Derylon System
Obi-Wan stood with Admiral Yularen on the bridge of the Vigilance at the edge of the Derylon system. The system was quiet, which was unusual considering the fact that most of the time there was heavy star traffic going through here. General Vork had put a temporary halt to that, but Obi-Wan intended to rectify that.
"Do we have anything regarding the Derylon security fleet?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Nothing at the moment, sir." One of the clone deck officers replied. "I'll update you as soon as we have anything."
"Thank you." Obi-Wan turned back to the viewport, stroking his beard as he usually would. "The security fleet would be a much needed addition to our fleet, not to mention whatever marine forces they have on board."
"Agreed, sir, it's just a matter of finding them." Yularen said.
"Lieutenant, what signatures are you looking for?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Uh, thermal signatures, coolant, that sort of thing." The lieutenant replied.
"Check for gravitonic anomalies. "The lieutenant looked confused. "Artificial gravity, lieutenant."
"Oh, right away, sir." A few taps on a keyboard later… "Oh, got something sir! Twelve gravity readings quarter way across the system."
"Shall I reposition the fleet closer to them?" Yularen asked.
"No, that would draw attention. I'll fly over in my interceptor and make contact with them myself. Make sure it's ready when I get down there." Obi-Wan said. He turned and left the bridge. The turbolift ride allowed him to think about when he would make contact with the fleet, which was going to be problematic. If he tried communications, Vork might pick it up and move in on the fleet's position, which would force not only the security fleet into the open, but the Republic fleet as well. As the turbolift came to a halt, Obi-Wan contacted Yularen. "Admiral, as soon as I leave the ship, assume radio silence. I don't want Vork to pick up on the fact that we're here."
"Understood, sir. Best of luck." Yularen replied. A clone ran up to Obi-Wan.
"Sir, your interceptor is ready." He said.
"Excellent, is R4 ready to go?" Obi-Wan asked. On que, a cheerful chirp from the Eta-2 Actis light interceptor. Obi-Wan smiled at the astromech. "Ready for work, R4?" R4 replied with a series of excited bleeps. Obi-Wan climbed into the interceptor and shut the hatch. "Do me a favor and run quiet until we get to the security fleet." R4 gave an affirmative beep. "I knew you'd be alright with it. Now, let's go to it." Obi-Wan activated the interceptor and took off. As he did so, the hanger control deck opened the ventral hanger doors. Obi-Wan lifted the interceptor through open doors and in to empty space. "Alright, R4, go silent." In response, R4 chirped once, and his lights went dim. Obi-Wan flew through the depths of space keeping one eye on his route to the fleet, and one eye in the direction of General Vork's fleet. To pass the time, Obi-Wan recalled the dossier he had been given on Vork.
Vork was born on Serrano, the homeworld of Count Dooku. He was born into the nobility and became friends with Dooku before his departure to the Jedi Order. When Dooku returned and formed the Confederacy of the Independent Systems, Vork joined him. According to the dossier, he was a master tactician in both space and on the ground. He was known to use brutal tactics, such as the ones employed by Wat Tambor on Ryloth with the use of the Twi'lek shields. Vork was no stranger to retreat, however, but he always left something behind that prevented his capture. While no such thing had occurred when he fled from CIS custody, Obi-Wan had no doubt that there was something that Vork had in store for him.
Obi-Wan snapped out of his thoughts as he approached the coordinates of the security fleet. He approached from the edge of the system, facing towards the sun so he could faintly see the silhouettes of the ships. They were all there, ten modified Corellian corvettes and two Interceptor IV frigates. Obi-Wan approached one of the two frigates and flashed his lights at the it. Then he waited. A moment later, and light flashed from the opposite frigate. Obi-Wan maneuvered the interceptor over to the opposite frigate. When he approached, a small hanger on the side of the ship opened. Obi-Wan slowly flew the ship into the frigate's small hanger and landed. It was a cramped hanger, with shuttles packed together like cattle in a pen, but the interceptor fit easily into the space provided. R4 powered back up as Obi-Wan opened the cockpit and popped out. Obi-Wan stepped out of the interceptor and as he did so, two squads of security forces stepped out from a pair of shuttles.
"Freeze! Hands in the air!" Their leader ordered. Obi-Wan sighed and put his hands in the air.
