Chapter 32
The amassed fleet exited hyperspace and emerged facing Coruscant's Senate disctrict, once again renamed Imperial center. Comprised of the fleet were Alliance and Imperial Star Destroyers as well as Hapan battledragons. The last three ships to emerge were the flagships of the three gathered fleets. In the center of the trio was an Alliance Star Destroyer, with the Bothan Admiral Bwua'tu in command. The aging Bothan was still in command of the Alliance navy, preparing for the coming battle aboard the Yavin. To the left was another Star Destroyer, only this one was under Imperial control. Admiral Pellaeon sat on the bridge of the Manticore as the crew prepared. Lastly to the right was the Hapan battle dragon, named the Tokijin, named after a mythical legendary dragon. Despite warnings, the Queen Mother had chosen to oversee the battle, leaving her daughter on Hapes. Throughout the mix of capital ships flew snubfighters comprised of X, Y, A, K, V and B-wings and TIE fighter, interceptors, and bombers. The Millennium Falcon also flew among the ships, Han, Leia, the droids, and their Noghri bodyguards on board.
"Han, we're getting hailed," Leia said as the com beeped. "It's Jaina."
Leia put Jaina on.
"Mom, Dad, are you there?" Jaina asked.
"Yeah, we're here." Han said. "It's been a while, sorry we couldn't contact you."
"It's no problem," Jaina said. "And I'm sorry I didn't contact you. I hope you guys weren't worried, but I was safe during the crisis. The Rogues kept me safe and when we got your message we left immediately."
"Good to know Wedge was taking care of you," Han said. "Remind me to thank him."
"You just did Han," Wedge said. "Your on an open channel. Good to talk to you again, and you as well Princess."
"And you too Wedge," Leia said. "I'm sorry we couldn't talk under less serious times."
"It's not your fault," Wedge said. "I'm sorry to here about Luke."
"You know?" Leia said, surprised Wedge would know of Luke's death when not many had been told.
"Jaina said when Luke died she felt it and told us what happened." Wedge said. "Sorry, I have to go. Wedge out." The com clicked off.
"I think we're starting," Han said as the squadrons began to mobilize. The individual wings of fighters broke into squadrons and headed for the planet. "First we have to get through the defense system."
Surrounding the planet were several orbiting defense platforms, each fitted with several turbolasers, capable of bringing down a capital ship. Fortunately the fleet had chosen to emerge where there would be fewest platforms, and ahead of the oncoming ships there were only three. The fighter squadrons dove in, lasers firing on the east most platform. Turbolaser fire ripped into some of the fighters, though the platform was ultimately destroyed with only two fighters destroyed. Meanwhile the capital ships moved in on the other two platforms and destroyed them.
"The defenses are down," Han said. "Now we just have to deal with the enemy fleet. But where are they?"
The enemy fleet appeared from around the planet, as they had been told to do. Former Alliance and Old Republic Star Destroyers began moving in on the unified fleet, targeting the closest fighters as they came. Enemy fighters also emerged and engaged the allied fighters, some fighters including antiquated V-wings. The allied fleet moved to engage the enemy. The Falcon dipped and swerved as it avoided laser fire and returned fire of its own.
"Look at the size of their fleet," Leia said. "Their fleet is larger than ours combined."
"But most of their ships are outdated," Han said. "But I suppose that doesn't really matter. In this case, quantity beats quality."
"Han, something is approaching from behind." Leia said, sensing a disturbance in the Force. No sooner had she said it that another enemy fleet appeared behind their own.
"It was a trap," Leia said. "They must have known and prepared."
Laser fire erupted from every side. Ships, large and small, exploded in fireballs. Capital ships broke in pieces as turbolaser fire tore through them.
"We're getting overwhelmed." Han said as he steered the ship and followed a Vwing, blasting it into debris.
Leia felt a new sensation in the Force, once more coming from behind, and soon it appeared. It was a giant sphere and green, suddenly appearing behind the fleets, but a distance away from the planet to not disrupt the gravitational flow. Leia felt the presence emanating from the planet and knew what it was. The living planet Zonama Sekot had come to help. And it was launching fighters.