Tishaliz: Thanks, as always for the review. I try to be punctual in life and on deadlines. Almost to a fault some of my friends say. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
DeceitfulSwordfish: Thanks for the review. They are always appreciated. I am glad you liked the interaction between Kuvira and Tam. I wanted for Tam's story to be developed and for her joining with the First Order to be more then just her trying to escape and spite her former friends who lied to her. She has always been sympathetic to the First Order and the Empire. Now I want her to see her place with them as a natural development. It also gave me a chance to develop Kuvira a bit more in an unformal one on one talk.
Master Skywalker 121: Thank you for the review. I am always glad to meet a fellow supporter of the Empire and the First Order. That was actually why I started writing this. To add some balance to a universe that is very heavily biased in the Rebels and Republic favour despite all the shit they do. I am glad you like Kuvira as a character. I am trying to flesh her out to show that she is not a simple tyrant or Mary sue character. I am also trying to keep it roughly balanced. To show that Kuvira will blow up a planet it is for victory and not for her sadistic glee.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. I will also be brining back Kylo Ren after the battle for he and Kuvira can have that discussion about where they stand.
Chapter 23 – Negotiation and Deception
D'Qar – The Reclaimer Command Bridge
Kuvira – POV
The Star destroyer Reclaimer burst out of the ethereal swirling blue tunnel of hyperspace and watched as the darkness of space reasserted itself. In front of the ship the green and blue marble of D'Qar hung in the void as the distant stars continued to shine as if nothing was amiss.
Behind the star destroyer came the rest of the assembled First Order 1st Fleet. Or at least, the ships that had been re-assembled in the short time since former General Hux had scattered them to the farthest fringes of the galaxy. The Reclaimer was soon joined by nine identical counterparts as the fleet flashed back into existence behind it.
The fleet was arrayed in a classical wedge shape formation as the Reclaimer took central point within the formation with the remaining nine star-destroyers being placed on the flanks. The formation was simple but highly effective in military naval warfare. It ensured a strong yet flexible formation that allowed the fleet to be able to meet strong forward offensive fire head one while also allowing the flanks of each individual ship to be protected by its allies.
The fact that the Resurgent class was able to boast a hugely improved array of weaponry and direct targeting systems allowed them to cut apart virtually any attacking force as it created an impassable firestorm across the attacking vectors of their enemies.
It would also allow for any important vessels to be protected in the centre of the formation if the need arose. Which if the battle progressed as expected, would be a great benefit to the First Order.
Grand Admiral Kuvira, stood in the command centre of the Reclaimer's bridge in her full dress black uniform and greatcoat as she surveyed D'Qar through the transparisteel viewport as the planet below continued on its rotation. In all her studying of military supply routes, evidence from spies and the whispers of the galactic rumor mill. She would never have thought to look for the Resistance base on this backwater world. But she supposed that was the point of a secret base. To be unnoticeable.
However, she was infinitely more interested in the Resistance 'fleet' (and she used that term generously) that was even now hanging in high orbit of the planet.
She studied the Resistance ships with her typical cold and calculating gaze. Even as the bridge lit up with holographic displays and tactical readouts, she was analysing the ships with her own gaze and with her memory of the reports she had received from the FOSB.
The Resistance fleet consisted of four ships. First there was the Vigil; a Vakbeor-class cargo frigate manufactured by Kuat Drive Yards. It was later captured by Resistance commandos from pirates during a battle off the Chasidron Shoals. Since then it had been placed under the command of Vice Admiral Jotis in the Resistance's campaign against the First Order. It was a hybrid design known as a cargo frigate which combined basic defences with additional cargo capacity. No doubt it was carrying the majority of the Resistance's small arms and supplies.
Next was the Anodyne; a previously decommissioned Nebulon-C escort frigate that had found its way from a salvage yard to a Resistance friendly repair facility that had provided extensive repairs in its final conversion to a hospital ship. Through it had been stripped of most of its armaments it still boasted an assortment of turbolasers, point-defence cannons and tractor beam projectors.
Third was the Ninka; Under the command of Vice Admiral Holdo. Unlike its scrapheap sister ships, the Ninka was a spry and versatile vessel. While it was small for a cruiser it was fully dedicated to weaponry and it was thereby the second most powerful ship in their fleet. It was of Corellian design and was known for its ability to carry hefty and destructive ordinance. Including the Virgillian designed heavy plasma bombs for orbital strikes.
