A few things before the story begins. one obviously Diseny owns starwars. Aside from the OCs and the world Invictus are all their material. Two this an AU that isn't meant to follow what happened at the end of Endor in cannon or legends but be it's own version. Also introduces the idea of clones gaining the ability to live longer that's not cannon.Three I am confused with imperial naval ranks and what commands a star destroyer. For simplification I decided a commander is incharge of a single star destroyer. Then finally this is a joint project to have one story about the Empire and one about the Rebels both fighting to establish legitimacy post Endor. I encourage you to read the other story called Alliance if you want to know what the otherside is doing around the same time of course it's not necessary to understand the narrative of this story about the Imperials. That out of the way let's start.
Prologue, Endor
The ship shook and bellowed a deep rumble from the impact of bombs bursting across the deck. Captain Juilus Alexander clenched his fist and grinded his teeth as the rebel attack force broke off and began curving around in the black sky of space for another run. He needed starfighter support and desperately. "Pull the fighter wing back!" He shouted, "Now!"
"Sir, the emperor's orders-" Began one of his lieutenants.
"Lieutenant do you want to die!" Commander Alexander shouted as he turned to him with a face full of rage.
In that moment both men froze as they turned to look through the viewpoint of their star destroyer and watched as the Executor. Darth Vader's personal super star destroyer, the ultimate symbol of the empire. Its bridge burst into a giant ball of fire. Then they saw the large and mighty craft begin to tilt over the death star. The gravitational pull of the station having seized the famed warship, the second the Executor's systems were gone. Then it was dragged downward towards the death star in a progressive pace. The very end of it met the death star a bright white furious explosion of energy erupted upwards through the Executor then expanded completely consuming it. There was nothing left of the Executor except the black void of space in which it once stood.
The Commander couldn't believe what he'd just witnessed. The fleet admiral was aboard that craft along with their best officers. He shook his head to snap himself back into the moment. Then switched his attention back to the lieutenant.
"Sending orders to pull the fighter wing back now!" the lieutenant promptly shouted and then rushed to the comms officer. It was clear there would be no further need to illustrate their dire situation.
"Decrease power to the turbo lasers and increase shield!" Juilius ordered and watched the technicians hammering away on the computers.
He looked up through the viewpoint and saw X wings leading B wings on a strafe in the left corner. He saw blaster bolts streak across the deck of his ship and bright blue torpedoes crash down all over his ship. He felt it shake violently, nearly throwing him off of his feet and then the roar of the enemy's fighter engines grazed over him.
"Shields are holding!" Shouted a technician.
Then he saw small explosions crack across the sky where the rebel fighters once were. A grin formed across his face as the proud roar of TIE engines raged towards them. The imperial fighters with their black square wings strafed by to everyone's relief.
"Sir!" the Lieutenant shouted, "Rebel craft have breached the death star."
A panic look formed across the Commander's face as he turned to the lieutenant and gathered his thoughts quickly, "Get space between us and them now!"
As they began to veer away from the large grey orb he saw ten other star destroyers following suit having received the same information. He then kept watch on the enemy cruiser which were also placing distance between them and the death star. A part of him said to press the attack but he grinded his fist. He hadn't enough support to press attack and attempt to destroy their capital ship.
Star fighters popped right out of death star only minutes later as an eruption of fire rose from inside the station and expanded across the whole orb. Commander Alexander shielded his eyes, the sheer brightness of the explosion was enough to blind a man. Then there was nothing but heaps of scrap metal floating in the empty space where the death star had once been. Alexander had no time to freeze and allow what that meant to sit on his mind.
"Direct fire starboard now!" He shouted seeing a group of rebel fighters approaching. The turbo laser cannons cracked to life numerous fighters were blown out of the sky, "Set up communication links between us and the other destroyers."
Minutes later as the fire fight continued out across the space the other Commanders appeared on screens and holograms before Juilus Alexander. "We need to retreat."
"How hard was it for you to conclude that," Said one of the other Imperial Commanders, "My ship's shields are running at thirty percent. Where are we going to withdraw to is the question, preferably somewhere close and stable."
