11. Imperial Redemption
"However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results." Winston Churchill
The First Thirty Days
Night Hammer
On the border area between Imperial and Rebel controlled space (Teshik refuses to call them the New Republic), Teshik own battle fleet stands ready to launch the first stage of his offensive against the Rebels. Teshik fleet is one of several Imperial battle fleets and battle groups preparing to attack Rebel controlled systems and sectors.
Captain Frisk walks smartly up to Grand Admiral Teshik command chair and says, "Sir, all battle fleets report ready to commence the first phase of the attack plan."
Grand Admiral Teshik is an unnervingly claim voice replies, "Very well Captain, you may issue to go order, to commence the attack."
Captain Frisk salutes, then turns, and says, "All hands to battle stations, communications send the go code to command to all attack groups for the first phase of the attack."
A few minutes later Teshik own battle fleet jumps into hyperspace.
First forty-eight hours
For the first forty-eight hours, the Rebels response to the Imperial attacks is limited, with several systems falling quickly to the Imperial advance.
Onboard the Night Hammer, Teshik own command squadron has secured its first system without firing a single shot, the rest of Teshik own battle fleet has been able to secure the other systems of this first sector. The first stages of Teshik's are proceeding ahead of schedule, Teshik is pleased with the progress so far.
The New Republic begins to engage the various elements of the various Imperial battle fleets and battle groups with only limited success due to the large number of targets the Empire is attacking at one time.
Days Three to Ten
As the Imperial attacks continue, the New Republics fleets are increasingly being run ragged, by jumping from one system to another trying desperately to hold back the multiple Imperial attacks. Only occasionally a system is protected from an Imperial attack, this is usually when one of the two of the New Republics Executor class star dreadnoughts are present, these warships overwhelming firepower is more than enough to push back an Imperial attack group trying to take the system.
However, once these warships have withdrawn from the threatened system, the Imperials simply launch another attack a take the system, while the New Republics Executor class star dreadnoughts are busy in another system.
This is not helped by several neutral systems refusing any of the New Republics warships from operating within their systems, for fear of being an Imperial attack on their system, this is just as Grand Admiral Teshik had predicted what these systems would do. In this way, Teshik is isolating the New Republic from any help from any neutral systems within the sectors that Teshik is retaking from the Rebels.
Days Eleven to Twenty
As the Lusankya and the rest of the New Republics Seventh Fleet jump from system to system trying to stem the various Imperial attacks, it has become apparent to General Antilles that they are only delaying the Imperial conquests not stopping them. However, the New Republics high command has yet to draw this conclusion and devise a better battle strategy to deal with the Imperial attacks.
All General Antilles can do for the time being is delaying the Imperial military, even with the Jedi helping, General Antilles is having trouble dealing with the Imperial attacks, as Grand Admiral Teshik is not present in the sectors that New Republics Seventh Fleet is operating in. Grand Admiral Teshik has done the battle planning, the various Imperial commanders are confident again, just as they were when Thrawn returned, perhaps even more so, due to the larger resources available to Teshik.
Whatever tactic General Antilles tries' system after system falls to the Empire, as his forces cannot be everywhere at once.
Days Twenty-one to Thirty
For the next nine days, the New Republics military forces are pushed back in battle after battle, though Grand Admiral Teshik is not present at most of these battles these, New Republic Intelligence indicates that he has had hand in the planning of these battles.
As the individual battles rage, in system after system, it does become clear that Teshik is working to a long-term plan, as each system is secured a system defence force is left behind. These system defence forces vary in ship and troop numbers, depending on the importance of each system, but they usually follow that the force consists of a least one Vindicator class heavy cruiser acting as flagship, with up a dozen Enforcer class picket cruisers, acting as the system new defence fleet.
None of these systems is protected by a star destroyers either Victory or Imperial classes, these star destroyers are being use as part of the attacking force and are not being wasted on system defence, this is part of Teshik long term plan when systems are captured back from the New Republic.
