from the Mon Cal cruisers. The two ships were now putting out very little fire but they did act as a point for more arriving Rebel ships to rally arround. Smaller Rebel gunboats and fighters were starting to strafe the other SSD as they made for Blade.

 

The Bow shields were still down and some of the Turbolaser turrets were beginning to take hits. It was a miracle that none of the Rebel starfighters had gotten under the shields. Not long after he though that, Phennir spotted an A-wing speeding towards the bridge just above hull level but below the shields.

 

"Increase power to bridge deflectors!"

"A-aye sir!"

 

A pair of X-wings chose that moment to finish blasting apart one of the sensor domes above the bridge. The resulting explosion dropped the bridge shields by more than half. The A-wing fired a pair of concussion missiles and pulled out, but before it could strike the outer layer of transparisteel the warheads impacted the still operating shields.

 

The shield indicator for the bridge continued to flicker for a moment then came back up to full.

 

"Operations, status of the shields."

 

"We had to drop power for the port and starboard shields to save the bridge but we should have those back up at about half power in a minute sir."

 

"Good job. Now let's get this fleet out of here before the Rebels really decide they want us to stay."

 

073

Edited November 3, 2007 by Defender_16

[tacoJoemeru]

*mumbles* Stupid Rebels.... Nice story Def.

[Paul]

Great writing Defender, but I dislike the rebels winning lol. - Grand Moff Conway

[Defender_16]

+++

 

Galactic Venture fired her heavy turrets one last time before the Imperial class Star Destroyers could get out of range. The burned remains of destroyed hull plate still drifted away from the Smuggler Warship, even though she was no longer taking hits. The Tie Bomber squadron that had been harassing the ship had gotten a few torpedoes through and damaged one of the turrets.

 

The old Corellian picked up his comlink.

"Booster to Kre`fey, we can`t get enough speed up to stay with you."

 

The Bothan's voice came back with barely a moment's delay. "Don't bother Booster, we're going to have to break off persuit before they jump. If you have any Tractor beams left help get those enemy Vic's under tow. I don't want them falling out of orbit."

 

"We've got enough to do some work still. I'll have my remaining fighters pile into that mess the Imperials call a fleet. Booster out."

 

Booster looked over to his starfighter co-ordinator. "Well, what are you waiting for? I want our people to get in some parting shots."

 

+++

 

An old style Tie Starfighter with rebel markings trailed flame as it plunged down into the shields of the SSD Anguish. Face snapped off a shot at the Interceptor that had hit the Rebel fighter but it dodged at the last second.

Elassar Targon, flying a Tie Hunter blew through the Interceptor then linked up with Wraith leader.

"Eleven here, it looks like the advanced ties are grouping near the landing bays."

 

"That makes sense." responded Face. "Not all of their advanced fighters will be equipped with hyperdrives."

 

A pair of XJ's with gold squadron markings came streaking arround the edge of the Destroyer with a flight of Tie Defenders in persuit.

 

"This is gold leader, could use some help."

 

Face checked his screens then issued orders. "Wraiths three, and five make for Gold Leader's position. Eleven, you're with me."

 

As the four rebel ties closed on the X-wing pair the Defenders launched their remaining missiles. Peshk still had enough countermeasures left over to protect his fighter but his wingman didn't. Three concussion missiles blew through shields and the aft fuselage exploded.

 

Before the Wraiths could close to Weapons range the Defenders turned and fled back toward the landing bays. Not all of the Wraiths fighters were fast enough to keep up and if they did persue they'd find a squadron or more of Tie Gauntlets waiting for them.

 

"Don't persue. Form on Gold Leader."

 

The Five fighters flew out to a safe distance from the SSD while ignoring the turbolaser fire then linked up with a mixed fighter force preparing to strafe the same ship.

 

All the while, Imperial class Star Destroyers overtook the two larger command ships and began jumping to hyperspace. The mixed fighter force encountered some droid starfighters before they made their pass but otherwise encountered little resistance.

 

Lasers and even some missiles impacted the still whole shields on Anguish as the fighter group attempted to hit the bridge tower. The rebel fighters were preparing for a second pass when the SSD jumped to hyperspace. A trio of Star Destroyers jumped a moment later leaving less than a handfull of still operational ships behind.

 

The last ship, a damaged Nebulon B frigate, exploded not long after when a converted passenger liner fired on it's damaged sublight drives.

 

For a minute or two there was nearly complete com silence as the last few droid fighters and manned ties were shot down.

 

An exhausted sounding voice came over the com not long after.

"This is Admiral Kre'fey to all rebel ships... begin recovery operations."

 

074

 

Ok! I might made the ending a bit more entertaining but I decided it was time to end the darn battle and get it over with.

Spelling checker still not installed on Vista machine yet so let me know if post contain any major errors so I can fix them.

Edited November 3, 2007 by Defender_16

[Paul]

Good post Defemder. I am still sick so someone else will have to spell check. - Grand Moff Conway

[Defender_16]

Just a short piece so far.

