Pellaeon sat in his quarters reading a book and enjoying a cup of Gilderian
Tea. Outside his window hyperspace fills the view, they have set course for
Yarstoss, but are damaged and the hyper drive is only running at 75% power,
so there is still 14 hours left in their journey. Pellaeon is unable to
sleep, there is something there, excitement, the recent battle with Veers
was a challenge and has left Pellaeon's adrenaline running. It has been way
too long since his last real battle. Although these battles are with fellow
imperials, it is not as hard as he thought it would be. It still confuses
Pellaeon as to why anyone would follow Veer's leadership, he hasn't made a
true name for himself in the galaxy, and he has certainly not toyed with
the New Republic. Or has he?
Pellaeon jumped up from his seat and walked over to his computer terminal. He sat down and began searching the pervious months New Republic activities in the near by systems. After only 2 minutes of searching he finds it. 14 New Republic vessels have mysteriously disappeared in the Einider System. All cargo vessels, all carrying weapons and other supplies. Pellaeon then searches the sensor records from the Derilliem System and the Remoss System. And again, there it is, debris from Bulk Cruisers, the type of cargo transports the New Republic uses. Pellaeon stood up, quickly putting on his uniform he leaves his quarters, and heads towards Thrawn's Chambers. He arrives within the minute, and signals his presence. "Come in." Thrawn's voice comes over the speaker. "Sir I have something you might want to see." Pellaeon hands Thrawn the data pad with the records highlighted. "Yes I know, I have already devised a course of action regarding this." Thrawn says, setting the data pad down. Although it makes his findings useless, Pellaeon is neither confused nor insulted by Thrawn's pervious knowledge of this, merely interested in the course of action in mind. "What is it that you have planned?" Pellaeon asks. "Well, that will be revealed in good time Captain." Thrawn says, it wasn't until now that Pellaeon noticed that there was barley enough light to see Thrawn's figure sitting in his chair. Thrawn merely sat there starring out the window into space. Pellaeon looked out the window as well, but was interrupted. "Is that all?" Thrawn asked, looking up at Pellaeon. He looked back at him; only Thrawn's eyes could be seen in the figure. "Yes sir, good night." Pellaeon said as he turned and walked out.
It was 08:30 when Pellaeon's wake up call came in. "Captain, we have reached the Yarstoss System and have begun repairs." Alkar's voice came in through the computer terminal. "Thank you, I'll be up shortly." Pellaeon said as he sat up in his bed, stretching his arms outward his back cracked. He felt something, today was going to be a long day, but then again they always were. He stood up and walked into the bathroom and began to get ready.
He emerged from his quarters 15 minutes later, ready to go to the bridge, but first decided to get something to eat. He took the turbo lift down to the galley and got some coffee, and a chunk of Malastarian biscuit. Then headed up to the bridge. When he arrived, the bridge was barely stationed. "Lieutenant!" Pellaeon called. "Yes Captain" Alkar responded. "Where the hell is everyone?" Pellaeon asked sharply. "Sir, Thrawn has given them different orders." Alkar said. "What orders?" Pellaeon asked even more sharply. "Sir, he has them down in the training center, they are doing battle drills." Alkar said, a beep from his station caught his attention. "Excuse me sir."
Interesting, Thrawn has them doing battle drills, much needed ones too. Pellaeon walked over to the front of the bridge and began looking over the ships repair status, the Solar Ionization reactor was at the top of the list, and the repair estimate was 2 and half hours. Pellaeon looked up and outside saw the sun rising over Yarstoss. It has been a long time since he has watched a sunrise, a very long time. "Captain?" a young voice called. Turning to see a young private in the crew pit, Pellaeon walked over to him. "Yes?" "Sir, the Death's Head and the Dark Star have just exited hyperspace." The private said. "Very good, tell them to take up defensive positions around the Annihilator." Pellaeon said.
Pellaeon turned back towards the window and searched the sky for the 2 joining ships. Then he saw them heading in from the starboard. Pellaeon turned back and there was Thrawn, sitting at his command chair.
