Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars
20
The fleet dropped out of lightspeed for the twelfth time in four hours that day.
"Do you think they followed?" Shaak Ti asked.
She was still stuck on the Integrity with Masters Monn and Justiss.
"I think that's a distinct possibility Master Ti." Kai said sadly.
"All craft, prepare for the next jump." She ordered.
Too late. Joren's fleet appeared from lightspeed and opened fire with it's turbolasers.
"Get out of here!"
The Jedi fleet hopped away again. Joren followed.
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On the deck of the Imperial-class Star Destroyer Bloodbath, General Joren grinned. The Jedi could flee all they wanted. They would always be right behind them.
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The Jedi fleet appeared once again in the middle of nowhere.
"Get ready to run." Master Ti ordered.
"All that will do is waste our fuel and lose morale. We cant keep that up!" Kai protested.
"Master Ti!" Voolvif Monn yelled.
"Joren!" K'kruhk yelled over the comm.
"Flee!" Shaak Ti yelled.
As they shot to lightspeed once again, she accepted the truth. With Joren dogging their retreat, they were eventually going to run out of places to run to. And that would be the end for all of them. They didn't stand a chance. Joren had them dead. Now it was just a matter of time.
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Joren smiled. Soon.
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Ventress, on the Last Call, grimaced. Joren wasn't going to let them go. They were finished.
"It's mad. We cant win. We may as well turn and go out in a blaze of glory." Alpha said.
"Blaze of glory…" Ventress began, then stopped.
"Alpha, you're a genius!"
She kissed him full on the lips and he blushed.
"We can."
"What?" Aidus asked.
"Win!"
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The Jedi fleet pulled out of lightspeed once again.
"Prepare for the next jump."
"Master Ti, we're all tired. We cant keep this up!" Syron shouted.
"I know! We need to get somewhere that we can lose him!"
"Master Ti-" Ventress interjected.
"Not now dear! What is nearby that we can lose him in?"
"The Cauldron Nebula." Fido, Voolvif's clone commander said.
"Then set your course for there."
Then Joren dropped out of lightspeed, guns blazing. Laser blasts hit the back of some of the cruisers and they once again fled to lightspeed.
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They dropped out of lightspeed early.
"Drop all debris and garbage. That will maybe slow them a little bit." Voolvif ordered.
"Yes sir!"
"Master Ti!" Ventress shouted.
"Shush dear!"
"But…"
"All garbage is gone." Kai reported.
"Go to lightspeed!"
Just they jumped, Joren arrived.
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The debris crashed into the shields, and knocked a few ships out of commission as it hit them, disabling them as it hit sensitive areas.
"Blast! Get those ships back on line now! We must pursue!"
"Sir, it will take about forty minutes for the ships to restart."
"Then get on with it! Shaak Ti must not escape!"
"Yes sir!"
Joren grinned evilly.
"I don't intend to let her escape me again."
The chase was coming to an end.
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The fleet arrived at the Cauldron Nebula. The blue gaseous cloud was jamming sensors a little. They could finally escape.
"Master Ti, the fleet is exhausted! We cant keep running!" Ackdara barked.
"I know! Take us into the nebula. Then we will study our next move." Shaak Ti said.
"Morale is rock bottom. Being preyed upon by Joren all the time for the last two days had exhausted us." Voolvif said.
"I know. But we don't have any choice."
"Master Ti!" Ventress yelled down the comm.
"What!?"
"We can fight!"
"What?"
"We have him outnumbered and outgunned. We can take on his fleet and win!"
Shaak Ti looked at the data package the Jedi killer sent. And she saw that she was right.
"Dear heart, you're a genius."
"I do try."
"Turn us around." She ordered.
"What?" Ackdara demanded.
"I said turn us around!"
She took a deep breath.
"And have everyone meet me on the Liberty in five minutes."
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They were there in the appointed time.
"We don't have much time. We have half an hour at the most. We must prepare for battle." Shaak Ti said.
"I agree. Now we fight, and see how they like it." Ackdara said.
"Ackdara, you're our most senior military commander. You have the fleet."
"Very well."
"Captain Argron, I wish for you to take the next part of the fleet." Shaak Ti said.
"I would be honoured."
"And Master Monn, you are the only other one with fleet knowledge. You will lead the third section of the fleet."
"As you wish."
"The plan doesn't have time to be highly complicated. We will fight to the best of our abilities." Ackdara said.
"Meaning?" Tholme asked.
"The fighters and cruisers will fight head to head."
"The simple plans are always the best."
"Master Choi, would you consent to lead one wing of fighters?" Shaak Ti asked.
"Indeed. And may I suggest Ventress to lead the second? She has such experience."
Shaak Ti looked at the pale Dark Jedi.
"So be it. You will both command our fighter attack."
Voolvif raised a hand.
"Master Justiss has always commanded my fighters when we have been involved in such battles. He would be a great asset."
"Very well. Master Justiss, will you fly a ship?"
"Be happy too."
"Good man.Anyone else?"
"Commander Fido has been my wingman through many adventures. I would be honoured to have him with me again." Kai said.
"Very well."
"I have a fair amount of air time. I'll fly a fighter if you want." Dyren said.
"So will I." Quasal added.
"As you wish. Anyone else?" Shaak Ti asked.
No one answered.
"Very well."
"I fly Inferno." Vilmarh said.
"We'll all be on the Uhumele." Crys said.
"We'll be on the Blade." Syron added.
"And I'll fly the Skorp-Ion." Khaleen said.
"I shall fly my ship." Tusk said.
"That's settled then. What next?" Tsui asked.
"I am quite adept at battle meditation. I could use that to our advantage." Exaz said happily.
"And I have been developing my own skills. I shall aid Master Exaz." K'kruhk said.
"I can do a little bit. I'll do that if you want." Whie said, and Shaak Ti nodded.
"I shall command the fleet, Captain Argron will take over if I die, then Captain Quan and then Captain Kryn. After that, I doubt many more of us will be alive anyway. If we aren't commanding, we will command our own ships." Ackdara said, and all the captains nodded in agreement.
"I'm staying on the Uhumele. I'll be a gunner." Dass said.
"And I shall serve as gunner on the Skorp-Ion." Tholme said.
And I on the Inferno! Chak exclaimed.
"I want to fight!" Zett said, while Senna agreed.
"No! Please young one. Humour me this once. Stay and act as a gunner on the Silver Blade. Please." Shaak Ti implored them.
They didn't look happy, but agreed.
"Fine."
"Thank you."
"The enemy will be trying to take out the ships that present the biggest threat. They'll be sending landing parties. And spacetroopers." Ackdara warned.
We will deal with the troopers. Tarrful promised.
"Ok. But the boarding parties…"
"Which ships are at most risk?" Bultar asked.
"The ones that can directly threaten a Star Destroyer. In other words, the Mon Cal cruisers, the Mon Cal frigates, the Wookiee Cruiser, the Last Call, the new Liberator Cruiser, the Integrity, and because of it being the ship Master Ti is known to travel on, the Silver Blade." Ackdara said.
"We wont be able to protect them all." Argron said.
"We'll do what we can."
"I'll stay on the Silver Blade." Scout said.
