Chapter 38: Ambush, but of Who?
Reviewers:
Marine Brother Shran: I went and redid it. I hope you think it's better now. Et Imperator.
BGTom: I actually thought of the name Kestrel system out of the blue. I guess I forgot it existed. We'll see who has the edge.
SPECIALGUY: You'll see who the side with, if anyone. Psykers are more powerful than Jedi, and lightsabers are basically just power swords with less metal.
Liljimmyurine: Vader's chocking power is the only thing most Imperial officers know about. I revised the chapter, but the Imperial captain was bluffing. Good calls on the rest. IDO write what I want, I just like making my fans happy too.
Oblivionknight7: I don't know if fighters could do it. They'd make dents at least.
Grayangle: Hey, if it works. I'm glad you like my solution.
Dark OZ: I'm glad you like it. Oh but they DO have a chance. Remember the Imperium is five times the size of the Empire, and even if the tech is not equal psykers could just take control of an Imperial crew and retrieve a Star Destroyer for study.
HecatonchiresLM: Actually a battle barge is 8 kilometers long.
Lennox: Thanks. Upsets huh? An STC seemed like a good choice, seeing as on one knows everything that's on them.
Darth Cruel: I'm glad you like the story. The Apex Twins are the only psykers ever born as twins and they've lived for thousands of years. They only appear in a small article in White Dwarf 193. Their powers are stronger than any psyker save the Emperor. They are very evil.
In the Kestrel system, the local Imperial fleet was preparing for the arrival of the Imperium advance fleet. 40 mark two star destroyers, six lacer frigates and twenty five Carrack class cruisers were waiting for them. The Imperial Star Destroyer Balance of Judgment had been designated as the command ship. The defense stations of Kestrel were ready and the planetary shield had been activated. With no knowledge of the enemy's weapons or defense systems the Imperial were taking no chances. On board the Balacne ofJudgment,Imperial Admiral Jacob Strent was moving his ships into position. Suddenly, eight new ships entered the system. Seven Star Destroyers and the command ship Executor.
"Admiral, Lord Vader is hailing us," Strent's second officer informed him. A shiver of fear went through the bridge at the mention of the Dark Lord of the sith.
"Put in up," the admiral said. Vader appeared.
"Admiral, I have reviewed the information gathered on this new enemy. I am assuming command of this fleet. Have your fleet maintain its current formation. When the enemy arrives, move in and use Ion weapons to disable them. I want as many ships as possible captured and not destroyed. Is that clear?"
"Yes Lord Vader," the admiral answered. When the transmission ended, everyone visibly relaxed. They each knew that the slightest mistake could mean their death when Vader was around.
While the Imperials were preparing for the arrival of the advance fleet, Admiral Contsu was discussing attack plans with his captains. They were traveling in transwarp and were due to arrive at the coordinates given to them in under an hour.
"Gentlemen, Seer Melron has informed me that we are most likely heading into a trap. The enemy, this Galactic Empire, is likely waiting with a superior force to ambush us. So I want us to be ready when we emerge from transwarp. I want all ships at full battle stations and all fighters standing by. When we reenter normal space, I want the fighters launched at once. All ships will form up into a crescent wall formation. If our information is correct, most of the ships waiting for us will be the star destroyer class vessels we encountered before. That is all." With that the captains beamed back to their ships.
"Seer, if there are any psykers on board the enemy ships, I want you to scan their mind and retrieve any information you can."
"Yes Admiral. I will do what I can." Like all Chief Seers, Melron was an Alpha class psyker, the only one in the fleet. "From what I gleaned from the Imperial captain's mind however, I do not believe this Vader is any higher then a Delta class."
"Then let us prey to the Emperor for success,' Contsu said, and both men left the room.
An hour later the Imperial fleet had formed up and launched fighter patrols.
On board the Balance of Judgment, Admiral Strent was very nervous. He knew if he somehow botched the engagement Vader would have his head.
"Sir, I'm getting some strange readings twenty thousands kilometers ahead," an officer reported.
"It must be them. Launch fighters and inform the rest of the fleet."
Space exploded with green-white lights as Admiral Contsu's fleet emerged from Transwarp. The fleet consisted of two Emperor Class battleships, including the Emperor's Wisdom, five Dictator Cruisers, three Gothic class cruisers, three space marine battle barges and seven Cobra escorts. Almost immediately fighters began pouring form launch bays.
"Sir, the enemy fleet had launched fighters."
"Well, launch ours as well. Tell the fleet to open fire as soon as the enemy is in range. They must have known we were waiting for them. Also, remind the fleet that Lord Vader wants as many ships as possible disabled."
"Yes sir. Sir the enemy is firing!" The Admiral's ship shook under the Imperium's barrage.