The fourth ship (and undoubtably the command ship) was the Raddus, named for the Rebel Admiral how died at the battle of Scariff. The ship was over three kilometres long and it was the only one of the fleets vessels that could actually claim to be a proper warship. It was one of the last warships designed for the New Republic prior to the Galactic Concordance Disarmament treaty and even being thirty years old, it was still formidable.
Increased automation and the removal of redundant systems had made the Raddus perfect for the numerically challenged Resistance. But the key strength was in its new prototype shields that far surpassed anything that had previously been created and allowed the ship to project a deflector barrier far from its hull. Naturally therefore this ship had become the flagship and mobile base for the entire Resistance.
Kuvira had to give credit where it was due. Though the Mon Calamari had been nothing but a pain to the Empire and the First Order. They knew how to build ships.
As she regarded the Resistance fleet she was almost disappointed. The First Order commanded the largest and most advanced fleet in the known galaxy. The 1st fleet in turn was the pride of the Order and was the most decorated and experienced fleet in the navy.
To be confronted by what amounted to a flying testament to desperation, filled with ships stolen or salvaged from refuse piles was nothing short of insulting.
However even as the thought crossed her mind she admonished herself and forced herself to not fall into the trap of overconfidence. Ancient military wisdom often said that 'it was always a bad sign when it did not seem possible to lose'.
Afterall who in their right mind would have thought thirty one-man fighters could have brought down the first Death Star?
Kuvira also studied the moving chain of small transports that were even now flying from the planet surface (from the estimated location of the base) to the safety of the Raddus crusier in their efforts to evacuate the planet. But it seemed that they had run out of time.
"We have caught them in the middle of their evacuation, Grand Admiral." Captain Peavey had reported. He had been moved from the Finalizer to fill in the role of sub commander for this battle. Kuvira had transferred Pacorus to the 'Strikefast' to take up his own command. Besides she felt that Peavey as a veteran of Imperial military service deserved to witness the reconquest of the galaxy from the best view possible.
Kuvira turned to regard Peavey as he walked up to her with a satisfied smirk on his face and a noticeable swagger in his step as he moved from the tactical monitor to join her on the central walkway. She nodded and regarded him with her typical pragmatic gaze. But she allowed some humour to creep into her voice as she responded. She had long ago come to realise that no commander, however skilled and decorated could be an emotionless droid with their subordinates and expect true loyalty in return.
A little human emotion was required in order to be the leader that could truly inspire loyalty. Carefully balanced with efficiency and pragmatism.
"Well it seems that their preparations were warranted but inefficient." She said as she watched the Resistance fleet begin to take up what would normally be considered a defensive perimeter around the still moving column of transport ships that moved from the planet.
However, the disparity in power between the two forces was almost laughable. The First Order would sweep that formation aside as if it was a cloud of vapor. The Raddus might be able to prove a competent adversary to one Resurgent class star destroyer. But against ten it was hopelessly outmatched and even its shields would not be able to stand such concentrated firepower.
"We have our orders from the Supreme Leader himself. Order all ships to maintain formation, prepare fighters for launch on my command, recycle the shields and allow the turbolasers to reset to the required parameters." She commanded as the comm officers began to relay the messages to the entire fleet.
"Inform Captain Canady to bring his dreadnaught into the system at the provided coordinates and to take up position in the centre of the formation. I want the dreadnaught to be secured behind our defences and in an unassailable position to fire onto the Resistance forces." She said to the comm officer and waited for the monitors to light up with the indication that the final ship in the fleet had arrived.
She did not have to wait long.
The First Order dreadnaught, the Fulminatrix shot into the system directly behind the First Order formation and immediately the enormous black hulled ship fell into position behind the amassed Resurgent class star destroyers.
The Fulminatrix was one of the First Order's most effective weapons after the loss of Starkiller base. It was one of the newly designed Mandator IV-Class Siege Dreadnaught. The entire surface of the deck was bristling with target point defence cannons. The ship was also capable of carrying a full fighter compliment and even now was preparing its pilots to launch into battle at a moment's notice.
But the true power, value and beauty of the Mandator Class Dreadnaught was the fact that contained in its under-surface hull were two enormous heavy orbital-bombardment cannons. These experimental weapons were capable of punching through all but the strongest of planetary defence shields to rain fire and death down on their enemies. They contained enough power to blow surface bases to rubble and tear capital ships in half.
Previously tough Rebel bases such as Hoth, Atallon and now D'Qar were rendered defenceless and even capital ships like the Raddus could be sheared in half by the cannons with a direct hit.
The dreadnaught was quite possibly all Kuvira would need to destroy the heart of the Resistance in one devastating blow.
