****************************
Chapter Twelve: The Attack
*
Imperial General Bliloc went over the plans for the assault on the rebel base one last time, as he sat in the passenger compartment of his Imperial shuttle. Surrounding his ship were forty other Imperial landing craft that would deposit 4000 troops on the moon where the Rebel Base was located. Though the Death Star was a primary weapon in its own right, it did carry sufficient forces to make a ground assault on a medium range defended ground position, which is what the Empire estimated the Rebel Base to be.
"Sir," said an Imperial officer. Bliloc looked up at the younger man with a face sporting tan features, a scarred cheek, and slicked back gray hair. "ETA to landing-12 minutes."
"Very good," said Bliloc.
"Sir," said another officer. "Scanners report Rebel fighters coming from the planet."
"On a course to intercept us?" asked Bliloc.
"Negative, sir," said the second officer. "They appear to be on course for the Death Star. Shall I have our fighter cover intercept them?"
"No," said Bliloc. "We will need them to cover our landings, and the Death Star's remaining fighter squadrons and defenses should be able to handle their puny ships. All ships are to proceed on course, but keep an eye on their fighters. If they turn to intercept us, then have our fighter cover engage them."
"Yes, sir," said the officer.
**
"Commander," said Anakin into his fighter's comm system. "Picking up about forty Imperial assault craft approaching the moon."
"I see them," said the Rebel squadron commander. "Looks like they are going to make a ground assault, and not use the Death Star after all. At least not yet."
"Should we intercept them?" asked Biggs.
"Negative," said the commander. "Our orders are to take out the Death Star, and that is what we are gonna do. Maintain course and speed. Take no actions against their ships unless acted upon. Do you concur, Master Skywalker?"
"I do," said Anakin reluctantly. Though he was worried about everyone back on the moon, top among them Padme, Leia, and Obi-Wan, he knew the Death Star had to be taken out at all cost."
"But Father, Commander," said Luke. "We can't just let them attack..."
"You have your orders, Padawan," said Anakin. "Remember our agreement when I allowed you to come with me to join the Rebellion."
"Yes, Master," said Luke in a dejected tone. "I must obey your orders."
***
"Is it confirmed?" asked Master Windu of a young Rebel officer.
"Yes, sir," said the officer. "Forty Imperial assault ships approaching. Estimated time to landing-seven minutes."
"Curious," said Obi-Wan. "Why would they result to a ground assault when they have the Death Star?"
"No time to wonder about that now," said Windu. "Obi-Wan, I want you to organize ground troops. I will coordinate from control with automated defense and what few aerial defense drones we have."
"Very well, Master," said Obi-Wan.
Windu turned to Mon Mothma. "I want you to organize all Rebel officials for immediate evacuation if necessary."
Mon Mothma nodded, then both she and Obi-Wan headed out to see to their respective tasks. Windu stood overlooking the base scanners, watching as the rebel fighters approached the Death Star, while the Imperial ships headed straight for them.
Windu activated a comm unit. "Anti-ship cannons," he said. "Begin targeting Imperial ships. Fire at will."
****
"Padme," said Obi-Wan, running up to both her and Leia. "Imperial assault troops are heading this way. I am to command ground forces. I want you and Leia to go to Mon Mothma and join the other officials being prepared for possible evacuation."
"Not a chance," said Padme, drawing her blaster. "I'm joining you in the fight."
"Me too," said Leia, drawing her own blaster.
"Blast," said Obi-Wan. "Damned stubborn Skywalkers. You're all alike!"
"So you know its useless to argue," said Padme.
"Alright," said Obi-Wan. "If you insist on fighting, then do something more useful than joining me as a couple more guns out there. Seek out Mon Mothma anyway, and take a squad of soldiers with you. If the Imperials break through, your force will provide cover for the evacuated leaders. I will collect you if that comes to that."
Padme nodded. "Will do."
"Hey," said Han Solo, running up to the group with Chewbacca. "I heard that an Imperial assault force is coming here. Is that true?"
"Correct," said Obi-Wan.
"Well, that's trouble," said Han.
Leia rolled her eyes. "Got it in one, laser brain."
"Solo," said Padme. "I want you and Chewbacca to come with me. You've proven to be good in a fight. I could use you in helping to secure the Rebel leadership."
"Hang on, sister," said Han. "We aren't part of your little army here. We're getting out of here before the boys in the white armor come calling."
"Well, your with us now," said Padme. "Consider yourselves drafted." Then, she added with a sly smile. "And if you have any thoughts in taking off, I would advise against it. I'd hate see our gunners accidentally shoot down your ship as it takes off."
Han gave her a nervous smirk. "You wouldn't?"
