Star Wars AU - An Empire's Last Stand

by TinkerTanker44432

Brought to the brink of extinction, the once proud people of the "Quadrachion Empire" make their final stand as their civilians make a mad dash to escape their forsaken galaxy, but their enemies will not make this easy.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

Over 800 years before the destruction of Death Star at the hands of Luke Skywalker, the Quadrachion Empire fights for its survival!

After enduring a thousand years of war, the Enemy has finally broken through their defenses, and now nothing stands between them and their plan: the complete eradication of the Quadrachion race!

With limited time and resources, the last surviving remnant of the once seemingly-invincible Quadrahion Empire has devised a plan of its own. Using a massive space station they dubbed the "MoonRay" the Quadrachions plan on leaving their doomed galaxy behind in the search for a new home. Now with construction finished, and with the evacuation underway, it's only a matter of time before the enemy strikes.

I grow impatient as I await this final confrontation with the Enemy. I find myself pacing back and forth on the bridge of the "Titan", my lower arms are held behind my back with my upper arms crossed over my chest. I stop for a brief moment as I gaze out the main viewport of the bridge, the 23 kilometers of the "Titan" stretch out before me, and I am reminded of what the civilians have dubbed this ship: "The Last of the Dreadnoughts". While symbolic of their military's current state, it wasn't entirely accurate as there was one other dreadnought, the "Leviathan" at roughly 9 kilometers, but the "Titan" was surely the last of the "true" dreadnoughts. I stop pacing as I reflect on our current situation, the "Titan" had been placed at the head of possibly the largest gathering of Quadrachion celestial ships ever in the history of our race. However; this vase armada is also all that remains of us, though it wasn't always like this.

I let my mind wander back to a simpler time, a time when the "Titan" was regarded as one of the smallest dreadnoughts in the Quadrachion Celestial Navy. Back then, true dreadnoughts patrolled our borders with ships such as the "Kraken" which was over 50 kilometers in length, and the "Colossal" being over 120 kilometers. Though now all that remains of those ships is wreckage and the few who survived their destructions. I let out a sigh as the reminder of just how much we have lost overtakes me with sadness only with the sound of approaching footsteps drawing me out. I turn around and address my First Mate. "What's the situation?"

The man was a battle-hardened, and battle-scared man. His face was a mess, and he was missing his lower left arm, but he was also the only man I trusted to be my first mate in a time like this. He held three datapads, one in each hand, juggling between them, and observing the information they told him. "Our long-range scanners have picked up shock-storms roughly 150 kilometers directly in front of us Admiral. So far, we've only counted around 150,000 though more are still coming."

The number of ships shocking in surprised me. "Only 150,000? There were four times as many ships when they took our homeworld, why send so few to finish the job?"

My First Mate shrugged. "Not sure Admiral, it's still too early if you ask me." He took a glance down at the datapad again before saying, "Scanners are now indicating that most of their ships have exited their shock-storm, final estimation of their strength places them at over 200,000 with numerous support vessels. Based on their fleet movements, their destinations are right where we're stationed though that's not surprising."

Their relatively low numbers put an uneasy feeling in my stomach. Only 200,000 front-line rated capital ships? What are they hoping to achieve with so few ships? I turn away from my first mate to look at a holographic display of the battle map. They still have us drastically outnumbered, 200,000 to our 30,000, but we chose this location well. Nearby nebulas disrupted their weapon targeting, and their fleet was located in the middle of a vast, and dense asteroid field. This asteroid field provided us with the resources to build the "Moonray", and now it will protect us, not to mention a large black hole not too far away preventing them from outflanking us, but they know this. I gesture to my first mate to hand over one of his datapads, which he does. "When will they be in weapons range?"