She nodded in satisfaction as she watched the Fulminatrix take up position exactly where she had instructed and was now well defended behind the wedge of star destroyers. Not to mention its own formidable defences.
"Tell Captain Canady to prepare the autocannons to fire and to take aim at the primary target. I want him to fire at will as soon as he is able to reach full power." Kuvira instructed as the comms officers once again began relaying the instructions to the fleet.
She was about to turn to Captain Peavey to get an update on the Resistance fleet transports, when in the destroyer's bridge pit, a stern monitor eyes a red X shape on her radar screen, her surroundings lit red for ideal visibility during battlefield conditions. "Grand Admiral, Resistance ship approaching. X-wing class, guns and shields in attack mode." She reported with clarity, but she was unable to hide the confusion in her voice even as she said the words.
Kuvira made her way to regard the monitors viewscreen and saw that the monitor was correct. She regarded the tactical for a moment while her mind lept into action as it analysed the likely strategies the Resistance was attempting. "A single light fighter, X-wing class…. Dameron." She muttered, half to herself and half to the Monitor and Captain who were beside her also watching the screen.
Instantly Kuvira felt the situation fall into perfect clarity.
She had always been a firm believer in knowing as much about an enemy as possible before ever engaging them. The great Admiral Thrawn had said that 'to defeat an enemy you must know them. Not simply their battle tactics, but their history, philosophy, art.'
Kuvira had never had Thrawn's skill or deductive skills when it came to artwork. It was not for lack of trying. Over the years she had spent hours staring at paintings, sculptures, drawings, and all manner of artistic expression from multiple species. But no matter how much she studied or observed for learned. She simply could not see what Thrawn was able to have seen.
Eventually she had been forced to admit that this particular skill was simply beyond her. But in its place she had mastered a different skill. In addition to an enemy's history, philosophy or art. She had added a fourth category.
Personality.
People could and would act in completely unpredictable ways in utter contrast to all tactical sense, because of who they were as a person.
If they were reckless, or overly cautious. If they were naturally optimistic or pessimistic. If they were trusting by nature, or cynical by choice. If they held higher beliefs or ultimately believed in nothing.
All these and more could allow a skilled commander to know what an opponent would do even if they did not until it was too late.
That was what allowed her to know what Dameron was going to be planning in this seemingly suicide attack.
Poe Dameron was a skilled pilot. In fact, he was undoubtably one of the best in the known galaxy. He was a gifted soldier; a charismatic leader and he had a natural ability to inflame the passions of many people to the resistance cause. Kazuda Xiono and FN-2187 were clear evidence of this.
But he had flaws as well. The greatest being that he was young and naïve. While she admitted it was hypocritical for her to mock his youth, as she was about the same age. But the difference was that she was a Grand Admiral in both name and in mindset.
In contrast Dameron was a Wing Commander in name, but he remained a flight jockey in his mindset. He saw his X-wing as a favourite toy and not his weapon of war. He flew into battle more because he found it fun then to fulfil his duty. Despite his experience with loss he still regarded war and battle as a game which needed to be fought with pathetic quips and attempts at humour.
He viewed retreat of any kind as cowardly and refused to consider the possibility that he could be defeated. He failed to acknowledge that sometimes discretion was the better part of valour. And he viewed not being privy to every decision or secret in the Resistance as a personal insult rather than simple prudence.
He also was determined to do what he personally viewed as morally correct instead of what was strategically sound or even simple common sense. If he had left Jakku moment the First Order had been spotted he might have got off the planet and given the map to the Resistance long ago. Instead he had decided to return to protect his friend Lor San Tekka and in so doing, allowed the First Order to capture him and the information they needed.
Most off all. He maintained a belief in the invincibility of himself and the Resistance. While he must have been aware that he could be killed at any second in battle. He still did not truly believe it could happen to him. Other people of course, but not to him. Meanwhile he had never truly allowed himself to consider the possibility that the Resistance could fail or that General Organa capable of mistakes.
He was still a child at heart. And in his child like mind. The 'good guys' always win.
That made his faith and resolve strong. But it also made it brittle. If it was proven to be wrong. Then there was a good chance it would shatter.
It was with all this knowledge that Kuvira had armed herself and it was with that knowledge that she was able to decipher Dameron's plan.
Clearly this was his attempt to perform a classically flashy heroic gesture that would be remembered in song and legend and give the Resistance their precious hope in their futile struggle. It was also a clear attempt to play for time while the Resistance got its fleet evacuated and then to jump out of the system.
