Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter. Sorry for the long break between updates.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 11- Battle for a Battlestation
"Alright, here's the situation. The Separatists have launched a new offensive at Geonosis. This time, the target is not the planet itself, but what's in orbit over it."
Anakin is the one talking. He's in the hangar bay of his flagship, a brand new addition. They had discovered from the secret fleets that had showed up at the Battle of Coruscant there were some new warships in service with the Republic in small numbers. A few of those warships had been given to this fleet. One of them was the first ship of a new class of warships, the Imperator class Star Destroyer. That vessel was named the Executrix, and it was now Anakin's flagship. He and Obi-Wan were both taking part in this operation. Anakin is now briefing the pilots of the Executrix' air wing and some of the leaders of the 501st. The main downside to the Imperator class was their much smaller air group compared to the Venators Anakin was accustomed to.
"A recent discovery has revealed that the previous Chancellor had begun a secret project on the construction of a battlestation with enough firepower to theoretically destroy a planet. The battlestation is still in the beginning stages of construction, with only a basic skeleton completed. However, the Separatists now seem to be intending to capture the battlestation with the intent to finish the construction for themselves. As of now, they have destroyed most of the small task force protecting the battlestation and are on the verge of seizing it."
"Our orders are simple. Destroy the fleet attacking the battlestation and establish a defensive perimeter to defend against any more attacks. Is that understood?" Anakin finishes.
"Yes, sir!" the assembled clones respond.
"Good. You all know your duties. Lets do this and keep that kind of weapon out of Separatist hands," Anakin says. The clones all nod and disperse.
Anakin then turns to Obi-Wan. "You're in charge here on the ship, Obi-Wan. I need to be out there, leading our pilots," he says.
"Oh, so I'm taking orders from you now?" Obi-Wan asks in a joking manner.
"Come on, Master. You and I both know you prefer to be on a ship than in a cockpit, so why should it matter?" Anakin asks, drawing a chuckle from Obi-Wan.
"Alright, Anakin. Just got yourself back here in one piece. You've got children now, and if you don't come back, Padme will tear me to pieces," Obi-Wan says, drawing a laugh from Anakin.
"Alright. Get to the bridge," Anakin says. Obi-Wan smiles and claps Anakin on his shoulder before leaving the hangar for the bridge. Anakin then heads for his Eta-2 interceptor
As Obi-Wan reaches the bridge, his mind is running over the numbers of the battle that's about to begin. According to reports, only two Venators and a Carrack are still intact and trying to fight back against the Separatist attack. The Separatist fleet attacking the battlestation numbers at least 70 ships, mostly Munificents and Resucants, but also with 3 Lucrehulks and 3 Providences. Finally, under his command, Obi-Wan has 58 Venators, 10 Dreadnaughts, 5 Arquitens, 4 Victorys, and the Executrix. With luck, this battle will be a somewhat easy victory, especially since reports suggest that the Separatists' starfighter complements have been seriously reduced in the battle so far.
Right then, Admiral Yularen comes up to Obi-Wan. "General, we're less than a minute from coming out of hyperspace. What are your orders?"
"Our priority is forming a line between the Separatists and the battlestation," Obi Wan insists.
Yularen nods, then says, "I propose the following, General. Once we come out of hyperspace, launch an all out attack on their fleet's flank to create a gap our ships can use to get between their fleet and the battlestation. At that point, we can close in as close as possible to the battlestation and tighten our lines to increase a fire advantage."
"I agree with your idea, Admiral. Send orders out to all the fleet and prepare for battle," Obi-Wan orders.
The Republic fleet begins readying themselves to engage the Separatist fleet as the captains of the various ships run Yularen's plans by their officers, and the pilots of the starfighters and bombers are told the plan of where to focus their attacks.
Finally, the Republic fleet drops out of hyperspace. Immediately, from the the bridge of the Executrix, Obi-Wan can see Geonosis out of the viewport. And in orbit over the planet is the Death Star's skeleton, with now just a single Venator fighting back against the Separatists as the Separatist fleet is moving in, ready to start boarding the battlestation.
"Launch all fighters and bombers! Full speed ahead!" Obi-Wan orders.
Within seconds, the lead fighters streak out of the Executrix' hangar bay as the fleet's Venators open up their bays. Streams of Y-Wings, Eta-2s, ARC-170s, Z-95s, and V-19s stream from the Venators, ready to unleash hell on the Separatists.
It takes the Separatists a minute to realize they're got company. Their focus is quickly diverted towards the new Republic fleet as their remaining starfighters try to get into a position to defend their fleet from the new arrivals.
Right in the lead, Anakin grins as he grips the controls of his Eta-2. "Alright, boys. Let's give 'em hell!"
The lead elements of the Republic's fighter force merge with the Separatists' depleted force very close to the Separatist fleet. Anakin laughs to himself as he barrel rolls through the Separatist fighters, firing his laser cannons, blowing apart multiple Vultures and Tri-fighters.
