Legend of the Harp
By Hemaccabe
Episode III: The Crucible
Chapter 20: The Hope
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
*** Jedi Knight Jors Zaemon, Doram Station, polar orbit Baetar Prime ***
I was in the former Heeshem command post. We were fighting the Heeshem man to man as they swarmed up over us. My troopers and their droids had their bayonets on their rifles, but our weapons were running out of power. We were killing the Heeshem in vast numbers, but they always seemed to have more to hurl into the fight and we were dying.
Suddenly, U-60s were landing and Freedom Battalion was jumping off. Their massed numbers, heavy weapons and Ball droids turned the fight. They turned the massed, concentrated formations of Heeshem from an advantage to a disadvantage. If the Heeshem had been dying in vast numbers before, now they were like wheat before the droid harvester.
Within moments, the Heeshem broke. Freedom's attack continued and the Heeshem casualties were accumulating even more quickly. Within minutes, except for small, isolated pockets, the many hectares of Doram's main landing bay was clear.
Major Bradley walked to me with a squad on guard all around himself.
"Sir, you stand relieved." He offered.
"I stand relieved. Clear all remaining enemy units and personnel from the station, then hold her secure." I replied.
"I have already contacted Admiral Spruance to report our circumstances." Major Bradley explained.
"Good. Where are Hero and Liberty?" I asked.
"They are landing on world to reinforce Baetari forces near Watchtower. Colonel Bayonet is commanding ground forces from the Lola Sayu. Perhaps you would like this?" Bradley reported and offered me a fresh tablet.
The tablet had secure links from Bayo and Admiral Spruance. I transferred functions from my old tablet which was almost dead to the new one, so I could continue to communicate with Chief of Staff Mal Basyah.
I sent Chief of Staff Mal Basyah a text, "Harp Fleet in system. Doram main landing bay secure. Harp Battalions should be on ground soon to help."
She replied quickly, "Thank-you for help. BDF forces should be arriving main landing bay soon."
BDF was the anacronym the Baetari used for their armed forces.
I then contacted Admiral Spruance. "What is your situation?"
Clearly leaning to a comm station while busy, Spruance replied, "I am above the main Baetar moon, Yorahk. We have a battle plan and I am executing it, but we are a bit busy right now. I will have telemetry sent so you can monitor our circumstances. Over."
With that, I started to get a clear view of the situation. I could see our fleet above Yorahk. Geonosis, Mygeeto, Exxelon, Lola Sayu, Ryloth, Revenge and Bearer were all there. I wondered if Furry was on Revenge. There were also other ships which I assume were some of Furry's pirates. All the ships were surrounded by a cloud of X-Wings and Vultures which were screening away the enemy TIEs.
"Why is Spruance there?" I asked, not really expecting an answer.
"Maybe this officer can help?" Major Bradley said.
I turned and looked, there was a young female Harp Fleet officer. "Lieutenant Mir Iam at your service sir!"
She accompanied her declaration with a snappy salute.
"Do you know why Admiral Spruance has gathered the fleet there above the moon?"
"No sir!" She replied.
*** Imperial Admiral Scharn, aboard his flagship, the Star Destroyer Relentless ***
"Any changes?" Admiral Scharn asked the tech monitoring the battle display.
"No sir. Assault continues on Doram, should be in our hands soon."
"Good, continue to monitor." Admiral Scharn replied.
"Yes sir!" The tech replied.
*** Harp Militia Major Jackson, with Hero Battalion, Near Watchtower of Spring, on Baetar ***
Major Jackson looked at his five Captains then unrolled his battle map for them. Major Jackson pointed to the main Baetar defensive line. "This is the main Baetar defensive line. They have the bulk of the enemy bearing down on them. With the enemy cut off from further reinforcement or supply, the Baetari forces should be able to hold, and when their reinforcements arrive, drive the enemy back off planet. However, there are two clear paths which the enemy could take to encircle the Baetari defenses. If that happens, most likely the Baetari will be defeated and the planet will fall."
"What will happen then?" asked one of the Captains.
"Every man, woman and child on the planet will be massacred. Understood?" Major Jackson replied.
"Understood!" The Captain replied with renewed grim determination.
"We have responsibility for this path," Major Jackson said, scrolling on the map to the point near where they currently stood, in a valley between impassable mountains. The valley had a name, Yad Mord.