Admiral Contsu was taking advantage of his ships superior weapons range. Lance batteries, Nova Cannons and Imperial torpedoes found their mark. Many of the torpedoes were shot down, but the remaining weapons found their mark. Five Star Destroyers shields failed and suffered hull breaches. One suffered a hit to its main reactor from a pair of torpedoes and vanished in a massive explosion.
On board his ship,Admiral Strent had been hurled to the deck by the impacts. He got bac to his feet, a look of anger on his bleeding face.
"Damage report!" he demanded.
"Five Star Destroyers have taken damage and the Ravage has been completely destroyed. It appears heavy weapons fire hit its main reactor. Lord Vader is ordering the fleet to close to weapons range and open fire. Weapons are free."
"All right. Launch all fighters. Have them target incoming enemies. Order half our capital ships concentrate their fire at the largest enemy ship. If we can destroy their flagship we can confuse them. Have the rest of the ships target the smaller vessels."
"Ships firing." Thousands of Turbolasers, Ion cannons and torpedoes thundered from the Imperial armada and splashed off Void Shields. Two Cobra ships took enough fire to take their shields down and the vessels suffered moderate damage.
"Admiral Contsu, the Diligent and the Lightning have taken heavydamage and are falling back."
"What about us?" Half the enemy fleet had apparently decided to concentrate their fire against the Emperor's Wisdom.
"Forward shields are down to fifty-five percent but they're holding there. The enemy fighters are about to engage our own."
"Let's see how this works out," Contsu whispered. The Galactic Empire appeared to be a potent foe, but his fleet seemed to be gaining the upper hand.
The second stage of the battle began when clouds of Ties met swarms of Imperium fighters. The Ties outnumbered the Imperium squadrons about twenty to one, but the Imperium ships had shielding and superior weapons. Both sides watched as Ties were torn apart by pulse phasers and volleys of photon torpedoes. Still the Ties fought and were beginning to inflict damage to their enemies. Gradually numbers began to tell.
"Admiral, our fighters are beginning to take heavy losses, and the enemy capital ships are moving up. Their flagship is launching more fighters. What are your orders sir?"
"Have our guns concentrate their fire on the ships escorting the flagship. Order the Oblivion and the Fist of the Emperor to engage the enemy flagship directly and attempt a boarding action." The two ships the Admiral mentioned were battle barges from the Dark Angels and Imperial Fists chapters.
The Star Destroyers of Death Squadron began suffering massive damage when most of the enemy fleet began targeting them. Three were destroyed, the others suffered heavy damage. The two battle barges closed on either side of the Executor and pummeled the Super Star Destroyer with double broadsides, greatly weakening its shields.
On the bridge of the Executor, Vader actually staggered as his flagship took a massive pounding. Space Marine boarding parties then teleported aboard. Surprised crew were toprn apart by bolters and crisped by flamers. The marines began moving deeper into the ship.
"Lord Vader, security reports that intruders are simply appearing out of this air on decks three through seven."
Space Marines in both standard and Terminator armor slaughtered their way through stormtrooper patrols. Blasters were useless, having aboutthe same power as a lasgun. Techmarines interfaced with computers and figured the quickest ways to the bridge and main engineering.
"Lord Vader, the enemy is slaughtering our stormtroopers. Blaster fire has no effect against them."
Vader was, for once, at a loss for words. This new enemy was more powerful than anything the Empire had ever encountered. Then a thought hit him.
"Send the signal to Admiral Black's fleet," he ordered. The officers' faces lit up. Now they would win.
"Admiral, I sense the enemy is initiating another plan," Seer Melron reported.
"He's right Admiral," his sensor operator replied. "I'm detecting over two hundred enemy ships coming in. All Star Destroyers and another flagship."
Contsu knew now that he was overmatched. He was holding his own, but the enemy's numbers had just gone way up.
"Instruct all ships to withdraw. Retrieve the boarding parties and signal the fleet. We're going back to the wormhole."
"Lord Vader, the enemy is falling back," his first officer reported.
"Very well. Have Black's armada pursue them. Begin damage repairs. I am joining the Admiral." He said. Minute later, Vader was on board the command ship Iron Fist. The entire two hundred ship strong fleet followed the trail left by the enemy. Unknown to them, the trail was Contsu's own trap, for at the wormhole an entire Imperium battle group was waiting. Soon the Galactic Empire would feel the crushing force of the Imperium of Mankind.
How was that? Vader is going after Contsu, but just how many ships are waiting for him? Will the Dark Lord of the Sith be victorious, or will he be forced to accept that the Empire has a foe just as powerful as itself? Find out in the next chapter. See ya soon and don't forget to review!
ENTILZA