A/N: Whew! another 4,000 word chapter. I did hit on an idea while I was writing this chapter. Instead of raking my brain coming up with random names for minor characters, I'll use the names of bridge officers and duty officers from Star Trek Online. That game has a plethora of human and alien names. Now Obviously these names are legally owned by Star Trek Online and whoever owns Star Trek Online. My own characters are mine (Captain Keller, Lt. Adams, U.S.S. Agamemnon). The rest of the new Trek Characters are from my profile on Star Trek Online. T'Pon, Tallasa, Ellrod, Cecilia Balasco and others to come. Once again I appreciate not being flamed. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 15
A good defense pt 2
Newly promoted Captain T'Pon sat in the ready room of her Nebula-class starship the U.S.S. T'Kumbra. She had been assigned to Republic Task Force Delta along with three other Nebula-class ships, three destroyer units, one cruiser wing, two Venator-class Star Destroyers, and three Consoler-class cruisers. Her force had been tasked with the reinforcement and defense of a planet called Cartao. It was home to the Republic's secondary cloning facility and was currently under attack. Her orders were to work with Jedi General Fyefee Tiis who commanded his forces from the Star Destroyer Whipsaw. She was currently speaking with him regarding the battle plan.
"Intelligence indicates a rather small fleet in orbit around Cartao. Including a Droid Control Ship, they also have ten Munificent-class frigates, five Recusant-class destroyers and two Providence-class cruisers." he said
"We must make the Droid Control Ship a priority target." she replied
"Agreed, if you will distract the other enemy ships I can take my forces in and disable or destroy the Control ship. That will allow the Republic forces already on the ground a brief respite before the mobile control units start up." said Tiis.
"I will request additional forces. Two Providence-class cruisers are quite powerful. I estimate our forces could destroy the fleet but our losses would be unacceptable." she said
"I agree. I will see if I can get a few more Republic ships assigned to the force." he replied closing the channel.
T'Pon opened a channel to Admiral Nechayev. "Yes Captain what is it?"
"Admiral, I request additional ships be assigned to my task force." she said
"Why?" asked the Admiral
"With my current forces I do not believe I could destroy the enemy fleet orbiting Cartao. Intelligence indicates at least two Providence-class cruisers present in the system. My fleet would sustain heavy casualties trying to take the system. As I speak General Tiis is attempting to procure more Republic ships for his forces. I must request if possible two additional cruiser wings."
"Hmmmm, the Klingons have some cruiser wings available. Will that be satisfactory?" asked the Admiral
"Yes ma'am." replied T'Pon. She had worked with Klingons before and knew how to handle them.
"Good, I'll give you a Vor'cha wing and a K'vort wing to supplement your forces. Nechayev out." said the Admiral and the channel closed.
The Klingon fleet was organized somewhat differently from Starfleet. While a 'wing' of ships might be two to three in Starfleet. The Klingon fleet employs wings of at least five or more ships though they were usually Bird of Prey type ships. She soon received another communication, this one from the Captain of the Klingon wings confirming their transfer to her command. She now felt confident they could take on the enemy fleet orbiting Cartao. General Tiis soon contacted her to tell her he managed to procure two Acclamator-class assault ships for his forces. She replied with a suggestion that they get underway. A few moments later Republic Task Force Delta jumped to hyperspace.
A few hours later the fleet dropped out of hyperspace near the edge of the system. Captain T'Pon sent a K'vort-class cruiser into the system under cloak to recon the area. Ten minutes later the enemy fleet's strength was confirmed. She then ordered all ships to jump to warp.
General Tiis stayed behind for a short time making it look like it was a Federation only operation. His fleet of ships jumped to the other side of the system, turned around and jumped into the system itself on the opposite side of the planet. The frigates were dispersed in orbit around the planet. The Droid Control ship was dead ahead. He saw on his screen T'Pon's forces engaging the enemy on the opposite side of the planet. "Okay people let's do this quick. T'Pon will need my help in the near future. All ships ahead full. Target the Droid Control ship immediately and launch all fighters. Two Venators, three Counselors and two Acclamators surged forward, their sublight engines burning bright in the blackness of space. The Federation Control ship opened fire first, but it's shots only disbursed against the shields of the Republic ships. The Republic ships quickly returned fire and dozens of turbolaser shots flashed across space. The Droid Control ship's shields began to fail and soon the shots were hitting the hull. Republic fighters surged ahead of the initial attack, targeting the antenna arrays controlling not only the battle droid army but the starfighters in orbit. A barrage of proton torpedoes was fired and they ripped into the hull and the antennas. The droid starfighters that were swarming the Republic fighters self-destructed leaving the Control ship open for more attacks. After five more minutes the Control ship broke apart, large sections of the hull began to burn up as it entered the atmosphere.