"We're in the outer rim!" Shouted another imperial commander, "The second the news spreads, the whole rim is going to be unstable."
"Mid Rim isn't outreach, my home world's there," Juilus Alexander said, "Invictus, it's a hard line imperial world."
The Commander's looked at each other and nodded there wasn't any time to question how Commander Alexander could be sure his world hadn't changed since he'd last been there. His word would simply have to do. "I suggest five ships cover, five ships retreat, and I'll cover the last ships before withdrawing myself."
They nodded again and then cut their communication. The Commander then turned back to his crew. "Increase power to the turbo laser cannons by ten percent and move ahead of the group, tell the fighters to remain close to the ships."
Large green bolts streaked through the sky as the TIE fighters roared through the air. Juilus watched as five of the star destroyers made the jump immediately. The other four were about to jump. He felt his ship quake from every bolt that struck them. Especially as the other star destroyers that were scattered around the moon began to go up in flames allowing the massive battle cruisers of the rebels to focus more and more on him. He watched the last five destroyers snap into hyperspace making it his turn.
"Sir there's a communication from endor!" Shouted the coms officer.
"Send it through!"
This is commander Hellfire, is anyone out there, can any hear me!
"Hellfire,"He said into the mic, "This is Commander Juilus Alexander of the star destroyer Glaive, reading you loud and clear."
We've managed to create an LZ we're holding awaiting evac, I've got about twenty men down here, some storms mostly army personal. We've sustained wounded.
"Commander, send me the coordinates and I'll bring an evac team to pull you out just hold out."
The communication cut and every one on the bridge simply stared at the captain as if he'd gone absolutely mad.
"Prepare the light cruiser, I will be going down to Endor-"
"Sir!" Shouted the Lieutenant, "Look out there, you go out and you'll die, and we'll die waiting for you."
"Which is why you're not going to wait, the light cruiser has a hyperdrive engine, I can take care of myself Lieutenant," Commander Alexander continued, "Right now imperial soldiers are in distress, our brothers in arms are in need to help, and I refuse to leave them to die. Now I'm giving you a direct order Lieutenant, are you defying it."
"No sir," The Lieutenant replied somberly, "I wish you luck."
The light cruiser which had amazingly made it through the battle quickly connected to the boarding port of the star destroyer. Commander Juilus Alexander stood at the entrance port as its doors unfolded and the crew began to file out. He was about to step through when he heard footsteps approaching from behind and turned around. He saw a stormtrooper marine commander along with a force of naval commandos which included a commander as well followed by several naval troopers and two pilots.
"Sir we can not allow you go alone," The storm marine replied, "As you said those are our comrades in arms down there on the ground."
"Then let's stop wasting time, and get our guys out of there."
They quickly sprinted down the tunnel and into the bridge. The pilots got to their seat and the naval troopers manned several battle stations. The storm troopers gathered in the troop bay as Commander Juilus Alexander stood over the Captain's chair.
The door shut and the tunnel pulled away as they were released and drifted off into space away from the star destroyer. The chaotic landscape of the disastrous space battle unfolding before their eyes. Their star destroyer then slipped away into hyperspace leaving them alone.
"Alright forward." The Commander shouted.
The pilots increased the power of the thrusters blasting straight toward the moon of Endor as blaster bolts,explosions, and star fighters streaked all around them in a storm of galactic warfare.
The forest was a horrid place to be in a war against rebels. Especially when you were a stormtrooper in bright white armor. The blaster fire and explosions were still echoing from every single direction as the battle was far from over. Smoke from the destroyed shield generator was still forming plums in the sky above.
Commander Hellfire looked up at the streaks of light gliding down from the sky and through the trees upon his helmet. He had the blue markings of an elite stormtrooper commander. He'd seen a lot of warfare in life, served in the clone wars, and the empire fixed his accelerated healing even slowing the aging process all together having mastered the clone genome. But as they stood with their backs to a flowing river he started to wonder if this would be the day he would die.