"I'll take the Liberty." Tra said.
"And I the Millionaire." Luminara decided.
"I'll take the Infuriator." Dark Woman said.
"And uh, I think uh, I'll defend the uh, the…, the Freedom." Deas, the thick one said.
"I will stay on the Liberty." Meena said.
"And I aint leaving the Last Call." Aidus said.
"I'll defend the Integrity." Alpha declared.
"And I'll be on the Zaalbar." Dice, Luminara's clone commander said.
"I shall command from the Interest." Wat Tambor said.
"And I shall advise on the Millionaire." Tikkes said stoutly.
"What about the rest of us?" Jeisel asked.
"It seems to me that we could, what's the phrase, permanently borrow one of the Imp ships." Bultar said evilly.
"Boarding parties? If they can do it why not us?" Serra asked.
"Fair enough. The rest of you, take shuttles and try to board enemy cruisers. If we can take a couple, so be it." Shaak Ti said.
"I'll try to take the Knight." Spark, Kai's clone commander said.
"A Dreadnaught is a valuable weapon I suppose. What else?" Argron asked.
"If we cant stop them from escaping, then it's all a big dangerous waste of time. I'll take on the Sucker." Serra said.
If they could take an Interdictor, they could stop the enemy from retreating, and that would be to their advantage.
"I'll try to take the other one then. The Plughole." Quin said.
"A VSD can take a chunk out of an ISD. Bultar and I will take the Senatorial." Jeisel said, to Bultar's nodding.
"Shouldn't we try to take the Bloodbath?" Voolvif asked.
"Too risky. No, that goes down. We destroy it, and Joren with it." Ackdara said, her wide eyes going further to show how mad she was.
"In that case we'll take the other VSD, the Imperial." Kota said, indicating Mariss as well.
"That leaves me with the Gallant." A'sharad said.
"And if all are agreeable, I shall coordinate the battle from the Silver Blade. Right, we all have jobs to do. Get to them!" Shaak Ti said.
And with that the meeting broke up, and they prepared for war.
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Though their fleet was meant to have fifty fighter squadrons, they didn't have the full number. The ships from Sullust had no fighter squadrons at all, so they were down at least twelve. And Voolvif Monn's fleet had had a few squabbles with Imperials, and had lost two of their eight and two third squadrons. Thus, they had a small problem of being down to thirty six fighter squadrons. While they outnumbered the Imperial forces fighters, they were better trained. They had to hope that the Force was with them. Everyone was in position, either on a cruiser, ready to direct or use meditation, or ready to defend, in a fighter, ready to fight, on a shuttle waiting for launch, or in a suit waiting for battle. The tension was mounting as they waited for Joren to arrive. Then, his fleet arrived.
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One ISD. Two VSDs. Two Interdictors. Five Strike Cruisers and three Dreadnaughts. That was Jorens fleet.
Shaak Ti grinned. Ventress was right. They could defeat them. They had one Corellian Corvette. They had three Mon Cal cruisers. Four Mon Cal Frigates. Six Carrack Cruisers. One Wookiee Cruiser. Two Wookiee Frigates. Twelve Dungeon Ships. One Providence. Two Recusants. Two Munificents. Six freighters. One Rocketship. Two Dreadnaughts. One Venator. Two Accumulators. Three Nebulons. Five Consulars. And one Liberator.
"Launch all fighter squadrons." Shaak Ti ordered.
"May the Force be with us." Ackdara said.
And with that, the Battle of the Cauldron Nebula began.
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The fighters spilled out from the holds as the Imp fleet arrived.
"All craft, lock s-foils into attack position." Tsui ordered.
"All wings report in." Ventress said.
"Red wing standing by." Kai answered.
"Blue wing standing by." Quasal reported.
"Green wing standing by." Dyren said.
"Here goes nothing." Ventress said.
"This is Ackdara. All heavy cruisers are to engage the Star Destroyers head on. The small ships are to launch runs on the smaller support ships. Red Wing, you are to attack the fighters and cruisers. Blue Wing, defend the cruisers and Green Wing escort the shuttles to their locations. The dungeon ships are to precede all forces to take some fire away from us. May the Force be with us all."
"You heard the lady. Let's go." Ventress said.
And with that, she gunned the engine of her Fantail fighter and led the charge against the enemy.
The two fighter force clashed in space as the Imperial TIE fighters sped at the mismatched fighter forces of the Jedi. Ventress span her ship and blasted two out of space with a well placed shot. Beside her, Tsui decelerated and fired a torpedo from his Delta 7 into the head Tie. The missile punched right through and sent the TIE screaming off at an angle where it was incinerated by blaster fire. The space around them was a maelstrom of laser fire as the fleets came to blows against each other.
"Squadrons One through Five, focus on taking the TIEs away from the fleet." Tsui ordered.
"Bit late for that Master Choi." Ventress said.
Three fighter squadrons had slipped through Red Wing's defences and were now heading on a straight heading for the Liberty.
"Master Justiss, guests are coming for tea." Tsui said.
"My thanks Master Choi. Blue Wing, we have guests. Let's make them all feel welcome."
Kai took his wing to challenge the newcomers directly. Blaster fire poured from the Jedi fighters, ripping apart the TIEs before they could even get off a shot at the Mon Cal cruiser they were defending.
"Masters, be advised. Joren's cranking out TIE Bombers." Dyren reported.
"We'll sink them." Tsui said.
The fighters then shot back into the fight as the TIEs upped their game.
"All forces, this is Shaak Ti. Enemy are releasing shuttles. Prepare to intercept Green Wing."
"Acknowledged Master Ti." Quasal said.
"Master Choi? Our next move?"
"I think my dear its time we show the enemy cruisers what we're made of. Let's head for the big ships."
"With pleasure."
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In a battle, all is chaos. Events can be decided by one single action, a single moment. K'kruhk knew this. And he had now seen an area where something would be decided. He stretched out with his feelings and found Master Ti.
"Master Ti, be advised. There is a hole in the defence of the Lord. We may take advantage of it."
"Thank you dear."
Shaak Ti grinned. There was indeed a hole in the defence of the Lord, which was one of the five Strike Cruisers.
"The cruisers aren't in range yet. They're nearly there, but if we hold on, we might lose it." Syron said worriedly.
Shaak Ti looked out at the battle. The dungeon ships were doing a good job for the most part of keeping the main bulk of the fleet safe from harm. They would soon be able to fight the Imperials head on. Until then, they had to rely on luck.
"Well then dear boy, I fear it's up to us. Master Choi, could you join us with a squadron or two please?"
"Of course."
Two fighter squadrons, a mash up of ARCs, Torrents, V-Wings and Tri-Fighters formed up on their wing. Theirs was the only cruiser not part of the main attack force, as Corvettes added little to a fight usually. However, this one was not usual. As well as it's normal armament, it had three turbolaser wheel turrets and two missile launchers mounted at the front of the ship. The ship catapulted along the edge of the enemy fleet and came up behind them, right beside the Lord.
"Tsui?"
"Certainly. Fire on my signal, then on my second. Fire!"
