Chapter 13

Pirates

Federation Battle Group Alpha dropped out of hyperspace in the middle of the Corellian Trade Routes. Captain Keller met with Kenobi and Skywalker aboard the Agamemnon to discuss the situation.

"Their tactic is to use a gravity well, usually a large asteroid or projector to force a ship out of hyperspace. Then hit it with everything they have." said Skywalker

"We've already lost six supply convoys on this particular route. They came straight from Coruscant." said Kenobi

"I take it they weren't escorted?" asked Keller

"They had a few armed freighters but until now it had been considered enough to ward off any pirates or raiders." said Kenobi

"When is the next convoy due?" asked Keller

"Tomorrow." replied Skywalker

"Where are they from?"

"Coruscant."

"Very well. I'll send a squadron of Bird of Preys to rendezvous with them. If you'll give captain Korock the coordinates of the convoy and send the convoy a coded message we should be able to protect it. In the meantime we'll deploy our other ships along the Trade Routes and see if we can't respond in time to any distress calls." said Keller

Over the next twelve hours the battle group was spread along the Trade Routes. The convoy coming from Coruscant rendezvoused with the Klingon squadron and proceeded on to their destination with cloaked escorts.

Six hours later the call came.

"Status!" Keller ordered as he walked onto the bridge.

"The convoy being escorted by captain Korock was ambushed they're requesting assistance."

"Helm lay in a course and jump when ready." he turned to Adams "Enemy forces."

"Several small fighters and some capital ships...including one Munificent-class frigate." she replied

"Probably where they get most of their firepower." Keller replied.

"Sir, the Resolute and Destroyer units 1,2 and 3 are responding. The Resolute has launched its fighters and they've jumped into hyperspace. The Resolute will follow shortly."'

"Sir, coordinates set for hyperspace jump."

"Engage."

The Agamemnon flashed into hyperspace and after a relatively short trip dropped out of hyperspace. Keller could see the convoy being harassed by several dozen fighters. He also saw the Klingon Birds of Prey attacking the Munificent frigate. There were three ships left including Korock's flagship, a Vor'cha-class battlecruiser. It was having trouble with the fighters as the 'point defense' phaser software had yet to be installed.

"Report." said Keller

"Sir, the fighters from the Resolute have just dropped out of hyperspace and they are engaging the enemy."

"Very well. Set ventral phasers to point defense. Arm torpedoes standby to fire on the frigate. Helm, attack pattern Beta, engage."

"Aye sir."

The Agamemnon swooped into the fight. Ventral phasers flashed and several pirate fighters vaporized. Then half-a-dozen photon torpedoes were fired at the CIS frigate. The first three knocked down the port-side shields. One was hit by point defense fire and vaporized a few enemy fighters, the last two impacted the hull and ripped it open. The Agamemnon dove under the frigate and fired its dorsal phasers. Streaks of light bore into the hull, one long burst cut a rip in the hull and took out a turbolaser cluster. Three more torpedoes from the aft launchers put three more large holes into the frigate. The Excelsior-class ship still took hits reducing its shields to %75. As it made a high-speed turn three destroyer units dropped out of hyperspace. Half-a-dozen Mirandas and three Soyuz-class ships all launched a volley of three torpedoes. Twenty-seven photon torpedoes ripped into the hull. One detonated the reactor and the frigate exploded. The remaining fighters were quickly destroyed and the remaining pirate capital ships jumped to hyperspace.

Destroyer Units 2 and 3 followed them, three Mirandas and three Soyuzes flashed into hyperspace. "Lt. Adams, hail captain Korock."

"On screen sir."

"Captain Korock, report." said Keller

The Klingon grunted. "They ambushed us. Took out three of my bird of preys as they decloaked. The rest suffered varying degrees of damage. My own ship suffered only light damage." he replied

"And the convoy?"

"One ship was disabled in the opening moments of the battle, no other ships have suffered damage. I thank you for your timely arrival Captain. Without it, the convoy would be lost."

"You're welcome." he tapped a panel on his command console. "I've received the coordinates for a pirate base not far from here. I'll assign another destroyer unit to help you escort these ships the rest of the way."

"Understood."

