Written in the Stars
Chapter 10: The Second Great War
Jaina was mediating to calm herself and find her center. She learn most of this under her Aunt Mara Jade, but Harry was proving to be a better teacher. He not only taught her the principles of mediation but its true purpose. It was to find her own center.
The Empire moved its capital to Mandalore. Boba Fett was challenge to a duel by the Emperor and he lost. It was there Jaina met perhaps one of her first real friends that wasn't through her parents.
Mirta Gev, Boba Fett's granddaughter. The two hit the relationship off immediately and found they had many things in common. To say Harry won the hearts of the Mandlorian people would be an understatement. They now chanted his name and worship him like he was their god.
Jaina and Mirta would often be found sparing each other. Neither one was truly able to best the other.
"Still mediating." Mirta said as she stood by the doorway.
"One should always be at their center before rushing into anything." Jaina says as she opens her eyes and stares at her best friend.
"I'm not arguing with you, but I'm not the type who can do that."
"No, you're not." Jaina said as she stands up and looks at her. "What is it?"
"You're boyfriend wants to see you." Mirta said.
Jaina raised an eyebrow. She gets up and walks out the room with Mirta on her heels.
"What's wrong Harry?" Jaina asks as she walks up to him.
"The Republic is moving like we thought they would. They are mobilizing." Harry replies.
Jaina looks at the holo-map and could see some New Republic warships gathering up near Anaxes.
"Anaxes will not be an easy planet to attack my lord." Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon said. "It's known as the Fortress of the Core."
"They are moving their fleet there to give themselves a moral boost. They are unsure if they can face the Imperial Fleet and win." Harry replies.
"It seems they are being led by Admiral Ackbar." Jaina replied.
"You sure?" Harry asks.
"I know his formation, I have studied it many times." Jaina answers.
"Admiral Ackbar, he was a formidable foe in the last war. He was partly responsible for the fall of the old Empire." Admiral Pellaeon said.
"So he's good." Harry said.
"The man is a strategic genius. He reshape the way naval warfare could be fought out." Admiral Pellaeon replies.
"The true problem my lord, is attacking the fortress itself." General Soontir Fel said. "Even if we're able to land troops on the planet, it would be impossible to capture it. The only reason why the Empire lost the planet in the first place was because it had run out of resources and the will to fight on."
"Take in the account of failures for if you learn from it, it will lead you to success." Harry said.
"Yes my lord."
"Captain Fel," Harry said turning to General Fel's son.
"Yes my lord." The young man said.
"I understand you are the Empire's best star fighter pilot."
"I have been told that my lord."
Harry nods his head.
"I want you to tell me do you think you can take on the Republic and it's Starfighters?" Harry asks.
"With the new ships you provided we should have no trouble against them. The only problem is their stealth x-wings." Jagged Fel said.
"They could be a problem my lord, if we can't find a way to lock onto them, they could take out our fleet." Admiral Pellaeon said.
"There may be a way for the Empire to defeat them." Jaina said.
"How so?" Captain Jagged Fel asks.
"The ships are still visible, but they do not appear on radar. However, when they attack with their blasters or missile, for a brief moment they will show up if we can adapt our radar to a heat sensor."
"Admiral Pellaeon, see to it that all fighters and ships are equipped to do so." Harry said.
The Grand Admiral nods his head.
"War is coming, there is no doubt about that. However let them make the first move. I do not want to trigger a war and be seen as aggressor. We will sent a small fleet towards Corellia as they are allies we swore to protect." Harry replies.
"They will send their fleet to drive us away." General Fel said.
"Remember, the Republic ideas are noble. But its body and leadership is weak. They do not have what it takes to protect the galaxy."
Everyone nods their heads as they return to their stations.
Jacen could see Jedi's running up and down the halls of the temple.
"What's going on?" Jacen asks as he stops a young padawan who was running.
"The Empire just sent a fleet to Corellia." She said.
Jacen paled. Jacen turns and runs down the corridors to where his Uncle could be seen talking to some Jedi's.
"Uncle Luke what's going on?" Jacen asks as he skids to a halt.
"Corellia and its Coalition just joined the Empire." Luke said.
Jacen's eyes told the entire story.
"Why?" Jacen asks.
"I don't know. All we know is the Emperor himself met with the Corellian Council. We don't know what was said, but after he was done talking, Corellia and its leaders join the Empire."
"Why warships?" Jacen asks.
"We don't know. We're in the blind right now. All we know is that they are mobilizing." Luke said.
Jacen said nothing. He looks at his uncle who was looking very weary. He was also holding his right hand. The right hand that was cut off by his own father.