"Hellfire," Said his a Nova class honor guard stormtrooper as he strolled over his proud armor, "Were you able to send for help?"
"Some naval commander got my message, he said he's on his way to pull us out." Hellfire replied, "He sounded genuine."
"Finally some good news," The Nova trooper replied. It was hard to tell a trooper's expresion from the outside. As such storm troopers had become very good at interrupting such things from the tone of voice and physical gestures
"Unless he lied," Said an imperial shock trooper with the aggressive red paint across his armor. His voice was dark and dingy and he dragged along with him the heavy DLT blaster rifle, "We're grunts, with all due respect sir no one gives a damn about dead grunts."
"Well Irons, go tell them that." Hellfire said directing with his E11 blaster carbine towards the battalion.
There mixed together stormtroopers clad in white armor that had become tinted from the dirt,dust, and blood of the battle, they stood and sat next to army troopers in their light grey armor with their heavy grey metal helmets with black sunglasses on the top. Many of them slumped over their faces with torn expressions carved across them. One stormtrooper had been staring at the ground trying to deny what was going on. Other men who were wounded were set together; they had stopped groaning and simply chose to live with their pain as they slowly began to wither away. Irons was silent and sighed.
"Didn't think so," Hellfire replied.
Everyone perked up as they heard rushing feet upon the ground. They turned and raised their blasters and saw a group of four scout troops jolt. "Don't shoot!" One shouted, "White armor means friendly!"
"You startled us," Snapped Irons, "What's your name and rank."
"Sergeant Kyles," He replied, "Advanced recon, this we were assisting the five o first, working patrol when the battle erupted. Commander Appo told us he'd buy us time."
"Time for what?" Hellfire questioned.
"Time to extract this," Said another scout trooper, a woman from the sounds of it as she held up a datacard, "We were told it holds the identity of Intel agents."
Hellfire approached being an elite stormtrooper commander he held his hand out as the scout trooper then handed it to him. The way she said it made it sound as if she wasn't really sure what was on it. Hellfire began to question if he should even check it himself. He looked at the small data chip, "How is Appo."
"Encircled," Sergeant Kyles replied, "He said he'll surrender if we manage to get off world."
"Sergeant," Said The nova trooper sharply, "Did you ensure no one was following you?"
"Appo held them off-"
The sergeant was cut off as a sharp snap from a cycle rifle. Hellfire stumbled backwards grabbing his upper shoulder which was dislocated from the impact. His armor had held lucky. Regardless he hit the ground in pain. Several bursts of blaster bolts from carbines then followed as one of the scout troopers was hit in the chest. He collapsed instantly. Kyle took a bolt to his shoulder and grunted as he went down as well.
Irons reacted quickly placing himself over Hellfire and opening fire with the DLT 19 in the direction the blaster fire came from. He watched the bolts tear through several trees. "Over there!" Shouted the nova trooper spotting men in green uniforms shifting past the trees in the other direction.
Quickly every able imperial soldier was to their feet and blaster fire cracked as furious red bolts shot past the trees. Several men in green uniforms collapsed to the ground before them.
"Gladius!" Hellfire shouted from the ground, "Det em!"
The Nova trooper felt dumb for not doing that inately. He drew a thermal detonator and then tossed it. It exploded shaking the very ground as fire consumed a portion of the trees causing them to collapse. Several screams cracked from the forest. More footsteps were heard and then a sharp shout sent shivers down Gladuis's spine as he turned to see a group of rebels making a charge from the other flank. Irons opened fire along with the remaining Scout trooper. Three of the rebel soldiers were hit in the chest and thrown to the ground. The others opened fire on rapid fire at close range. Several imperials were hit and killed instantly. The last Scout trooper dove forward shouting with a knife in hand and tackled a rebel to the ground stabbing him. The rebels comrades flinched at the sight. Gladuis opened fire switching his E11 to rapid fire and watched the rebels collapse in a line as smoke rose from their bodies.