"We will set up a line here," Major Jackson explained pointing to a ditch that ran across the valley, "this position will give us tactical advantage. We will hold until relieved. No retreat. No surrender. Understood?"
"Yes sir!" His Captains replied.
"Get to your positions. Dig in hard!" The Major replied.
*** Jedi Knight Jors Zaemon, Doram Station, polar orbit Baetar Prime ***
I had expected Admiral Spruance to use Exxelon's guns to start blasting the enemy flagships. Instead, he seemed to be targeting smaller supply ships in each fleet. It made no sense.
"Do you have any idea what he's doing?" I asked Lieutenant Iam again without much hope.
"No Sir, but I have figured something out about his choice of placement." She replied.
"Really, what?" I asked.
"By positioning above the moon, Admiral Spruance can use the moon as a shield and engage only the enemy forces he wishes." Lieutenant Iam explained.
"Oh, that makes sense." I replied. Actually, it did make sense. I felt like the Harp Fleet was of higher quality and had better ships, but the enemy fleet was much larger. If the enemy fleet could mass around the Harp Fleet, they might have been able to swarm her. By using the moon the way he was, I could see Admiral Spruance was controlling the battle.
*** Harp Militia Major Chamberlain, with Liberty Battalion, Near Watchtower of Spring, on Baetar ***
"Are we in position?" Major Chamberlain asked over his comms.
"Yes sir!" Came all the replies from his Captain's. Captain Thomas' reply came last. Which was typical. Major Chamberlain felt a twinge of fear for his younger brother Thomas, but then focused on the situation.
Liberty Battalion was guarding the second approach to the Baetar forces' rear. Liberty had found a good position on high ground, well screened by trees. They had dug in deep and were ready for the assault.
*** Sky, Aboard Revenge, Baetar System ***
Sky targeted another moderately sized supply ship. This would be the third. Why they were depriving the Laban of a supply ship made no sense, but those were the orders.
Sky knew that they were attacking similar ships in the other fleets as Sky was responsible for providing the ships in each attack with optimized approach vectors.
Loss of the supply ships would hurt the enemy fleets, but the combatant ships should be able to maintain operations at least through the battle?
Still, the Revenge led the attack on the Laban supply ship. With Tranquility and a fleet of X-Wings and Vultures they slammed through the thin fighter screen and inflicted massive damage on the transport quickly.
In less than a minute the Laban ship was rolling over, venting burning fuel clearly on her way to her death, with Sky and Revenge leading their group away.
Sky hoped Admiral Spruance knew what he was doing.
*** Harp Militia Major Jackson, with Hero Battalion, Near Watchtower of Spring, on Baetar ***
Hero Battalion was dug in hard when the Mitzri advance forces met their position. A few minutes of bitter firing and the Mitzri scouts were running back down the valley.
The men cheered but Major Jackson knew more would be coming soon.
The Mitzri didn't disappoint. Within twenty minutes a Mitzri column of armor and infantry came down the valley and fighting began in earnest.
*** Harp Militia Major Chamberlain, with Liberty Battalion, Near Watchtower of Spring, on Baetar ***
The eel-like Rabi and arachnid Prus had been assaulting Liberty Battalion's position in a well-timed tandem all day. Liberty had gotten no rest and was running dangerously low on supplies, but so far, they had held. However, if this went on much longer, they would be fighting hand to hand.
*** Jedi Knight Jors Zaemon, Doram Station, polar orbit Baetar Prime ***
The good news was that Baetari fighters were landing on the flight deck again. Surviving Baetari personnel had begun to immediately service the craft. Perhaps the small reptilian Heeshem had thought they would inherit the station, perhaps they just hadn't had time. Whatever the reason, they hadn't destroyed the fuel and ordinance supplies.
I checked with Major Bradley for the bad news, "Is the station clear yet?"
"I must report no. We have control of most of the station, but pockets of Heeshem are dug in at various locations and they are fighting tenaciously. They have refused several offers to surrender." Major Bradley reported.
"Show me their locations." I ordered.
Bradley pulled up a map of the station and showed me enemy locations. I was about to pick the nearest one, but decided to consult the Force, my hand seemed to pick an enemy location at random.
"I'm going to this location. I'll help our troopers dig them out." I announced.
"Yes sir." Major Bradley replied.
I'd been fighting for nearly twenty-four hours. My body was exhausted. But as long as this battle went on, so would I.
