The hyperspace outside of their viewpoints started to dissolve, and as stars took shape as points of light upon a matress of darkness, so had the Yuuzhan Vong convoy come into view.
"Battle stations! Launch all TIE squadrons, order them to commence their first attack run in wall formation!" Torroro boomed from his command chair aboard the 'Colossus'.
"We are detecting three Vong frigate analogs, plus a five freighters, highly modified by the looks of it sir."
"Alright, order all ships to advance, lets take this down their gullet." Torroro boomed again.
Arranged in line formation, TIE's began streaming torward the convoy's defenses, their onslaught met with a more then a few wings of coralskippers, but it simply wasnt enough. No defenses could counter eighteen squadrons of deadly TIE's, fast and sharp as a dagger. Behind them, the three Star Destroyers 'Colossus', 'Guardian', and the 'Warlord' advanced torward the convoy spitting deadly fire from their turbolasers. The first frigate exploded, unable to withstand the barrage of hot light.
Torroro watched outside as his ships overwhelmed the enemy escort. Indeed, the Grand Admiral was correct once again. This was the fourth convoy of the week, and even though his fleet was working around the clock to bolster the strategy and tactic they employed, it rarely changed. A full charge always worked, even though risky. But against an enemy this size, it didnt matter what tactic he employed, victory was certain. And if he was right, he should soon recieve the request. Another frigate exploded.
"Sir, the Peace Brigade transports are surrendering." the information was relayed through the noise aboard the bridge, followed by cheers from the officers in the crew pits. He had given them a victory. Another victory. A victory given to him by the Grand Admiral. Right now, Torroro was pleased the way Thrawn was handling things. And he was god-damn shure he'd do his best to meet the admirals high expectations, and prevent anything like the events that stopped the Admiral the last time from re-establishing the New Order.
"Alright, alright, guess we finished this ahead of schedule. Give me the damage report." Torroro clasped his freshly shaved chin between his index finger and thumb.
"Minor damage on the 'Colossus', seven TIE's lost."
"Very well lieutenant. Prepare boarding parties, and tractor in their ships. Navigation, set course for Iridonia." Torroro boomed, and again cheers erupted on his bridge. A month away from home, and this is how they welcome his decision to return home for a while. And the Grand Admiral would be happy as well, they captured well over twenty Peace Brigade freighters and escort ships, destroyed over fifteen Yuuzhan Vong warships, not counting all the coralskippers. Losses were... insignificant. Seventeen TIE Interceptors, nothing that couldnt be replaced.
* * *
"Captain, is my admiral ship ready?" Thrawn asked per protocol.
"Yes my lord, the 'Stormlord' is fully under your command." Cayel supplied the standard reply to such a question, as the hyperspace tunnel outside dissolved, and before them layed the five worlds of the Tion Cluster. The five worlds which would either join, or fall before the Empire today.
"Admiral, we are being hailed."
"Maraunder corvettes approaching, sensors picking up multiple squadrons of X-Wing starfighters, more are launching from the moon base of the second planet."
"Open all channels." Thrawn calmly ordered, then boomed into the comlink.
"This is the Imperial Star Destroyer 'Stormlord' of the Imperial Navy, lower your shields and prepare to be added to the New Order of the Empire."
"What madman are you? Turn back, there is no need for casualties. Leave peacefully, and this incident will be forgotten, Remnant scum." the reply came.
"This is your last warning Tion Defense Force, stand down and prepare to be boarded."
"If you insist on your destruction, remnant slime." the voice on the other side hissed before cutting the transmission.
"Communications, relay to the rest of the fleet that we will be using Pattern Gamma. Begin jamming their communications." Thrawn said as he waved with a finger over his shoulder.
Outside, the three Star Destroyers formed into wedge formation, with the 'Stormlord' being the tip of their wedge, and the lesser Victory class destroyers taking the flanks. TIE's began pouring from the hangars, dividing into trio's, assigning targets, generally doing the Imperial space superiority manuever. Almost all TIE's that is. A squadron of TIE interceptors and half a squadron of TIE bombers divided from the main group, and began advancing torward the starboard defense platform.
"Do you see now captain?" Thrawn asked politely while pointing to the manuever on the holoprojection display of the battle.
"No sir, all I see is that you are putting that fighter group in quite a risk, sending them without cover. Enemy starfighters will shurely move to counter, they cannot afford to lose that defense platform."
"Exactly captain." Thrawn said coldly.