It was also likely a chance for him to hurl his insulting and oh so witty banter at the First Order, in a juvenile attempt to make his colleagues and himself laugh at their expense.
Dameron was not one to perform a move like this and not ensure it was as dynamic and as memorable as possible. In the end his need to show off was one of his greatest weaknesses.
As she finished her musings and stepped back onto the central command platform she heard the comm channel crackle to life as a signal was forced through on all channels. "This is Commander Poe Dameron of the Republic fleet; I have an urgent communique for Grand Admiral Kuvira." The voice that came through was definitely Dameron and it reaffirmed her reading of the situation.
Kuviraa nodded to the communications tech. "Patch him through." Once the tech gave a nod of confirmation she began to speak. "This is Grand Admiral Kuvira of the First Order. I am here, please relay your superiors' message." She stated flatly. All the while she made sure that the fleet preparations were still being carried out as previously ordered.
After a moment silence the response came back. And it was just the kind of response she had been expecting. "Hi, I'm holding for Grand Admiral Kuvira …. OK, I'll hold." He said in a surprised tone that fooled no one.
Kuvira fought the urge to roll her eyes. "I refuse to play this game." She turned to the communications tech. "Override the signal and force connection, audio and visual. Ensure it is hailed on all frequencies. If the Resistance is listening, I want them to hear this." She ordered as she moved to stand in front of the holoprojector that soon sent her holographic image across space and forcing it to project on the X-Wing dashboard.
She ignored the startled look on Dameron's face as she suddenly appeared on his viewscreen as he was clearly rehearsing his next line in his little performance. "Yes, I can hear you perfectly Commander Dameron. Just as perfectly as you can hear me. Now do you want to patch me through to General Organa or have you simply decided to waste time and amuse yourself while your compatriots run for their lives?" She asked in a tone of sardonic contempt.
Dameron's look of shock turned quickly to one of annoyance and resentment. Clearly he did not like to have his fun spoiled. After a few seconds he regained his trademark smirk and responded flippantly. "Don't blame me for your faulty equipment Admiral. It was your comms system that was acting up. But then, slave labour, you get what you paid for." He threw out in clear mockery of the First Order.
Kuvira did not even blink at his retort. "I hardly think you are in a position to cast criticism on our fleet, Commander. Now please patch me through to General Organa. Others may find your buffoonery entertaining. But I have no time to waste on childish games." Kuvira stated in a tone of supreme indifference. Already she was seeing her words have the desired effect as Dameron's face grew tight and his eyes lost their mirth and became hard in anger.
'Good, an enraged and publicly humiliated Wing Commander would be that much more likely to make reckless mistakes and endanger the lives of his pilots to 'even the score'.
Thankfully Dameron shut up as he made the connection. At the same time Kuvira turned to Peavey. "I want that X-wing in our sights. If it twitches, destroy it. Have our fighters scrambled and placed in defence formation around their respective Star Destroyers." She commanded and then turned back to face the holoprojector.
Soon, a life size image of General Leia Organa appeared in the bridge of the Reclaimer. At the same time a lifesize image of Kuvira's head and torso appeared in the holographic display table on the Raddus.
For a long moment, both women just stared at each other. At the same time the command crews on both the Reclaimer and the Raddus turned to watch what was about to happen. For a moment, both sides were in complete agreement, in that they wanted to see what would happen now.
The contrast between the two women could not have been more pronounced.
Leia was old, with greying hair and held herself in a small stooping posture while leaning on her cane. Kuvira was young with hair as black as the void and standing so straight it seemed her spine wad made of Beskargam.
Everything Leia was wearing was a testament to who she was as a person, not as a General. She wore her grey hair in the cultural Alderaanian mourning braid, to honour the dead at Hosnian Prime. Her clothes were also Alderaanian in origin but cast in mourning black as was often her style in the last few years. Some said it was in response to those who saw her as nothing but Darth Vader's daughter. If that was how they saw her, then that was what she would show them.
Her Oro-weave bracelet, her signet rings and her Aurodium earrings. All these showed her life and yhe experiences she had led to allow her to become the person she was.
Kuvira allowed no such adornment. She wore nothing but the black uniform of the First Order, complete with black gloves, boots and greatcoat. The only thing that identified her as an individual was her displayed rank insignia. Beyond that she perfectly confirmed to the requirements and demands that the First Order and her people, expected and deserved.