On the opposite side of the planet Captain T'Pon held on to her chair as another volley of turbolasers rocked her ship. "Report!" she yelled.
"Shields are down to %50." replied Cecilia Balasco her tactical officer.
"Helm, come about, course 315 mark 7. Status of other ships." replied T'Pon
"We've lost Destroyer unit 2! Cruiser wing one is down by one ship." replied Balasco.
"Have the fleet continue evasive maneuvers and fire all weapons. Hail General Tiis."
"Channel open."
"General, my forces are dwindling, requesting assistance."
"Understood Captain, help is on the way." he replied
The channel closed and she could see the planet ahead. Then she saw small pinpricks of light coming over the top of the planet. They soon resolved into ships. General Tiis was using the gravity of the planet to slingshot his ships overhead. The Republic ships swarmed into the battle, taking down a trio of frigates and a Recusant destroyer on the way. Tiis dispatched his two assault ships to attack one of the Providence cruisers while his Star Destroyers targeted the other. He sent the Consoler cruisers to help the Federation ships against the remaining four frigates. After five minutes of fierce fighting one of the Providence cruisers exploded, heavily damaging one of the Acclamators. The other four frigates were destroyed after another ten minutes. The remaining Providence cruiser exploded finally but not before destroying three Mirandas, two Soyuzes and a Consoler-class cruiser.
"Captain, General Tiis is hailing us." said Balasco
"On screen." replied T'Pon
"Captain, well done, have your ships take up standard orbit. I will begin landing my forces."
"Understood." replied T'Pon. She then issued the appropriate orders.
General Tiis soon joined the large group of gunships and landed with his troops. While the droids were cut off from the Control Ship, their mobile command center remained operational. General Tiis and his forces quickly forced the droids out of the main city with the cloning facility. With help from Federation shuttles and runabouts the Allied forces quickly wiped out the remaining CIS forces in the system.
Captain Tallasa stood on the bridge of the Galaxy-class U.S.S. Dominion. It was one of the newest ships to come out of the yards. It was equipped with the latest upgrades to defensive and offensive systems including the 'point defense' mode of the phaser array. It also carried 6,500 troops alongside its regular complement of 1500 crew. She was part of a battle group assigned to destroy a droid factory in the Siskeen system on the planet Olanet. According to intelligence the factory was the second largest producer of battle droids besides Geonosis. Her battle group consisted of her ship, four destroyer units, five cruiser wings, four star destroyers, three acclamators and six consoler-class cruisers. She had been assigned to work with Jedi General Mace Windu, a member of the Jedi Council. She had read about his campaigns and was impressed by his tactics.
The comm. system beeped for her attention, breaking her thoughts. "Ma'am, incoming message from General Windu." said her human tactical officer Columbus Ellrod.
"On screen." she replied
"Captain Tallasa. Are you ready to get under way?" asked the dark-skinned man.
"Yes General. We're fully stocked sir. Just give the word." she replied
Windu smirked, he was getting used to Starfleet's little phrases. "The word is given Captain. Lightspeed." he said
With that the screen cut off and Tallasa issued orders for her forces to form up with General Windu. The battle group had the official name 'Republic Battle Group Beta' second only to 'Republic Battle Group Alpha' commanded by Captain Jean-Luc Picard and General Yoda. The group quickly assumed formation and jumped out of the Coruscant system. Another ten hours of lightspeed and the fleet dropped out of FTL to scan the system.
"General, we're detecting a high concentration of forces in orbit."
"I see them. Our orders are to destroy the facility from orbit if possible. But with the size of the enemy fleet I don't think that will be an option."
"We'll have to use a ground assault." she replied tapping a control on her command console. The viewscreen of Windu shrunk and then projected a tactical display of the system. "If we can break through here. You can land your troops just outside the factory, destroy it and then we can use my ships to extract them via transporter."
"It would definitely save time." Windu replied
"With your permission I'd like to send in a recon unit to determine the exact size and disposition of the enemy fleet. Where I come from it is a common tactic to deceive an enemy by altering the power signatures of certain ships. The result is that the enemy believes that a place is weaker or stronger than it really is. It's possible the CIS could be using this technique here." she said
"A wise precaution Captain. Conduct your reconnaissance. I will await your findings."
