Chapter 30
URGENT NOTICE!! PLEASE READ!!
I was involved in a car accident Saturday Jan. 9th around 11pm and suffered a compression fracture on my L1 vertebrae. I fell asleep at the wheel and drove into a ditch. Other than my back I have no other injuries but it hurts to move and sit so I will not be updating for a while. I was able to get most of the next chapter written before this happened so it is almost completed, but until the pain in my back fades I won't be able to sit and write efficiently. Thank you so much for your support and for your patience. I'll finish the new chapter and upload it as soon as I am able.
...
Sabine and I wait anxiously for Wedge's targeting data on the exhaust port defenses for what felt like forever. Several reports of lost fighters and ships kept coming in by the minute. He wasn't to break radio silence until he was safe in our hangar bay. After several more minutes, we finally hear a shout from our weapons officer in the pit.
"General, we're receiving coordinates. Ten confirmed targets and counting!"
"We only have six LRACs," Sabine says to me.
"Eight if we count the BACs at equal strength. Get these coordinates to the Reclamation and the Redemption. We'll need their LRACs for this to work smoothly," I say.
"Yes sir!"
I watch the datapad as Bastian and the Redemption captain both report ready for the bombardment.
"Open a secure channel to both ship captains," I tell the comms officer.
He nods to me and they appear on my datapad.
"General," Bastian says quickly.
"Admirals. Wait for my signal. This needs to be a simultaneous action. Each of our ships only have at best eight targets out of this selection so General Wren will be assigning targets based on range. Fire three salvos from each cannon on each assigned target and immediately select a new target after that's done. This needs to happen fast so they don't have time to concentrate their shield on that area."
"Understood general. We're receiving our targets. Standing by."
I look over to Sabine and she looks back at me.
"All targets are assigned, Ez. Now it's your turn."
"All targets are locked, general. Give us the order and we'll blast those defenses to oblivion."
"Wedge can't break radio silence... do we have that tracker active?" I ask.
The XO looks at me. "Yes sir. He's at a safe distance from the hot zone."
"Admirals. The order is given."
The communication cuts out and I see a stream of long range turbolaser fire flying towards the Death Star's exhaust port, followed by explosions dotting the surface as our shots connect with their targets.
"Direct hits on all targets. Confirmed destroyed, proceeding to next targets!" the weapons officer reports.
The ship shudders as three new salvos of LRAC fire fly towards the remaining turbolaser batteries.
A bright blue light fills the battlefield as one of the other Avenger class star destroyers fires their BACs at full power at the Death Star. Slowly but surely, we're drilling a hole towards the reactor.
"Ezra, all turbolaser batteries around the exhaust port have been destroyed. The back up ray shield is also down," Sabine tells me.
"Send in the bombers."
She nods and turns towards the holotable, redirecting some of our fighters and bombers to the Death Star's surface.
"Commander Antilles is RTB, general," the XO says to me.
"Good. I want him up here as soon as he gets back for debrief."
I turn back towards the battle and I hear Bastian's voice calling out to the now disabled Redemption.
"Resolute to all rebel ships; as soon as the Redemption is operational again we're going to fire our BACs again," I say on fleet-wide comms.
"Enemy bombers, incoming!" someone shouts.
I look out the forward viewscreen and see a squadron of TIE bombers heading our way.
"Increase forward firepower! Fighters, ward them off!" Sabine shouts.
The ship shakes violently and I'm almost knocked to my feet.
"Status report!" I call out once the shaking stops.
"We have a hull breach on deck 6. Fires on deck 9, but they are controllable. We got hit hard sir," the XO reports.
"What hit us?" I ask.
"I think it was that," Sabine says. "Look over there."
I look to where she was pointing and I see two Executor class super star destroyers approaching.
How did we not see them arrive? Surely our scanners would've picked them up!
"We won't last long against those," Sabine says.
"No, we won't. We can't turn the fleet's attention off the ISDs... and our bombers are assaulting the exhaust port..." I start thinking about our next move.
"Ezra, we have to use the BACs against those dreadnoughts," Sabine says. "We'll have to trust our fighters can hold their own down there."