"Sir, perhaps you should reconsider, there is no theoretical chance they can take out the defense platform before the enemy starfighters catch them, and I doubt our other starfighters can do much damage to those capital ships before their starfighters cripple that group and return to engage our starfighters."
"Very good captain. Observe." Thrawn said as the red blips on the projection changed course to intercept the TIE's vectoring in on the fighter group.
"Communication, order TIE squadron Beta to attack the enemy starfighters in line formation on my sign." Thrawn cooly said, while Cayel was nearly choking... Noone sent TIE's in line formation, noone except Lord Vader, for he didnt care how many losses were taken.
"Now." Thrawn said as shiftly as an executioner's axe would swing through the air, and a second later, on the screen suddenly a line of twelve blue blips appeared from under the 'Stormlord's bow, and advanced torward the enemy starfighters, all weapons firing deadly green spears of death. The manuever was a success, the enemy squadrons pursuing the TIE's were devastated forced to turn around and chased, and now the TIE bombers had a clear path torward the defense platform.
"Sir... I apologize for my behavior." Cayel formally said, while pounding over why hasnt he learned his lesson already. NEVER question the Admiral.
"No problem captain, its completely reasonable that you acted in such a manner." Thrawn said with a hint of a smile forming in the corner of his lips.
"Thank you sir. Might I suggest we use the Marg Sabl manuever against the Maraunders?" Cayel asked as the defense platform's blip turned off, with ample amount of strong light from the starboard viewports indicating that the station exploded in a brilliant array of sparks. Who knows, perhaps the Admiral found it artistical?
"Wouldnt it be the most obvious move on our part captain?" Thrawn asked.
"That may be sir, but no one does a pure Marg Sabl, only uses it as a feint." Cayel shot back.
"I see. Very well captain, lets see what happens shall we? Helm, order the TIE's to move into Marg Sabl positions, attack on my mark." Thrawn said, and on the holoprojector the TIE squadrons retreated torward the advancing Star Destroyers, only to turn around and reconfigure into line formation, ready to pounce on the enemy.
"Now." Thrawn boomed coldly as the enemy warships came within four clicks of the Star Destroyers.
"Enemy warships are starting defensive manuevers sir. More warships entering in sector B-07."
"Identification?" Cayel asked grimly. They had their hands full as it was.
"Three assault frigates, several Lancer-class frigates, plus two Nebulon B frigates." the officer dutifully reported.
"It seems that we are offered a nice tactical exercise here captain." Thrawn mused happily as a Maraunder exploded in the distance.
"Perhaps we should reconsider accepting it sir." Cayel cautiously said.
"Implying that we cannot win are we captain?" Thrawn raised a puzzled eyebrow.
"Not in the least matter sir, but the losses..."
"The losses will be minor and acceptable. Helm, bring us in. Weapon control, open all available firepower on the Nebulon frigates, and activate the imploder lance. Target the remaining maraunder and fire on my mark." Thrawn cut off.
"At once Admiral." the officers snapped to attention in the crewpits.
On the holoprojection, the blue blips signifying the TIE starfighters were swarming around the greater blips, marking the Star Destroyers, which were advancing torward the swarm of red blips.
"TIE control, disable the assault frigate and the two lancers lurking behind the enemy formation. Evasive tactics, claw formation." Cayel boomed.
"Good call captain, a good leader always thinks how he can replenish his forces." Thrawn commended him.
"Thank you sir. Perhaps we should switch to Pattern Lota, considering the unexpected arrival of the reinforcements?"
"Unexpected by you perhaps." Thrawn sniffed.
"You mean you have been expecting it?"
"Ofcourse. Do not confuse the Tion Defense Force with the Rebellion's navy, the TDF doesnt question their motives or moral implications of defending against a common foe." Thrawn started to explain, but was cut off with a report flying from the crew pit.
"My lord, our starfighters have disabled the weapon and propulsion systems on the designated ships. Casualties minimal, four TIE starfighters. Further orders sir?"
"Commence standard pattern for space superiority." Thrawn shot back.
"Aye aye sir." the reply came as the remaining maraunder corvette exploded in the distance, before all hell broke loose.
They sliced into enemy formation like a blade into flesh, the devastating imploder lance fired and sliced an assault frigate in half, and both halfs slowly drifted apart, both of them spilling men into the cold vacuum of space. TIE's screamed through space after the enemy starfighters, outnumbering them in a ratio of 3:1, perfect for the Imperial standard space superiority pattern which asked for one condition: positive ratio of 3:1. Four clicks from the battle, the three disabled capital ships could only watch as their comrades assaulted the Imperial fleet, battled it, ran from it, and barely escaped with a single capital ship. Then they started preparing for boarding parties.