In addition, the Empire is not using the harsh tactics of Palpatine, instead the Empire is using more "Carrot" than the "Stick", in those systems that have a high industrial base, order will be placed to increase output. This has the benefit of reducing unemployment and keeping gthe planets population occupied, it also increases the military build up of Teshik forces, adding additional troops and equipment in the fight against the New Republic, allowing Teshik in the months to come, to accelerate his offensive and capture more sectors from the New Republic.
Day Thirty-One
As the thirty-first day dawns, Grand Admiral Teshik forces have managed to capture fifty sectors, with minimal effort and losses.
New Republic Security Council, Day Thirty-One
As the New Republic Security Council, hear the daily situation report from General Etahn A'baht the former commander of the New Republic Fifth Fleet.
Borsk Fey'lya now Chief of State after Leia Organa Solo resigned after her failing to deal with the Koornacht Cluster.
After General A'baht finishes the briefing, Fey'lya asks, "Is there nothing we can do to stem the Imperial onslaught?"
General A'baht sighs slightly with exhaustion and replies, "No sir, there is nothing we can do."
Fey'lya who picks up on General A'baht meaning asks, "Then there is someone or something that could help the New Republic?"
General A'baht replies, "Yes sir, there is, but I doubt that the Security Council would agree to use this individual."
Fey'lya fur ruffles slightly and says, "You will let this Council decide what it will use to defend the New Republic, let us hear what it is first then we will decide."
General A'baht replies, "As you wish sir, but you will not like it."
Fey'lya says, "Noted, not let us hear what this is."
General A'baht replies, "There is another surviving Grand Admiral."
The room explodes with shouts, it takes Fey'lya several minutes to claim everyone down then he asks, "Would you explain that statement General."
General A'baht replies, "Yes sir, the Grand Admiral is Octavian Grant, he was what we thought was the last surviving Grand Admiral, after Thrawn's death. Octavian Grant was one of the twelve original Imperial Grand Admirals appointed by Emperor Palpatine two years before the Battle of Yavin. A Tapani lord of House Mecetti, Grant saw himself as superior to those who were not members of the nobility, and held a particular dislike for droids and other species. His Humanocentric beliefs stood firm after he joined the ranks of the Galactic Empire, and he proved himself to be an expert military strategist. Due to his military talents, he was appointed as one of the twelve Grand Admirals created by Palpatine, though he was one of the least popular Grand Admirals, and did not attempt to curry favour with the Imperial Moffs."
"After leading several successful campaigns during the Galactic Civil War, Grant was left virtually alone after the Emperor's death over Endor, as he had not built up a sturdy following as the other Grand Admirals had. Grant bided his time, laying low in the Pentastar Alignment while the New Republic hunted down his fellow Grand Admirals. Eventually, with the other Grand Admirals all apparently dead, Grant defected to the New Republic just prior to Thrawn's return, providing key Imperial secrets in exchange for immunity from charges of war crimes. He was relocated to the luxury of the planet Rathalay and, although he was tempted to come out of retirement and fight the alien Grand Admiral Thrawn, but Thrawn was killed before he could make an offer of service to us."
Fey'lya asks, "You are saying that we have an Imperial Grand Admiral had defected to the New Republic who is willing to help fight another Grand Admiral and no one thought to inform the New Republic Security Council?"
General A'baht replies, "New Republic military command was under direct orders from Mon Mothma not to reveal this deal to anyone, as she thought it would cause to many problems. It was thought best the as few people knew that an Imperial Grand Admiral had defected to the New Republic."
Fey'lya asks, "Has Grant offered his help against Teshik?"
General A'baht replies, "Yes he has but his offer of help has not been acted upon.
Fey'lya asks, "By whose authority?"
From across the room Brigadier Thron replies, "By mine"
Fey'lya asks, "Why?"
Brigadier Thron replies, "Because we do not need this 'Imperial' fighting our battles for us."
Fey'lya in a deadly voice states, "Brigadier Thron you do not have the authority to make such decisions arbitrarily, do you understand?"
With a scowl on his face Brigadier Thron replies, "Yes I understand."