"I know. Get me the ship commanders."
She nods and calls out to the communications officer. "You're on, Ez."
I nod and turn to the holotable as my commanders appear.
"Is everyone here?" I ask.
"Yes sir, we're all here. What's the plan about those supers?"
"That's why I called everyone. We can't spare any fighters or bombers from their current engagements so we'll have to trust the Death Star's destruction to those pilots. I want the fleet to focus all their attention on the enemy fleet."
"But the Death Star..."
"Forget the Death Star. We won't last long under those dreadnoughts once they reach the entire fleet. I want our Legacy star destroyers to keep fighting the Imperial-IIs with the support ships from their battle groups. All the Avenger star destroyers are going to focus their fire on the Executors. When Redemption is operational I'm having the Resolute target one of the dreadnoughts. Reclamation, push your guns to the maximum. Once Resolute is operational, use your BACs at full strength at whatever's left of the dreadnoughts."
"This is a risky plan... but I don't suppose we have a choice, do we?" Bastian asks.
"Unfortunately, no. Without any more support this is the only way," I say. "I want a ready report asap, then on my order, we fire BACs at full power."
The commanders give a quick "Yes sir!" before closing the channel.
"Where did those supers come from?" I ask the XO.
"There were no hyperspace signatures, my guess is they came from the other side of the Death Star or perhaps it has some way to store the vessels," he replies.
"No I don't think that last one is it..." Sabine mutters. "It's possible the ambush the Terrans set up could've failed, but again there was no hyperspace warning..."
"Right, well we can't concentrate on that now. What's the status of the other ships?" I ask.
"All vessels reporting ready, Ezra," Sabine tells me. "We're waiting on your order."
"Target the enemy reactor core," I say.
"Reactor core targeted, general!" the gunner calls out.
"Charge the guns."
Slowly, but surely, the lights on the bridge and undoubtedly the rest of the ship start to dim and eventually go out. The air starts to feel a bit thinner but still manageable and the gravity slightly weaker. The front of the ship starts to glow and the front viewscreen polarizes.
"Guns are fully charged, sir!"
"Fire!"
Two blue beams of energy once again shoot out from the cannon barrels of the BACs and rapidly fly towards the targeted Executor. The ship shakes violently and there's some creaking heard from deep within the ship. A few seconds pass and the beam fades and the lights flicker and turn back on.
"Give me a status report on our condition," I tell the XO.
"Yes, sir!" he shouts as he rushes to get a report.
"Ezra," Sabine says. "Look at the super!"
I look out to it and see several orange spots dotting the entire ship.
"I think it's burning," she tells me.
"We'll know for sure what happened once we get power restored," I say as I turn to the holotable. "How long until communications are back online?"
"About ten minutes, sir," the XO replies. "I'm getting that report put together so it won't be long."
"Good."
The ship continues to shake and shudder as the engines kick back online just minutes later, and right after that, communications come back online.
"General, all decks have reported in," the XO tells me.
"Good. What's our status?"
"Engines are coming back to full efficiency and shields are online, but weak. Our reactor has some damage but still relatively stable." He activates the holotable where the structural status of the Resolute appears. "There's structural damage throughout the ship. This was our second shot."
"We can't risk a third shot," Sabine says.
She's right about that one. Those simulations a while back showed us that a third shot would either kill everyone on the ship or cripple the ship itself.
"I agree," I say. "Is there anything else in the report?"
"Yes. There are reports of random system failures in a few areas. The medical bay lost power as did the starboard hangar bay. Crew's quarters went dark but quickly flickered back to life. Long range scanners are also inoperable and engineers are working to bring them back online."
"That's expected from a second full power shot..." Sabine says. "Those simulations Tenith showed us are accurate."
"I was thinking the same thing. Get me the Reclamation!"
The comms officer looks up at me and nods.
"Admiral, do you read?"
"Yes, sir, I read you. You're a bit spotty but I read you."
"Good. This is your second shot correct?" I ask.
"Yes. Don't worry, I know the risks. Just give me the order whenever you're ready."
"We lost our scanners. Can you tell me the status of the enemy vessel?"