For a moment they simply let the silence hang as the two long term enemies and leaders of their factions stared at each other. Both had long thought about what they would do or say if they ever got the chance to speak to the other one on one. But now that they finally had the chance, they needed a moment to compose themselves and compile their thoughts.
Leia regarded Kuvira with an expression that was steadfast, unflinching but with a touch of remorse if one looked deep enough. When Leia had first learned of Kuvira, she had been curious as any General should be when learning of a new enemy. She had regarded her with the logical analyse of a military leader, seeing what she could learn about her strengths and weaknesses. She had regarded her as nothing more than an obstacle to the survival of the New Republic and the goals of the Resistance.
So, she had quickly turned her mind on how to destroy her or defeat her.
But over the years she had been forced to acknowledge that Kuvira was not a simple blustering war mongering fool like Hux or old Imperial leaders like Rax and Vader.
She had seen that Kuvira was commanding and resourceful. And she wielded military tactics and leadership as well as Imperial and Rebel legends had done in the Galactic Civil war. More than that, she had the rare ability to command the respect of her subordinates and their fear in equal measure. While mediocre commanders could get by with one or the other. Learning how to balance them was hard. It was an act that won Kuvira a modicum of respect by itself.
But that was not what made Leia respect Kuvira or feel remorse in having to fight her. She had kept close tabs on the First Order over the years as they expanded their territory across the Outer Rim and into the border lands.
She had been saddened and enraged to see the New Republic simply allow those worlds to fall, almost without caring. Just as she had been saddened that those worlds had abandoned the New Republic so easily. Though she had to admit to herself, that the New Republic never gave those worlds much reason to be loyal to it. Its exploitation and core centric policy had been even less well hidden then that of the Old Republic.
And so those worlds had once again been left to rot. So, when the chance came for them to join a new Empire that was rising and had its heartlands based in the rim and unknown regions. They had felt that at last they might get their fair chance, protection and prosperity.
She had sent many agents to those worlds in the hopes of gaining access to valuable intel. Not to mention giving a local Resistance movement a change to form with their help to overthrow the First Order occupation. In that time, she had come to see many changes in those worlds that left her feeling nervous and at the same time hopeful.
Kuvira had taken those worlds and many in the Resistance had anticipated the citizens being turned into slaves or having their worlds strip minded keeping fuelling the First Order war machine. But that had not happened. Instead those worlds had been given protection by the First Order fleet.
The agents had all reported the same thing. That the worlds were undergoing a cosmopolitan revolution as cities were repaired and rebuilt while populations were rapidly growing. They had noted the presence of countless species from all over the galaxy. Including worlds that had been invaluable to the Rebel Alliance in their efforts to free their worlds from slavery and oppression by the Empire.
The scenes had been even more difficult to accept when it soon became clear that the local populations of the new annexed worlds had shown no interest in rising up against the First Order. Their army had driven off the pirates, slavers and other dangers that haunted the space lanes and had allowed the planet to function in peace.
The First Order had established law, order, safety and a sense of purpose. More than that, the previously poor and impoverished worlds had been given the chance for a taste of what they had always wanted; Imperial Majesty.
Kuvira had made it known that all worlds in the First Order were equal and would receive equal standing in the sector council and in the High Command. Unlike with the Republic, there would be no favouritism. As long as they paid the standard tribute to the First Order in the form of wealth, resources or manpower then they would be afforded all the benefits it could provide.
This careful and effective policy that Kuvira had enacted ensured that the conquered worlds remained conquered and pacified as they endeavoured to work towards First Order citizenship status for their world by meeting the expectations.
It was this work that had earned her the nick name; the Great Uniter.
It was this that had made Leia realise something about Kuvira that she wished she had not.
Kuvira generally believed she was doing the right thing. She actually cared about the people of the galaxy and sincerely believed that building the First Order into the new Galactic Empire was the best thing for the people of the galaxy.
She had met many Imperial Moffs, senators, Generals and warlords in her life. They had all claimed to be fighting for the people and for the good of the galaxy. But in the end it was all about securing their own power and position.
In Kuvira that was not the case. She had proven many times over the years that she was willing to die to ensure that her cause gained victory, that it would succeed. She was perfectly willing to declare war, launch unprovoked attacks, pre-emptive strikes, and slaughter on an unimaginable scale to achieve victory.
And she would go to bed with a clear conscious and sleep well each night. Because she genially believed that she was doing the best she could to help people and the galaxy.
That made Leia much more afraid as it meant that she would likely be able to order any action, no matter how horrific to accomplish her aims. In the end she had been proven right with the destruction of Hosnian Prime.