"Just try it, hot shot," said Padme.
"Alright, alright," said Han. "Jeesh. We're with ya."
"Good, let's go," said Padme.
*****
A few less than forty Imperial assault ships landed in the forest near the Rebel Base. Streaming out of the ships almost immediately after landing (down ramps that opened up from the front of the ships) were 4000 Imperial storm troopers donned in their white combat gear, with Imperial officers dressed in black interspersed at intervals among them.
Towards the rear of the formation, General Bliloc watched his troops stream forward through the forest using his goggles. The Rebel guns had attempted to shoot down his assault ships, and got two of them, but their fighter cover quickly eliminated their cannons, with no Rebel fighters appearing to challenge them.
As the Imperial troops made their way through the forests, and got closer to the base, they were observed by several hundred Rebel soldiers donned in woodland camouflage, lying in wait for the order to attack. Among them was the brown robed figure of Obi-Wan Kenobi, his light saber in hand (though not activated yet). He waited as the Imperial troops closed in, watching for just the right moment to strike.
Finally, after letting the Imperial troops get almost upon them, Obi-Wan activated his light saber as he yelled "NOW!"
******
In space, twenty Rebel fighters approached the Death Star. The squadron commander got on his comm.
"All wings, report in," said the commander.
One by one, all of the rebel fighter pilots reported that they were standing by. Then, the commander gave another order. "Lock your spores in attack position."
The X-Wing rebel fighters all expanded their wings into attack mode, as the pilots readied their ships for imminent comment. As they got closer, Wedge spoke into his comm.
"Look at the size of that thing!" he said in awe.
"Cut the chatter, red two," said the commander. "All wings, accelerate to attack speed."
The X-Wings increased their speed, and the huge Imperial battle station loomed larger and larger in the pilot's field of vision. Among the pilots was Luke Skywalker, wringing his hands momentarily before returning them to the controls. As if sensing his nervousness, Anakin sent Luke a thought through the force.
"Remember, my son, the force is with you, as am I. Trust your feelings and your instincts, and trust in the living force."
"I will, Father," thought back Luke.
"Red leader, this is Gold leader," said a voice over the comm.
"I copy Gold leader," said the squadron commander.
"We're heading for the target shaft now," said Gold leader.
"Good. We're in position," said the commander. "I'll have my boys cut across the superstructure and try and draw their fire. All wings, break and attack!"
Chapter Twelve: The Attack
*
Imperial General Bliloc went over the plans for the assault on the rebel base one last time, as he sat in the passenger compartment of his Imperial shuttle. Surrounding his ship were forty other Imperial landing craft that would deposit 4000 troops on the moon where the Rebel Base was located. Though the Death Star was a primary weapon in its own right, it did carry sufficient forces to make a ground assault on a medium range defended ground position, which is what the Empire estimated the Rebel Base to be.
"Sir," said an Imperial officer. Bliloc looked up at the younger man with a face sporting tan features, a scarred cheek, and slicked back gray hair. "ETA to landing-12 minutes."
"Very good," said Bliloc.
"Sir," said another officer. "Scanners report Rebel fighters coming from the planet."
"On a course to intercept us?" asked Bliloc.
"Negative, sir," said the second officer. "They appear to be on course for the Death Star. Shall I have our fighter cover intercept them?"
"No," said Bliloc. "We will need them to cover our landings, and the Death Star's remaining fighter squadrons and defenses should be able to handle their puny ships. All ships are to proceed on course, but keep an eye on their fighters. If they turn to intercept us, then have our fighter cover engage them."
"Yes, sir," said the officer.
**
"Commander," said Anakin into his fighter's comm system. "Picking up about forty Imperial assault craft approaching the moon."
"I see them," said the Rebel squadron commander. "Looks like they are going to make a ground assault, and not use the Death Star after all. At least not yet."
"Should we intercept them?" asked Biggs.
"Negative," said the commander. "Our orders are to take out the Death Star, and that is what we are gonna do. Maintain course and speed. Take no actions against their ships unless acted upon. Do you concur, Master Skywalker?"
"I do," said Anakin reluctantly. Though he was worried about everyone back on the moon, top among them Padme, Leia, and Obi-Wan, he knew the Death Star had to be taken out at all cost."
"But Father, Commander," said Luke. "We can't just let them attack..."
"You have your orders, Padawan," said Anakin. "Remember our agreement when I allowed you to come with me to join the Rebellion."
"Yes, Master," said Luke in a dejected tone. "I must obey your orders."
***
"Is it confirmed?" asked Master Windu of a young Rebel officer.
"Yes, sir," said the officer. "Forty Imperial assault ships approaching. Estimated time to landing-seven minutes."