"Battle stations! Launch all TIE squadrons, order them to commence their first attack run in wall formation!" Torroro boomed from his command chair aboard the 'Colossus'.
"We are detecting three Vong frigate analogs, plus a five freighters, highly modified by the looks of it sir."
"Alright, order all ships to advance, lets take this down their gullet." Torroro boomed again.
Arranged in line formation, TIE's began streaming torward the convoy's defenses, their onslaught met with a more then a few wings of coralskippers, but it simply wasnt enough. No defenses could counter eighteen squadrons of deadly TIE's, fast and sharp as a dagger. Behind them, the three Star Destroyers 'Colossus', 'Guardian', and the 'Warlord' advanced torward the convoy spitting deadly fire from their turbolasers. The first frigate exploded, unable to withstand the barrage of hot light.
Torroro watched outside as his ships overwhelmed the enemy escort. Indeed, the Grand Admiral was correct once again. This was the fourth convoy of the week, and even though his fleet was working around the clock to bolster the strategy and tactic they employed, it rarely changed. A full charge always worked, even though risky. But against an enemy this size, it didnt matter what tactic he employed, victory was certain. And if he was right, he should soon recieve the request. Another frigate exploded.
"Sir, the Peace Brigade transports are surrendering." the information was relayed through the noise aboard the bridge, followed by cheers from the officers in the crew pits. He had given them a victory. Another victory. A victory given to him by the Grand Admiral. Right now, Torroro was pleased the way Thrawn was handling things. And he was god-damn shure he'd do his best to meet the admirals high expectations, and prevent anything like the events that stopped the Admiral the last time from re-establishing the New Order.
"Alright, alright, guess we finished this ahead of schedule. Give me the damage report." Torroro clasped his freshly shaved chin between his index finger and thumb.
"Minor damage on the 'Colossus', seven TIE's lost."
"Very well lieutenant. Prepare boarding parties, and tractor in their ships. Navigation, set course for Iridonia." Torroro boomed, and again cheers erupted on his bridge. A month away from home, and this is how they welcome his decision to return home for a while. And the Grand Admiral would be happy as well, they captured well over twenty Peace Brigade freighters and escort ships, destroyed over fifteen Yuuzhan Vong warships, not counting all the coralskippers. Losses were... insignificant. Seventeen TIE Interceptors, nothing that couldnt be replaced.
* * *
"Captain, is my admiral ship ready?" Thrawn asked per protocol.
"Yes my lord, the 'Stormlord' is fully under your command." Cayel supplied the standard reply to such a question, as the hyperspace tunnel outside dissolved, and before them layed the five worlds of the Tion Cluster. The five worlds which would either join, or fall before the Empire today.
"Admiral, we are being hailed."
"Maraunder corvettes approaching, sensors picking up multiple squadrons of X-Wing starfighters, more are launching from the moon base of the second planet."
"Open all channels." Thrawn calmly ordered, then boomed into the comlink.
"This is the Imperial Star Destroyer 'Stormlord' of the Imperial Navy, lower your shields and prepare to be added to the New Order of the Empire."
"What madman are you? Turn back, there is no need for casualties. Leave peacefully, and this incident will be forgotten, Remnant scum." the reply came.
"This is your last warning Tion Defense Force, stand down and prepare to be boarded."
"If you insist on your destruction, remnant slime." the voice on the other side hissed before cutting the transmission.
"Communications, relay to the rest of the fleet that we will be using Pattern Gamma. Begin jamming their communications." Thrawn said as he waved with a finger over his shoulder.
Outside, the three Star Destroyers formed into wedge formation, with the 'Stormlord' being the tip of their wedge, and the lesser Victory class destroyers taking the flanks. TIE's began pouring from the hangars, dividing into trio's, assigning targets, generally doing the Imperial space superiority manuever. Almost all TIE's that is. A squadron of TIE interceptors and half a squadron of TIE bombers divided from the main group, and began advancing torward the starboard defense platform.
"Do you see now captain?" Thrawn asked politely while pointing to the manuever on the holoprojection display of the battle.
"No sir, all I see is that you are putting that fighter group in quite a risk, sending them without cover. Enemy starfighters will shurely move to counter, they cannot afford to lose that defense platform."
"Exactly captain." Thrawn said coldly.
"Sir, perhaps you should reconsider, there is no theoretical chance they can take out the defense platform before the enemy starfighters catch them, and I doubt our other starfighters can do much damage to those capital ships before their starfighters cripple that group and return to engage our starfighters."