But it also had made her sad to see what Kuvira was behind all the military bearing and cold calculation. She was what she had been so many years ago. A young woman with a vision, a dream that kept her alive and gave her life meaning. A young woman that was desperate to bring her vision of a perfectly ordered and united galaxy united under one banner with one collective will and voice.
It was a dream that Leia could understand. Even if it was the complete antithesis of her own dream of a galaxy that valued the rights of the people over the convenience of the galaxy.
But it also meant that she would have to do all she could to destroy a young woman who was in many ways so much like herself. It was insane to even consider it. But at moments when she had allowed her mind to wonder and the Force to embrace her. She had wondered if the daughter she had always wanted but never had would have been anything life Kuvira?
Naturally she had never paid such delusions anymore mind. But when Han had returned from Starkiller and made his report. She had begun to wonder at the strange relationship he had claimed to witness between Ben and Kuvira.
She had even allowed herself to consider how big the colossal irony would be if…
"General Organa." A voice broke her out of her musings as she realised that Kuvira had decided to end the staring game and begin the conversation.
Leia came back to herself and focused on the only thing she should be thinking about today. Namely, getting her people out of here alive. Making sure the Resistance would live to fight another day.
"Grand Admiral Kuvira." She replied with much the same emotionless tone that Kuvira had opened with. Kuvira nodded in recognition of the greeting. "Why did you hail me?" Leia asked.
Kuvira raised an eyebrow in sarcastic confusion. "Aside from the invitation from your pilot, Dameron?" She asked sarcastically. "I hailed you for the same reason you answered it. Curiosity."
She paused before she continued. "I have always hoped that we could get to talk directly one day. We have fought our shadow war of spies, proxies and politics for many years. We have fought a new and more open war since Hosnian Prime. But we have never actually spoken a single world to each other."
Leia nodded as she allowed herself a small mournful smile. "I doubt that a friendly chat between us would have made much difference."
Kuvira nodded as her face remained set in stone. "Maybe so. But I have been pleasantly surprised in the past. Not often, but sometimes." She said calmly before continuing. "General Organa, I know you are no fool. So, you know you cannot win this battle." She stated as a simple fact.
Leia could not deny the accusation but she needed to play for time so the transports could reach the Raddus. The hyperspace coordinates for a rendezvous point was already selected and entered into the nav computer. The engines were primed and ready. As soon as the transports were on board the Raddus they would punch it and jump out of the system.
Until then she just needed to by some time. "I have heard similar words from Tarkin, Vader and even the Emperor. We still defeated them. What makes you think we can't do the same here?" She asked in a tone that was a mix of mocking and sarcastic confusion.
"In fact, I am willing to guess that you never though a small group of fighters would take down your own planetary superweapon?" She said snidely.
Kuvira regarded her with what seemed to be disappointment. "I was hoping you of all people would have a better response then to reference old and now irrelevant battles. But since you seem unable or more likely unwilling to see the truth I will elaborate." She said in the tone of a teacher lecturing a rebellious student.
"Your fleet (and I use that word generously) is ramshackle at best. Your three other ships are lightly armed and are for support use in the medical and transportation fields. They are no match for our fleet and even one Resurgent class star destroyer would be enough to sweep them aside."
"Your flagship is the only vessel capable of mounting a sufficient opposition and you are currently hopelessly outmatched with no hope of reinforcement. The New Republic is decapitated, with what little leadership it still has in a state of flux with no clear chain of command or even a centralised government to conduct your affairs.
"You have no support from the New Republic military which is now vastly outmatched in terms of numbers and technology. What little forces that remain are scattered across many distant and largely irrelevant worlds. They are also being attacked by the other First Order fleets even as we speak, key planets are being targeted and have probably already fallen."
"Meanwhile the hyperspace routes, such as the Hydian way have already been claimed and we have effective control over the flow of vital goods and raw materials between the Core and everything past the mid rim. We can choke off all economic movement and sent planets into economic collapse virtually at our will. If planets resist us we do not even need to attack them. We will simply starve them into submission."
"Lastly we have more supporters across the galaxy then you might want to admit General. The New Republic did not do much too endear itself to the populace and in my opinion the only thing that ensured it lasted as long as it did was nostalgia and war weariness. That time has passed. Now we are in a position to reclaim the galaxy under our banner and we have millions of people who are willing to help us accomplish and maintain this." She finished with her voice never once changing from its calm analytical tone.