"They'll be in range within three minutes Admiral, but they should be entering the minefield right about now." He then gestures to the battle map and I watch as little red triangles that represent their ships start disappearing. I then turn my gaze out of the main viewport, and way off in the distance I can see the massive explosions of the mines going off. With each mine going off, it should take anywhere from 5 to 10 of their ships, but judging by the battle map, this wasn't the case. It was... discouraging. Nevertheless, it was doing its job of slowing the enemy down, and the enemy was demonstrating their stupidity as they flung themselves against our mines without even trying to detect and evade them.

I chuckle to myself. "With only 200,000 ships up against our 30,000... You'd think They'd have learned when they're fighting an unfair fight."

My first mate chuckles saying. "Indeed. Even if they outnumber us, we're still strong. This day, of all our days, is when we remind them why this stupid war has gone on for over 1,000 years." Before I can say anything, a bridge crewman comes up to me, hands me a datapad, then runs back to their workstation. My first mate already knew who it was from. "It's from the Grand Lord isn't it?"

I nod. "Yes. It simply reads: 'Only hold the enemy back long enough for the civilians to evacuate, then follows us through, no heroics.' it's like he doesn't even know me!"

My first mate chuckles with me saying, "I still can't believe you befriended the Grand Lord in Officer's School."

I nod. "I know right? Even after 150 years I still can't believe it myself. The mere fact that he graduated is outstanding. He may be a good politician and faction leader, but damn is he a terrible military officer."

My first mate cracks one of his rare smiles before his attention is drawn to one of his datapads that had started beeping. "They've exited the minefield, Admiral. Judging by our readout, they've lost roughly 20% of their main capital ships. They'll be in weapons range within the minute. Orders Admiral?"

The battle has finally begun, and the enemy is already bleeding, this is good, we just need to make them bleed more. "Hold the line, show no mercy, and give no quarters. Tell the gunners to pick their targets, and fire at will." Almost immediately upon receiving the order, the main batteries of the "Titan" and all accompanying ships open up. Purple bolts of death and destruction streak through the void of space. Each one of those bolts has the destructive power to melt moons, and the accuracy to hit a target measuring only 4 cubic meters from the other side of the star system. However; even with all this, I still doubt myself. Will it be enough? Will be able to hold them back long enough for the civilians to escape, or will I have to watch the ones I love perish once more?

As I watched the live feed of the enemy ships attempting to evade our accurate and deadly fire I noticed something. An enemy ship dodging, ducking, and weaving its way through the carnage. At first, I didn't know what I was looking at, but once I got a better look at it I instantly recognized it. I yell out, "Zoom in on that ship!" Soon the ship filled the feedback screen and a single bitter word crossed my teeth. "Duelrachion!"

My first mate cursed under his breath saying, "I knew those bastards betrayed us to the enemy, but to go this far?! Was letting the enemy ravage our worlds, and kill our families not good enough for them? They have to participate in this final battle as well?!"

Even now I was starting to see more, and more Duelrachion ships. They were among the few ships to evade our shots on repeat successfully, but soon other ships belonging to the enemy were following their path. "Tell the gunners to switch their targets, I want them to prioritize those Duelrachion ships." The Duelrachions were our kin, our cousins. For eons we protected them, only a few of the reasons why their betrayal stung so hard. However; I didn't issue my order purely for the need of revenge. The Duelrachions posed the greatest threat. They know our ships, our training, and the way we fight. If we allowed them to close the gap between us, it would spell devastation for the civilian evac fleet, however, the personal need for revenge was still there. Which is why I gleefully watched as their ships started to succumb to our intensive fire. Despite it all, the enemy was still closing the gap, and so I turned to my first mate asking: "Do we know when we'll be in the range of their weapons?"

He looked at a few datapads, but his gaze then turned to the live feed saying, "Now."

All at once, the enemy capital ships began opening fire with their main weapons, making the wall of enemy ships light up like in a festival. Watching as their returning fire hurtled towards us I bellowed out, "Brace for impact!" as even the mighty "Titan" rocked as their shots smacked into us. Luckily, the "Titan's" shields weathered their opening salvo, but not all ships were as lucky. Immediately, reports of damage, destruction, and carnage filled my ears.