"Thank you General." she said and the channel closed. She turned to Ellrod. "Commander, ready a shuttlecraft for a recon mission. Get in, get the data, get out. No heroics. Understood?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Good, I'll expect you back here in twelve hours."
Ellrod nodded and left the bridge. Ten minutes later the shuttle left the U.S.S. Dominion and jumped to warp. Thirty minutes later it returned and General Windu beamed aboard the Dominion to learn the results.
Windu and Tallasa were sitting in the conference room of the U.S.S. Dominion when Commander Ellrod walked in. "Commander, your report." said Tallasa.
"Yes ma'am." he replied and inserted an isolinear chip into the viewscreen on a wall. "You were right in your suspicions about the CIS fleet were correct. Only they aren't stronger than we thought, they're weaker. Sensors show a number a small probes reconfigured to look like larger ships. The CIS fleet in orbit is actually quite small. It's the size of this battle group plus eight or nine more ships. I estimate that while they outnumber us slightly, we have them outgunned. Nearly 60% of the enemy fleet is Munificent-class frigates. The remaining 40% are a collection of Trade Federation Battleships and Recusant-class destroyers. There is also a Providence-class cruiser that I believe acts as a flagship."
Tallasa was surprised. "Maybe we can get this thing from orbit."
Windu was skeptical and Ellrod confirmed his thoughts. "Maybe not ma'am. While I was there I managed to get a pretty good scan of the surface surrounding the factory. It's a fortress ma'am. Multiple anti-aircraft sites. But only a scattering of ground-based orbital defenses. There is also a shield protecting the main facility." he said
"Are the defenses outside that shield?" asked Tallasa
"Yes ma'am." Ellrod replied
"If we can get in close enough we can transport charges to the anti-aircraft guns, blow them and allow you to land your forces and destroy the facility. General?" said Tallasa
"A well conceived plan." replied Windu
"Good, let's get to work on a battle plan. Good work Commander." said Tallasa.
After a few moments of deliberation the commanders of the battle group had a plan. The Republic ships would engage the CIS fleet orbiting just above the factory. Then the Federation would attack from a different angle, forcing the CIS to split its defenses. Once orbit above the factory is established, Windu's Star Destroyers would commence a planetary bombardment on the factory. Then the Dominion or other Federation ship would come in and beam down explosives to the anti-aircraft sites and detonate them. Then the Republic would land its forces right next to the factory. While the Republic is engaging the factory the Federation will launch another ground assault by beaming down a division of MACOs on the opposite side of the factory. The two forces would fight their way inside, destroy the shield generator and get beamed back out. Once the ground forces had been evacuated, five photon torpedoes would be beamed down and detonated, obliterating the facility.
With their battle plan finalized the fleet made a short jump into the system and engaged the enemy. Windu's forces immediately launched fighters and attacked ten frigates in orbit. Three were almost immediately by massed turbolaser fire. Seven frigates and their accompanying fighters returned fire, disabling half the Consular-class cruisers. While this was happening, the Federation fleet came out of warp at nearly a ninety-degree angle to the Republic attack. They were immediately faced with three Trade Federation ships and four Recusant-class destroyers. A mass-fire volley of photon torpedoes destroyed two of the destroyers and damaged the shields on the rest. The fleet broke formation with two cruiser wings and a destroyer unit attacking the Trade Federation ships while the rest engaged the remaining three destroyers. Phasers and photon torpedoes mixed with turbolaser and proton torpedoes creating a tantalizing light show. The Federation was hitting the CIS fleet hard, but the droid forces were hitting back, destroying a pair of Mirandas, a Soyuz and three Excelsiors before two of the Trade Federation battleships exploded. Two Ambassador-class cruisers flanked the Dominion as it waded through the battle soaking up the majority of enemy fire. "Lock phasers on the last Recusant and fire." yelled Tallasa.
At once three separate phaser beams split the hull of the destroyer while another cruiser wing fired a volley of torpedoes. The photons detonated against the hull ripping it open. The Federation fleet moved on and swarmed the last Trade Federation battleship. Despite it's size and firepower it quickly fell to Starfleet.