"General I know that you and your followers take great pride in your 'hope' but hope alone cannot change reality. After that it simply becomes self-delusion." She summarised. "And to believe that you can win in spite of all I have said and more. That simply stretches plausibility too far." She finished with great gravity in her voice.
She intended for the sheer insanity of a Resistance victory to be made clear both to her own fleet and to the Resistance command who were all listening intently to the conversation between the General and the Grand Admiral.
There was a reason propaganda was as effective in war as actual weapons. A soldier who had the best weapons, armour and skill was nothing if they did not believe that they could win the fight. Very few people after all were willing to sacrifice their life in a pointless and futile battle.
Leia considered the matter for a moment before she made her response. "You make a very good case Grand Admiral. If I saw the galaxy with such cold calculation as you I might be inclined to agree with you. But I have watched the unexpected happen in the past. On Yavin and on Endor. One small minuscule change altered the course of the galaxy. With all that I have seen, I do not see our cause as defeated. I see it as a rebirth." She said with a confident sad smile that Kuvira could not help but find aggravating.
"Besides, we are not so out gunned and out matched as you seem to think, Grand Admiral. The Force is with…." She said until Kuvira silenced her with a wave of her hand.
"Spare me the talk of the Force, General I have no interest in it! I am only concerned with matters related to this plane of existence. And I can promise you that the Force will not save you if the ships you are standing in are reduced to molten slag under our guns." Kuvira bit out in tired annoyance. "I am willing to offer you and your people fair and reasonable terms of surrender. If you care at all for the lives of your people you will listen to them. If not we can commence battle right now."
There was a pause for a moment. Broken only by the wiring and being of the droids in the Raddus main command bridge. After a few moments that felt like eons. Leia raised an eyebrow at that sudden outburst from the Grand Admiral.
While Kuvira's face had not changed and her voice had not risen too much she had noticed a change in her when she had interrupted her when she mentioned the Force. The change was not physical, Kuvira was too disciplined and controlled for that.
No, the change had come to her through the Force. A sudden spike of energy, to sharp and so intense that it had forced its way into her perception. The spike was only there for a second before it vanished as Kuvira got her emotion under control. But it had lasted long enough for Leia to recognise what it was.
Rage. Hate and sheer revulsion.
And then it was gone. As if it had never been there at all.
Leia was stunned. She had heard various rumours that unlike Snoke, his acolytes and …Kylo Ren. Kuvira distained the use of the Force or the idea of relaying on it instead of tactical and scientific resources. She had learned that Kuvira placed much less emphasis on destroying Luke then she did about the invasion of the New Republic.
Too her it was as if destroying Luke and the Jedi was a vague after thought. But she had never heard anything that suggested she held such animosity to the Force itself.
She could understand it on some level. Many Imperial, Rebel and Republic officers and leaders regarded the Force as superstitious magic tricks at worst. Unpredictable and unreliable energies at best.
But what she had felt from Kuvira was not simple apathy, it was sheer loathing!
Before she could dwell on this matter further she realised she needed to respond to the threat before Kuvira grew tired of this and fired. Besides, she just needed to by a bit more time for all the transports to make it to the Raddus. Then get Poe and the bomber and fighter squadrons back aboard the ship as fast as possible.
With that in mine, offered her answer. "What terms would you offer to us Grand Admiral. I have no intention of simply turning over my people to the First Order's tender mercies without some guarantee of their well treatment."
If Kuvira was surprised by the seeming willingness to consider surrender from the proud Alderaanian princess, she hid it well. Far better than most of the Raddus bridge crew would have if they did not know that this was just an effort to buy time.
Kuvira considered for a moment before beginning her list of demands. "Firstly, you will power down all weapons, engines and let your ships drift." She demanded.
"Second you will order your forces to drop their weapons, disarm their security systems and wait where they are for our troops to arrive to take them into custody. If they offer no resistance I give you my word they will not be harmed. If they attack us or fight back we will use lethal force."
"Thirdly. You will send communications across to your cells and allies across the galaxy notifying them of your surrender and commanding them to stand down." The list continued.
The Resistance members on the bridge were having a hard time believing it.
The plan was actually going to work. Grand Admiral Kuvira, supposedly the greatest military mind of the age was being fooled and had been tricked into monologing. All they needed was for her too keep rambling on while the First Order fleet remained idle.
Then they would have all their personnel in the ships and could jump out of this system to safety. The fighter squadrons could follow them into Hyperspace of course. The bombers might be a problem. But the point was that the Resistance would escape and live to fight another day!