Missiles streaked away from the attack force and into the Strike Cruiser. Fire blossomed all over the shields as along with their missile assault they unleashed laser fire as well. Fire chewed away at the shields of the ship as it belatedly opened fire, realising that it was under attack. But now it was far too late. The second wave of missiles and lasers crashed into the cruiser, blowing huge portions of it open to space. Fire and fuel poured from the breach along the sting shaped ship. Bodies were thrown out of the massive hole they had just created. Then, with a final burst of flame, the Lord exploded.
"Excellent! Our first victory." Shaak Ti said happily.
"We must have overloaded the reactor." Vella said to herself.
"Does it matter? It's dead. Best thing for it." Teecee said.
"This is Shaak Ti. We've given them a sting. Time to send in the diseases."
She smiled. Time for the next stage.
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"Sir, we just lost the Lord!" someone yelled from the crewpit.
Joren growled. He could see the wreckage of the Strike Cruiser slowly turning towards them.
"That's it. How long until the enemy cruisers are in range?"
"The dungeon ships are already in range, but that iron's thick. It'll take ages to blow through it."
"Sir, they're breaking off!" another man yelled.
The dungeon ships split away from the ships they were shielding and started to fire at the ships at the edge of the Imperial formation.
"The Jedi capital ships are in range sir!"
"Fire when ready commander."
With that the Imperial cruisers took the Jedi cruisers head on, turbolaser blasts firing back and forth between the two forces as the smaller and nimbler capital ships sped towards each other.
"Sir, they're launching shuttles!"
"Get troops down to all hangars in case they get through. Time to deploy the spacetroopers and our own shuttles!"
Joren snarled as they carried out his orders. He knew they were outnumbered. But he would fight anyway.
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The shuttles left the bays of the cruisers where they were housed.
"Green Wing, you're on. Get those shuttles where they're going." Argron ordered.
"Roger that." Quasal said.
Inside the Last Call, Bultar Swan and Jeisel were on board a CR20 filled with clones, droids, Wookiees, Sullustans and Tusken Raiders.
Their duty was to take control of the Victory class Star Destroyer Senatorial.
"Here we go." Bultar said as the ship left the hangar.
Outside the cruiser, blasterfire criss-crossed all over space. Missiles and mines that were being deployed by the Wookiee space troopers were destroying the TIE fighters, however there were still enough to cause significant bother for Tsui's forces. The ship was buffeted as a TIE Fighter came in firing, however Quasal pulled up and ripped it apart with a well placed shot.
"Thanks." Jeisel said.
"No problem. But you have one problem."
"What?"
"The Senatorial is in direct combat with the Tyvokka and the Freyrr. While all well and good, this doesn't not help you get into the ship."
Bultar frowned as she looked out at the battle between the two Wookiee frigates and the Victory.
"We'll manage. We need an escort. Gun it!"
"Yes mam!" A Sullustan yelled.
The ship shot towards the Star Destroyer. Outside, the scene was chaos as the two fleets clashed. The two frigates were trying their best to wipe out the Vic's shields, however it was putting up a splendid fight. Beside them, the ImpStar was firing a lethal barrage at the two Mon Cal cruisers belonging to Meena Tills. The other ships capable of killing a Star Destroyer were moving into position. Meanwhile, at the edge of the fleet, the five Consulars were engaging a Dreadnaught head on, backed up by the freighters. The three Nebulons were fighting the Strike Cruisers to the best of their ability, scattering the remaining four away from each other. The ship was getting close to the Vic, close enough to see the barrages of missiles and turbolasers the ships were firing at each other. However, the ship managed to slip through the lasers and finally made it to the enemy hangar.
"We're in." Jeisel grinned.
"Clones outside." Bultar stated.
"Let's go and meet them."
Receiving a nod from the troops, she opened the doors just as the shuttle landed on the deck. Leaping out, she decapitated one troop with one swift strike. Bultar deflected bolts from the clones as she rushed out of the ship, heading towards the hangar door. The troops swarmed out, firing as they came. Clones fell as they proceeded to the hangar door. Wookiees rushed at them, throwing clones away from them as they burst into the first corridor.
"Seal the hangar!" Jeisel ordered.
The doors slammed shut and she grinned. They were in.
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On board the Integrity, three Jedi sat. One was the small Sullustan Jedi Master Exaz. The second was the Whipid Jedi K'kruhk. The third was the young Padawan Whie. They were deep in battle meditation, aiding their side as the war raged around them. Outside the bridge of the Star Destroyer, the Plughole was exchanging salvos with them. At the far end of the bridge, Master Voolvif Monn was creating order out of chaos.
"Inform Master Vos that if he gets his shuttle out of the hangar now, its only a short trip to the Plughole." He ordered.
"Yes sir!"
Voolvif was very pleased that the clones aboard his cruiser had not executed Order 66. He was very fond of most of them, and the normal bridge crew were also very good friends. This battle was going quite well. Things could only get better.
At the back of the bridge, Whie suddenly gasped.
"Whie dear?" Exaz asked.
"Scout." He said breathlessly.
"No, you're Whie." Exaz said, as though worried for his sanity.
"She's hurt."
And with that he leapt up and left the bridge.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going? Now is not the time for a toilet break!"
K'kruhk chuckled.
"I don't think that's where hes going my friend."
She caught his meaning.
"And there's even less time to do that! Stars, by the time you get her…"
K'kruhk's hand then smothered her mouth.
"Totally inappropriate Master Exaz! Now, be quiet and let us go back to our meditation. We are more than adequate."
"Oh very well."
Exaz grinned as a song sprang to mind; 'Love is in the air….'
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Shaak Ti grimaced as another fighter shot at the ship. They were being chewed by laser fire, and it was getting old. Outside she could see the Wookiee spacetroopers fighting with the attacking Imp spacetroopers. Fighters clashed outside, and she watched as Dyren flamed another TIE.
"If we stay out here much longer, we'll get pulverised." Teecee said blankly.
"Take us into the enemy fleet." Shaak Ti said.
"Are you space happy? We cant stand up to the guns of the Bloodbath!" Syron yelled.
"I'm not asking you to go near the ISD, or the VSDs. I want you to take us to the outskirts of the fleet, so we only need to deal with Dreadnaughts and Strike Cruisers."
"Bloody mad woman!" Syron complained, but complied.
As he took the ship towards the enemy fleet, a flaming ball of wreckage just missed the bridge.
"For Force sake! Zett! Senna! Shoot the bloody things a bit earlier please before you wind up killing us!" Shaak Ti yelled.
"Sorry!" Zett shouted meekly, however Softy let loose a massive roar.
"You can shoot them whenever you want dear!"
Syron grinned.
"Coward. Even the great Jedi Master cowers before a Wookiee."
Shaak Ti grinned feebly.
"You obviously never knew Master Tyvokka."
They were in the midst of the battle, and lasers, missiles and flaming wrecks shot past on all sides. Then, that's when the Imps launched their shuttles.
"Not good!" Vella shouted.
"How many shuttles are there?" Syron asked.
"Remember, this fleet is designed to conquer an entire star system. There are a lot of troops in this fleet." Teecee said.
The mini fleet of shuttles shot away from their home cruisers and dispersed throughout the Jedi fleet. Two shot right past the window.
"Sithspit! Can they get any closer?" Vella demanded.
