A long time ago in a galaxy far far away
CLIMAX OF WAR!, part One
Season 1, Episode 12
40 years passed since
Emperor Palpatine was defeated.
For years and years chaos remained as
the remnants of the Empire tried to maintain control
of the galaxy and the leaders of the Rebel Alliance tried to unite
the people in an organized democracy. Such attempts failed on both sides,
and the galaxy fell back to the political structure it had known before the creation of
the Old Republic. Small systems, bigger systems, coalition of planets, yet some planets are still
divided and self regulated countries. Democracies, monarchies, empires, warlords, anarchys, even
the Hutts control a few systems, and still some parts of the universe have not been explored or heard of.
The war between Ambulia and Coruscant has reached unprecedented levels of violence. There is tension within the Ambulian military as most senior decision-makers disagree with the aggressiveness of Drika's expansion. One of them, general Buntaq, has gathered support and is ready for a coup. But Drika as other plans.
##
The bridge of the Ambulia's peak is busier than ever. The communications officer turns towards Drika and Webell.
– Report is in from sector 31. We're losing ground. 11 ships are lost. Our forces have retreated to the fortress and are under siege from the Relian army and their allies.
Drika was upset but not surprised. The turbo lift door opened, and general Buntaq walked in, followed by four other officers. Drika turned to him, with her usual dry tone, stoic face and mesmerizing gaze.
– General, it appears your military tactics and undeniable warfare acumen have produced unimpressive results in sector 31.
– With all due respect, we both knew this was a long shot and stretched our forces too thin. As I told you yesterday, if we keep attacking instead of just defending our positions, this is a war we only win if the enemy panicks. The fact that we are still holding some positions is a testament to the skill of our people.
Drika was intrigued by Gen. Buntaq's boldness. He was a smart man but so far, he had kept his challenge of her orders private. There was something different about him today.
One of his men and some of the bridge officers nodded to each other, very subtle but Drika picked it up. Something was going on.
– I have come to ask you and chief elect Webell to reconsider my option of negotiating a truce with the Relians. We could surrender some systems and keep Coruscant off-limits, in exchange for control of Ambulia and a few nearby and crucial systems.
Chief elect Webell stood and was opening his mouth when Drika waved him off.
– No general. It was no before, I know what I'm doing, and it is still no today, and it will be no tomorrow. Now unless you have other options to discuss, I have nothing more to say. Dismissed.
– Then you give me no choice.
He pulled a concealed weapon and fired at her from point-blank range. Several bridge officers as well as the ones who had come in with him also reached for their weapons. But to their astonishment, the bolt did not hit Drika, she redirected it with her open palm. Before any other could fire their blasters, she ignited her lightsaber, jumped in front of Buntaq and cut off his right arm. A few shots were fired at her, which she redirected with her blade towards the shooters, who fell. The firing stopped, with her blade dangerously close to Buntaq's throat.
– You see general, it is you who is mistaken. I will crush the Relians, and then no one else will dare oppose us. Coruscant will be mine. As for you, and your accomplices, the penalty for treason is death.
– You're crazy.
Those were his last words
– and you're dead.
She punctured his lungs with her blade, then choked one of his guards to death, before killing the others, one by one, in very violent fashion.
When she was done, the bridge was full of dead bodies, but she didn't care, as she turned to Webell, who was in shock.
– And now, chief elect, we will take whatever forces we have left and strike a decisive blow where the Relian's have left too little defence. Coruscant.
##
Grand Aurelius Tribus himself had called the meeting, so Luke decided to attend himself as well. Most of Coruscant's military elite were in attendance.
– Master Jedi, always a pleasure to see you. Please have a seat. General Upbs, the floor is all yours.
