Destroyer Imperial II, ESV262 "Destiny Blade", conference room.
It has now been three days since the ships left for Dvar. The destroyer had been prepared for battle. The watertight bulkheads had been tested, the hangar, now almost empty, cleaned from top to bottom, the fire-fighting equipment deployed at strategic points.
A great silence reigned everywhere, as if the crew was providing calm before the storm of the battle.
On the evening of the third day, the detection station called Louchké.
"Admiral, we have two positive echoes on approach in the Kuat axis. That's big vessels"
"How far away?"
"About one day"
"Watch them. Logically, they must be scouts. More echoes will be coming in soon. Call me back in the conference room if you need me"
"Copy that"
The Admiral hung up. He called Crebs and Isse and asked them to come to the conference room within five minutes.
The three men met in the room. There was still no light, so they turned on a field lamp and placed it at the end of the long table. Lighted from below, Louchké spoke first.
"Two ships from Kuat have just been detected. Probably reconnaissance frigates"
Isse replied: "When will they reach us?"
"Same time tomorrow. They're refining the calculations"
No sooner had he finished his sentence than the intercom rang. The admiral picked up the phone and listened without interruption.
"Good. Tap their phones and let me know immediately if any attack ships leave"
He turned to the two men.
"A whole fleet just appeared"
Crebs asked: "Do we know if the Emancipator is in it?"
"Not yet, but I bet you my admiral's badge that it is"
Isse intervened: "What's the program?"
"They're going to deploy for the boarding. They've got all day to do it"
"And?"
"And they won't make it. We're entering an area riddled with black holes, and no captain worthy of being one dare go in there"
"Hum?"
"Except us, of course. Because unlike the Republicans, we have nothing left to lose"
Crebs and Isse couldn't help smiling.
Republican flagship RSV115 "Emancipator", command bridge.
Admiral Rousseau stood on the main platform flanked by Youlia Ashrod, the Colonel of Internal Security and Jed Koïnsky.
An NCO from the navigation bridge approached the group and said:
"Admiral, the fleet is complete. We're starting to get the objective in sight"
"Perfect, perfect" replied the Admiral. "Give orders to surround them, but have them await my order for the final assault"
"That's what excellence..."
"What's that? Didn't you understand what I just told you?"
The NCO didn't know where to stand. Jed decided to put him out of his misery:
"What's going on, Sergeant?"
"We can't deploy according to standard procedure. There are too many gravitational forces and the ships could tear apart if they get too close to the devourers"
The admiral asked with a sharp voice: "So how do the Imperials do it?"
The sergeant replied: "They're completely mad. Or else they have managed to find a channel in the midst of this chaos. We could follow them at a pinch, but by no means a full formation"
Jed turned to the admiral.
"Admiral now is the time to stop them! If we let them get in there, we'll be level at best!"
"What right have you got to talk to me like that, cuirassier! Mark the three steps of respect!"
Jed stepped back. He looked the Admiral straight in the eyes and said with a calm voice: "You're making a huge mistake. Immobilize them first and then you can play with them all you want. But send your damn squadrons now, in two hours it will be too late"
"Colonel Ashrod! - Take Lieutenant Koïnsky back to his quarters and arrest him!" replied the admiral in a high-pitched voice.
Yulia approached Jed.
"I'm sorry, Lieutenant, but those are the orders. Follow me"
There was nothing more we could do. You don't argue with "the sister of the machine", as beautiful as she is cold.
Jed stepped off the bridge, followed by Youlia. They went through the watertight door and into the corridor leading to the guest quarters. Jed couldn't help but say:
"Youlia, do something! The admiral is listening to you, there is still time to make up for all this! Just two squadrons of B-Wings, and he'll have his boarding!"
"You're losing it, Lieutenant. I have complete confidence in the Admiral. If he decides not to send in the bombers, it's not necessary. Here is your cabin"
She opened the door.
"Do I have your word that you'll be confined?"
"Yes, Colonel" replied Koïnsky, clicking his heels in an impeccable salute.
"So I will not lock the door"
She saluted in her turn and went out without blocking the door, as she had announced. Jed found himself alone. He sat down on the bed, took his head in his hands and closed his eyes.
What the hell was going on? Could it be possible that the Admiral's right? Is it possible that we're right about everyone?
He turned his head from right to left. He had already participated in engagements against the forces commanded by Louchké, and it had never been easy. Why should this time be any different?
The choice of destination alone was questionable. The Mercy Nebula... it should have been a wake-up call for everyone...
He remembered that the only one who fired was one of the commanders of the fleet on board. He made an effort to remember and finally found his name. Sven Anbar. He decided to call him on the intercom.
"After all, I don't leave my cabin, he thought. The letter of my promise is respected, but in spirit, necessity knows no law"
The commander's face appeared on the screen. He asked, acknowledging Jed.
"Hello Lieutenant, to what do I owe your call? "
"Hello, Commander. You're the only one who reacted when the Mercy Nebula was announced at the conference..."
"Yes, so what?"
"I just came from the command bridge. The ship we're chasing is engaging and we won't be able to deploy the fleet for boarding"
"Continue"
"I've suggested to the Admiral we send two bomb squadrons to try to board the cruiser before it's fully engaged. I've just been arrested for that"
"We haven't received any readiness orders yet. But your suggestion is not idiotic"
"Commander, would you please intervene with the Admiral? Your opinion may count for more than that of a mere lieutenant..."
"I'll see what I can do. But I can't guarantee anything. The admiral is more stubborn than a mule"
"Thank you, Commander. Since I'm under arrest, this conversation's supposed to be off the record..."
"Of course" replied the commander with a thin smile.
The screen went off. Jed lay down on the bunk and closed his eyes. There was nothing more to do for now.
Republican flagship RSV115 "Emancipator", main hangar.
The commander had to be convincing, because the order for the bombing formations to take off had finally been given. But a lot of time had been lost.
Attack, but with what kind of weapons? Should we opt for laser pods or bombs? We hesitated, and more time was wasted. In the end we decided not to decide anything and to use a combination of both ordnances.
The bay operators evacuated the hangar, the air was sucked out, and the doors were opened. The squadrons slowly exited the ship and proceeded to form up.
Destroyer Imperial II, ESV262 "Destiny Blade", Command Bridge.
The admiral and Crebs stood silently on the bridge, one watching the large bay and its screens, the other lost in thought. Suddenly, one of the operators of the room stood up, climbed on the bridge and saluted in front of Louchké.
"Admiral, an attack squadron is forming around the "Emancipator". Two squadrons of B-Wing, totalling thirty aircraft"
"What kind of armament?"
"We can't see it yet, they're too far away"
"Their travel time?"
"An estimated half an hour"
"Trigger a general alert"
"At your service!"
The admiral stepped to the edge of the bridge and said in a loud voice to the entire crew present:
"The entire station is in combat communication. All hands on deck! No more saluting or protocol!"
"Well sir!" answered in heart the station.
Crebs thought: "The ritual response of the Imperial Space Navy. Emperors come and go, traditions remain..."
Louchke turned to Crebs.
"Heini, can you get Isse? Things are rushing and I must talk to him alone"
Crebs was a little surprised, but he didn't show it. He nodded and left the station.
"Armament of the Joint Strike Squadron: Laser and bombs!" announced a detection operator in front of his screen.
Another added: "Contact in twenty minutes! "