"The Courier is going down!"

"The Berserker is reporting heavy damage!"

"Admiral! The Leviathan is asking permission to fall back to make repairs!"

I grunt in frustration as the never-ending reports keep on coming. "Permission granted, order the Leviathan's captain to fall into our shadow, and make repairs. Send the order out to any other damaged vessels. They can use us for cover, we can handle this level of enemy fire, they can not." With my lower arm, I grab a datapad that told me how much the evacuation fleet has made it through so far, only 15% so far. I gritted my teeth and turned to my Communication Officer. "Send a message to the Grand Lord, tell them to speed the evacuation up any way they can!"

She saluted me before saying: "Yes Admiral!"

My First Mate walked up to me saying. "We've just lost 5% of our main capital ships, a further 26% are reporting heavy damage, and the evacuation feet are moving at a slow pace. Things are looking pretty bleak right now, wouldn't you say?" I glared at him, and was about to say some rather harsh things when he cut me off saying, "Though there is some good news to all this."

I could hardly contain my anger as I spat out, "Like what?! We're down 1,500 ships, our shielding is down to 73%, and the battle has only begun!"

He pointed to a spot on the battle map saying, "They'll stop right around here. Roughly 35 kilometers out. They know the closer they get the more accurate our gunners are, and thus they'll stop here. For how long? I don't know, but they'll stop here and possibly attempt to weather us down."

I was about to call his judgment into question, when all along the enemy's front their formations started to slow down, then stop altogether. Once they had all stopped, the closest ship was roughly 35 kilometers out. Just as the First Mate predicted. I gave him the "Well shit, you're right" look before making my way off the bridge. "If the enemy is content to sitting out there, then they're playing the long game. I'm going to get some food, and liquid in me. Make sure the crew rotates out, I don't need fatigue setting in at a time like this."

Once I'm off the bridge, I head straight for my quarters, saluting crewmen that pass me as I do so. In the back of my head, I know that I must remain strong, I must appear to be fearless. We are operating on the edge of a knife, and if my subordinates suspect weakness in me, it'll shake their confidence in me, and doom everything. It's not until I'm in my quarters, and the door is closed behind me that I let out the breath I was holding in. My two hearts start beating like a pair of war drums, and my hands are shaking badly. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself down, and after a moment things return to normal.

Once I have my composure back I do what I said I was going to do, and get some food and liquid in me. I then take a quick shower, and once I'm all done I retired to my bed. I figured that I might as well try to get some sleep, but after laying there for what seemed like forever, I realize that I won't be able to sleep. Sitting up a small device on a nearby counter catches my attention. It's a small portable communicator, a civilian model. It allows two people to communicate from "anywhere in the galaxy" or so the saying on the packaging goes. It immediately tempts me, but I try to reframe myself. I don't want to endanger them, not when the enemy could be scanning for frequencies, but why would they? The enemy already knows where we are, and what our plan is, why would they care about a civilian frequency? Do I want to risk that though, you do remember what happened last time right? All these thoughts flood into my head, but soon enough I find the device sitting in my lap, I don't remember grabbing it, but I must have as here it sits. My finger brushes the power button, but I hesitate, however in the end I press it.

The device powers on with a little beep, and I wait for a moment or two for the other end to answer. I don't wait too long, and before I know it, her face is in front of me. She smiles, and says, "You couldn't resist could you?"

The mere sight of her filled my being with warmth, and I return the smile. "Can you blame me? We've been apart for what seems forever." She chuckles, and we sit there for a moment, just in silence as we look at each other.

She then breaks the silence by saying: "Did you call just to stare at me, or is there a reason for this?"

I chuckle saying, "Do I need a reason to want to call my wife? Besides, I have to know: how are you doing? Are you getting enough sleep, enough food?"

She smiles, saying "We're fine, how are things on your end? Everything going according to plan?"