"Agamemnon out." then to Lt. Adams he said "Lt. send a message to destroyer unit four to link up with this convoy and escort them to their destination and open a channel to Skywalker."

"Channel open."

"General Skywalker, I have coordinates for a pirate base not far from here." he said

"I'll take my ship and destroy it."

"Not alone you won't, destroyer units 1 and 4 will follow you as will I."

"Very well."

Ten minutes later a Republic Star Destroyer, a Federation Excelsior-class cruiser, six mirandas, three soyuzes and three Centaurs dropped out of hyperspace near the pirate base, a collection of asteroids.

"Sensor scan Lt. Adams." ordered Keller

"Sir, I'm detecting several hundred life signs in the asteroids. I'm also detecting a signal going out...It's a distress call!"

"Jam them!"

"Done sir. But some of it may have gotten through."

"Contact General Kenobi have him standby to assist us."

"Message sent sir."

"Open a channel to the pirate base."

"Channel open sir."

"This is Captain Keller of the U.S.S. Agamemnon. You are ordered to stand down and surrender." he said

A moment passed. "No response." said Lt. Adams

Then a turbolaser flashed through space, striking the forward shields. The ship rocked gently. "I'll take that as a response. All ships this is captain Keller, engage the pirate base. Limit weapons to phasers only. Destroy weapons emplacements as needed and prepare security teams for boarding action."

As one the Federation ships surged forward. Turbolasers flashed more frequently and the Federation ships began to take damage. One Miranda was hit on the forward saucer and forced to withdraw. Then multiple phaser strikes hit the asteroid. But instead of boring deep into the asteroids, they were deflected.

"Sir, we're unable to penetrate their shields." said Adams

"What about the Resolute?" he asked

"Coming into range now."

"All ships, this is Skywalker, clear our line of fire."

"You heard the man, break formation, form up behind the Resolute for another run." said Keller

Six Mirandas broke left while the Agamemnon and the remaining ships broke right. As their formation split, the Resolute's turbolasers began firing. Shot after shot plowed into the shields weakening them. Then as per Keller's orders the turbolaser fire slackened and the Federation ships attacked again this time successfully destroying a number of weapons emplacements.

"Sir, the Resolute is launching gunships." said Lt. Adams

"Then let's get in there as well. All ships, deploy boarding parties. Have them secure the docking port first. That will allow the Republic ships to land without much opposition."

"Aye sir."

Sgt. Thomas Ryan led his MACO team to the transporter room. His mission was to secure the docking port to allow Republic reinforcements to come in and then take the base and capture as many pirates as they could. Until the war he had served as ship's security, when the war started his rank as a Sergeant was activated from the MACO reserves. Most MACOs serve as ship's security nowadays. In time of war they are activated and become the equivalent of a Federation Army or Marine Corps. He prefered to think of the MACOs and Federation Marines though. The team soon stood upon the transporter pad. The Sergeant looked at the transporter operator and said "Energize."

The ship's transporter room dissolved to be replaced by a dimly lit but large area. He quickly saw blaster and phaser fire mixing in the distance. "Come on let's go! The docking port is this way!" he yelled to his team. The team moved quickly and quietly as per their training and soon found the main firefight. Five other MACO teams already engaged with pirates in the landing bay. Ryan raised his rifle and shot at a human pirate, then moved on to other targets.

It took ten minutes for the MACOs to secure the docking bay. After seven minutes Republic gunships arrived and Skywalker along with several clone troopers jumped out and together they swarmed the base, capturing it and a number of pirates. Captain Keller later toured the base and decided it might make a good staging area for his operations to secure the supply routes of the Republic. Once the area was secure he sent off a message to Admiral Nechayev.

Captured small pirate base near Corellian Trade Routes. Possible site for supply base. For now will use as staging area to secure Corellian Trade Routes.

It took another two weeks and five more skirmishes before the routes were secured and Federation patrols were permanently assigned to this sector. When those patrols began flowing into the sector Captain Keller sent another message to Nechayev.

Operation Interdiction successful. Republic supply convoys through Corellian Trade Routes secure.

A/N: BLOODY PIRATES! sorry had to say it. Anyway hope you enjoy the next two chapters. I also appreciate NOT being flamed for this story.