Jacen stood in the Chief of State's office with the other Jedi Master's and New Republic Military Leaders.
"The Empire is going to invade the core worlds, there is no doubt of that." Chief of State Borsk Fey'lya said.
"We are not ready to fight a war Chief Fey'lya." Leia said.
"We have to be. We cannot be sitting ducks when the Empire decides to capture Coruscant. If we don't push them out of our territory then we will be seen as weak." He shouted.
No one said anything.
"Mobilize the fleet to attack the Imperial Navy."
"We can't attack Corellia. They have legally join the Empire." Leia once found herself screaming at her successor.
"You would rather risk the Empire to come to our capital and reign death from above with their Star Destroyers!" He snaps as he pounds his fist on his desk.
"You are taking a dangerous risk by attacking an Empire, whose strength could rival Palpatine's Empire during his golden era." Leia said.
"We beat them once, we can do it again!" He shouted. "Tomorrow morning, our forces will attack the Imperial Navy that is threatening our worlds."
No more words were said as everyone got up and left the room.
Leia attempted once more to delay the course of actions, but the Chief of State words sent a level of fear in the heart of many senators. Leia barely was able to grabbed supports to nullify the vote. In the end, the New Republic Senate voted to push the Empire out of the Core Worlds.
That could only mean one thing, and it was the one thing Leia wanted to avoid.
War.
Jacen Solo was eager to jump into the battle, he enlisted and after a few test was qualified to be a part of Rogue Squadron. The Jedi's were all being called into military service. Luke could be seen trying to give some young padawans tips and assurances.
Jacen stood at attention as the Rogue Squadron Leader, Derek Klivian was going over the mission plan.
"Our primary target will be Gus Talon. It seems the Imperials set up a base up there and are up to something. We are to take out their shields to allow our ground forces to engage. Once their shields are down, we are to join in on the attack against the Imperial Navy and Corellian Fleet."
"Are we to use the new Stealth X-Wing?" Jacen asks eagerly.
"We are, we are going in first. Our success or failure will determined the outcome of the battle."
Jacen said nothing as he puts his helmet on and goes into the New Republic hangers and gets into his starship. They went up into the air and one by one, jump into hyperspace.
The trip wasn't long and one by one they exit hyperspace.
"There is it, Gus Talon. The moon of Corellia." Derek Klivian said. "All wings report in."
One by one, the reported in. Jacen seats back in his seat and smiled. He was finally going to destroy the Empire.
"Lock S-Foils into attack position." Commander Klivian said as they press forward.
"The fleet will be here in two minutes." Lieutenant Plourr llo said over the coms.
"We have to move fast Rogues, all wings on me." Commander Klivian said as he begins to descend upon the moon.
Jacen moves forward and a proton torpedo away from the commander, destroyed the Imperial base. Jacen smiled as he watch the imperials trying to put out the fire.
"Be advised, the Imperial Navy knows we're here." Tycho Celchu said. They return to space and could see the Imperial Navy was mobilizing.
Their large and new warships were moving in a defensive formation.
On cue, the New Republic Fleet arrived and slowly began to advance towards the Imperial Navy.
"Attention Republic Fleet, you are entering Imperial Territory. You are to turn back immediately. I repeat, Republic Fleet, you are entering Imperial Territory. You are to turn back immediately. Failure to do so, and we will be force to open fire upon your ships." A voice over the coms said. The Republic fleet made no attempts to slow down and advances towards the Imperial Navy. Suddenly the Republic Navy opens fires, hitting the Imperial Navy before the Imperial could respond.
However, the Imperial Navy did respond and return fire. Their attack hit the New Republic Warship, bypassing their shields and crippling the frontal assault.
Jacen could see x-wing, a-wings and b-wings pilots all being launch from the ships. He pushes his x-wing fighter forward to join the battle.
"We are at combat status red. I repeat, we are at combat status red! All hands to station!" a voice over the intercom shouted.
Jaina moves past the squad of soldiers preparing to reinforce Gus Talon.
"Harry." Jaina said as she looked at him. Harry turns to her and nods his head.
"The attack is already under way. I will remain here to use my battle mediation to give our forces the edge. I want you out there to provide support any way you can." Harry said.
Jaina nods her head and turns to leave.
"Jaina." Harry said. She turns and stops to look at him. "Make sure this is what you want. Once you go out there and fight against the Republic, there is no turning back." Harry said.
Jaina nods her head and went to the hanger where her X-A8 'Flashfire' was being prepped. The Imperial crew gave her the signal she was good to go and immediately launches into space.
"Commander Solo." Jagged Fel said as he pulls his Flashfire up next to hers.
