The Millennium Worm raced through hyperspace like a silver bullet, its
surface hot and crimson. Councilor Weia and her husband, the smuggler Wan
Walo were in transit to Walderann. The system lay only fifteen light years
away.
"Were coming out of hyperspace, sweetheart," Wan called from the
cockpit. "We'll see how bad the damage is."
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Jerk, thought Princess Weia as she got into
the co-pilot's seat while Wan activated the repulsorlifts. Ten minutes
later they were examining what was left of a once great city. The damage
was horrible, entire patches were leveled. But something was wrong.
"Wait-," Weia called out for all to hear. "Only some sections of the
city are damaged, and what about the relay station? That's standing. If the
Termites wanted to take the system, they'd take it out so we wouldn't have
a chance to send a distress signal." Her speech had made it's effect. The
salvage team were all ears.
"Why would the Termite Empire leave the station alone?" a worker
asked.
To catch the reinforcements we send," Wan broke in.
"But that would mean- Wan interrupted again.
"It would mean that the termites are playing with us. This probably
is connected to that lost Welmin taskforce." Weia nodded in agreement. It
had been to long since someone had said something intelligent. Anyway she
needed to get back to Wouruscant to report on the damage to the Worm High
Council.
After getting back to the Millennium Worm they entered hyperspace on
their way back to the Worm City.
Back on Wouruscant the council was in uproar over Councilor Weia's report. Councilor W'evila had the floor. "We can not be intimidated by an imperial game of Cat-and-Mouse!" he roared. "We MUST go on the offensive and crush the Termite Empire once and for all!" Few applause came. "Councilor, we can not throw away our worms and ships to attempt an end to what is just a mop-up operation," Won Wothma broke in. "What we need to do is strengthen our garrisons and build up our strength," she continued. "Aggressiveness is not an option." Councilor W'evila was quiet from then on.
The Worm Cruiser Liberator cruised through space off Walderann, patrolling for any sign of the Wormeara or another Termite Worm Destroyer. With the recent surge of termite activity in the area no one could be two careful. For the first couple days of the patrol nothing happened, but on the fifth day. "Captain, unknown vessel off two-six-zero, four clicks." Caption Ukio of the Liberator shook off other thoughts and focused on the battle around him. A Wormnaught-B cruiser had entered realspace and had begun firing from its 10 Turbolaser batteries. The Liberator returned fire and the battle was on. Two more Wormnaughts came out of hyperspace and begun to launch their complements of Termite Interceptor fighters and Termite Assault Bombers. Due to recent budget cuts the Liberator had been stripped of its fighters and the bomber's missiles were taking their toll. "Sir, Starboard shields down to 40%" the defense systems officer reported from his station on the bridge. "Starboard down to twenty, Larboard down to thirty-five!" They were in trouble. Without reinforcements and fighter cover; The Liberator was doomed. Ukio needed to act fast. "All power to front deflector screens," he ordered. "Helmsman, set collision course to lead cruiser, maintain vector." The bridge officers, as perplexed as they were followed their orders like "yes-men." The Liberator moved steadily on a collision course with the lead Wormnaught, the one they first encountered. "One-half click and closing fast." As the proximity alarms wailed the crew of the Liberator braced for impact. It came in the form of a *thud* as the Liberator sliced through the Wormnaught like a knife through butter. As the cruiser snapped in two; its companions stopped firing and prepared to retreat. Captain Ukio did not want to let them go. "Larboard Turbolaser batteries concentrate fire on cruiser one-five- one, Starboard target zero-three-zero," he ordered and the Liberator's Turbolasers unleashed a deadly barrage of laser fire; But it was too late. Thirty seconds after Ukio's order, the remaining Wormnaughts jumped into hyperspace.
Back on Wouruscant the council was in uproar over Councilor Weia's report. Councilor W'evila had the floor. "We can not be intimidated by an imperial game of Cat-and-Mouse!" he roared. "We MUST go on the offensive and crush the Termite Empire once and for all!" Few applause came. "Councilor, we can not throw away our worms and ships to attempt an end to what is just a mop-up operation," Won Wothma broke in. "What we need to do is strengthen our garrisons and build up our strength," she continued. "Aggressiveness is not an option." Councilor W'evila was quiet from then on.
The Worm Cruiser Liberator cruised through space off Walderann, patrolling for any sign of the Wormeara or another Termite Worm Destroyer. With the recent surge of termite activity in the area no one could be two careful. For the first couple days of the patrol nothing happened, but on the fifth day. "Captain, unknown vessel off two-six-zero, four clicks." Caption Ukio of the Liberator shook off other thoughts and focused on the battle around him. A Wormnaught-B cruiser had entered realspace and had begun firing from its 10 Turbolaser batteries. The Liberator returned fire and the battle was on. Two more Wormnaughts came out of hyperspace and begun to launch their complements of Termite Interceptor fighters and Termite Assault Bombers. Due to recent budget cuts the Liberator had been stripped of its fighters and the bomber's missiles were taking their toll. "Sir, Starboard shields down to 40%" the defense systems officer reported from his station on the bridge. "Starboard down to twenty, Larboard down to thirty-five!" They were in trouble. Without reinforcements and fighter cover; The Liberator was doomed. Ukio needed to act fast. "All power to front deflector screens," he ordered. "Helmsman, set collision course to lead cruiser, maintain vector." The bridge officers, as perplexed as they were followed their orders like "yes-men." The Liberator moved steadily on a collision course with the lead Wormnaught, the one they first encountered. "One-half click and closing fast." As the proximity alarms wailed the crew of the Liberator braced for impact. It came in the form of a *thud* as the Liberator sliced through the Wormnaught like a knife through butter. As the cruiser snapped in two; its companions stopped firing and prepared to retreat. Captain Ukio did not want to let them go. "Larboard Turbolaser batteries concentrate fire on cruiser one-five- one, Starboard target zero-three-zero," he ordered and the Liberator's Turbolasers unleashed a deadly barrage of laser fire; But it was too late. Thirty seconds after Ukio's order, the remaining Wormnaughts jumped into hyperspace.