I shrug. "For the most part. We're holding them back, and soon enough you'll be through the MoonRay. That's all that matters right now." I want to tell her more. She's a fighter, been one her whole life. It was on the battlefield where we first met, and the fact that she's not here participating in this final battle is probably weighing on her greatly. I don't need to weigh her down even more.

She opens her mouth to say more, but a bout of static cuts her off. Through the static, I hear her ask, "What's going on?"

At first, I fear the enemy is jamming us, but I soon come to the realization. "Mira listen, you're about to go through the MoonRay, I don't know what you'll see on the other side, just remember that I-" Her image cuts off, and the static is replaced with emptiness. My words burn on my tongue, and at first, I feel sorrow that I didn't get to finish it, but I soon reassure myself that she's now safe and that I can focus purely on the battle. With nothing else to do, I figure it's about time I go back to the bridge, time to finish this.

The bridge appeared the same way as I had left it. My First Mate turned to address me saying, "We've suffered a further 18% casualties with another 24% being too badly damaged to participate in the battle. Our shielding is holding at a steady 45% and the enemy isn't pushing. Just over 79% of the evacuation fleet is through with more going through by the minute."

I nod asking: "What about the enemy's casualties?"

He looked at a datapad before saying, "They're down to just 57% of their original strength. I'm not sure what their strategy is right now, but it appears we're burning them faster than they're burning us. This will all be over soon." He then looked me up, and down before spatting, "You called her didn't you?!"

I let out a sigh before saying, "And what of it? She's through the MoonRay, even if they tracked her signal it wouldn't matter anymore. What matters now is getting our people through."

He gives me a once over before nodding and saying. "Yes, Admiral."

We stand there for a few more moments just watching the battle until one of the Bridge crew shouts to me. "Admiral! We're detecting a series of Shock-storms forming just 5 kilometers in front of us!"

True to his word, just five kilometers in front of us, thousands of shock-storms start appearing, and electrical tendrils shoot out as ships begin to come through the storm clouds. The black hole should have made such a maneuver impossible, yet here it was happening right in front of me. Immediately the enemy ships start pouring fire on our ships, those who couldn't retaliate fast enough were destroyed with the rest falling back to the Titan. The enemy ships that were holding at 35 kilometers rushed forward, and at this close range, the enemy was able to bypass us entirely.

In horror, I watch as enemy ships simply ignore us in favor of shooting at the much less threatening evacuation ships. A few of their ships even start shooting at the MoonRay itself, though such actions were futile as its sheer size protected it. I then start barking out orders. "Focus our fire on the nearest ships, get the Titan in between them, and the evacuation fleet, use the Gravity Tethers to pull wreckage in between them as well!" I then turn to my Communication Officer, "Get me a live feed to the Grand Lord immediately!"

It didn't take her long to get him on the line with him saying, "What the hell is going on Admiral?! How the hell did they get so close!?"

"I don't know, but right now you need to get those ships through the MoonRay now! I don't care what you have to do, just do it now!"

"Admiral, that is no way to speak to your Lor-"

Cutting him off I yell. "Dammit Carlos, this isn't the time for that bullshit right now! You need to get those people out of here now! We'll hold them back for as long as possible, but you must act now!"

He sighed but relented. "Very well Admiral. I will do what I can. Just... just make sure to get out of here yourself. That's an order."

I then cut the line, and focus on the battle. Muttering to my First Mate I say, "I knew there were too few ships. Now we know what they were waiting for."

My First Mate still didn't have anything good to say. "We just lost another 34% of our forces, and the civilians are taking fire. What are your orders, Admiral?"

I shrug. "Nothing new." The ship rocked after a series of devastating shots ran across the hull. Shielding has finally failed, and nothing but the ship's thick hull protected them, and if they fall before the civilians are through it'll be a blood bath. "Just make sure the Titan is between them, and the civilians."