 

 

+++

 

Blade of the Empire and her sister ship Anguish reverted to realspace a safe distance outside of Bothan Space. Turr Phennir turned from the viewports to face his bridge crew. Most looked away to other tasks as he turned.

"Navigator, plot a course for the nearest Imperial held sector capital. Communications, I want reports on what of our forces are left and then transmit the co-ordinates that the navigator will supply you with."

 

The General's aid walked over with a datapad. "The Damage reports sir."

"Unless any of them concern the Hyperdrives I'll look over them later. We need to organise our starfighter squadrons. Once we're back in command of a resupplied fleet I want to begin staging starfighter raids against the Rebels."

 

The Destroyer began it's run up to hyperspace and the General paused to allow the distracting lightshow time to finish.

 

"Sir, staging starfighter raids against the Rebel positions will require large numbers of advanced Starfighters. I'm not certain we can requisition that many."

 

Phennir nodded. "We'll use a few of the Destroyers and Carriers to jump in and deploy a squadron or two of starfighters in diffrient places where hyperdrive equipped models arn't available. Mostly I intend to use these new Tie Gauntlet starfighters. They can carry a hyperdrive and any number of weapons based on mission and by themselves are cheaper than Tie Bombers."

 

The Aid called up the new information on number of remaining squadrons. "We do have some newer model Tie Bombers left over sir. Their shields were strong enough to see them through the worst of the fighting."

 

"This could work." Phennir decided at length. "The only real problem we'll have is dealing with the Sector moff upon our arrival."

 

His Aid looked over. "We have two Super Star Destroyers sir. In a worse case scenario we could threaten his capital with bombardment if he doesn't supply us."

 

Phennir laughed.

 

075

Edited November 3, 2007 by Defender_16

[Paul]

Defender good post, I like it. - Grand Moff Conway

[DarthTex]

(** chirp, chirp **) ....

 

 

 

(** chirp, chirp **) ....

 

 

 

** cough **

 

 

 

Hello? ... Hello? ... Hello? ... Hello? ... Hello?

 

 

 

 

 

 

(** chirp, chirp **) ....

[tacoJoemeru]

In space.

 

No one can hear you scream.

[Defender_16]

Jag Fel Looked out the viewports from the crew support sections of the Leviathan class mobile manufacturing base. The Ardent was nearly finished repairs after close to three weeks and the starfighter squadrons had nearly been rebuilt. He'd spent most of those weeks training new pilots about fighting Vong and was confident that some of his pilots would make it through their first engagement.

 

The Fleet that Admiral Dorja had been given command of had arrived three days earlier, nearly doubling his training schedule. At the moment though he was waiting for the Admiral to arrive for a briefing along with several other officers. Wing Commanders and Captains from the other Destroyers and ships were present, crammed into the slightly too small briefing room.

 

The doors hissed open and Admiral Dorja swept into the room at a speed normally reserved for younger men.

 

"Let's get straight down to it Gentlemen. The Emperor has just declared that the Empire is in a state of full scale war. Widespread Conscription has not yet been implemented but all reserves are being mobilized and fleet assets brought to full operational status."

The admiral sat heavily in his chair at the head of the table.

"Rebellious elements have taken full advantage of the situation and -in combination with this new alien menace- we are in danger of losing the entire Outer Rim Territories."

 

Dorja pulled out his datapad and uploaded files to the holoprojector built into the table.

 

"We're parked out here as part of a first stage plan to flank the enemy invasion. We'll be proceeding down the Hydian Way and setting up interdictor checkpoints here, here and here." He pointed to a spot on the map as each lit up.

 

"Once the checkpoints are in place the remaining ships will proceed to the Corporate sector to investigate the positions there. Hopefully we'll be able to rally any Imperial assets in the sector. Once that is completed we'll escort any Imperial citizens back to the Mid rim. Any questions?"

 

The captain of one of the interdictors raised a hand. "Sir will the ships interdicting the Hydian Way have enough support to survive an attack by the aliens with the number of ships present?"

 

"Additional fleet resources are already on their way out from the core regions. More ships will be assigned to protect each checkpoint as they arrive. Make no mistake, these checkpoints are vital to the evacuation of whole civilian populations from the invasion corridor. Admiral Burgan's fleet is at this moment scouring the edges of the Invasion zone and pulling civilians out."

 

There were no other questions but he felt that he'd give the Drag-ship drivers a little bit of hope.

"While we're here I wanted to confirm a rumour that Rancor Fleet Base is back at full operational status. Iron Fist should be starting patrols in the surrounding areas within with the next few weeks. No, I can't confirm at this time weather Zsinj has come out of retirement. He has made available to us several contacts in the Corporate Sector that can provide us with information once we get there."

 

Everyone seemed satisfied with the news so Dorja decided to finish things up so they could get back to work.

 

“We’re moving out at 1300 hours tomorrow. Everyone is dismissed. Get to work.â€

Edited November 5, 2007 by Defender_16