"Keep up the pressure, guys!" Anakin calls over the radio as he turns hard, blowing apart another Vulture.
On the bridge of the Executrix, Obi-Wan is watching as the massive series of dogfights erupts between the fleets as the rest of the fighters and bombers try and move around the Separatist fighters to begin attacking the Separatist fleet.
"Maintain course and make ready to open fire," Obi-Wan orders, not wanting to open fire at too extreme of a range.
As the gunnery crews do final checks on their weapons and ready them to start firing when Obi-Wan gives the order, the bombers and remaining starfighters of the Republic fleet reach the Separatist fleet. The Separatist ships open with every weapon they can as the Republic pilots weave their way through the incoming fire. The bomber pilots begin firing proton torpedoes into the Separatist ships, focusing especially on the smaller Munificent class frigates. Explosions begin to tear into the Separatist ships. The separatist desperately try to fight back, while also readying for ship to ship combat any moment now.
In his fighter, Anakin is grinning to himself as he speeds through the masses of Separatist fighters, blowing one fighter after another pieces with the accuracy and airmanship that has come to be expected of him.
R2 beeps a few times at him. Anakin chuckles a bit to himself and says, "Don't worry, R2. We've pulled crazier stunts than this." R2 just beeps once in response. Anakin just laughs and fires his laser cannons again, shooting down another Tri-fighter.
A warning alarm suddenly beeps. Anakin looks behind him and sees several missiles pursuing him. "Alright, R2. Just like we did at Coruscant," Anakin says before he starts spinning his fighter continuously, causing two of the pursuing missiles to hit each other and explode. However, the other two continue their pursuit.
Looking up ahead, Anakin sees a horde of Vulture droids. Smirking, Anakin flies right at them. The Vultures try to turn to attack Anakin, but Anakin easily dodges their laser bolts. He flies right between them, sometimes missing hitting by just two feet. The two remaining missiles each impact a Vulture, exploding well away from Anakin's fighter.
As Anakin and the pilots continue fighting the Separatist fighters, on the Executrix, Obi-Wan finally decides that they've closed the distance. "All ships, target the flank of the Separatist fleet. Maximum firepower!"
Within seconds, all of the Executrix' batteries open up. Although the Imperator class doesn't have the starfighter complement of the Venators, they make up for it in heavy firepower. The Imperators have over 60 turbolasers and 60 ion cannons, far more than a Venator. Now that these ships are starting to enter full scale production, Republic admirals intend for them to work side by side with the Venators, providing more heavy firepower while Venator provide more starfighter carrying capability.
As the Executrix opens fire on the Separatist fleet, the rest of the Republic fleet begins to open fire as well. Turbolaser bolts begin to impact the Separatist ships, blasting huge chunks free of the ships and starting fires aboard.
In the commanding Separatist ship, a Separatist admiral is watching the effects of this Republic counterattack on his fleet. Despite his desire to save his fleet, the admiral was under strict orders from Palpatine. They were not to give up the assault and trying to take the battlestation, and were to fight to the last ship for that objective. Therefore, all he does is order, "Return fire! Focus all fire on the enemy's flagship!"
(Hours later)
On the bridge of the Executrix, Obi-Wan feels a sense of relief flood through his body. Just minutes ago, the last Separatist warship in the attacking fleet exploded under punishing fire from the Executrix and a squadron of bombers. At last, the battle for control of the Death Star is over, and the Republic has won. They lost only a few ships from their reinforcement fleet, but destroyed the entire Separatist fleet.
Now, on the bridge of the Executrix, both Obi-Wan and Anakin, who had returned to the Star Destroyer minutes earlier, look at the skeleton of the Death Star. Neither of them had really paid attention to the framework during the battle, but now that the battle is over, both of them are fixated on it.
Anakin is the one to finally speak about it. "That thing is huge," he mutters.
"Making it even harder to destroy when finished. And allowing it to hold more weapons," Obi-Wan says.
"What do you think we should do with it?" Anakin asks.
Obi-Wan notices that his old apprentice did not ask what he thought the Republic would do with it, but what was the right thing to do with it. He smiles a bit at that, then says, "I'm not sure. If this war lasts for long time yet, and especially if Palpatine has other such weapons planned, it could useful. Or, it could be altered for peaceful purposes. Yet, such power can be very tempting. Perhaps it would be best to destroy what has already been built and its plans before they can be used by the wrong person."
"True. And yet…this could be what it takes to defeat Palpatine," Anakin says. Obi-Wan just nods, both of them still staring at the unfinished battlestation.
And, I'll end the chapter there. Hope you liked it.
The Republic has retained control of the Death Star. Now, I do have plans for what they will do with the Death Star, but I don't intend to share them now. YOu'll have to wait and find out.
Next chapter will be up soon. Until it is, please leave a review and stay tuned!