"Very good captain. Observe." Thrawn said as the red blips on the projection changed course to intercept the TIE's vectoring in on the fighter group.
"Communication, order TIE squadron Beta to attack the enemy starfighters in line formation on my sign." Thrawn cooly said, while Cayel was nearly choking... Noone sent TIE's in line formation, noone except Lord Vader, for he didnt care how many losses were taken.
"Now." Thrawn said as shiftly as an executioner's axe would swing through the air, and a second later, on the screen suddenly a line of twelve blue blips appeared from under the 'Stormlord's bow, and advanced torward the enemy starfighters, all weapons firing deadly green spears of death. The manuever was a success, the enemy squadrons pursuing the TIE's were devastated forced to turn around and chased, and now the TIE bombers had a clear path torward the defense platform.
"Sir... I apologize for my behavior." Cayel formally said, while pounding over why hasnt he learned his lesson already. NEVER question the Admiral.
"No problem captain, its completely reasonable that you acted in such a manner." Thrawn said with a hint of a smile forming in the corner of his lips.
"Thank you sir. Might I suggest we use the Marg Sabl manuever against the Maraunders?" Cayel asked as the defense platform's blip turned off, with ample amount of strong light from the starboard viewports indicating that the station exploded in a brilliant array of sparks. Who knows, perhaps the Admiral found it artistical?
"Wouldnt it be the most obvious move on our part captain?" Thrawn asked.
"That may be sir, but no one does a pure Marg Sabl, only uses it as a feint." Cayel shot back.
"I see. Very well captain, lets see what happens shall we? Helm, order the TIE's to move into Marg Sabl positions, attack on my mark." Thrawn said, and on the holoprojector the TIE squadrons retreated torward the advancing Star Destroyers, only to turn around and reconfigure into line formation, ready to pounce on the enemy.
"Now." Thrawn boomed coldly as the enemy warships came within four clicks of the Star Destroyers.
"Enemy warships are starting defensive manuevers sir. More warships entering in sector B-07."
"Identification?" Cayel asked grimly. They had their hands full as it was.
"Three assault frigates, several Lancer-class frigates, plus two Nebulon B frigates." the officer dutifully reported.
"It seems that we are offered a nice tactical exercise here captain." Thrawn mused happily as a Maraunder exploded in the distance.
"Perhaps we should reconsider accepting it sir." Cayel cautiously said.
"Implying that we cannot win are we captain?" Thrawn raised a puzzled eyebrow.
"Not in the least matter sir, but the losses..."
"The losses will be minor and acceptable. Helm, bring us in. Weapon control, open all available firepower on the Nebulon frigates, and activate the imploder lance. Target the remaining maraunder and fire on my mark." Thrawn cut off.
"At once Admiral." the officers snapped to attention in the crewpits.
On the holoprojection, the blue blips signifying the TIE starfighters were swarming around the greater blips, marking the Star Destroyers, which were advancing torward the swarm of red blips.
"TIE control, disable the assault frigate and the two lancers lurking behind the enemy formation. Evasive tactics, claw formation." Cayel boomed.
"Good call captain, a good leader always thinks how he can replenish his forces." Thrawn commended him.
"Thank you sir. Perhaps we should switch to Pattern Lota, considering the unexpected arrival of the reinforcements?"
"Unexpected by you perhaps." Thrawn sniffed.
"You mean you have been expecting it?"
"Ofcourse. Do not confuse the Tion Defense Force with the Rebellion's navy, the TDF doesnt question their motives or moral implications of defending against a common foe." Thrawn started to explain, but was cut off with a report flying from the crew pit.
"My lord, our starfighters have disabled the weapon and propulsion systems on the designated ships. Casualties minimal, four TIE starfighters. Further orders sir?"
"Commence standard pattern for space superiority." Thrawn shot back.
"Aye aye sir." the reply came as the remaining maraunder corvette exploded in the distance, before all hell broke loose.
They sliced into enemy formation like a blade into flesh, the devastating imploder lance fired and sliced an assault frigate in half, and both halfs slowly drifted apart, both of them spilling men into the cold vacuum of space. TIE's screamed through space after the enemy starfighters, outnumbering them in a ratio of 3:1, perfect for the Imperial standard space superiority pattern which asked for one condition: positive ratio of 3:1. Four clicks from the battle, the three disabled capital ships could only watch as their comrades assaulted the Imperial fleet, battled it, ran from it, and barely escaped with a single capital ship. Then they started preparing for boarding parties.