"Good morning Admiral" Pellaeon said. "Good the Death's Head and Dark Star have arrived." Thrawn said aloud. "The repairs will be completed before afternoon. What are your orders?" Pellaeon asked. "As of yet, we will wait for the Annihilator to finish her repairs then we will stage an attack on the Einider Shipping Yards." Thrawn said, now reading over a data pad. "Sir, is that wise? Won't it be heavily defended what with the attacks from Veers?" Pellaeon said rather concerned. "It is indeed wise, you will see." Thrawn said.
Without warning an Alarm sounded and the bridge's stations lit up with red displays. It was a battle station alert.
"What is it private?" Pellaeon asked. "Sir incoming ships, Republic vessels!" The Private shouted. "How many?" Pellaeon asked calmly. "I count two Mon Calamari Cruisers, four Nebulon-B Frigates, and three Bulk Cruisers." The Private said back.
Pellaeon turned around and searched the outside space, and saw them, they were heading in fast.
"Contact the Constrainer and instruct them to activate the gravity well!" Pellaeon shouted to the private as he walked over to Thrawn. "Sir shall I bridge the rest of the bridge crew up here?" Pellaeon asked. "No need, the Death's Head, Avenger, and Judicator can take care of them." Thrawn said still reading his data pad. "Yes sir." Pellaeon said as he turned around and walked up to his display terminal. He began entering in commands and informing the fleet of Thrawn's orders.
The Republic vessels were caught in the Gravity well within minutes and began launching their fighters, while setting up an attack formation for their vessels, the Bulk Cruisers having no weapons and low shields stayed as far back as they could, while the other capitol ships started heading towards the Imperial fleet.
"Get the pilots to their fighters and launch immediately!" Pellaeon shouted.
The bridge was still almost completely unmanned; the Chimaera would be having no part in this battle. Pellaeon noticed something, a complete lack of nervousness, normally when faced with this sort of situation he would be fearful, fearful of his crew, and of himself. But not anymore, he felt like he did back in the days when the Emperor was still alive. He felt like they had a chance.
The Republic ships were in range now and began firing their weapons, flashes of green and red raced between the ships. The Annihilator was the furthest from the battle, next was the Chimaera, they were both weak, and had no use in the battle, but then again, they were the perfect targets for the Republic fighter pilots. A squad of X-wings was heading right for the Chimaera.
"Private, have our fighters launched yet?" Pellaeon asked. "No sir, they are launching now!" The response came.
Just as the X-wings passed by the forward Imperial Ships and started their attack run on the Chimaera, a swarm of TIE Fighters launched and moved in to defend. The X-Wings broke off and headed along the stern. When they came around a group of TIE Interceptors was on their tail. Wasting no time the TIE pilots came in on all fronts. 5 of the TIES were destroyed in the cross fire but in the end all of the X-Wings were gone.
"Very good," Thrawn said ", launch a squadron of TIE Bombers and have them do an attack run on the Bulk Cruisers back there. Disable them if possible." "Yes sir" Pellaeon said.
The capitol ship battle was not going as well, the Mon Calamari Cruisers are not as weak as they once were back in the time of the Alliance. The have already taken the Dark Star's shields down to critical, and were now working on the Death's Head. The Republic losses were noticed mainly in the fighter losses, but the capitol ships were holding up nicely, the only weakened ships were the Nebulon-B Frigates and even they were still strong in the fight. "Sir! I'm detecting 5 ships exiting hyperspace along the same exit path as the Republic ships!" A private shouted out from the crew pit. "What class are they?" Thrawn asked. "Sir, 3 Star Destroyers and 2 Interdictor Cruisers!" The private said with obvious shock. "Interesting." Thrawn said as he stood up and walked over to the forward windows.
The new Imperial ships came in from behind the Republic Bulk Cruisers, and immodestly disabled them with their Ion Cannons, then turned on the attacking Republic Vessels. The first of the Republic Vessels was destroyed within minutes. The remaining ships were all in critical condition rather quickly after that. The New Imperial ships attacked together, all 5 would attack one ship until it was too badly damaged to be of any use in the fight then they would move to their next target. One of the Nebulon-B Frigates exploded, sending out debris into one of the disabled Mon Calamari cruisers. Crashing into its Aft Engine Supports, it sent a chain reaction through the ship creating another massive explosion. The battle was won, and the New Ships were the reason.