"Fourthly, your pilot Poe Dameron will order his little bomber squadron to power down their engines, disarm their magnetic bombs and turn off their woefully inadequate engine bafflers. They will not be making an attack run any time soon." Kuvira said her tone suddenly sober and alert, instead of the monotonous tone she had used while reciting her demands.
Leia stiffened. As did all the bridge crew on the Raddus command deck. For a moment no sound was heard except the sudden intake of breath in the members of the Resistance command as they momentarily allowed their shock and horror to get the best of them.
Leia's eyes darted from the hologram of Kuvira to study the tactical read out of the forces in the planets orbit. Even as she turned her head to watch, she saw the flood of data representing the First Order TIE fighters shoot forward on an attack vector. They were clearly heading at the transports and at Poe's bomber and fighter squadrons that they had considered invisible to the First Order sensors.
She turned her stricken gaze back to Kuvira, who had a look of knowing intent across her otherwise impassive face.
The entire time that the conversation had been taking place between the Grand Admiral and the General. Leia had displayed herself as a fully imaged life-sized hologram. In that same time, she had never asked herself why Kuvira had displayed her hologram image so that it displayed everything above the torso region.
The Resistance had simply assumed that was how she wanted to depict herself or how she had set her holocams for no greater reason.
But that was far from the truth.
The entire time Kuvira had been talking to Leia. She had her hands clasped behind her back in her typical at ease stance. The Resistance not thought this out of the ordinary. Afterall they had seen Kuvira take this stance many times in holograms and recordings. It was her preferred stance when she was not talking to her soldiers or trying to rally her followers.
But the main reason she had not allowed her hands to be seen. Was that while they were clasped behind her as she spoke to Leia. Her hands had been in constant motion as they gave off a multitude of signals and gestures that almost looked like they were undergoing some kind of spasm.
But the First Order officers could see it for what it was. Galactic basic in sign language.
It was a form of communication that was not often used as it was difficult across a galaxy with multiple species. Some of which did not have arms, much less the same number of digits.
But all the officers of the First Order had been instructed in its use for just this kind of occasion, when distraction and secrecy was needed. The fact that (for the moment) all officers of the First Order were near human, if not human. Made its widespread use and application much simpler.
And the bridge crew of the Reclaimer had been able to interpret and carry out her orders with perfect clarity.
As Leia watched. Poe was forced to cancel the charge up routines on his fighter's new turbo engine booster and take evasive action as he fled back to the fighter squadrons. Meanwhile the Resistance fighters moved forward to engage the First Order TIE's and to protect the bombers that were breaking formation as their ambush was discovered.
"Do you truly think so little of me, General" Kuvira said as Leia turned back to her. "That I would be so easily fooled into allowing you and your Resistance time to evacuate and escape by your obviously fake surrender? The day General Leia Organa surrenders without a fight is the day that the Hutts become altruistic charity organisations." Kuvira said scornfully.
She generally did seem offended that Leia Organa (a rival she respected) thought she was that gullible.
Leia glared back at the younger woman in anger and dismay at the turn of events. "Then why did you bother talking at all? You could have simply ordered your forces to attack as soon as you entered the system." She demanded.
Kuvira paused as if she was debating whether or not to answer. Then she explained. "Three reasons."
"First, I held out hope that you might see reason and end this pointless struggle before more lives were lost to it. I knew that was very unlikely, but I felt it was worth the effort."
"Second, while I felt confident that you would remain. I could not take the chance that you would leave the evacuation incomplete and abandon your remaining followers to escape into hyperspace. It would have been the logical and tactical thing to do. But for all your virtues and skills General. You do not have the strength of character necessary to sacrifice your own people to achieve success. I felt confident you would remain, but I could not take that chance. So, I needed to distract you, even as you tried to distract me." Kuvira elaborated as the bridge crew of the Raddus glared hatefully at her.
"And thirdly, I needed time for the Fulminatrix's auto cannons to be fully charged to punch through your flagships protype shields and be guaranteed to destroy the ship in one blow." Kuvira finished flatly as the Raddus crew looked at each other in quickly mounting horror.
"You needed time for your evacuation. I needed time to launch my attack. We both needed to buy time General. The difference is I did not need as much as you." Kuvira bowed her head as she finished speaking.
A gesture of respect? Of mourning?
Whatever it was her hologram faded from the Raddus as she turned to Captain Peavey.
"Order Captain Canady to lock on to the primary target and fire immediately!"
Authors Note
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Sorry for the delay. For some reason I found this chapter really hard to write. Only could churn out a few hundred words a day. Anyway, next is the Battle of D'qar.
See you then.