*** Imperial Admiral Scharn, aboard his flagship, the Star Destroyer Relentless ***
I had many duties to attend to. Also, I knew getting a few hours' sleep when the opportunity arose was critical to continued top performance. I also had washed, groomed and changed my uniform to make sure my appearance was pristine and crisp. Every Imperial officer knew a sloppy uniform or appearance could adversely affect morale. I had also gotten something to eat.
"Any changes?" Admiral Scharn asked the tech monitoring the battle display.
"No sir. Doram is in our hands. Baetari forces on the surface have been encircled."
"Excellent. Keep me apprised of any changes. Particularly negative ones." I ordered.
I had other missions to oversee and a fleet is a harsh mistress, needing relentless attention, but I would keep checking in regularly.
*** Harp Militia Captain Lafitte, near Major Jackson, with Hero Battalion, Near Watchtower of Spring, on Baetar ***
The vast Mitzri army continued to pound us all day long. To make it worse, there was a rare Baetar thunderstorm happening in the mountains nearby. The vast rumbles of thunder joined with the blasts of the battle in a terribly ominous way.
We were holding on by the skin of our teeth. Major Jackson had stood, like an immovable Brylark tree, near the center of our line all day. It seemed like his will alone had kept us in this fight. But casualties were mounting, and we were running out of energy packs. We would not be able to hold much longer.
*** Jedi Knight Jors Zaemon, Doram Station, polar orbit Baetar Prime ***
I had just returned to our ad hoc command center from cleaning out my third Heeshem pocket. The first pocket was apparently right next to the station's fuel supply and the Heeshem had almost detonated it. The second was near the main supply of proton bombs, ditto. The last had been next to the almost sabotaged life support.
Lieutenant Iam unexpected piped up. "I think I have something to report."
"Oh what?" I asked.
"I have been monitoring fleet actions through the day. Baetari fighters have disrupted enemy reinforcement and resupply to their forces on the ground and…." Lieutenant Iam stated then seemed to pause.
After a moment I asked, "Yes?"
"I have noted enemy fighter movements have become more and more erratic all day."
That was completely unexpected, "Do you have any idea why?"
I settled to rest for a moment while my saber charged and take a sip of the water someone had been kind enough to bring me.
"I have a theory." Lieutenant Iam said reluctantly then went silent again.
After a moment I asked, "Please share it."
"It seems that the main enemy combatant ships are not equipped to handle small fighter craft." Lieutenant Iam explained.
"That makes sense, they have never used small fighter craft before." I replied in agreement.
"Also, all the enemy fighters are Mining Guild variant TIE fighters which are short ranged and have limited endurance." Lieutenant Iam continued.
"Yes. Considering their connections, they seemed like the obvious choice." I mused.
"The ships that Admiral Spruance has been targeting so far have all been transports that have been modified to be carriers for their small fighters." Lieutenant Iam revealed.
"Oh, that crafty bastard!" I exclaimed. Now Spruance's strategy made sense. He had blasted the enemy carriers. That meant none of the enemy TIEs would have any place to go. They would begin to panic. The enemy fleets would lose their fighter cover. Spruance had probably also figured out that the enemy was saving the lion's share of their snub fighters as screens for their flagships, leaving the carriers relatively exposed.
"Oh, a new report just came in." Lieutenant Iam reported.
"What?" I asked.
"Admiral Spruance and the Exxelon just engaged the Prus flagship." Lieutenant Iam exclaimed.
*** Harp Militia Major Chamberlain, with Liberty Battalion, Near Watchtower of Spring, on Baetar ***
"Yes Captain Thomas, that's exactly what I want." I finished explaining.
Most Liberty Battalion troops were down to their last few shots in their blaster packs. I'd already given the command, "Affix Bayonets!"
The eel-like Rabi and arachnid Prus had been pounding Liberty's position all day in a well-timed tandem giving us no chance to rest. They had succeeded in wearing us down. Most of my troopers were exhausted and almost out of ammo.
The Rabi and Prus had uncharacteristically backed down and given us a few moments to recover. I knew it was only so they could organize for a final massive assault. There was no reason to assume we wouldn't just crumble when it hit and when we crumbled, Baetar would go with us.
I had pulled all my Ball droids for a last desperate gamble. Those Ball droid shields and heavy blasters had kept us in this fight all day. Without them, in our already weakened state, the odds were even worse.