"Hail the Lead Star Destroyer." Thrawn said as he walked up to the Communications station.
The private entered in commands and a figure appeared on the screen.
"Greetings, I am Grand Admiral Thrawn, who may I ask are you?" Thrawn said. "I am Captain Berdin, of the Star Destroyer Enforcer. We are very pleased to meet you Grand Admiral, but also, quite confused, what are you doing here?" Berdin asked. "Will you join us Aboard the Chimaera for dinner tonight? And we will explain in full." Thrawn invited. "We will be honored to accept your invitation, we will join you at 18:30 hours. Berdin out." Berdin said as the display turned off.
Thrawn turned and looked at Pellaeon.
"What a surprising turn of events." Thrawn said as he walked by Pellaeon, leaving the bridge.
Berdin came aboard at 18:30 hours as said and they all went to the Executive Conference room a much more inviting place to eat than the one they met Veer's in.
"Admiral, let me get right to the point," Berdin said as he sat down, " I am not here to argue, or put up a fight, me and my men are quite anxious to join you."
Thrawn looked up, surprised was the only description for the face he made.
"So willing to let go of your command?" Thrawn asked. "It's not that simple, we were commanded by a General Vikeen only 2 months ago, but his ship was attacked and he was killed." Berdin explained. "The New Republic did it, and ever since then we have been randomly attacking their boarder fleets. The Fleet you encountered was chased away by us, they fled to this planet because it was uncharted, in fact it was uncharted to us as well, we were very suppressed to find them still here, but then realized you had kept them here with your interdictor cruiser."
"That is most interesting." Thrawn said. " If you wish to join us, you must understand I run things differently than a General, and I do not tolerate defiance."
"Completely expected sir." Berdin said " I have been a Captain for 10 years now, and I am not in it for myself, I'm here for the glory of the Empire."
They enjoyed the rest of their meal and told stories of their adventures in the past 3 years since the Battle Of Endor. They got to know Berdin very well, and were glad to have him and his fleet with them.
Thrawn's fleet was growing and they would be able to handle Veer's Very easily, but first they needed to find him.
Pellaeon jumped up from his seat and walked over to his computer terminal. He sat down and began searching the pervious months New Republic activities in the near by systems. After only 2 minutes of searching he finds it. 14 New Republic vessels have mysteriously disappeared in the Einider System. All cargo vessels, all carrying weapons and other supplies. Pellaeon then searches the sensor records from the Derilliem System and the Remoss System. And again, there it is, debris from Bulk Cruisers, the type of cargo transports the New Republic uses. Pellaeon stood up, quickly putting on his uniform he leaves his quarters, and heads towards Thrawn's Chambers. He arrives within the minute, and signals his presence. "Come in." Thrawn's voice comes over the speaker. "Sir I have something you might want to see." Pellaeon hands Thrawn the data pad with the records highlighted. "Yes I know, I have already devised a course of action regarding this." Thrawn says, setting the data pad down. Although it makes his findings useless, Pellaeon is neither confused nor insulted by Thrawn's pervious knowledge of this, merely interested in the course of action in mind. "What is it that you have planned?" Pellaeon asks. "Well, that will be revealed in good time Captain." Thrawn says, it wasn't until now that Pellaeon noticed that there was barley enough light to see Thrawn's figure sitting in his chair. Thrawn merely sat there starring out the window into space. Pellaeon looked out the window as well, but was interrupted. "Is that all?" Thrawn asked, looking up at Pellaeon. He looked back at him; only Thrawn's eyes could be seen in the figure. "Yes sir, good night." Pellaeon said as he turned and walked out.