"Curious," said Obi-Wan. "Why would they result to a ground assault when they have the Death Star?"
"No time to wonder about that now," said Windu. "Obi-Wan, I want you to organize ground troops. I will coordinate from control with automated defense and what few aerial defense drones we have."
"Very well, Master," said Obi-Wan.
Windu turned to Mon Mothma. "I want you to organize all Rebel officials for immediate evacuation if necessary."
Mon Mothma nodded, then both she and Obi-Wan headed out to see to their respective tasks. Windu stood overlooking the base scanners, watching as the rebel fighters approached the Death Star, while the Imperial ships headed straight for them.
Windu activated a comm unit. "Anti-ship cannons," he said. "Begin targeting Imperial ships. Fire at will."
****
"Padme," said Obi-Wan, running up to both her and Leia. "Imperial assault troops are heading this way. I am to command ground forces. I want you and Leia to go to Mon Mothma and join the other officials being prepared for possible evacuation."
"Not a chance," said Padme, drawing her blaster. "I'm joining you in the fight."
"Me too," said Leia, drawing her own blaster.
"Blast," said Obi-Wan. "Damned stubborn Skywalkers. You're all alike!"
"So you know its useless to argue," said Padme.
"Alright," said Obi-Wan. "If you insist on fighting, then do something more useful than joining me as a couple more guns out there. Seek out Mon Mothma anyway, and take a squad of soldiers with you. If the Imperials break through, your force will provide cover for the evacuated leaders. I will collect you if that comes to that."
Padme nodded. "Will do."
"Hey," said Han Solo, running up to the group with Chewbacca. "I heard that an Imperial assault force is coming here. Is that true?"
"Correct," said Obi-Wan.
"Well, that's trouble," said Han.
Leia rolled her eyes. "Got it in one, laser brain."
"Solo," said Padme. "I want you and Chewbacca to come with me. You've proven to be good in a fight. I could use you in helping to secure the Rebel leadership."
"Hang on, sister," said Han. "We aren't part of your little army here. We're getting out of here before the boys in the white armor come calling."
"Well, your with us now," said Padme. "Consider yourselves drafted." Then, she added with a sly smile. "And if you have any thoughts in taking off, I would advise against it. I'd hate see our gunners accidentally shoot down your ship as it takes off."
Han gave her a nervous smirk. "You wouldn't?"
"Just try it, hot shot," said Padme.
"Alright, alright," said Han. "Jeesh. We're with ya."
"Good, let's go," said Padme.
*****
A few less than forty Imperial assault ships landed in the forest near the Rebel Base. Streaming out of the ships almost immediately after landing (down ramps that opened up from the front of the ships) were 4000 Imperial storm troopers donned in their white combat gear, with Imperial officers dressed in black interspersed at intervals among them.
Towards the rear of the formation, General Bliloc watched his troops stream forward through the forest using his goggles. The Rebel guns had attempted to shoot down his assault ships, and got two of them, but their fighter cover quickly eliminated their cannons, with no Rebel fighters appearing to challenge them.
As the Imperial troops made their way through the forests, and got closer to the base, they were observed by several hundred Rebel soldiers donned in woodland camouflage, lying in wait for the order to attack. Among them was the brown robed figure of Obi-Wan Kenobi, his light saber in hand (though not activated yet). He waited as the Imperial troops closed in, watching for just the right moment to strike.
Finally, after letting the Imperial troops get almost upon them, Obi-Wan activated his light saber as he yelled "NOW!"
******
In space, twenty Rebel fighters approached the Death Star. The squadron commander got on his comm.
"All wings, report in," said the commander.
One by one, all of the rebel fighter pilots reported that they were standing by. Then, the commander gave another order. "Lock your spores in attack position."
The X-Wing rebel fighters all expanded their wings into attack mode, as the pilots readied their ships for imminent comment. As they got closer, Wedge spoke into his comm.
"Look at the size of that thing!" he said in awe.
"Cut the chatter, red two," said the commander. "All wings, accelerate to attack speed."
The X-Wings increased their speed, and the huge Imperial battle station loomed larger and larger in the pilot's field of vision. Among the pilots was Luke Skywalker, wringing his hands momentarily before returning them to the controls. As if sensing his nervousness, Anakin sent Luke a thought through the force.
"Remember, my son, the force is with you, as am I. Trust your feelings and your instincts, and trust in the living force."
"I will, Father," thought back Luke.
"Red leader, this is Gold leader," said a voice over the comm.
"I copy Gold leader," said the squadron commander.
"We're heading for the target shaft now," said Gold leader.
"Good. We're in position," said the commander. "I'll have my boys cut across the superstructure and try and draw their fire. All wings, break and attack!"