There was then a sudden bang, and the entire ship rocked.
"What the devil?" Shaak Ti asked.
"Turbolaser shot from the Bloodbath. I told you we would get into trouble going through the fleet!"
"Then get us to the smaller ships!"
Syron bitterly grumbled. Shaak Ti frowned. Something wasn't right.
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Scout winced as the docking hatch of the Silver Blade was blown open and stormtroopers rushed in, their blasters firing. The squad of fifteen men she had were no longer beside her. Eight of them had been killed by the shrapnel that had flown from the explosion. The other six were getting ready to fire. It was then that the clones entered the ship. Fifty four clones against one weak Jedi padawan and six troops. The troops were then dropped by fire, and Scout was alone. Well, she wasn't going to let them further into the ship. Igniting her blue saber, she sprang at them. She sliced two in half, then turned around to decapitate another. Blaster fire flew at her, and she was on the move, deflecting as she went. Six were dropped as her saber sent their bolts flying right back at them. She then jumped onto the head of one, making his companions shoot at him rather than her. She then Force pushed the body into four more, removing them temporarily. She threw her saber, slicing down three. As she did so, she leapt over the heads, breaking ones neck as she went. Landing she took the legs out from under several, and called her spinning blade towards her. Four men were cut down as they failed to avoid her blade. She danced out of the way of another bolt, and sliced the belt of one troop. She sliced the detonator. Using the Force, she directed the fire as it consumed its owner and incinerated four more. She Force pushed another group, and quickly turned to return blaster bolts back to their owners. Three more dropped down as she did so, then she felt someone grab her leg.
"Scum!"
She kicked him so hard his neck snapped. She then dashed into the landing craft, beckoning for them to follow. They heeded, and she had them. As they rushed in, she sliced one of the fuel canisters, spilling it onto the floor. The troops began to retreat, but quickly enough. She smiled as she summoned a blaster and fired at the fuel. Eight were cremated as the flames went up. Using the Force, she cut a hole in the flames and dashed through. The clones were running for the midparts of the ship. She once again threw her saber, slicing five more down. They turned to see her growling at them. Then they came at her. Fourteen left. They rushed towards her, making a very bad mistake. Using the Force to augment her leap, she sprang at them, her blade slicing three more down, and then turning around to kill two more. Nine left. Now they were really mad. Blaster fire scorched the corridor, and Scout skidded along the floor to avoid it. She came up and killed three more by deflecting their shots. She then leapt over their heads, summoning a blaster to her hand as she did. Then, two weapons in her hands, she went at it. Using her blaster she took down two, and with her saber she killed three. One left, but where was he? Her question was answered as a blaster bolt slammed into her stomach. Her weapons flew out of her hand and she crashed to the ground, screaming in pain.
"I'm gonna to enjoy killin you Jedi." He snarled.
"I'm sure."
He raised his blaster, but he had drawn out the kill too long. He heard a hum, and turned just in time to get his head sliced off by her lightsaber. Then Scout passed out, the ship secure.
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"Form up Scoundrel Wing." Khaleen ordered.
"Hokay!" Vilmarh responded.
The Uhumele, Skorp-Ion and Inferno zig-zagged in between the fire being exchanged by the fleets. They had one target: the King, another one of the Strike Cruisers.
"Khaleen, we cant get too close or they'll cook us!" Tholme said from the gun emplacement.
"I know that, but that cruiser is nearly in range of the Vanguard. Considering what we went through to get all these cruisers, I'm not going to let something blow it apart old man!"
"Calm yourself! I'm only pointing out the obvious!"
"Vilmarh, we must be careful. My circuits cant handle another beating like on Kashyyyk." NT, the Inferno's droid said.
"Shaddup!"
The three ships were nearly in range.
Fire! Chak yelled happily.
Laser bolts bounced of the shield's of the cruiser as the three turned around for another pass.
"Uhumele, some artillery if you please." Khaleen said.
"With pleasure." Schurk-Heren said.
A barrage of missiles left the ship, slamming into the Strike Cruiser. This was then followed by the other two ships firing their own missiles, right on top of the shield generator. Overloaded, the shields fell.
"Vanguard, we have the shields of the King down! Finish the job!" Dass said from the turret of the Uhumele.
"Negative. Still out of range. You get to finish it yourself."
"Fair enough."
The three ships turned around so they were heading right towards the nose of the ship.
"Bombs away!" Tholme shouted gleefully.
The missiles punctured right through the bridge's viewport, emitting a large flame as the insides of the ship caught fire. Damaged it began to list top the side. However, more holes with flame emitting were appearing. The design of the Strike Cruiser made it weak to smaller attacks. Holes were blown open all through the ship. Finally, with one last flare, it exploded.
"Bye bye!" Vilmarh shouted.
Khaleen grinned. What next?
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Joren snarled. That was two cruisers that he had lost.
"Sir?"
"Hit them with everything we've got!"
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Quin grinned as his forces stormed into the Plughole. His forces had caught the guards completely by surprise, and now they needed to head for the bridge.
"Come on." He ordered.
He led the way into the corridor.
"Where are they all?" a clone asked.
"Don't know."
"Sir!"
Quin swore as the stormtroopers leapt from around the corner. They were hundreds of them.
"Master Vos! What do we do?"
"Back to the shuttle!"
The men were falling under a hail of blasterfire as they were forced back into the hangar.
"What do we do Master Vos?"
Quin frowned. It was obvious that they would never be able to take the ship with all the clones shooting at them.
"If we cant have it, they cant have it either. Set your charges folks!"
Several of the group peeled off as the rest of the forces defended the entrance to their shuttle. Clones were pouring laser fire at them in an attempt to stop them from fleeing. As they pushed further into the hangar, Quin grinned as he watched his men lay their charges at the foot of the missile racks. Hundreds of proton torpedoes waiting to be loaded. And they would seen learn not to leave their toys lying around.
"All charges attached sir!"
The troops were still firing at the clones, who were edging ever closer to the shuttle.
"Everyone on board!"
With a massive effort, he used a Force push that sent the missile rack hurtling down the corridor towards where the main reactor was housed. Like the Lucrehulk cruisers, the reactors were right beside the hangars. Giving them all they needed.
"Get us out of here!" Quin yelled as he leapt aboard.
The missile rack came to a deafening halt and slid right into the main reactor. As the cruiser's hangar doors began to close, the pilot gunned the engines.
With one last burst of speed they shot out of the hangar.
"Move all forces away from the Plughole." Quin ordered.
The Jedi forces all broke off, and the lead commando pressed his remote. A massive explosion happened in the middle of the ship, emitting flame from a band across the centre. With one last explosion, the Interdictor was ripped in half as the main reactor was obliterated by the exploding missiles.
"Mission sort of accomplished." Quin said.
"Quin, wasn't the idea to take the Plughole?" Tra asked.
"Things escalated, so I denied them the use of it too."
"That's my boy!" Tholme said cheerily.
With that the shuttle headed into the throng.
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Ackdara watched as the Interdictor cruiser broke apart. Excellent.
"This is Ackdara. All forces, move into the breach!"
With Argron taking the lead, the Jedi forces plunged into the hole caused by the death of the cruiser. They may win this yet.