By this time Windu's forces had destroyed the remaining seven frigates that had initially opposed them. But sensors registered additional contacts heading their way. Fifteen more frigates, two Recusants and a pair of Trade Federation ships. "We'd better do this quick then, commence planetary bombardment. Open a channel to Captain Tallasa." ordered Windu
On the Dominion Commander Ellrod noticed the comm system beeping. "Captain, message from General Windu, he's commencing planetary bombardment but says more enemy ships are coming." he said
"We've got our own problems but I'll see what I can do." replied Tallasa.
Her fleet was fighting the last of the CIS fleet, five frigates four Recusants, two Trade Federation battleships and the Providence-class cruiser. Her ships had already destroyed three frigates and two Recusants and had damaged a Trade Federation ship but at the cost of an entire cruiser wing of three more Excelsiors and the rest of the Mirandas. There were now three wings of assorted Federation cruisers including her own ship. "Commander Ellrod, send to all ships, plot a course for General Windu's ships. We'll combine our forces and take the remaining ships together. And open a channel to Windu."
"Windu here."
"General, my fleet has taken heavy losses, we're heading your way. We should be able to finish off the fleet in orbit if we combine our forces."
"I agree. My ships have been bombarding that shield for some time. It is quite strong."
"I suggest you save power for the battle in orbit. In the meantime I'll try to rustle up some reinforcements. Dominion out." she said. Then, turning to Commander Ellrod, "Are there any other ships in range?" she asked
"There is a small taskforce of Federation and Klingon ships on convoy interdiction duty. They can get here pretty quick." he replied
"Send a message, let them know we need a little assistance." replied Tallasa
"Aye Captain, message sent...receiving a reply...they're on their way sir, ETA about five minutes." Ellrod said with a smile
"Good let's give the CIS a warm reception. Form up with Windu's ships as we come in." she said
The remaining Federation ships took up flanking positions near the remaining Republic ships. Windu's forces had done well, but one Acclamator got too close to the planet and took some fire from planetary defense guns, it was now drifting. Windu still had four Star Destroyers, three cruisers and two more Acclamators to call on though. Captain Tallasa's ship the Dominion had taken some damage to the hull when a turbolaser bolt managed to punch through the shields. Her crew was well trained however and quickly routed emergency power to the shields. The dwindling fleet stood united against the remaining CIS fleet.
Nineteen ships versus twenty-six.
Then, just as the final battle joined, a fleet of Federation and Klingon ships dropped out of warp.
Behind the CIS fleet.
"This is Captain Brian Anderson of the U.S.S. Agrippa and Federation task force Kilo. Captain Tallasa, I heard you could use some assistance."
"That's right Captain, we need you to attack the CIS flank. We can catch them between two forces and wipe them out. Then we can destroy the factory on the planet without interference." she replied
"Understood. Agrippa out" replied Anderson
The new fleet came up behind the CIS fleet and ravaged the Trade Federation battleships in the rear of the CIS formation. Two of the huge ships exploded after concentrated photon torpedo volleys near the engines. Then the Klingons broke formation and hit the enemy fleet from both sides as the Federation drove down the middle. Meanwhile Battlegroup Beta hit the forward elements of the enemy fleet, destroying ten more frigates and one Recusant. The enemy ships returned fire damaging a Cheyenne-class heavy cruiser. An Ambassador-class towed the disabled ship into high orbit and out of range of the planetary guns. Two Cheyennes and three Ambassadors made a run on the Providence-class cruiser. Photon torpedoes fired almost continuously, then phasers ripped into the depleted shields.
"All ships, concentrate fire on the Providence cruiser." ordered Tallasa
At once the remaining Federation ships and two Star Destroyers fired on the Providence. A final volley of torpedos collapsed the shields. Then turbolaser and phaser strikes scoured the hull and ripped armor plating off. One Soyuz got too close and had a nacelle shot off but it still fired its phasers. Then the Dominion swooped in and one more volley of torpedoes cracked the reactor and the Providence cruiser exploded but not before a last defiant volley of turbolaser fire destroyed a crippled Soyuz.
With the command ship destroyed the other CIS ships fell quickly. Captain Tallasa deployed a Division of MACOs on one side of the factory after destroying the anti-aircraft guns on the surface. Mace Windu took a battalion of Clones to the other side and fought its way inside. Both groups reached the shield generator at the same time and destroyed it. The Dominion and other Federation ships quickly beamed up the clones and MACOs then beamed down half-a-dozen photon torpedoes which detonated immediately.
The fireball could be seen from orbit.