"You have no need to be afraid gentlemen, I'm your reinforcements." Obi-Wan said. The leader cocked his head. "I am Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi." The security forces visibly relaxed.
"Apologies, Master Kenobi. Lieutenant Jarvi Lors, Derylon Security Forces. Our commander will want to see you, please follow me." Lieutenant Lors turned on his heels and began to march out of the hanger. Obi-Wan and the rest of the security forces followed. The Interceptor-IV's hallways were dimly lit with dull yellow lights that gave the ship's hallways are foreboding atmosphere, making Obi-Wan feel somewhat unwelcome. When they came to a bank of turbolifts, Jarvi motioned for a trio to accompany them into the turbolift, dismissing the rest.
"Good group of soldiers you have." Obi-Wan commented.
"The planetary governor ensured that the security forces trained until we collapsed." Jarvi said. "I'd bet we could fight with the best of clone forces." Obi-Wan chuckled.
"Well, I hope that we can use your support in retaking the planet." Obi-Wan said. The turbolift came to a halt and the five stepped out of the lift. The hallway to the bridge was heavily guarded by guards and turrets, giving the impression that the Derylonites were always expecting an attack by the Separatists.
"Starry skies." One of the guards called out.
"Moonlight nights." Jarvi replied. The guard nodded and opened the door to the bridge, allowing Obi-Wan through.
"Thank you for the escort, Lieutenant." Obi-Wan said as the doors closed. He turned and faced the bridge. It was shaped like a trapezoid and had three descending levels, each filled with terminal stations with officers at each of them. At the center was a large seat with numerous terminals around it. The chair swiveled to reveal a female Cathar in a uniform laden heavily with medals.
"Master Kenobi, I am Commander Ruhr Hulav of the Derylon Security Fleet, welcome aboard." The Cathar said, rising nimbly to meet the Jedi, extending her right hand.
"A pleasure, commander." Obi-Wan replied, the outstretched hand. "Excellent work keeping your fleet concealed from General Vork." Hulav chuckled.
"It was not easy at first, but the droid fighter's search patterns became painfully easy to avoid them." She said modestly.
"And that is why we have the advantage over the droids. Speaking of which, I believe it is time to get rid of your unwanted guests." Obi-Wan said. Hulav nodded.
"Indeed, what is your fleet composition? As you can see our fleet is meant for pirates and the occasional raider, not a full Separatist war fleet."
"We have five Venators and six Acclamators, and with your two Interceptor IV frigates, that evens us out to at least a thirteen on eighteen fight. Your modified Corellian corvettes might help bolster our odds. What are the capabilities of your missile corvettes?" Obi-Wan asked.
"The missile corvettes essentially serve as snipers; they hang back at a distance and fire at the enemy. The missiles ignore shields and go straight for the ship." Hulav explained.
"Really?" Obi-Wan asked, surprised. "I wasn't aware of that missiles of that caliber were in existence." Hulav's eyes darted to the side.
"Well…let's just say the governor had…friends in the underworld at some point." She said. Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow.
"Perhaps you could give us the names of some of these friends of the governor, the Republic could use some of this weaponry." Obi-Wan said. Hulav nodded.
"Do you have a plan?" She asked. Obi-Wan stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"I will use my forces to draw out the enemy fleet and commit them to a big fight. Once that happens, come around the rear of the enemy fleet and attack. General Vork will have some way of escaping planed ahead, so target the ships' engines so I can take him into Republic custody."
"What happens if Vork doesn't totally commit his forces, if he holds some of his fleet back?" Hulav asked. Again, Obi-Wan thought.
"If that occurs, use your missile corvettes to cripple them and ensure they cannot enter the battle or escape. If Vork somehow escapes I want the rest of his fleet destroyed so they cannot be used against us again." Obi-Wan said. Hulav nodded. "Might I ask, how have the turbolasers on those corvettes been modified?"
"They were modified to combat small craft, such as fighter and bomber craft." Hulav said.
"Your governor is quite invested in your planet's safety." Obi-Wan observed.
"We're a hub for merchants and travelers, which makes us a target for pirates. Governor Lascren wanted the best possible for our defense, so he got what he could." Hulav replied. "Well, we have our plan for taking the fleet out."
"Indeed, I believe I'd better get back to my fleet. Begin repositioning your fleet to flank Vork, and contact me once you're in position. We will begin our assault then."