"It was a direct hit, sir. It's completely dead in space. We've locked onto the second one and we're ready to fire."
"Good. Take the shot!"
The channel closes and I watch as the Reclamation starts to charge their BACs.
I hit a button on a comm panel. "All hands brace for friendly BAC fire!"
The ship's alarms crackle to life right then.
"We have our alarms back," Sabine says. "Must've been another system."
The Reclamation fires and our own screens are forced to polarize again, but this time we can see what's going on as the beam hits the second super and the entire Imperial ship bursts into flames. The beam fades and there's a bright flash of light. I shield my eyes until the light disappears and I see the second ship is gone aside from the countless chunks of debris left behind.
"What happened? Never saw that one before," Sabine asks.
"I don't know... but that wasn't normal. Even the super we destroyed before didn't detonate like that one did," I said.
"We have our scanners back sir," the XO reports.
"I want to know what happened with those supers," I say.
"I've got it, sir. It seemed there was something aboard the vessel that detonated, which proceeded to vaporize most of the super. The other one is taking heavy hits from the debris left behind as well and their reactor is going critical. It looks like it's going to detonate as well but I don't expect this one to be quite as destructive," he reports.
An incoming alarm goes off.
"Ezra, we've got debris headed our way!" Sabine says.
"Can we take it?"
"More than the Reclamation."
"Maneuver us in front of the Reclamation, then. We have to protect it!"
The ship shudders as the engines push us between Reclamation and the incoming debris. Before we know it, we start getting hammered by the debris. The ship shakes violently and alarms go off.
"We lost our starboard hangar! It took a direct hit from a large chunk of debris!" somebody calls out. "Multiple hull breaches and fires throughout the ship."
"Get damage control down there! Get any wounded to medical!" Sabine orders.
"Point defense, target any incoming debris fragments. What's the status of the rest of the fleet?"
"We lost a lot of fighters and a few destroyers and corvettes. Our capital ships have sustained damage but are still operational," the XO reports. "The Empire's ships don't seem to be doing any better than we are, though."
I look out and see a few Imperial star destroyers falling to the Death Star's surface due to its gravity. Other ships are burning and it's clear their own TIE fighters did even worse than our X-wings and Y-wings.
"Where's Wedge?" I ask.
"I have his tracking beacon. Looks like he took cover behind the remains of one of our lost destroyers. I've just directed him to our port hangar," the flight officer reports.
"I want him up here, ASAP," I say as I return to the holotable and look at the holographic overview of the battle.
I suddenly realize that something feels off. Something's missing from the surrounding battle. My XO walks up to me and hands me another datapad.
"All Imperial ships have ceased fire, sir," he tells me. "They seem to be figuring out what to do next since their second best weapons were destroyed."
I read the information on the datapad. "And what does this have to do with the enemy fleet?"
"They're in dissarray, sir. We need to press the attack. We can win this right now," he answers.
He's excited.
Sabine catches my attention.
"He's right. We need to strike while we still can. Our fighters at the port were almost wiped out by defending fighters, but they're not beaten. We can reinforce them and provide support, but we have to get through the enemy fleet first," she says. "Their shields are down, this is our chance."
"Alright then. I want all ships to engage separate targets by range. Full attack. Push the fleet up to close quarters combat, we need to throw everything we have at them," I say then. "I want all our remaining fighters still among the fleet to cover our bombers for another run on the exhaust port. Any ship we have that is missile and torpedo capable I want to hit the enemy capital ships."
"What's the status of the Reclamation?" Sabine asks the XO.
"They are recharging their reactor core. Their shields are back online but they're weak. Engines are powered up and weapons are minimal. Their comms are knocked out due to the unpredictable power losses."
"Keep Resolute nearby to support them," she orders. "Until they come back to full efficiency we have to remain here."
"Yes, ma'am," the XO says.
"The fleet has their orders. Let's finish this fight once and for all," I say.
The order is transmitted to every ship, fighter, and bomber of the fleet and the sight that comes afterwards is one I never thought I'd see again. I look outside the front of the bridge and watch the entire Rebel fleet pushing closer to the Imperials, all their guns blasting their ships to pieces.