Every one then went down to the ground as a sharp explosion cracked out and a mound of dirt rose from the ground. Concussive force through men back and the tree line began to shrink away to fire and ash.
Gladuis looked around to see the now dead landscape of the forest which had most likely been hit by artillery shells or some kind of imploder from the looks of it. Small fires crackled among the dead landscape. The battalion was still mostly together meaning they knew that chip was here and were trying to break them so they could get it with out damaging it. The imploder was meant to shake them.
Gladius could see a line of men in green uniforms emerging from the horizon. He squeezed his trigger as did every one else. Blaster fire then flew right back at them. He kept himself low several bolts whizzing right over his head. He could feel the heat drawing sweat from the skin under his armor.
"Gladius," Said Hellfire roughly as he drew his blaster pistol with his good shoulder, "Look!"
He pointed up in the air as a vague figure emerged in the sky above and grew bigger every single second. "It's the evac team!" he shouted the enthusiasm roaring from his lungs.
Large red blaster bolts reigned down from the sky and pounded the ground meters in front of them. The thunder of the impact shook Gladius in his armor. His helmet filtering out the sound so he wouldn't go deaf. Mounds of dirt,wood, and ash washed up into the sky in front of them. Heavy blaster fire and screams still poured in from rebels who were too close to be bombed with out inflicting casualties on imperial forces.
The light cruiser hovered above the river for a moment, its powerful engines roaring in the sky as dust was kicked up in a storm beneath it. Landing gear extended from the bottom as the craft sank down in front of the river. The cargo bay door then popped open and Juilus Alexander led the charge out holding an E11 blaster carbine. The smaller chain guns on the craft cracked to life crashing against the terrain ahead disintegrating advancing rebels where they stood.
He moved with his troopers by his side as a storm of blaster fire flew towards them. He made out commander Hellfire with his blue paint slouched down next to a shock trooper. He slid next to him and opened fire with the carbine. One of the Naval commandos brought out a rocket launcher and opened fire. Smoke poured from the back as the rockets jolted forward creating a massive explosion on the rebel lines.
"Commander Alexander," Hellfire said bewildered seeing a man with the pins of a Captain on the field, "Why the hell are you here?"
"I told you I would come down here to extract you didn't I," He said as he ducked down an arrow of all things whizzing past him, "Now let's get your guys out of here."
Alexander then knelt down as he switched his E11 to full auto and squeezed the trigger as did the Naval commandos. He had a jolt of satisfaction as he saw his bolts riddle one of the rebels trying to advance. His smile then quickly disappeared as he heard an electric rumble and saw a large metal square emerging in the horizon. It was a rebel tank.
"We need more rockets now!" Shouted Alexander.
The Naval commando began reloading then froze as a slug round from a cycle rifle hit his throat. He crashed to the ground clutching his throat trying to stop the bleeding. Quickly another storm trooper sprinted to his position and began to drag him back towards the ship to get him to the medics.
Alexander then saw a scout trooper up front draw a thermal detonator and chuck it towards the tank. The explosion swept up several infantry men around it and causing it to halt.
"Everyone's aboard!" Shouted a trooper running from the ship, "Let's go."
"One more!" Shouted Alexander.
He then grabbed the rocket rocket launcher which was already loaded and placed the sights around the cockpit of the tank. He pulled the trigger and watched as the driver was consumed in a raging fire. He then sprinted forward, his naval commandos and naval troopers all fired their carbines on rapid fire no one's goal was to hit anything but suppress the rebels. He arrived next to the scout trooper and lifted up the soldier over his shoulder and began sprinting back towards his men.
Then everyone got up and sprinted back towards the light cruiser which had its chain guns wailing. They charged up the cargo bay's door railing and then the marine commander slammed the button causing the path way to slide back into the ship and the door to snap shut behind them. He turned around to watch the Commander set down the Scout trooper.
"You are one crazy mother kriffer," Said Irons, the shock trooper, with a warm chuckle, "What the hell are they teaching in the Naval academy."