"Understood, may the Force be with you, Master Jedi." Hulav said.
"To you as well, Commander Hulav." Obi-Wan replied. He and left the bridge. As he made his way down to the hanger, the security soldiers parted way for him and saluted. He nodded to them as he passed. When he returned to the hanger, R4 sat waiting for him. "Ready, R4?" The astromech chirped a happy response and jumped back onto his slot on the interceptor. Obi-Wan climbed back into the cockpit, started the interceptor, and took flight.
On the Vigilance
Barracks
Commander Cody lay on his bunk with a datapad in his hands, analyzing the structure of a standard CIS concentration camp. There had been very few operations during the Clone Wars that Republic forces had ever had to breach a concentration camp, as the droids were programed to take no prisoners unless instructed otherwise. Of those operations, Cody had not been on a single one, nor did he know any fellow clones who had been. So here he lay, learning the technical redoubts of the camps. The barracks was currently inhabited by only a few clones, all of which were located far away from Cody's bunk, thankfully. As Cody read, Commander Prizefighter approached.
"Whatcha got there?" Prizefighter asked, his bunk was next to Cody's, and he sat down on it.
"Data on the concentration camps we'll have to be taking." Cody replied, placing the datapad on his chest and looking at Prizefighter.
"How does it look?" Prizefighter asked.
"Standard droid firebase, only enlarged, and the commander center is in the center of base, surrounded by the housing for the prisoners." Cody said, sliding the datapad off his chest and sitting up with his legs over the side of the bunk. Prizefighter sighed.
"Which means I'm outta the picture. General Kenobi won't let me near those camps with my boys." He said gloomily.
"Why do you say that?" Cody asked. Prizefighter thought for a moment before replying.
"If I were in a tool shed, I'd be the big sledgehammer the worker would use to break things. I'm meant to break enemy lines and destroy them, not rescue prisoners." He said finally.
"If things go well enough in orbit, we won't have to do our job on the ground." Cody said. Prizefighter scoffed.
"You never fought General Vork, did you?" He asked. Cody shook his head. "I did once, when I was a captain in the 83rd. I was working with Jedi General Shaak Ti at the time to break the Seps at Rhen Var, a giant frozen ice ball of a planet. Vork was dug in deep and we teamed up with the 14th Infantry to dig them out. We had the bastard on the ropes when he contacted General Ti and told her that he had the mountain range the 14th was in set to blow if we didn't let him go. The catch to letting the general go was the remaining droid army of Rhen Var was still active, so we had to fight there for another three months to fully rid the planet of droids." Prizefighter looked at Cody. "What I'm willing to bet is that we'll beat the living hell out of them here in orbit, and Vork is gonna threaten the concentration camps on the planet if we don't let him leave. He leaves, but the droids on the planet stay, most likely around the camps, forcing us to fight them instead of pursuing him." Prizefighter's face was grim and dark.
"Does the general know about your previous experience?" Cody asked. Prizefighter shrugged.
"I'm assuming he does, either the Jedi Council told him or he read it in my file, why?" He asked. Cody took a glance around him before answering.
"Because he told me to keep you alive." Prizefighter cocked his head with a confused look on his face. "He didn't say why, but it seemed off about him. He's never shown particular interest in a single clone before."
"I wouldn't know why. Did you have any idea?" Cody thought for a moment.
"Did you hear what happened to the Jedi after the chancellor died?" Cody asked.
"They all got a massive headache from whatever the chancellor released when he died." Prizefighter replied.
"The general was in hospital for two days after that. When he woke up, it was as if he had a nightmare the whole time. He Force blasted the doc bot and the window behind it. He said something to General Skywalker about a vision or something before they left." Cody said. Prizefighter scratched his head.
"I don't know why I'd be in a vision of a Jedi's, I'm just a clone, nothing special." He said. "Did he say anything else?"
"Only that there would be war with Seps again." Cody said.
"Even with the peace?"
"Even with the peace." Prizefighter scratched his chin.
"Well, don't worry about me too much, Cody. I can take care of myself in a fight." He said, cracking his knuckles. Cody nodded as the intercom blared.
"General quarters, all hands, man your battle stations!" It said. Alarm klaxons began to screeched as crew men and clones scrambled for their posts. Prizefighter smiled.
"And now the fight begins."