– Our intelligence reports point to a critical mistake by Ambulia. As they have spread reinforcements across several systems that they occupy, they have left Ambulia under protected. Our last report shows a good portion of their fleet has left; we assume they're invading another medium size world like Mosester. We think we can end this war once and for all by taking Ambulia by force. In order to do this without significant casualties, we will need to disarm their outer defences, especially the « pulsar », a concentrated laser beam that can destroy a large ship with one hit. It is designed to prevent an invasion force to enter the system as a coherent organized unit. It can only fire with long intervals. Of course, a direct hit on a cruiser would significantly damage both our success chances and our resources. This is why we've asked your precious collaboration master Jedi. We believe a small crew can enter the weapon and disable it from within. But we suspect they have several guards on board which means a lot of close-range action, which we cannot guarantee a win even with the sheer advantage of numbers and even then that usually leads to high casualties. We need, simply put, more efficient face-to-face soldiers. The presence of Jedi knights on our team would greatly improve our chances, for that mission cannot fail: if they understand what we're doing then they will know our global invasion strategy, and logically would recall their fleet.
Luke frowned
– and once this pulsar is disengaged, you are confident you can take the control of Ambulia in one swift assault?
– Yes, Ambulia would be ours in a matter of hours as we would send a large contingent of ships and assault machinery.
Tribus seemed worried and added
– To avoid any surprises, we should beef up our fleet a little bit to account for potential surprises.
Luke nodded
– I'll have master Ho-Xin, his apprentice Neeah and Jedi Knight Obu assist your team for that attack.
He turns towards Tribus
– I must warn you against overconfidence and against committing the same mistake Drika has. If you send too much of a fleet, would you leave Coruscant vulnerable? What makes you so sure that the system they are attacking isn't Coruscant? Remember that Drika is bold and impulsive. I would be surprised to see her pull the same trick an attack Coruscant.
They all replied in unison
– she wouldn't dare!
– She doesn't know restraint, nor respect. She draws her energy from fear…do not underestimate her resolve.
##
Brett, Neeah and Obu were in a small Relian ship, accompanied by four soldiers, apparently the finest Coruscant had to offer.
– The weapon is orbiting around a small moon of Ambulia. It is composed of three sections, bound together in a Y shape. The cannon is the front part, the power sources are the two branches at the back. Our intelligence told us that knocking down one of the power sources will dismantle the weapon, but it's sketchy at best so we won't take information for granted. We need to split in two groups. We shall disengage both generators at the same time, there is a hatch at the junction of the three sections of the Y, that's where will come in. Is that clear?
He was indeed a fine soldier.
Brett took over
– Neeah, you can go with Obu and two of these gentlemen. The three of us that are left will take the other side.
Obu smiled, it was rare that Brett gave her the responsibility of overseeing Neeah.
They entered the system as the pulsar's orbit had taken it behind the moon. They had about eight minutes before it would be visible from the planet. To their surprise, it was undefended. They landed right on cue, at the hatch, and the seven person away team entered, leaving the pilot behind. They had no idea what kind of resistance to expect.
At first there was no one in sight, but then, as soon as they started moving, alarms started to buzz. Brett pointed the teams in both directions, and they all gathered to their destination.
Both teams encountered the same defence mechanisms. While in space there was little protection for the pulsar, inside it was quite elaborate. Without warning automatic guns started to fire at them. Obu and Neeah drew their lightsabers and deflected most of the bolts. Attack droids joined the battle, and live guards followed. The Relian soldiers were quick to take on the droids but before they could turn their attention to the guards, Obu stepped on a piece of flooring that covered a mine. It exploded right away, sending her flying on her back, unconscious. Neeah grabbed her by the shoulders and brought her backwards. The Relian soldiers picked her up as Neeah stood up and covered them with her lightsaber. They retreated towards the entrance. Neeah took over.
– I'll bring her back to the ship; you go and assist the other team. We'll just have to hope the intelligence reports that disabling one energy source will be enough, was right.
They left right away and regrouped with Brett's team. They had fared better but had yet to progress where the floor mines were. The incoming team warned them right on time. They took care of the droids and the guards from a distance, then advanced, carefully avoiding the tiles who were different, meaning they covered personal mines.
##
Neeah got back from the ship after leaving Obu for the pilot. She was expected, more droids and more guards were coming in. As she twisted and turned, she was forced to retreat through a large door that led to the front section of the ship, the gun itself. She closed the blast doors, to gain some time and separation between her and her enemies. She found herself in a much larger room, surrounded by a huge bay window, through which she could see a large battle cruiser. They were drifting in its direction.