"Not that," the Commander replied, "That I learned from a crazier mother kriffer, and please hold your praise, we're not out of this yet."
Commander Alexander quickly rushed into the bridge where the two pilots had begun lifting up the ship. "Tell the men to brace themselves," one of the pilots said, "It's gonna be one bumpy ride."
The ship rocketed up in the air at max speed almost immediately. X wings flew right towards them on both flanks as they ascended towards the skies. Turbo laser fire cracked from both sides of the ships. Laser fire from the wings flew right back at them striking the ship. The plot then slammed the accelerator forward and shot through orbit every one was thrown around.
However the battle had begun to die down, heaps of metal from destroyed starcraft floated by them. The pilot then saw an enemy battle cruiser crawling in front of them.
"Punch the coordinates in."One of the pilots told Alexander, "And prepare for something crazy."
Alexander went over to the navi computer and quickly punched the route to his homeworld in. Then turned back to the pilot. "What are you going to do?"
"Have you heard of the game chicken."
The Commander raised an eyebrow. The pilots then began accelerating towards the battle cruiser which began opening fire. They swerved the light cruiser trying to dodge missiles as they picked up in speed towards the battle cruiser bridge. The battle cruiser then swerved back wards allowing them to cross over the deck. Heavy blaster bolts pounded the ship shaking it vibrantly. Then with out warning the pilot shot them to light speed. The whole ship jolted into the deep stream of vibrant blue lines. The Captain was thrown against the wall and several naval troopers fell from their stations. He grinded his teeth tightly until as the jump occurred.
Once they settled every one took a second to relax sitting back in their seats. Julius slumped into the Captain's chair and let out a sigh of relief. They'd done it.
"Excellent work boys, once we're planet side, I believe we could use a period of leave. And once we're set feel free to set it to auto pilot and rest."
Minutes later the door to the bridge opened and commander Hellfire strolled in his arm in a sling. He'd removed his helmet revealing his very much clone face. His expression was kept neutral.
"Commander Alexander," He said, "I'm greatly thankful for your actions today."
"No need Commander Hellfire," Juilus replied, "If we're going to get through whatever happens next, then we need to stop acting in our own self interests and for the benefit of the empire."
"Which is why," Hellfire said then reached into his pocket and withdrew a data card, "I believe you should have this. The scouts brought it, they said it was so important the five of first held back rebel forces for them to extract."
Commander Alexander nodded and took the card looking at it for a brief second it seemed so small what possible worth could it have. "What's on it."
"Something to do with the whereabouts of Intel agents in the outer rim the scouts seemed ill informed as well ."
"I'll make sure this," Said Alexander, "Gets into proper hands then."
They came out of hyperspace several hours later. A warm smile crawled on Juilus Alexander's face as he saw his home world come into view. With its green continents and blue oceans.
"Sir," Shouted one of the naval troopers, "We've got a communication."
"Send it through."
He saw the blue image of one of the other Commander's emerge in front of him with his hands folded behind his back. "Commander Juilus Alexander," He began, "You're very bold and might I say selfless."
"Excuse me Com-," He said, freezing trying to put a name to a face.
"Gaius," He said ending Alexander's quest, "Commander Gaius."
"But, this would seem a better conversation to have over a cafe rather then in orbit."
"We had a meeting while waiting, and held an election," Gaius continued, "we are a fleet and need a fleet admiral, You are now Fleet Admiral Juilus Alexander, and I await your orders sir."
Juilus Alexander froze. He was thirty five years of age the average fleet admiral was at least forty because of the experience needed to merit it. Then again they didn't exactly have people within their small collection of star destroyers with that experience.
"Order the men to take a week of leave, I myself would like to rest for a day and then access what can possibly be done."
"Understood sir."
Gaius then disappeared from view. Fleet Admiral Juilus Alexander slowly rose from his seat with all eyes on him. Every one then broke into applause at this new appointment. He then held his hand up in a tight fist signaling them to stop. "No," He said, "This shall not be my moment, let us take the moment to think of all of those who unlike myself will not be returning home today and will never be returning home."