"Squadron of skips at six clicks and closing!" his copilot read aloud the sensor readings, rather irrelevant seeing as they had their hands full with avoiding the existing Yuuzhan Vong force consisting of a frigate analog and one more squadron of skips. Since the Imperial Navy burned down Agamar, the Yuuzhan Vong turned to prey on the supply lines, and all the cargo freighters were in shit deeper then they could have ever imagined.
He brought his transport banking hard to the portside, trying to avoid the barrage from the frigate analog. He had nine other ships in his convoy, and they couldnt afford not to deliver this cargo to Crimson Prime. That world, though they mined a considerable amount of their resourses, depended on incoming trade, which in turn was a good way for the Merchants Guild to fill their pockets. This delivery was paid in good money, and he didnt want to see it be taken out of his salary in case he didnt deliver it... provided he survived.
"Freighter 'Nova Dawn' here, Jon one of our freighters lost his engines." the voice came in a garbled version over the comconsole, needlessly as Jon already saw the freighter's engines give way to the barrage of the coralskippers.
"We cant afford to lose more cargo 'Nova Dawn', if they can bring their engines online and follow the escape corridor good, if not they are on their own." his own words stung him. Those were his comrades on the ship.
"No way Jon, we cant do that!"
"We are flying freighters with little or no arms in case you forgot to notice, and theres enough yorik coral out there to put us all out of our misery."
"Its not fair!" an adolescent voice cut in from the crippled freighter.
"Get to your escape pods and you might have a chance, try to catch up with us and we'll take you in. Its your only chance." the pilot of the 'Nova Dawn' as a barrage of coralskipper fire drilled into his shields, but they were built to be durable, unlike the glitch with the other freighter whose shields collapsed as soon as they were fired upon. The sensor scan notified him when the escape pods were launched, manuevering torwards the freighters who were running for their lives and their cargo.
Two out of three escape pods made it, the one slacking behind others was drilled apart by a coralskipper, while the other escape pods were covered with sparse but efficient fire from the few armed freighters. *Ten thousand credits was NOT enough for this!* Jon thought as he continued to plunge his freighter in soft zig-zag routes, hopefully enough for atleast some of the shots to miss him, and give his shields time to recuperate.
"This is 'Lucky Streak' to lead. Jon, we got them. Djinn just commed me up the cockpit, says we better get out of here, looks like they rigged an implosion on the engines generators before leaving." he said.
"Alright, this is Jon speaking, lets get out of here as fast as possible ladies, scramble to the jump point and get out of here!" he said as he eyed the blips behind his ship on the sensor display before pulling down the hyperspace levers, stars turned to lines, lines turned to an encompassing tunnel of hyperspace and he was on his way torward Crimson Prime.
Four hours later, he pushed up the hyperspace levers, and the 'High Streak' exited hyperspace. Behind him, eight more transports exited, most of them battered and sporting heavy plasma scoring on their hull, but they did it. Ten thousand credits in their pocket.
"Unidentified transports, in the name of Grand Admiral Thrawn identify yourselves or be destroyed!" the operator's voice came through the comlink. Jon noted that a trio of assault frigates orbiting Crimson Prime activated their engines and slowly, menacingly began moving torward his transports.
"Crimson Control this is Jon Sander aboard the 'High Streak', we are carrying a shipment of tibanna gas and armor plating as ordered by the Merchants Guild directive."
"Copy that 'High Streak', scanning shows positive results. You are cleared to dock with the cargo station." the voice said back.
* * *
"Captain Cayel reporting for duty sir!" Cayel said as he snapped to attention behind the figure standing infront of the viewports.
"Yes captain?" Thrawn murmored as he turned around.
"Our informants in the Peace Brigade indicate that the Yuuzhan Vong are likely to strike at the Tion Cluster."
"Irrelevant probing. Their aim is to keep us busy and unaware of their true target."
"Sir?"
"Do not underestimate Tsavong Lah captain. He will strike at the Tion Cluster correct, but that serves to hide his true target."
"Which is?"
"I have no doubts the Yuuzhan Vong are well aware of the significance of our shipyards at Almania, but after two attempts they are unlikely to attack for a third time."
"Pardon sir, but that doesnt tell us anything."
"Ahh captain, you see but you do not see. If you were faced with a choice of attacking the Yuuzhan Vong three major shipwombs, know that one of them is hidden and the other two well-guarded, what would you do?" Thrawn said as he gazed into Cayel's eyes.