Where the second largest droid factory used to be, there remained only a large crater.
"Thanks for the help Captain Anderson."
"No problem. We were on a recon mission to the CIS shipyards at Fondor. I was supposed to meet with Mace Windu once he got back from this mission but since we're here I will meet with him now to discuss the results of our reconnaissance. You might want to join us."
"I think I will." she replied
"Good I'll meet you aboard Windu's ship." Anderson replied
The two captains beamed aboard Windu's Star Destroyer and met with the Senior Jedi officer.
"Master Windu. I have disturbing information about the shipyards at Fondor." said Anderson
"Yes?" asked Windu
"Scans indicate that the CIS is building a ship that is almost...five kilometers long."
Tallasa was shocked. "Five kilometers!"
"They're trying to rebuild the Malevolence." said Windu
"What's the Malevolence?" asked Tallasa
"The Malevolence was a particularly large ship that plagued us during the early days of the war. It had a super weapon called an Ion Cannon that would disable the electrical systems of enemy ships. Then nearly five hundred turbolasers would fire on the target or targets."
"That thing had five hundred turbolasers?" asked Tallasa
"Yes, we lost several task forces, fleets and a medical convoy before Anakin Skywalker led a starfighter raid and disabled its main weapon and hyperdrive." replied Windu
"One of those sound like enough trouble. But my scans show at least five of those ships under construction at Fondor, with at least two nearly complete." said Anderson
"We have to destroy these ships before they can come against us. Just one of those ships could wipe out an entire fleet. I can't imagine dealing with five of these things." said Tallasa
"We should return to Coruscant and put together a fleet to deal with these ships." said Windu
"I agree. With your permission General we'll beam back to our respective ships and get underway." said Anderson
Windu nodded and the two Captains beamed back to their ships. The fleet resumed formation and jumped to hyperspace.
Picard sat in the briefing room of the Starfleet Command Annex on Coruscant. He was astonished at the size of the enemy ships. Five Kilometers? he thought. "I take it a plan is already underway to destroy these ships?" he asked
"Yes. You and General Yoda will combine fleets with Kenobi, Skywalker, Plo Koon, Fit Kisto and Windu to destroy these ships. If these ships are completed they could turn the tide of the war and even bring it to the Federation's doorstep." replied Nechayev.
"Any specific orders?" asked Picard
"Intelligence indicates that two of these ships are nearly completed. I've spoken with the President and Starfleet Command on this issue. You are to destroy these ships at all cost. However...if the opportunity arises to capture one of these ships, take it."
"Admiral?"
"Don't misunderstand me Captain, your orders are to destroy the ships but with them being in dock they may not have a full complement of battle droids. That should make it easy for you to capture. The rest are to be destroyed. The shipyards at Fondor are also building Munificent-class frigates and Providence-class cruisers. If you can destroy these yards do so, but your primary objective is to destroy these larger ships." said Nechayev
Skywalker thought for a moment then spoke. "Admiral, I have a suggestion."
"Please General." she replied
"If we want to capture the ship instead of destroy it. There is a way we could do it with a minimum of casualties. If we insert a commando team undercover say a group of Jedi. They could take the bridge, fly the ship out of the dock and jump to hyperspace to prearranged coordinates where a fleet could be waiting to conduct a conventional boarding action. You are right about the ship having a skeleton crew right out of spacedock. They will most likely head for Geonosis or some other factory to take on crew." he said
"Or...we can launch our attack right as that ship leaves dock. Transport a bunch of boarding parties onboard as we pass and conduct the action en route to a secure location." suggested Picard
The Admiral smiled "I like the idea. But how do you propose we get the team aboard."
"Easy...cloaked Klingon bird of prey." said Skywalker
"A bird of prey can't transport when she's cloaked. But...it doesn't take that long to transport anyway. The ship could make a high-speed pass over the bridge of the ship, transport the team directly to the ship and warp out before anyone could do anything." said Picard.
"How large will the team be?" asked the Admiral.
"Say six to ten. I would recommend three to five Jedi then a few commandos to provide support." replied Picard.
"Alright, Kenobi, Skywalker, Windu, Fisto and Republic Commando Team Delta. Will that work?"
"That'll work. Commander Cody is quite capable of commanding mine and Kenobi's fleets." said Skywalker.
"Very well. Assemble the fleet gentleman. And Godspeed." she said
Later that week a huge fleet was assembled from every available task force and battle group.
The total number was over five hundred ships.