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In the midst of the battle, a fight was being waged between the Wookiee spacetroopers and the Imperial spacetroopers. Tarrful shot another one through the head and looked around. His troops were flying through space, firing at the enemy troopers that were either trying to board their cruisers or worse firing at their fighters.
Tarrful! Jaccoba, the Wookiee who found the invasion force back on Kashyyyk roared.
What?
The Damsel's shields are down! Gumbaeki called.
Tarrful grinned.
Arm your mines!
Using their jets, the Wookiees headed toward the Strike Cruiser. Fighters were firing all around them, and the cruisers were exchanging devastating barrages. And Tarrful was sure that inside the ships, the various landing parties were fighting onward. The Wookiees clambered across the cruiser as they reached it, laying their mines randomly. It may not kill it, but it should leave a mark. Tarrful crawled to the foot of the bridge, and watched in amusement as a TIE pilot saw them all and cursed at the fact that he couldn't hit them without hitting the cruiser. Tarrful planted his last mine, then sent the signal. As one, the Wookiees sprang off the hull of the cruiser, and then they all took great enjoyment in pressing the button. And then to their great astonishment, massive flame clouds erupted from the ship as it was cracked open by their mines. The Strike Cruiser died it's fiery death, and Tsui waved at them in thanks as he shot past in his fighter.
Tarrful grinned. This was fun.
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Joren cursed as his third Strike Cruiser died.
"Sir, we cant hold out for much longer. The Nebulons are moving into the breach and are coming right for us!"
"We can take them."
"Yes sir, but those Judicials are coming too, and if they fire their missiles, they will cause a lot of problems."
"Then shoot them down! A military man does not retreat!"
The man sighed and went back to his station. This was not going well., But he would live long enough to see Shaak Ti turned to dust.
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Captain Qual of the Nebulon B frigate Spectrum smiled as they broke apart another Strike Cruiser. If they could only remove on of the VSDs that had taken up a defensive position in front of the Bloodbath, the heavy cruisers would be able to pummel the ISD out of existence. The Selkath pondered, then decided.
"All power to shields. We will weather whatever the VSDs hit us with and we will take the Bloodbath head on."
The crew cheered. Smiling, he got ready for war.
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The Uhumele shuddered as the shuttle docked forcibly with it. Resa was the only one beside the docking hatch, as both Ko Vakier and Mezgraf had went to attend to a small fire. Then the hatch blew open, and the stormtroopers rushed in. Thankfully they weren't far away. They opened fire, but the wicked little Nosaurian was in them, slicing apart three men's stomachs with her blade. Then Mezgraf and Ko Vakier arrived, their own blades cutting down two each.
"To the hatch! We are boarded!" Ko Vakier yelled.
Resa grinned. Being down here slicing up Imps was much more satisfying than shooting them up in the gunwell. Suddenly, Dass appeared his lightsaber slicing the heads off three of them. Ratty then appeared with Jank in tow, blasters firing. More clones were dropped as the crew launched into a violent attack.
"For Bomo!" Dass yelled.
Sniffles, Crys and Schurk-Heren then appeared, shooting as well. The clones didn't stand a chance as Resa and Dass carved up their enemies from inside their own squadron. Resa sprang up onto one and dug her blade into his neck and he dropped down. She then sliced two more down.
"For my father!" she yelled.
Dass placed a hand on her shoulder.
"They're all dead Resa."
Resa grinned.
"Your father would be proud of you." Crys smiled.
"Hey if you're down here, who's flying the ship?" Dass asked.
"Oh! Good point that!" Schurk-Heren exclaimed.
Resa grinned. This was her new family. And she liked it.
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Aboard the Millionaire, the fighting was fierce. Luminara sliced into he opponents with vigour, but they still didn't stand a chance. She grimaced as troops spilled from the three shuttles that had landed in the cruiser's hangar. They didn't have a chance. She sprang into the fray, heads coming off as she wove her blade around her in a tapestry of light. The defending troops had taken defensive positions and were firing pot-shots, but that wouldn't stop the troops. Unless…
Grinning, she leapt towards one of the ships. She landed right beside the fuel cells, and raised her blade. The clones turned to face her and she shook her head in warning. They ignored her, and she acted. Leaping at the same time as she deflected the shot, she shot away from the shuttle. As the bolt hit the ship and blew apart the shuttle. Clones were blown all over the place as the fire roared outwards. Luminara landed in front of the defenders and led them in the charge against their depleted enemy.
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Captain Kryn of the Millionaire, a Shistaven, looked at his boss, Tikkes, the corrupt Senator. The man, meant to be an advisor, had done nothing.
"Sir, we have to clear these VSDs if we are to engage General Joren. And Captain Qual's attacking the ISD head on!" his ensign said.
Kryn turned to the man.
"We do what we can. And we can only fire potshots until we're sure the Jedi are in charge of the VSDs."
Tikkes suddenly stirred.
"Captain, may I suggest you call for reinforcements?"
Kryn bared his teeth. The squid had better not be wasting his time.
"Why would I do that Senator?"
"Because a spacetrooper has escaped the Wookiees!" Tikkes yelled gesturing.
Kryn turned to the viewport to see the trooper aiming. In spite of this, he felt his respect for Tikkes rising.
"This is the captain! Get a security team to the bridge now!" he yelled into the comm.
"They cant sir! Master Unduli has all the forces in the hangar, and they are occupied!"
It was too late as a missile blasted apart the bridge viewport of the Mon Cal cruiser. As the air rushed around them, the crewmen started firing with their hand blasters. Their shots bounced off the durable armour, and then it became apparent what was going on. He was trying to kill the captain. Using his jetpack, he ducked Kryn's swipe with his claws and heaved the Shistaven off the ground and began to squeeze. He was about to kill him, too late for the crew to get a shot, when a blaster bolt punched through the troopers helmet and dropped him to the ground. Kryn took a deep breath and looked up at his rescuer. Tikkes was standing there, furious, his blaster smoking.
"There. Shot the bastard."
"Thank you Senator."
The emergency screen had come across and they were safe from vacuum. Now, back to the battle.
"You are quite welcome captain. And there's a rather nice set of five shuttles coming our way."
Kryn smiled genuinely at his boss.
"Thanks boss. You heard the man. To put it his way 'shoot the bastards'."
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Tusk Teen grimaced as his poor yacht took another hit from the pursuing ships. Three TIEs were following. Time to change that. He reversed his ship and they shot over him. Smiling the Sullustan Senator opened fire with his laser cannons, blowing them apart. Then he saw two shuttles slowly edging around the edge of the battle and heading for the back of the fleet. Looking, Tusk saw that they were trying to board the Infuriator, the Liberator Cruiser from behind. That wasn't very nice. Gunning his engines he sped straight at them. The two shuttles opened fire, as did he. Their shields were weaker, but his had sustained more damage. The shuttles, sensing this weakness, fired missiles.
"Oh God no!"
Pulling the ship up, Tusk did a loop the loop, catching them completely by surprise. By the time they realised what he had done, it was too late, and he had fired two missiles. They crashed through the cockpits of the shuttles and exploded. Smiling, Tusk wheeled back towards the fight.