"Find out the location of the hidden shipwomb?" Cayel tried.
"Exactly. See for yourself captain." Thrawn said as he walked to the holographic display of the system and typed in a string of commands which Cayel didnt bother to overlook, knowing that the Admiral would present him the solution.
The system which came to display was one with a pleasant climate, in the orbit were massive shipyards housing three Imperial III-class Star Destroyers where clones toiled like flies day and night to finish them in an insanely short time of three months, cargo stations ministering the many convoys of traders from Imperial worlds, smugglers and traders... oh shit oh shit oh shit.
"Cut off a dragons head, and the tail wont twitch for too long." Thrawn murmored.
"Shall I order the fleet to assemble for a jump to Crimson Prime?"
"No, our operations in Yuuzhan Vong space wont be delayed again. This shall be an interesting test for my ahh, clone on Crimson Prime, as well as for Commodore Lucin."
"I still think we should send some ships to assist the defense." Cayel said, heroically fending off the urge to start biting his nails.
"Communication, inform Commodore Lucin to prepare for the arrival of a Yuuzhan Vong warfleet, and inform him that reinforcements arent going to be available." Thrawn murmored into his comlink. Now, they could only wait. Could they?
"But admiral, you yourself said that we cannot afford to lose those shipyards."
"Captain, the Yuuzhan Vong, contrary to the popular belief, do not have unlimited supply of ships and trained officers to operate them. They struck at Almania how many times? How many ships did they lose just there? Our fleet has beaten them each step of the road, since that little encounter on Iridonia to the most recent battle of Almania. Now, return to your post captain, and learn to trust your superiors."
"But sir..." Cayel started, then realization struck him - helped with a strange glow in Thrawn's eyes - that insubordination in the Navy wasnt often unpunished. And he just disobeyed a direct order.
"As you wish sir." Cayel said, clicked his heels in a salute, turned on his heel and decided that perhaps attacking a less important foe might be better, such as that little problem with the supply lines in the Tion Cluster and the Kron Drift. Not as bad for health as say, disobeying the last Grand Admiral of the old, and the first of the new Empire.
* * *
The tactical room was a buzzling display of lights, just as he remembered - Mitth concluded. Or should he say, just as his genetic ancestor recalled. The activity was unusually high, for a secret facility, way too high. He approached the commander of this sector, Commodore Lucin, and gave him a nonchalant wave in the general vicinity of his forehead, a gesture which could be interpreted as a half-salute, and half-acknownledgement. The corner of Lucin's lips rose a degree at this calculative display.
"Problems commodore?"
"Indeed. High Command has informed us that the Grand Admiral believes the Yuuzhan Vong will attack the planet within the next day or two, and the cream on the end is, there arent any available reinforcements."
"You require my assistance then, commodore."
"Indeed. High Command has issued you a temporary Admiral rank, so I await your orders sir." Lucin said, and Mitth noted that all the devotion in the tall man's eyes didnt faint not even a shade at this degradation. A true Imperial. A rarity in these degenerate times.
"Alright, what sort of defenses do we have to work with, and what is the estimated size of the Yuuzhan Vong invasion force?"
"The system has three assault frigates to manage the incoming and outcoming traffic, plus a pair of Golan II defense platforms, Imperial design equipped with a gravitic imploder lance each. Though its experimental, it hasnt ever been tried out before." Lucin layed out the status of the defense while pausing and allowing the Admiral to supply further questions before he continued.
"Hmmm, very well captain. Estimated size of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet, and ground size?"
"Well sir, if we assume the Yuuzhan Vong have atleast two spare ships per planet in the nearby systems, that would bring the number to about thirty, maybe fourty minor vessels and ten, maybe fifteen capital analogs. Ground size, I'd estimate about a hundred thousand Yuuzhan Vong warriors, plus two hundred thousand proxy troops, not shure how many heavy weapons and mech analogs we can expect."
"Alright then, since I took the liberty of checking our database earlier I noticed that we are able to build cloaking devices." Mitth stated, not asked.
"Yes, but that would hardly help us out there in space. Three frigates dont stand a chance versus this estimated fleet."
"No captain, not engage them in space. We must crush them here, on the ground, and protect the shipyards with the cloaking device. The shipyards are the heart of the fleet, and I intend to protect them no matter the cost. Get those cloaking devices built and installed at least six hours before the Yuuzhan Vong arrive, I want a comfortable time-table to work with. Dismiss!" Mitth boomed.