The door behind her opened and a dozen guards, arms to their teeth, showed up.
– You're surrounded. Plus, you've got nowhere to go but to come with us.
– Where?
Her instincts told her before the guard could answer. She heard a large mechanical noise just outside the blast door she had closed.
– The section of the pulsar has separated from the two power sources. We are going to attach ourselves to the Ambulia's peak. It will take us where the pulsar will be more useful.
– And where is that?
– You can ask her when we get there.
She could sense the guards fear when he said « her ». She knew exactly what that meant.
##
Brett and his crew disengaged the power generator easily and started to come back when they heard the mechanical noise. The Relian soldiers were puzzled.
– What the hell is that?
Brett replied
– Neeah is in trouble.
He started to run towards the junction of the three sections, and when he got there, he realized that the front section was gone. There was no trace of Neeah. They got back to the ship and saw that Obu was getting back to her senses and that her injuries had been treated fast enough to heal her before it was too late. Brett joined the pilot in the cockpit as they detached from the power station.
– Where did that cannon go?
– Look, it's now attached to this ship.
As they watched, they saw the Ambulia's peak attach to the pulsar, then disappear in hyperspace. Brett felt Neeah's presence dissipate at the same time.
##
Neeah had to surrender and handed over her lightsaber. The guards were taking her to the bridge. As the sliding doors opened, she could see Drika's back as she was watching the line-shaped lights caused by the stars.
– Welcome back to your roots, young Ambulian Neeah. I was quite happy that by picking up the pulsar, we picked you up as well, ready to serve the cause of your people.
– Ambulia is serving your cause, not the other way around. What you're doing is not in the best interests of Ambulia, not even in the best interests of chief elect Webell. It's in your, and yours only, best interest!
Chief elect Webell was appalled at the comment. Before he could speak, Drika shut him down with a hard glance.
– It's the same thing. Ambulia's place in the grand scheme of things will be greater when I claim more power. Perhaps you're not as clairvoyant as you promised you could be. Search your feelings, let go of your control and let your emotions drive you, you will see the future. All that restraint, all that partial training is what is preventing you from reaching your potential. Open yourself to the dark side and you will finally understand. Soon, Coruscant will be mine. Your friends will die. And once that is achieved, no one will dare oppose Ambulia. No one. Your people will be the most powerful and respected civilization in the universe. Don't you want to be a part of that?
##
– Livan, do you copy?
– Yes Brett, what is it? I do have Amirah with me as you asked.
– And are you in position?
– Yes of course, we're in orbit of Coruscant, but nothing is happening.
– Stay tuned because Master Luke was right. She's coming for Coruscant, full-blown invasion force.
Amirah appeared on the screen behind Livan.
– Were you successful in dismantling the weapon?
– Yes… And no. The weapon was attached to power sources, and we dismantled one of them. However, the front portion detached and is now connected to the Ambulia's peak. That can only mean it's going to attack a very, very important target.
– Coruscant
– but there's more and that's just increasing my worries. Neeah was on that section of the ship when it separated. Which means she's now on the Ambulia's peak, and I'm quite certain Drika is as well. So that's where you guys come in.
Amirah took the cue
– Good thing we're already here. I'll board the ship and get Neeah back. Don't worry master, she'll be alright.
– May the Force be with you.
##
Brett's task force was back on the Relian cruiser. General Upbs approached him.
– Unfortunate turn of events, master Jedi, but at least our attack is going to be easier without the pulsar.
– Make sure you send some reinforcements to Coruscant. I suspect the attack is imminent. Is my ship ready?
– Yes, you can lead our fighters.
Brett left the bridge and boarded his X2 wing, leaving the cruiser to lead the battle in orbit of Ambulia.
##
Grand Aurelius Tribus was in his tactical room on Coruscant along with Luke and several of his top officials. On their screen they saw their fleet engaged the Ambulian defence.
– This won't be a long battle, master Jedi.
Before Luke could reply, all the alarms started buzzing.
– Enemy feet approaching. 36 ships just came out of hyperspace.
– She didn't!