It was 08:30 when Pellaeon's wake up call came in. "Captain, we have reached the Yarstoss System and have begun repairs." Alkar's voice came in through the computer terminal. "Thank you, I'll be up shortly." Pellaeon said as he sat up in his bed, stretching his arms outward his back cracked. He felt something, today was going to be a long day, but then again they always were. He stood up and walked into the bathroom and began to get ready.
He emerged from his quarters 15 minutes later, ready to go to the bridge, but first decided to get something to eat. He took the turbo lift down to the galley and got some coffee, and a chunk of Malastarian biscuit. Then headed up to the bridge. When he arrived, the bridge was barely stationed. "Lieutenant!" Pellaeon called. "Yes Captain" Alkar responded. "Where the hell is everyone?" Pellaeon asked sharply. "Sir, Thrawn has given them different orders." Alkar said. "What orders?" Pellaeon asked even more sharply. "Sir, he has them down in the training center, they are doing battle drills." Alkar said, a beep from his station caught his attention. "Excuse me sir."
Interesting, Thrawn has them doing battle drills, much needed ones too. Pellaeon walked over to the front of the bridge and began looking over the ships repair status, the Solar Ionization reactor was at the top of the list, and the repair estimate was 2 and half hours. Pellaeon looked up and outside saw the sun rising over Yarstoss. It has been a long time since he has watched a sunrise, a very long time. "Captain?" a young voice called. Turning to see a young private in the crew pit, Pellaeon walked over to him. "Yes?" "Sir, the Death's Head and the Dark Star have just exited hyperspace." The private said. "Very good, tell them to take up defensive positions around the Annihilator." Pellaeon said.
Pellaeon turned back towards the window and searched the sky for the 2 joining ships. Then he saw them heading in from the starboard. Pellaeon turned back and there was Thrawn, sitting at his command chair.
"Good morning Admiral" Pellaeon said. "Good the Death's Head and Dark Star have arrived." Thrawn said aloud. "The repairs will be completed before afternoon. What are your orders?" Pellaeon asked. "As of yet, we will wait for the Annihilator to finish her repairs then we will stage an attack on the Einider Shipping Yards." Thrawn said, now reading over a data pad. "Sir, is that wise? Won't it be heavily defended what with the attacks from Veers?" Pellaeon said rather concerned. "It is indeed wise, you will see." Thrawn said.
Without warning an Alarm sounded and the bridge's stations lit up with red displays. It was a battle station alert.
"What is it private?" Pellaeon asked. "Sir incoming ships, Republic vessels!" The Private shouted. "How many?" Pellaeon asked calmly. "I count two Mon Calamari Cruisers, four Nebulon-B Frigates, and three Bulk Cruisers." The Private said back.
Pellaeon turned around and searched the outside space, and saw them, they were heading in fast.
"Contact the Constrainer and instruct them to activate the gravity well!" Pellaeon shouted to the private as he walked over to Thrawn. "Sir shall I bridge the rest of the bridge crew up here?" Pellaeon asked. "No need, the Death's Head, Avenger, and Judicator can take care of them." Thrawn said still reading his data pad. "Yes sir." Pellaeon said as he turned around and walked up to his display terminal. He began entering in commands and informing the fleet of Thrawn's orders.
The Republic vessels were caught in the Gravity well within minutes and began launching their fighters, while setting up an attack formation for their vessels, the Bulk Cruisers having no weapons and low shields stayed as far back as they could, while the other capitol ships started heading towards the Imperial fleet.
"Get the pilots to their fighters and launch immediately!" Pellaeon shouted.
The bridge was still almost completely unmanned; the Chimaera would be having no part in this battle. Pellaeon noticed something, a complete lack of nervousness, normally when faced with this sort of situation he would be fearful, fearful of his crew, and of himself. But not anymore, he felt like he did back in the days when the Emperor was still alive. He felt like they had a chance.
The Republic ships were in range now and began firing their weapons, flashes of green and red raced between the ships. The Annihilator was the furthest from the battle, next was the Chimaera, they were both weak, and had no use in the battle, but then again, they were the perfect targets for the Republic fighter pilots. A squad of X-wings was heading right for the Chimaera.