One of the First Mate's datapads starts to beep, and after he glances at it, he smiles. "Look like the Lord managed to pull it through." He then looks at me. "The evac fleet is 95% through, and the last 5% is getting ready to leave right now."

I turn my attention to living feed and watch as the last percentage of the evac fleet goes through. The Grand Lord's ship is among the last and sends a final message saying, "Be right behind us, we'll see you on the other side." before he leaves this forsaken galaxy.

With the evac fleet finally, a great burden lifts from my shoulders. I mutter to myself "Finally" before I open up fleet-wide communication. "All remaining forces, begin your fallback plan to the MoonRay, badly damaged ships first, the Titan will be the last through. May the Ancestors watch over you."

Once my orders are out, ships start to move, and the enemy grows more desperate. More and more enemy ships start to shoot at the MoonRay itself, but like before it's futile. With so few forces still alive, it doesn't take long for all the other ships to get through. Before long, the Titan was all that remained of the once mighty Quadrachion Empire still in this galaxy. Satisfied I order for the Titan to start her retreat as I start the MoonRay's self-destruct. However, something not working.

Every time I try to enter the code, it fails to register. It soon dawns on me why it's not working, everything on my end is working, but everything on the MoonRay's end isn't. "Blast. The enemy isn't trying to destroy the MoonRay, they're trying to disable its self-destruct."

My First Mate and a few of the other officers stop to see what I'll do next. I stand there trying to think and think fast, but only one solution remains. I open a ship-wide communication and bark out. "Attention, this is the Admiral, abandon the Titan I repeat abandon the Titan get to your designated escape ship now." I then turn to the bridge crew yelling out. 'Didn't you hear me?! Abandon the ship now!" Soon everyone was rushing off the bridge, toward their escape crafts. Everyone except myself as I configure the ship for single pilot use, but I soon get a visitor.

My First Mate hadn't moved, just saying. "I'm staying with you, Admiral."

I look up at him saying. "No, you're not. Get to your escape craft now. I'm going to ram the MoonRay. The Titan has the mass, and I can't ask anyone else to do this for me. Now go, that's an order!"

He just shakes his head saying. "Admiral, I'm old and tired. I have no family left, you do. I can handle this, you get out of here."

I ignore him, sitting in the pilot's seat saying. "I have to see this through. I have to."

Acknowledging this, he sits beside me saying. "Then we'll die together!"

I nod saying, "Then we'll die together."

Once we plotted the course, and with engines, on full power, all we had to was wait. Quadrachions however do not wait for death silently. We go out loud, and proud.

Activating the comms in full broadcast mode I call out to all who can hear: "Long live the Empire."

My first mate replied. "Long live the Lord."

As the Titan made contact with the MoonRay we yelled out. "Long live the Quadrachion race!"

*In a galaxy far, far away.*

As the seconds turned to minutes, and the minutes turned to hours I started to give up hope, but then the ships from the defense fleet started to arrive. Their battered, and black scorched hull painted a grim picture for the crew inside them. One by one the survivors limped into our waiting arms. Now all that remained was the Titan herself. She however did not come. In her place were the hundreds of escape crafts, each crew member inside telling the same story, "The Admiral ordered us to abandon ship, so we did.". With each escape craft docking my hopes rose, only to fall.

I begged and pleaded with the Lord to wait just a little longer. Maybe something happened, and he's simply late! I knew however waiting was a fruitless effort, and the Lord knew as well. We waited for as long as we could, but then we left. As the Lord and other military leaders organized scouting parties to find out where we were all I could do was sit by the window.

My hand went to my stomach, and I muttered. "How will I explain this to you?"

"Tell them their Father was the bravest. He sacrificed it all to ensure our safety." I turned and saw the Lord standing behind me. Once he looked tall and powerful, but now he looked like the rest. Defeated, but still spouting good advice as always. I guess that's why he's the Lord.

I smiled and nodded. "Yes." My gaze returned to the window. "That is what I'll tell them."