Lucin saluted, turned on his heels and marched for the exit. Orders were orders, and he was going to obey them to his full ability.
He brought his transport banking hard to the portside, trying to avoid the barrage from the frigate analog. He had nine other ships in his convoy, and they couldnt afford not to deliver this cargo to Crimson Prime. That world, though they mined a considerable amount of their resourses, depended on incoming trade, which in turn was a good way for the Merchants Guild to fill their pockets. This delivery was paid in good money, and he didnt want to see it be taken out of his salary in case he didnt deliver it... provided he survived.
"Freighter 'Nova Dawn' here, Jon one of our freighters lost his engines." the voice came in a garbled version over the comconsole, needlessly as Jon already saw the freighter's engines give way to the barrage of the coralskippers.
"We cant afford to lose more cargo 'Nova Dawn', if they can bring their engines online and follow the escape corridor good, if not they are on their own." his own words stung him. Those were his comrades on the ship.
"No way Jon, we cant do that!"
"We are flying freighters with little or no arms in case you forgot to notice, and theres enough yorik coral out there to put us all out of our misery."
"Its not fair!" an adolescent voice cut in from the crippled freighter.
"Get to your escape pods and you might have a chance, try to catch up with us and we'll take you in. Its your only chance." the pilot of the 'Nova Dawn' as a barrage of coralskipper fire drilled into his shields, but they were built to be durable, unlike the glitch with the other freighter whose shields collapsed as soon as they were fired upon. The sensor scan notified him when the escape pods were launched, manuevering torwards the freighters who were running for their lives and their cargo.
Two out of three escape pods made it, the one slacking behind others was drilled apart by a coralskipper, while the other escape pods were covered with sparse but efficient fire from the few armed freighters. *Ten thousand credits was NOT enough for this!* Jon thought as he continued to plunge his freighter in soft zig-zag routes, hopefully enough for atleast some of the shots to miss him, and give his shields time to recuperate.
"This is 'Lucky Streak' to lead. Jon, we got them. Djinn just commed me up the cockpit, says we better get out of here, looks like they rigged an implosion on the engines generators before leaving." he said.
"Alright, this is Jon speaking, lets get out of here as fast as possible ladies, scramble to the jump point and get out of here!" he said as he eyed the blips behind his ship on the sensor display before pulling down the hyperspace levers, stars turned to lines, lines turned to an encompassing tunnel of hyperspace and he was on his way torward Crimson Prime.
Four hours later, he pushed up the hyperspace levers, and the 'High Streak' exited hyperspace. Behind him, eight more transports exited, most of them battered and sporting heavy plasma scoring on their hull, but they did it. Ten thousand credits in their pocket.
"Unidentified transports, in the name of Grand Admiral Thrawn identify yourselves or be destroyed!" the operator's voice came through the comlink. Jon noted that a trio of assault frigates orbiting Crimson Prime activated their engines and slowly, menacingly began moving torward his transports.
"Crimson Control this is Jon Sander aboard the 'High Streak', we are carrying a shipment of tibanna gas and armor plating as ordered by the Merchants Guild directive."
"Copy that 'High Streak', scanning shows positive results. You are cleared to dock with the cargo station." the voice said back.
* * *
"Captain Cayel reporting for duty sir!" Cayel said as he snapped to attention behind the figure standing infront of the viewports.
"Yes captain?" Thrawn murmored as he turned around.
"Our informants in the Peace Brigade indicate that the Yuuzhan Vong are likely to strike at the Tion Cluster."
"Irrelevant probing. Their aim is to keep us busy and unaware of their true target."
"Sir?"
"Do not underestimate Tsavong Lah captain. He will strike at the Tion Cluster correct, but that serves to hide his true target."
"Which is?"
"I have no doubts the Yuuzhan Vong are well aware of the significance of our shipyards at Almania, but after two attempts they are unlikely to attack for a third time."
"Pardon sir, but that doesnt tell us anything."
"Ahh captain, you see but you do not see. If you were faced with a choice of attacking the Yuuzhan Vong three major shipwombs, know that one of them is hidden and the other two well-guarded, what would you do?" Thrawn said as he gazed into Cayel's eyes.
"Find out the location of the hidden shipwomb?" Cayel tried.