"Private, have our fighters launched yet?" Pellaeon asked. "No sir, they are launching now!" The response came.
Just as the X-wings passed by the forward Imperial Ships and started their attack run on the Chimaera, a swarm of TIE Fighters launched and moved in to defend. The X-Wings broke off and headed along the stern. When they came around a group of TIE Interceptors was on their tail. Wasting no time the TIE pilots came in on all fronts. 5 of the TIES were destroyed in the cross fire but in the end all of the X-Wings were gone.
"Very good," Thrawn said ", launch a squadron of TIE Bombers and have them do an attack run on the Bulk Cruisers back there. Disable them if possible." "Yes sir" Pellaeon said.
The capitol ship battle was not going as well, the Mon Calamari Cruisers are not as weak as they once were back in the time of the Alliance. The have already taken the Dark Star's shields down to critical, and were now working on the Death's Head. The Republic losses were noticed mainly in the fighter losses, but the capitol ships were holding up nicely, the only weakened ships were the Nebulon-B Frigates and even they were still strong in the fight. "Sir! I'm detecting 5 ships exiting hyperspace along the same exit path as the Republic ships!" A private shouted out from the crew pit. "What class are they?" Thrawn asked. "Sir, 3 Star Destroyers and 2 Interdictor Cruisers!" The private said with obvious shock. "Interesting." Thrawn said as he stood up and walked over to the forward windows.
The new Imperial ships came in from behind the Republic Bulk Cruisers, and immodestly disabled them with their Ion Cannons, then turned on the attacking Republic Vessels. The first of the Republic Vessels was destroyed within minutes. The remaining ships were all in critical condition rather quickly after that. The New Imperial ships attacked together, all 5 would attack one ship until it was too badly damaged to be of any use in the fight then they would move to their next target. One of the Nebulon-B Frigates exploded, sending out debris into one of the disabled Mon Calamari cruisers. Crashing into its Aft Engine Supports, it sent a chain reaction through the ship creating another massive explosion. The battle was won, and the New Ships were the reason.
"Hail the Lead Star Destroyer." Thrawn said as he walked up to the Communications station.
The private entered in commands and a figure appeared on the screen.
"Greetings, I am Grand Admiral Thrawn, who may I ask are you?" Thrawn said. "I am Captain Berdin, of the Star Destroyer Enforcer. We are very pleased to meet you Grand Admiral, but also, quite confused, what are you doing here?" Berdin asked. "Will you join us Aboard the Chimaera for dinner tonight? And we will explain in full." Thrawn invited. "We will be honored to accept your invitation, we will join you at 18:30 hours. Berdin out." Berdin said as the display turned off.
Thrawn turned and looked at Pellaeon.
"What a surprising turn of events." Thrawn said as he walked by Pellaeon, leaving the bridge.
Berdin came aboard at 18:30 hours as said and they all went to the Executive Conference room a much more inviting place to eat than the one they met Veer's in.
"Admiral, let me get right to the point," Berdin said as he sat down, " I am not here to argue, or put up a fight, me and my men are quite anxious to join you."
Thrawn looked up, surprised was the only description for the face he made.
"So willing to let go of your command?" Thrawn asked. "It's not that simple, we were commanded by a General Vikeen only 2 months ago, but his ship was attacked and he was killed." Berdin explained. "The New Republic did it, and ever since then we have been randomly attacking their boarder fleets. The Fleet you encountered was chased away by us, they fled to this planet because it was uncharted, in fact it was uncharted to us as well, we were very suppressed to find them still here, but then realized you had kept them here with your interdictor cruiser."
"That is most interesting." Thrawn said. " If you wish to join us, you must understand I run things differently than a General, and I do not tolerate defiance."
"Completely expected sir." Berdin said " I have been a Captain for 10 years now, and I am not in it for myself, I'm here for the glory of the Empire."
They enjoyed the rest of their meal and told stories of their adventures in the past 3 years since the Battle Of Endor. They got to know Berdin very well, and were glad to have him and his fleet with them.
Thrawn's fleet was growing and they would be able to handle Veer's Very easily, but first they needed to find him.