Battleship, cruisers, destroyers, every ship of every size and shape began to engage the Empire in a violent brawl.
Reports of enemy ships and fighters destroyed began to overcome reports of our own losses. We were beginning to win. We finally had an edge over the Empire.
"Reclamation to Resolute. Come in Resolute!"
"Admiral, good to hear you. What's your status?"
"We're all okay. We're overheating the core to charge faster. Expect us to be active in 20 minutes," Bastian says.
"Acknowledged, Admiral. Resolute will remain on guard until you're active. Until then, I've sent the fleet on a full offensive," I say.
"I see that. I don't have operational scanners. Damage control have reported a complete loss of targeting sensors and relays. We can't get information on the enemy fleet."
"Their shields are down and ships are damaged. They took several capital losses from the debris."
"I see that now. I'll report back once we're back in action."
The call drops and I look over to the continuing brawl. Several Imperial star destroyers and cruisers explode. It looks like our torpedos hit a magazine.
I see a blip on the holotable and see what looked to be a disabled Imperial cruiser coming back online right behind our lines.
"They got a ship behind our main fleet. Our commanders won't be able to see it. I want torpedo tubes one through four armed and locked on that ship," I say.
"Tubes one through four, aye sir!" one of the operators in the pit shouts back as he remotely follows through with the order. "Torpedoes ready sir!"
"Fire!"
The ship shudders again as four glowing red torpedos fly towards the enemy cruiser. A minute passes. Two minutes.
"Impacts detected, sir. Two near the bow and one in the aft. We hit a magazine, sir, it's about to detonate," the XO reports, keeping tabs on the status.
"Understood."
The bridge doors open and I turn to see Wedge coming in. He approaches and salutes me. "Mission accomplished."
I quickly salute him in response and put him at ease. "What can you tell me about the exhaust port?"
"All surface defense are confirmed destroyed and the shield is gone. Whatever scans you were getting are accurate. There's a gaping hole straight down the throat of the port so if our bombers can get into position it shouldn't be a problem," Wedge says.
"Shouldn't be, but they've focused a lot of fighters in that position now. We're waiting for Reclamation to be active again so we can provide support," I say then. "We have a few wings of fighters and bombers that have returned to repair and rearm. The fleet is doing well, but our fighter complement are in a dire state."
"I'm ready to fly, sir."
"That's what I wanted to hear. Can the stealthX deploy torpedos?"
"Yes sir, she's perfectly capable of combat," he says.
"Good. I want you to sneak through the enemy defenses and launch a torpedo. We'll keep sending in squadrons to fake the attacks and keep the imperial fighters occupied," I tell him.
"Consider it done. Just waiting to be refueled."
"Good man. We're all counting on you."
...
"Cobra to Resolute. I'm going in. Enforcing radio silence."
"Let's get this done. Is the fleet ready to jump at my order?" I ask Sabine.
"They are aware but there's still some Imperial resistance," she replies. "They're just cleaning up shop at this point."
By the time Wedge's StealthX was refueled, the Reclamation was fully charged and ready to get back into the battle. We are currently positioned by the exhaust port. The Imperial fleet is all but destroyed, but our own fleet is suffering a lot of losses. Since the Empire is in more of a sorry state than we are for the first time ever, our fleet is positioned in a way where we can jump out quickly. Not only that but we are too close to the Death Star for its superlaser to be able to be a threat.
"Wedge is getting into position. It's almost over," the XO says. "Wait, what is this?"
Before I could say anything, the entire ship shakes violently and alarms go off.
"What was that?" I ask.
"I don't know," the XO says. He's tapping about on the holotable. "There's no other ships close enough to threaten us."
There's another blast and I see chunks of the ship fly off the starboard side. The resulting breach exposes the power cells for the BACs.
"Ezra, it's the Death Star. We must be positioned close enough for their turbolasers to hit us, but I think there's more to it," Sabine says.
"What do you mean more? More of what?"
"I don't know, but whatever it is we can't see it until right before impact. I think they're some kind of torpedos," she says.
"General," the XO says. "We're getting reports from the fleet. They're getting hit with the same thing. What are your orders?"