The Rabi slithered and the Prus skittered up the incline in massive numbers for a final assault.
They hit our remaining defensive line hard. We would only be able to hold for a few moments.
Then the Ball droids swung down from our left flank, closing like a door and slamming into the side of the Rabi and Prus formations which, confused by this sudden attack on their flank, crumbled and fled.
*** Harp Militia Major Jackson, with Hero Battalion, Near Watchtower of Spring, on Baetar ***
I had watched my troopers fight all day more heroically than anyone could reasonably expect under the massive onslaught of the very well equipped Mitzri forces.
"Affix Bayonets!" I ordered knowing most of my forces were out of ammunition.
The Mitzri were now advancing for a final time through the dry wash before us. Endless tanks and troops, many fresh, well fed, with adequate supplies. When they hit my line, we would break and Baetar would go with us. Only the Force could save us.
When the Mitzri were directly before us, they had someone announce, "You are hopelessly outnumbered. You need not die. Accept defeat. Surrender your arms."
I knew the reputation of the Mitzri. They enjoyed torturing prisoners, particularly roasting them alive and then eating them.
I had a bullhorn brought over and replied, "Come and take them!"
The troops cheered. I was pleased they would die with good morale.
The Mitzri charged into the draw before us. Within a few seconds the bulk of their forces was in the draw getting ready to charge up the side into us. Exhausted, with limited ammo and no remaining heavy weapons, we wouldn't last long. Still, my troopers were holding through sheer will and tenacity. That wouldn't last more than a few minutes, but it was good to see. The Mitzri forces piled up into the draw.
Then, suddenly, a wall of water slammed down the side of the valley through the draw. It must have been fifty meters high, moving with incredible speed and force.
We all watched as the lion's share of the Mitzri army was, literally, washed away before us. Clearly, the Force was with us.
*** Jedi Knight Jors Zaemon, Doram Station, polar orbit Baetar Prime ***
After that, the battle seemed to go our way.
Without the flanking forces they were supposed to get, the main enemy ground force lost morale and ground to halt. With more and more Baetari reserves being mobilized and arriving as reinforcements, the Baetari ground forces counter-attacked and decisively defeated the coalition army.
It didn't help that TIE fighters had started crash landing on the planet.
Most of the TIEs crashed somewhere. Many into their own ships trying to force a landing or dock. It got worse as it became more and more clear this would be a massive defeat for Baetar's enemies and their surviving ships would be pulling out anytime.
Admiral Spruance, one by one, assisted by unopposed fighters from both Harp Fleet and Baetar, smashed each enemy fleet in space. In the end, the defeat was so swift and savage, few enemy ships escaped and of those that did, none left unscathed.
It would be at least a generation before Baetar's enemies could hope to raise a force this large again.
*** Imperial Admiral Scharn, aboard his flagship, the Star Destroyer Relentless ***
Something was wrong. For the last twelve hours the reports had been coming in positive, but with no changes.
"Something is wrong. We have been getting the same reports and scans for several hours. Send probe droids in to get a clear picture. Have senior officers report."
My senior officers, including General Borgia began to arrive as a contingent of probe droids emerged in Baetar space, subtly. We didn't want to announce the Imperial presence.
Finally, our own independent scans revealed what was happening. The wholesale defeat of our coalition lay before us.
"We could still intervene?" General Borgia posed.
"No. Our orders are clear. Imperial forces emerging now and joining the attack would show our hand. The Emperor wouldn't want that placed before the Senate. We take no action. I will write the report. You are all dismissed."
*** Jedi Knight Jors Zaemon, Doram Station, polar orbit Baetar Prime ***
The battle was, except for a few cinders that were being mopped up, complete. I had a sudden feeling I should try and contact Fio.
I contacted Admiral Spruance and gave him the details, "Please try and put me through."
I figured Exxelon would have some of the best subspace commo gear in the system.
After a few minutes Admiral Spruance responded personally, "I believe we have a clean line to Castanea, but we're getting no reply. There could still be some local effect blocking transmission."
"Thank you, Admiral." I replied.
Then the Force gave me a feeling of terrible foreboding. I knew Fio was in imminent danger. I looked at the star charts and the many paths from the Baetar system but could find none that wouldn't take too long. Then I realized there was someone who was close enough, but would he, could he render help in time?
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