– She did.
Luke frowned. A young communications officer entered and stepped forward.
– Message from general Upbs. They say several Ambulian ships left Ambulia, including the pulsar cannon attached to the Ambulia's peak, they believe they are headed here.
– Yes, we know, they are already here.
The officer the officer turned to Luke,
– the message also says one of yours is a prisoner on board the flagship.
##
Both battles raged on, and on both fronts it seemed as if the attacker had the best results, the element of surprise and with both parties having spread their forces too thin, both defensive positions were outnumbered.
Brett's squadron was doing well, taking out the remote defence mechanisms, shooting down fighters and preventing large carriers from advancing. General Upbs was managing the assault very diligently, despite strong resistance. He said to himself:
– Their patterns are unfamiliar to what general Buntaq usually does. I guess he is no longer in command.
The screen flashed and Brett appeared
– we are making our way towards the southern continent to take down the aerial defences. Once we are done, you will be able to deploy your ground forces and take control of their military headquarters.
– Well done master Ho-Xin, we're ready here.
##
Around Coruscant, the Ambulians were organizing. Drika's ship was laying off, waiting for the right moment.
– Notify me when the first class-K vessel engages us and is close enough for the pulsar to strike a certain hit. We cannot afford to misfire even once.
She turned to Neeah.
– You're so quiet it's pathetic. If you don't agree with me, at least be angry and do something about it. Oh, I forgot… You don't have the right to be angry, Master Luke will prevent that. I say it's because you don't have the courage to challenge him and let your anger make you powerful.
Neeah shook her wrists trying to get rid of her cuffs, with no success. She was angry, but she had control over it.
Drika turned her attention back to the battle. It was going well, but in her mind she noticed some miscues. It was a shame Buntaq lacked vision and took the wrong path because she could use him right now, he would be a better military leader than the ones currently in charge.
##
Luke and Tribus were watching both battles on tactical screens.
– Even if you take Ambulia and you fend them off here, grand Aurelius, your feet will be depleted, and the casualties will be numerous. There is going to be chaos no matter what.
– I know. No one will come out of this looking like a great warrior, on either side.
– An old mentor of mine said that wars make not one great. I guess this applies today.
##
– Cmdr. Drika, we had a class K ship coming about and directly in range.
– Good… Prepare the pulsar. Fire when ready and load it up again immediately afterwards.
– Cmdr., once we've hit one ship they won't approach with any other large ship within range. The pulsar will be useless but will draw a lot of energy from other systems to be reloaded. If we load it again, we must use it.
– If there's no ship, will just fire on another target...a bigger one...the planet itself.
Neeah's teeth clenched. Drika was ready to mass murder. She could see her lightsaber on a nearby shelf. If only she could… No, she was no match for Drika. But at least she could get her attention away, and delay the firing of the large-scale weapon at billions of innocent civilians.
##
The Candlebox was coming about. In all the chaos of the battle it was relatively anonymous as it approached the Ambulia's peak. But the battle was tense. Livan bit her tongue.
– Boy what a mess. And I'm reading massive power fluctuations on the ship, something is going on.
Amirah concluded
– it's probably the pulsar weapon that Brett mentioned, they are getting ready to fire it. If it draws that much power, probably means that sensors and shields will be easier to fool and to penetrate for us to get in.
– I hope you're right, because if you're not, this is going to be the shortest rescue ever.
She brought the Candlebox closer to the Ambulia's peak as they saw the pulsar in action: a wide, orange, blast of energy unleashed directly towards the enemy cruiser that was approaching. It did not have time to react, within an instant, it was completely pulverized, taking with it the lives of hundreds of Relians on board.
Amirah could feel these voices being silenced, and exhaled a long heartfelt breath of sorrow. At the same time, you could almost feel the battle stop for a moment, as both parties realized what had just happened. While the Ambulians capitalized on the sense of panic that embattled their enemies, they scored several critical hits and improved their tactical position on every front. Lost in all this was the fact that when the weapons was fired, the Candlebox penetrated the shields and landed on the bay window of a large hangar bay on the Ambulia's peak.