Fey'lya says, "Good, General A'baht you will bring Octavian Grant before the Security Council so that we can decide."
General A'baht replies, "Yes sir, I will order it immediately."
Octavian Grant should arrive within a few days.
Rathalay
On the planet Rathalay the news of the New Republic Security Councils summoning of Octavian Grant has arrive at his estate.
Octavian Grant smiles at the news and says, "I think it is time to pack"
His aid replies, "Yes sir."
Octavian Grant says, "Do not forget my small black case."
His aid replies, "Yes sir, I will not, we should be ready to leave within the hour." He is very surprised that the New Republic had taken up Grant's offer.
One hour later Octavian Grant and his small team of aids (New Republic agents) leaves Rathalay for Coruscant, arriving six days later.
Now however with the New Republic losing ground rapidly, it looks like Grand Admiral Octavian Grant has a chance to fight one more war.
New Republic Security Council
As Octavian Grant enters the New Republic Security Council chamber, the Security Council sense that Octavian Grant is no mere human, he has the certain presence, even without him wearing his Grand Admirals uniform, only a smart business suite.
Fey'lya had heard the rumours that a Grand Admiral had a certain aurora about them, until now he had dismissed it, but being in the same room as one, Fey'lya knew that these rumours were true.
Fey'lya is the first to speak he says, "Welcome to Coruscant Octavian Grant, thank you for coming at such short notice."
A now seated Octavian Grant replies, "Thank you for allowing me to help you in these troubled times."
Fey'lya asks, "Can you give us the information that we need to defeat Teshik?"
Grant replies, "It is not as simple as that, if I give you one strategy Teshik will simply adapt his own strategy to compensate."
Fey'lya nods slightly and says, "I understand, but how can you help us against Teshik, if you cannot devise a strategy that can be used against Teshik?"
Grant replies, "That is quite simple, I will fight Teshik directly in battle, that should allow be to adapt to his changes in strategy almost instantaneously."
Brigadier Thron who has been listening to this and can hold his silence no longer says, "So you what to command the New Republics Battle Fleets then, I see you true intentions."
Grant looks across the table at Brigadier Thron and in a quite but deadly tone replies, "No Brigadier, I do not wish to command the New Republics Battle Fleets, I ask for only one warship."
Fey'lya says, "Brigadier Thron you will remain silent, if you do not you will be removed."
Brigadier Thron fumes at Fey'lya but says nothing.
Fey'lya then turning to Grant says, "You only want one warship to command."
Grant smiles at Fey'lya and replies, "Yes, an MC90 cruiser fully equipped, no more."
Fey'lya asks, "What can you do with a single MC90 cruiser?"
Grant chuckles at Fey'lya and replies, "You have seen what Thrawn did with a small fleet within eighteen months, imagine what I can do with a single MC90 cruiser."
Fey'lya fur ruffles at what Grant has just said and replies, "We will need to discuss your offer, would you mind waiting outside?"
Grant says, "I would be happy to" then gets up and leaves the New Republic Security Council room.
For the next twelve hours, the New Republic Security Council debates (well agues along with a lot of shouting) whether to use the tactical skill of a former Imperial Grand Admiral.
Agreement
Grant is called back in and Fey'lya says, "We have agreed to suggestion, you will be given command of a single warship, one of the newest MC90 cruisers. You will also be watched very closely in what you do, do you understand?"
Grant replies, "Yes I do and thank you. I would suggest one other item, that only the command staff of the cruiser who I really am, otherwise this would cause problems."
Fey'lya says, "I agree will you on that point, the fewer people know that we are using a former Grand Admiral the better."
Grant replies, "Good, if there is nothing else, I will be on my way."
Fey'lya says, "No there is nothing else, good luck."
Grant replies, "Thank you"
Octavian Grant leaves the room and then to a shuttle with his "aid" who will act as his liaison officer while Grant is commanding the MC90 cruiser.
A few hours later, as the shuttle heads towards the MC90 Octavian Grant can feel that old buzz that he got from commanding coming back again, he has not felt so alive for a very long time.
To be continued.