"Captain Fel."
"We are Knight Squadron, ready to be under your command." Captain Fel said he the squadron move forward.
"Understood, all wings prepare to accelerate to attack speed and engage the enemy." Jaina reported.
They move forward and immediately began to cut the few fighters they could before something caught Jaina's eye.
"Twenty degrees, of my port bow, it's Rogue Squadron." Jaina reported.
"I see them." Fel replied in his com.
"Fel follow me, we're going to divide them. Knight Squadron prepare to take out those who move quickly, make sure you keep them in your sights." Jaina said.
Jaina pushes forward and could fell Fel coming in from behind her.
Before she could fire her blasters, she sense something. Something that shouldn't be there.
Jacen.
Jaina wasn't sure what to do, but she grins her teeth and opens fire. She was successful in hitting one of the stealth x-wings and it exploded with a loud echo. Another explosion told her that Fel was too successful.
The two of them pass by Rogue squadron and Jaina looks in her mirror to see they were splitting up to avoid the rest of the fire from Knight Squadron.
Jaina and Fel then push their flashfires as two members of Rogue Squadron began to follow them.
Jaina dodges the red blaster bolts and moves towards the Republic fleet.
She looks behind her and sees the pilot was waiting to get a lock on her. A rookie mistake.
Jaina hits the breaks and came to a suddenly stop allowing the two Rogue Squadron members to fly past her, she quickly opens fire and was pleased to see one of the Rogue's spinning out of control before crashing into a Republic Cruiser.
Jaina pushes forward as she gave chase the remainder Rogue member. Apparently the member knew she was there, but was focus on nailing Fel.
"Fel, I can't nail this guy without hitting you. Find a tight corner." Jaina says in her com.
"Copy that." Fel replied as he suddenly took a sharp turn. He barely miss the Imperial II-Class Star Destroy hull, but the Rogue member wasn't so luck and slammed straight into the hull leaving a fireball in its destruction.
Jaina pulls up only to see that someone was firing upon her.
She turns around and could see that a Rogue member had engaged her.
Trusting the force and reaching out, she knew it was Jacen.
Jaina smiles and pushes her Flashfire forward, allowing Jacen to follow her, as he fired rapidly and blindly at her.
Jaina dodges another foolish attack by her brother and moves along side the New Republic Flagship.
"Fel you there." Jaina asks.
"I'm here. I see that guy is really sticking to you." Fel replied. "I'm right above and I have a clean shot."
"Careful, it's my brother." Jaina replied.
"Are you sure?" Fel said as he paused.
"I made my choice when I joined the Empire. I knew something like this would go done. I just don't want to be the one to bring him down." Jaina said.
"I understand." Fel said, he opens fire and just as Jaina expected, Jacen was able to dodge it by spinning through the blasters.
"Your brother is good." Fel said as he attempted to fall in behind.
"We were raised by my father to fly starships all our lives." Jaina said as she made a quick right. Jacen wasn't fooled and kept on her tail avoid the floating derby.
Jacen was gritting his teeth as he chase down the lead Imperial Pilot. Whoever was the lead, was very good. He was actually having a hard time.
He fires again hoping to bring the lead down, but the pilot turns the strange starship sideways avoiding his laser blast.
"Jacen fall back, you're too far out!" Commander Kilvian shouted into his com.
"I got him." Jacen said. He fires again, but amazingly, the lead pilot pulled up avoid the blaster fire again.
"Jacen fall back!"
"I got him!" Jacen repeated into his comlink.
Jacen fired his blaster again and suddenly became aware that his pursuer had broken off and disappeared by the Republic Cruisers. The pilot in front of him once again manage to avoid his blaster and dodge them.
"Jacen, hold on I'm almost there." Commander Kilvian said as he appeared beside him.
Jacen grins his teeth and shoots again, once again the pilot mange to avoid getting hit.
"Jacen, this pilot is leading you into a trap. Fall back and rejoin Rogue Squadron. That's an order!"
Jacen grins his teeth in frustration but nods his head. He pulls up with his commander beside him.
The Force suddenly came to him like a warning.
"Pull up!" Jacen shouted.
But it was too late, Commander Kilvian's starship was hit and exploded. Jacen looks around him and sees to his horror, the New Republic Fleet was losing the battle. Their ships were being destroyed and many were now attempting to retreat as the Imperial Navy was closing in all around him.
Jacen quickly rejoins the retreating ships and jumps into hyperspace; his head bowing down in defeat.
Author Notes: The Great War has begun and the Imperial Navy has claimed a massive victory over the Republic. Any suggestions are welcome. Please R&R