"Exactly. See for yourself captain." Thrawn said as he walked to the holographic display of the system and typed in a string of commands which Cayel didnt bother to overlook, knowing that the Admiral would present him the solution.
The system which came to display was one with a pleasant climate, in the orbit were massive shipyards housing three Imperial III-class Star Destroyers where clones toiled like flies day and night to finish them in an insanely short time of three months, cargo stations ministering the many convoys of traders from Imperial worlds, smugglers and traders... oh shit oh shit oh shit.
"Cut off a dragons head, and the tail wont twitch for too long." Thrawn murmored.
"Shall I order the fleet to assemble for a jump to Crimson Prime?"
"No, our operations in Yuuzhan Vong space wont be delayed again. This shall be an interesting test for my ahh, clone on Crimson Prime, as well as for Commodore Lucin."
"I still think we should send some ships to assist the defense." Cayel said, heroically fending off the urge to start biting his nails.
"Communication, inform Commodore Lucin to prepare for the arrival of a Yuuzhan Vong warfleet, and inform him that reinforcements arent going to be available." Thrawn murmored into his comlink. Now, they could only wait. Could they?
"But admiral, you yourself said that we cannot afford to lose those shipyards."
"Captain, the Yuuzhan Vong, contrary to the popular belief, do not have unlimited supply of ships and trained officers to operate them. They struck at Almania how many times? How many ships did they lose just there? Our fleet has beaten them each step of the road, since that little encounter on Iridonia to the most recent battle of Almania. Now, return to your post captain, and learn to trust your superiors."
"But sir..." Cayel started, then realization struck him - helped with a strange glow in Thrawn's eyes - that insubordination in the Navy wasnt often unpunished. And he just disobeyed a direct order.
"As you wish sir." Cayel said, clicked his heels in a salute, turned on his heel and decided that perhaps attacking a less important foe might be better, such as that little problem with the supply lines in the Tion Cluster and the Kron Drift. Not as bad for health as say, disobeying the last Grand Admiral of the old, and the first of the new Empire.
* * *
The tactical room was a buzzling display of lights, just as he remembered - Mitth concluded. Or should he say, just as his genetic ancestor recalled. The activity was unusually high, for a secret facility, way too high. He approached the commander of this sector, Commodore Lucin, and gave him a nonchalant wave in the general vicinity of his forehead, a gesture which could be interpreted as a half-salute, and half-acknownledgement. The corner of Lucin's lips rose a degree at this calculative display.
"Problems commodore?"
"Indeed. High Command has informed us that the Grand Admiral believes the Yuuzhan Vong will attack the planet within the next day or two, and the cream on the end is, there arent any available reinforcements."
"You require my assistance then, commodore."
"Indeed. High Command has issued you a temporary Admiral rank, so I await your orders sir." Lucin said, and Mitth noted that all the devotion in the tall man's eyes didnt faint not even a shade at this degradation. A true Imperial. A rarity in these degenerate times.
"Alright, what sort of defenses do we have to work with, and what is the estimated size of the Yuuzhan Vong invasion force?"
"The system has three assault frigates to manage the incoming and outcoming traffic, plus a pair of Golan II defense platforms, Imperial design equipped with a gravitic imploder lance each. Though its experimental, it hasnt ever been tried out before." Lucin layed out the status of the defense while pausing and allowing the Admiral to supply further questions before he continued.
"Hmmm, very well captain. Estimated size of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet, and ground size?"
"Well sir, if we assume the Yuuzhan Vong have atleast two spare ships per planet in the nearby systems, that would bring the number to about thirty, maybe fourty minor vessels and ten, maybe fifteen capital analogs. Ground size, I'd estimate about a hundred thousand Yuuzhan Vong warriors, plus two hundred thousand proxy troops, not shure how many heavy weapons and mech analogs we can expect."
"Alright then, since I took the liberty of checking our database earlier I noticed that we are able to build cloaking devices." Mitth stated, not asked.
"Yes, but that would hardly help us out there in space. Three frigates dont stand a chance versus this estimated fleet."
"No captain, not engage them in space. We must crush them here, on the ground, and protect the shipyards with the cloaking device. The shipyards are the heart of the fleet, and I intend to protect them no matter the cost. Get those cloaking devices built and installed at least six hours before the Yuuzhan Vong arrive, I want a comfortable time-table to work with. Dismiss!" Mitth boomed.
Lucin saluted, turned on his heels and marched for the exit. Orders were orders, and he was going to obey them to his full ability.
