Chapter Three.

Chapter Three – An Unknown Threat.

Briefing Room.

ISD-II Challenge

Hour Later.

RA Manitsas sat at the head of the table, Wing Commander Darklord sat to his right, and around the table sat the squadron commanders. Master also joined them at Manitsas request.

"We have managed to send a message to Aurora through the Holonet connection the base had, they are going to send re-enforcements however we are going to be on our own for the next several hours, I want a constant patrol around the ship, the Malice took some damage and shields are only at 50 so keep a close eye on it too, the good news is we have fixed several fighters even secured some new ones out of the Rebel Base, the tech report with the parts 75 of our fighters will be at 100 within a day or two. WC Darklord has the Squadron orders of what your pilots will be flying" Manitsas paused for a moment, he was not happy with the second part of his orders.

"Now for the best news of the day, our first priority is to return home, however EH command is heavily concerned with the threat of this new Mon Calamari star ship.

We got orders from Grand Admiral Ronin himself saying that he wants as much information as possible on this new ship. We need to know if it was ever built it could pose the greatest threat we have ever seen, several craft have been sent out on recon missions, we are hoping they have some info before we leave, any questions"?

No one spoke,

"Ok good, dismissed" Manitsas said with a frown as he left.

Bridge

ISD-II Challenge

Four Hours after Briefing

"Have any of our scouts returned yet Admiral"? Darklord asked Manitsas as he arrived in the bridge after briefing the next lot of pilots who were going to patrol.

"Yes, Five out of the ten, no information so far however they have picked up on several New Republic capital ships which is a small worry for EH Command" Manitsas answered not taking his gaze away from holoprojector which showed where the Challenge was positioned around the former New Republic base.

"SIR"! The radar officer yelled.

"Yes what is it"? Manitsas asked.

"We have several New Republic starships entering the area, I count two Gunship's, one MC-80, two MC-60's and a Imperial Class Star Destroyer, and they are launching fighters," the officer said.

"Communication coming through Admiral" the communications officer said.

"Main screen" Manitsas replied, the face of an Imperial General appeared on screen, his neat and tidy uniform gave Manitsas the idea he hadn't been a General long.

"Emperor's Hammer forces, I am General Zikalsa of the New Republic Fleet, you are all under arrest for the capture of our Vilous base, if you do not power down your craft we will destroy you" the General said with a smug look.

"General, we have dealt with New Republic Generals before, if you think we are afraid of your fleet you got another thing coming, prepare to defend yourselves" Manitsas said before killing the communication.

"Sound the alarm, red alert, launch every squad we have" Manitsas said.

Klaxons started blaring.

"Darklord, I suggest you get your wing to their ships, this is going to be tough" Manitsas said with a sigh.

"Yes sir, ill fly myself if it helps any" Darklord replied.

Manitsas smiled as DL ran out of the bridge.