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Fido, the clone pilot who had come with Voolvif Monn, span his Naboo Starfighter around as he danced through the battlefield. Laser fire was flashing from everywhere now as fighters, cruisers, troopers and boarders tried to defeat their enemies. He fired at two moiré enemy fighters, wiping them out. However, it was obvious that the enemy was now outnumbered and outgunned. He blasted apart another ship and saw something: the Bloodbath's shields were flickering at the engines. If they took out the engines, they could take the Star Destroyer. He shot toward the ship, avoiding the blaster fire from five incoming TIEs and preparing to take down the first engine. The shied flickered out of existence, and he fired. Two missiles crashed into the engine and Fido smiled. But he was on course for too long. The TIEs opened fire, and he screamed. His ship shot towards the starship and crashed into the engine.
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Meena Tills fired as the clones stormed into the hangar of the Liberty. Beside him, Tra Saa was deflecting fire.
"We cant keep this up Master Saa!" he yelled.
"I can see that!"
She paused, then smiled.
"Got it."
She turned to him, smiling.
"Fancy a flight?"
"Eh?"
After explaining her plan, she seized him with the Force, and threw him across the room. As the rest of the defenders fired at the clones, Meena opened fire from above. Clones were dropped and Meena smiled. When he went above the shuttles, he popped his detonator. Throwing it down, it exploded, taking the two shuttles with it. He then fell from the air as Tra leapt into the fray.
Her green blade was swinging around her as she attacked the dazed clones. Put off by the destruction of the shuttles, they had lost their focus, making it that much easier to defeat them.
Eventually, all the boarders lay dead, and Meena Tills was yelling at Tra.
"You bloody dropped me!"
"I wasn't meant to." Tra said, though she was fighting a smile.
He tisked and stomped off. Tra grinned. They had done their part. Now it was someone else's turn.
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A'sharad sliced through the stormtroopers standing in the way of the lift door as his squad stormed into the command corridor. They had fought up from the hangar of the Gallant, one of the remaining Strike Cruisers. His assault squad had all split off, leaving the Jedi with a group of crack operatives to secure the cruiser. Clones took up defensive positions outside the bridge as A'sharad rushed in with his troops, deflecting blasterfire as he went. He then leapt into the centre of the formation and sliced apart his enemies. He then started cutting into the door. He heard the last few clones take up defensive positions.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Yes sir!"
"Knock knock!"
The chunk of door blasted in, flattening three troopers. The remainder opened fire, but it was too late to stop them. He sprang in and his sabers sliced into the defenders as they tried to stop the rush of boarders. It was far too late. Pointing his blades at the captain, A'sharad watched as his men rounded the men up and held them against the wall. Then with a couple of commands, the rest of the Imps were cut off from their stations and they had control of the ship.
"Gentlemen, the ship is ours." A'sharad reported.
People cheered happily.
"Right, let's shoot something!"
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Spark, a clone commander shot down the trooper blocking the lift.
"We take this up to the command level, and that will wipe out all the Strike Cruisers." his deputy said.
"Good. Let's go."
The five men entered the lift and hit the button. They were headed for the bridge, to take the Knight from the Imps. They were halfway there when the lift jerked to a stop.
"Oh oh."
"Well don't just stand there. Open the hatch and lets get out of here."
A minute layer the five clones were outside and standing on the lift. However, they had a major problem in the fact that several lifts were coming to their level, with clones on all of them.
"Sir, what do we do?"
"Shoot them."
"But sir, they're our brothers!"
"And now we're divided by loyalty. That's the way things go in this galaxy brother. Things aren't fair. Fire at will."
The lift shaft filled with blaster fire as they opened fire on the clones who were trying to stop them in their mission. As men toppled, the assault team leapt across to the next lift and upwards. They rained fire down on their opponents as the lift rose. It suddenly screeched to a stop then started to plummet downwards.
"Damn."
They fired grappling hooks and pulled themselves upwards. Meanwhile the other clones opened fire and tried to cut them down. One poor man met his end as a laser bolt sliced his rope. The rest then opened fire with their hand blasters, shooting their attackers. They pulled themselves to the entry to the command corridor, planted a shaped charge, then dipped down a bit to wait for it to blow. As it did they shot up, entering the corridor, then throwing down a couple of grenades that blew apart several of their opponents.
They rushed into the corridor their rifles blazing as enemy clones dropped to the floor. Aiming his wrist launcher, Spark fired a rocket at the clones and blew them all over the place, taking out the door to the bridge in the process.
"We surrender!" the captain yelled fearfully.
Spark smiled. The Knight was theirs.
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"Sir, the Gallant and the Knight have turned on us and are attacking the fleet!"
Joren growled.
"All power to weapons! They will all suffer for this! And please shoot that Nebulon before it causes any damage!"
This was it.
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Shaak Ti smiled as they reported the taking of the two last Strike Cruisers. The two cruisers were heading for the Dreadnaughts, were the Mon Cal frigates were already engaged. Ackdara was leading well.
"What's our next move Master Ti? The shuttles have all scattered, and we wont help blowing things up much." Syron said.
"Then for goodness sake, shoot the damn fighters!" Vella shouted as another one chipped away at their shields.
"But keep us close to the ISD. When those shields go down, I want to be close by to see it."
"Rightho!"
Shaak Ti grinned.
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Wat Tambor watched as his Rocketship, the Interest, got closer to the Brute, one of Joren's three Dreadnaught cruisers.
"Sir, we wont last long against those ships! We aren't defended enough!"
Tambor nodded his agreement. However, this was a good cause, one for something he believed in, rather than just profit. His motive: revenge and atonement.
"I know that my boy. Unless…"
"Yes sir?"
"Can we detach a fuel cell?"
"It's possible."
Tambor smiled, making the skin around his prosthetic eye stretch.
"Then get us close to the Dreadnaught, as close as you can, and engage it at point blank range, which is a terrible place to be engaged."
The captain shrugged at his friend and did as instructed. The Interest took a beating as it edged closer to the massive ship, which was firing at a steady pace into the Slash. The Rocketship, lightly armed with only a few cannons and a few missile launchers had no chance against the ship. Tambor looked at the readouts, then grinned.
"Fire the cell closest to the Dreadnaught."
"Yes sir!"
The cell detached and bumped onto the Dreadnaught.
"When I give the command, release the next one, and then fire on the first. As it breaches the shields, fire on the second."
The second cell was released, and then they acted.
"Fire!"
A blast destroyed the first cell, incinerating the shield layer of the Dreadnaught. The second one then bumped down on top of it.
"Fire!"
The blast ignited the fuel, causing an explosion that ripped the command module of the Dreadnaught apart from the rest of the ship. Broken into two pieces, the Brute tumbled away.
"That was amazing!" a small man said.
"Thank you. Now, I suggest we switch to engaging something smaller than ourselves." Tambor said.
"Yes sir!"
Tambor chortled.
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Dice watched as Tambor destroyed the Brute. However, they had more immediate worries as yet another boarding party was coming in at the cruiser. They would treat this one as they had the last three. The hangar turbolasers opened fire, and the shuttle junked and dived, while Dice took aim with a portable missile launcher. The missile punctured through the cockpit, and the shuttle skidded to a stop inside the hangar, disgorging troops as it did so. As they spilled out, the Wookiees leapt down from above and demolished the troopers, Dice firing at his opponents. Dice smiled. This was going well.