Livan looked at Amirah
– you sure you want to do this? And you really want me to leave?
– Absolutely. Neeah is untrained, she's no match for Drika. But worse, she still early enough in her training to be seduced by the dark side and double our problem. Don't worry, there are enough ships on this cruiser to get the two of us out of there without you waiting for us.
The opened the air sealed hatch and installed equipment on the window. A quick lightsaber cut of the window glass allowed him to install triggers along the openings. He jumped through the hole all the way down, a four or five story fall that he landed so smoothly there wasn't even noise. Ambulian pilots and guards still noticed and quickly started shooting their blasters at him. The purple blade defected the ones who were threatening. A rapid Force push disarmed his closest enemies and a few seconds later he had left the room through the first door he saw. He destroyed the access panel with his blade. He clicked his Comlink to Livan
– now!
As the Candlebox separated from the glass window, the emptiness of space sucked all the air and the soldiers were either thrown into space, or held onto something until they suffocated. Amirah was glad it happened so quickly, none of them were able to signal his presence. He was, as much as he knew, safe, unnoticed, and ready to start his rescue mission.
##
Brett's group was making progress in knocking down air defences.
– General, I believe you can now send in your landing party.
The Relian ground assault fleet was impressive, a disparate force yet effective. State-of-the-art tanks, high ceiling vehicles, old Imperial walkers, rocket launchers installed on smaller vehicles, and shield generators. As the convoy made its way towards the Ambulian headquarters, it met some resistance from ground forces, but it was obvious that the resistance wasn't enough as they didn't expect an invasion force of that magnitude. Brett landed his X2 wing and boarded the rocket launcher turret on top of a rolling vehicle. As he started shooting, he was destroying enemy defences with amazing accuracy.
Victory was imminent. It was now a question of whether the Ambulians decide to surrender or to stubbornly fight a battle they could not win.
##
– Report!
Drika was feeling the pleasure of domination, it was driving her.
– Larger ships are keeping their distances. It allows us to hold off fighters easier. We're gaining ground on all fronts. There is no target for the pulsar that's close enough to guarantee a direct hit.
– How long till we can fire the pulsar again?
– 12 minutes.
Then there was a vibration that made everyone brace themselves.
– Hangar bay C6 has been depressurized.
– Seal it off!
– That's odd, what happened?
As the officers discussed, Drika squinted
– reinforce security around that area. I believe we have intruders.
##
Amirah probed the ship through the Force and found Neeah's presence.
«As I thought, she's on the bridge » he thought to himself. There was no doubt that Drika was also there and probably aware of his presence through the Force. He glanced around at the systems in the small room he was in.
– Auxiliary power from the main deck, that's the best I can do.
Then he poked his blade through the panels.
##
The lights went out on the bridge.
– We've lost auxiliary power on the main deck
Drika asked
– is the pulsar affected?
– Not at all, ma'am. Ready to fire in four minutes.
– Good. Get ready to do so.
– Where should we target?
Neeah couldn't take it anymore, for she knew what Drika would answer. She had had plenty of time to identify the weakest mind on the bridge, and officer was right next to her. She whispered to him «you want to free me from my handcuffs ». He repeated it and executed the command. In a split second she was jumping and catching her lightsaber in stride and launching a direct attack on Drika's back.
The attack was met by an equally swift defence, an extended red blade that countered the white one.
– You're attacking me with a training toy? Brave of you, but foolish.
– You will find I'm full of surprises.
– What a pity, I may have to kill you now, because I'm busy. Yes, I know, I can sense it… You are afraid. Let it go, use it, it's your only chance against me.
At least Neeah knew that while she was fighting Drika, she wouldn't give the order to fire the pulsar. She might be delaying the inevitable, but for now, every second she was delaying the death of billions felt like it was worth it.
Neeah attacked, but Drika was too fast, meeting every strike with ease.
– I don't have time for this!
She whirled around and struck a powerful blow that Neeah blocked with her blade, but the sheer strength behind the hit sent her to her back, 10 yards away.
– Now, you will see how powerful the dark side has made me. If you don't unleash your anger and accept your fear, I will kill you.
TO BE CONTINUED