"Get the fleet far enough from the Death Star to avoid being hit by these weapons. But not far out enough to get hit by their superlaser," I say.
"Ezra, I think these torpedos have enough range to force us out to minimal laser range," Sabine says. "It's just a thought, but I don't want to risk it."
"You might be right... Tell the fleet to jump and break radio silence with Wedge! Tell him to launch the torpedoes!"
"Incoming transmission from Commander Antilles. They've closed off the exhaust port with a blast shield. The torpedoes couldn't reach the reactor!" the comms officer reports.
I curse loudly.
"Get him back to Resolute," I say.
"Yes si-"
The ship shakes violently, knocking everyone standing to the floor, including me.
I get back up and the XO checks the damage panel. "XO!"
"More hull breaches on all decks! We've lost our central engine and one of our starboard engines. Shields are offli-"
Another blast hits the ship...
"We've lost our ventral hangar!"
Another...
There's now a gaping hole in the dorsal hangar doors and everything that wasn't secured in the shielded bays are sucked out into space: ships, equipment, people, and all.
Another...
"Hyperdrive is gone!"
"Ezra!"
I start thinking and images of my nightmares fill my mind.
"Ezra!"
Sabine is shaking me.
"Snap out of it! We need you!" she shouts.
Another...
I blink a few times and I look at everyone at the bridge. Jump the fleet, get them out of here!"
I run to a panel on the holotable and look over to the ship status panel. There's red lines all along the ship.
"Are weapons still fuctional?" I ask.
"Yes sir, but not for long," XO says.
I think about something and grit my teeth. "Abandon ship!"
The comms officer pales and fumbles for the alarm and mic. "All hands abandon ship! I repeat; All hands abandon ship! This is not a drill!"
"Ezra, what are you thinking of?" Sabine asks me.
"I'm going to fire one last shot... down the Death Star's throat," I say as I jump into the pit and start programming the guns to charge.
"What? Ezra you can't! You'll be killed!"
"We don't know that! 50/50 chance I'll be okay, right?" I rush over to the helm and program the ship's course to align straight down the Death Star's exhaust port.
"Ezra, we have to go!" she shouts.
Yet another blast hits the ship, nearly throwing the ship off course.
The ship points down the exhaust port and the air thins and the gravity lightens.
"Ezra, look at the ship! In this condition it's guaranteed this will fail!" she shouts at me. She then sighs. "If you won't leave, then I'm staying with you."
Another blast. Now the bridge is on fire in several places. An automated voice warns that emergency fire control systems are offline.
"Sabine, I order you to abandon ship! The Rebellion can't risk losing both top generals!" I shout.
I freeze then.
My nightmare...
No... my vision...
It's not exactly how I saw it... but it's close enough...
"And I'm not going to leave you! I won't leave without you!"
Another blast... the ship creaks and shakes.
"Sabine, I have to do this so everyone can be safe!"
"And what about you?"
I can't bring myself to look up at her at this point. I can feel her fear. Her sadness. Her pain.
"Sabine, please..."
"No!" I feel her arms around me. "Don't make me leave you..."
"Sabine..."
"We found Epsilon together. We found Resolute together. We made new allies and new enemies together. We started all this together so we finish it together."
I sigh.
Another blast shakes the ship and the lights dim as the front of the ship glows. The viewscreen fails to polarize.
"Fine..."
"Warning! Reactor breach! Imminent reactor detonation."
I flip a switch and press a button.
"Warning! Beam Artillery Cannons overloaded. Abort weapon's launch!"
I put my hand on the switch to fire and Sabine puts her hand on mine. I finally look up at her and see her puffy eyes. The tears aren't flowing, but they're still lingering in her eyes.
"Together..." I say.
She nods and we both pull the switch. The ship shakes and more alarms blare as the BACs shoot one last time.
We lock eyes and she puts a hand on my cheek.
"Ez..." she whispers. "If we don't make it out... I just want you to know..."
My heart jumps in my chest.
The ship shudders violently and there's a bright orange flash behind me.
"Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum..." she mutters as she presses her lips to mine.
My vision flashes orange again...
Then white...
Sabine...
I love you, too...
...
...