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On board the Infuriator, the fighting was fierce. Dark Woman Force pushed another clone away as she deflected a shot into yet another oncoming horde. Since a particularly ambitious TIE pilot had taken out the hangar shield generator. Since then they had faced a never ending wave of reinforcements. Springing, she deflected as she went, slicing apart three clones as she landed.
"There has to be a way to stop them coming!" Dark Woman yelled.
"We need to close the hangar blast doors!" a troop yelled.
Dark Woman looked across to the control station. Typically, it was surrounded by clones.
"Why is it always the hard way?" she asked.
She then started to push toward the station, deflecting shots and slicing off limbs as she went. She Force pushed a large group to the floor and sprang forward, her blade arcing around her as she went. Heads flew off in every direction. She then flipped over the heads of her opponents, and landed behind them, arcing her blade around to slice apart more. She then twirled across to the station, and with some quick saberwork finished off the clones guarding it.
"Pull the lever." She said to herself and did so.
Just at that moment, a shuttle came into the hangar. But it was a second too late, as the massive hangar door crushed it as it slammed shut. Now they had them.
"Time to go to work." She said smiling.
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Deas, on board the Freedom looked out at the approaching troopers.
"I have an idea." He said slowly.
"What?" a trooper asked as he fired at the boarders.
"We shoot the roof."
The man nodded.
"And this will accomplish?"
"We knock down the support racks and trap them all."
The man nodded.
"It's a brilliant plan."
"Really? Permission to write home at once. This is the first brilliant plan I've ever had. I've tired for years and they normally turn out to be total pigswill."
"Later. For now, we need to get ready to…"
Just then Deas gulped as his saber was shot out of his hand. It flipped up into the air, where it sliced the rack. It swooped down from above, and then crushed the invaders behind it.
"Well that worked." Deas said.
The man shook his head.
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Alpha watched as the next shuttle tried to get into the ship. The Integrity had held up well, and no landing party had made it onto the ship yet. Until now. The shuttle was subjected to blasterfire and was about to be destroyed. However, escape pods shot out of the ship. They crashed through the hangar shield and thudded into the deck of the Star Destroyer. As fire erupted around them troops spilled out and started firing. Alpha sighed. He thought it had been too easy. However, they had landed in a fully outfitted hangar bay.
"Fire."
Two manned ATTEs opened fire and wiped out the escape pods., leaving Alpha's group to tidy up the mess.
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Aidus fired with his missile launcher as yet another shuttle came flying into the ship. Catching its underbelly it shot straight across the hangar and right out the other side, where it blew up.
"Commander Aidus!"
Aidus turned to see several crates of buzz droids opening.
"Excellent! Send them out against our enemies!"
Swarms of buzz droids shot out of the hangar and descended upon the approaching two shuttles and their fighter escorts. Aidus smirked, and then turned to another problem. They were now approaching the ship from both sides. He smiled and loaded up his launcher again. Firing, he took down two more shuttles as his torpedoes blasted through the ship with ease.
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Serra sliced down the next group of clones standing between her and her goal. Body parts were flying off around her as she slaughtered her way to the bridge, her troops backing her up. The Interdictor was already mostly empty after a rather reckless assault by the Defence had spaced most of its main thoroughfare. They were now fighting through what remained and were nearly at the bridge.
"Mam, they've closed the blast doors." A trooper reported.
Serra grinned.
"Watch and learn."
Using the Force, she flattened out and spiralled towards the blast doors, her blades in her hands. She wrenched them off the wall and blew them in, then attacked the waiting troops. The captain smiled as she put up her hands.
"It's good to see you again Serra."
"Captain Variya. What are you doing here?"
"Looking for an opportunity to defect and get rid of those ghastly clones."
Variya had been with Serra at the Battle of Mon Gazza during the war. There, the two women had struck up a friendship, and Variya had mentioned how her crew detested the clones that were on her ship.
"I must thank the captain of the Defence for helping me fill out my plan."
Serra shook her head in wonder.
"How did you know what they were going to do?"
Variya winked at her.
"Skill my dear. Most of the clones have now been vented to space, however just in case there were more I never openly defected. But, the Sucker is at your command."
Serra smiled. Variya's crew had been moved to the Sucker after her previous Interdictor, the Meerkat had been damaged beyond repair by General Grievous.
"Thank you Variya. Now, I think it's time we turn your gravity well generators against your superior."
Variya smiled.
"My thoughts exactly."
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"We have taken the Sucker!" someone shouted.
Ackdara grinned.
"Joren, we've got you, you bastard."
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"Sir they have taken the Sucker!"
Joren closed his eyes. There was no escape.
"All power to weapons! We will make them suffer before the end!"
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Ackdara gritted her teeth as the Bloodbath opened fire with everything it had. Turbolaser blasts shook the Swift as Joren pressed ahead with what remained of his fleet. Despite having lost his two Interdictors and his five Strike Cruisers, he still had his ISD, his two VSDs and two remaining Dreadnaughts. Time to change that equation. The Hunger was the only ship that was preventing the Swift and the rest of the fleet from bombarding the Bloodbath from above, as it had cleverly placed itself in between the attack force and the Star Destroyer. Ackdara grinned.
"Roll us around and expose our belly to the Dreadnaught." She ordered.
The ship did so, and as expected, the Dreadnaught took advantage of the weaker defences and unleashed a devastating barrage.
"Full ahead. Take us right up to the Dreadnaught."
The ship was beginning to falter under the attack.
"Now, release cluster bombs."
They shot outwards, blowing apart several fighters, but not harming the Dreadnaught at all.
"Now! All power to engines!"
The Swift jerked forward, all cannons blazing as it rightened itself. The Dreadnaught, which as she expected, had thought the frigate was going to turn and fight after it released its cluster bombs, had put all shields forward, thus leaving the rest of the ship totally undefended. Turbolaser shots incinerated the starboard side of the vessel and the Dreadnaught was knocked off its axis, defeated. Ventress and Qual then led a few squadrons in and they finished it off with a couple of well placed torpedoes.
"Excellent. Focus all your firepower on the Bloodbath."
"Yes mam!"
Ackdara smiled. She loved it when her plans worked.
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Kota and Mariss couldn't make any headway at all, and they were pinned inside the shuttle they had used to board the Imperial. They hadn't even got anybody out, and the enemy showed no signs of relenting.
"That's it, get us out of here!" Kota yelled.
"Where shall we go?" a troop asked.
"Take us to the Famine. It's not as good as a VSD but it will have to do. Tell Ackdara not to fire on it and say she can blow this up instead." Mariss shouted.
"Yes mam!"
Two minutes later, the shuttle was leaving the VSD and headed for the Dreadnaught.
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Argron smiled as he received the order.
"Right my lot, focus firepower on the Imperial. We get to blow it up after all!"
Jehmit chuckled as the five Judicial cruisers swooped down on the VSD, firing missiles and lasers as they went. They were then backed up by the two Wookiee frigates who both unleashed a devastating broadside, catching the ship between two bouts of fire. Then above it, the Infuriator pummelled down on it, as the Judicials came back in for round two. It's shields failing because of the continuing barrage, the VSD tried to back out of the battle, but too late. As turbolaser fire continued to pound the cruiser, the five Judicials swept back down, firing missiles, emptying their entire magazine. Fire erupted all over the ship as it began to crack from the sheer power of the assault it faced. Argron then took great pleasure in firing a missile right into the bridge of the enemy cruiser. Finally, with one last barrage from the other cruisers, the Imperial broke apart and it was over.
"This is Argron. Let's attack the Bloodbath!"
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Bultar and Jeisel had battled their way all the way up to the command corridor of the Senatorial and they were not about to let some troops that had camped out in the defence stations outside the bridge stop them. Bultar sprang to the left hand barracks, her blade singing as she came down, slicing her first opponent in half. She then twirled several times, slicing apart opponents as they came too close to her. She then launched into a battle frenzy, defeating what remained of her opponents. Jeisel was much more direct and blasted them all with a Force push to get them away from the door, allowing her troops to rush forward to place their charges. Jeisel then dashed into the midst of clones and sliced them apart with ease. By the time the two Jedi had finished, the troops were ready. They blew open the door, and Bultar and Jeisel leapt in, taking down the defenders with their blades. As the troops entered, they secured the bridge, forcing the crew up against the wall.
"We have the ship. Now, reinforce the fleet's position and let's hit Joren with everything we've got!" Jeisel said.
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Kota and Mariss sprang out into the damaged hangar of the Famine and looked around. It was deserted. Clones lay dead everywhere due to a venting of atmosphere that had since been contained.
Suddenly the comm blared to life.
"Kota old man, is that you!?"
"Thinn?"
Thinn and Kota had been allies in one of the many battles on their homeworld of the rocky and warlike world of Ratakia, the sister world of Rattatak, though it was on the other side of the system.
"Yes old man! How are you?"
"Quite well. I'm sorry we're on the wrong side of the battle here."
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mariss shrug at the troops, who shrugged back.
"You know, your lot have already made one hell of a mess of my ship, so I'll just surrender to you now."
Kota grinned.
"We'll catch up later old boy."
"That we will."
The comm clicked off and Kota grinned at Mariss.
"See? Simple, and not a shot fired."
Mariss shook her head.
"There'll be no living with him after this."
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"Sir, we're on our own!"
Joren roared.
"I don't care! Full ahead, all power to weapons! Let us destroy them once and for all! We'll take as many as we can to the grave with us!"
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Ackdara watched as the ISD shot towards the fleet. She shook her head. Foolish man.
"All forces, concentrate all your fire on the Imperial Star Destroyer!"
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Turbolaser shots, laser bolts, missiles and mines were all sent at the Bloodbath as it tried to make a final stand against a vastly superior foe. Cannons and tractor beams were blown apart, comm towers and jammers disintegrated.
The Bloodbath was dying at last.
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"Sir, wouldn't it be better if we surrendered?"
With a cry of fury, Joren shot the man.
"Imperials do not surrender! For the Emperor!"
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Ventress smiled as the fleet let loose at the Bloodbath. Now it was her turn. She gunned the engines and fired a missile right into the bridge shield generator. With a shattering explosion, it blew apart. The end was nigh, and the enemy would soon be defeated.
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"Sir, we just lost our main bridge deflector shield!"
"Intensify the forward batteries, I don't want anything to get through!"
And at that moment, Joren's mind finally accepted he had lost. But that wouldn't stop him or his course in the slightest.
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The Silver Blade's crew watched as the shield dome exploded.
"He's open." Teecee stated.
"Well don't just sit there! Gun the engines!" Vella shouted.
"Oh right!"
They sped towards the Star Destroyer, which was beginning to melt under the bombardment.
"May I?" Shaak Ti asked, indicating the missile lever.
"Of course."
"Thank you."
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"Sir!" a man yelled, pointing at the approaching Corvette.
"Intensify forward fire power!" Joren yelled.
"Too late!"
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Shaak Ti squeezed the trigger.
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"NOOOOO!" Joren yelled as the missile burst through the viewport.
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With that, the bridge detonated into thousands of tiny bits, taking General Joren with it in a fiery explosion. A second later, the readings of the ship went critical and it shattered apart in a massive fiery explosion.
The Bloodbath was gone at last, Joren with it, and the Jedi were victorious.
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Shaak Ti sat down tiredly in a seat and opened the comm.
"Excellent job everyone. Joren's war machine has been eradicated."
There were many whoops and shouts of joy as the fleet heard the news.
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An hour later, it was time to deal with the politics of winning the battle.
"Transfer all the prisoners onto one of the dungeon ships and let it take them back to neutral space. Collect all things worth salvaging and formalise the surrender of the defectors. Anyone else who wishes to defect will of course be allowed to do so. The Vanguard will be our medical frigate for the moment. Deploy people to try to find any survivors who are EV. Man the captured ships and call all forces back in, and get all wounded to the Vanguard for treatment." Shaak Ti relayed through the fleet, with Ackdara's approval.
She then turned to Rox.
"And as for you my dear, I wonder if you could help me do something?"
Rox whistled and Shaak Ti grinned.
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Palpatine glared down at him.
"I summoned you back here so you could destroy a Jedi here, not lose the ones you were already chasing!"
"You summoned me, so I came! If you wanted me to chase after Shaak Ti, you shouldn't have summoned me!"
Vader heard a simpering female laugh, but ignored it.
"Oh, never mind. Yes, a Jedi named Jax Pavan is making a nuisance of himself. Eliminate him please."
"Very well my master." Vader said through clenched teeth.
It was then that Amedda and Moore entered.
"My Emperor, something's coming through on your private channel."
"Well you had better display it hadn't you?"
As the hologram flickered to life, Vader had a terrible premonition of dread.
Shaak Ti materialised in front of them.
"Oh oh." Amedda said and he and Moore started backing away slowly towards the door.
"Hello Emperor. I just have a tiny little thing to show you."
The camera then turned to a field of wreckage, and the unmistakeable remains of a Star Destroyer. It was labelled BLOODBATH.
"Joren is dead, his fleet is either destroyed or in our hands, and we are victorious." Shaak Ti said triumphantly.
She waved at them, gave them a gloating smile then signed off.
Then, they blew.
"SSSSHHHHAAAAAAAAKKKK TTTTIIII!"
Hooray! Joren is dead at last! sorry this took so long, and Merry Christmas to you all and Happy New Year when it comes!
Right, thats the end of the first battle. At last. Christ, do you have any idea how long it takes to write a battle of that size, especially when you get side tracked playing Knights of the Old Republic in the middle?
So Joren is dead, the Jedi are victorious, they have new ships and Palpatine and Vader are furious. All in a day's work. Finally, a break for the Jedi. Now they can relax.
So, that's the last Dark Times for a while. I'm determined to finish Harry Potter and the Criminal Chase, so thats next, and then I might write a Knights of the Old Republic story.
Oh, and if there's any questions about the battle, dont hesitate to ask!
So, until next time, enjoy New Year and please read and review!