Not a day after my speech to the Senate, we were given our next set of orders; to garrison a newly constructed shipyard in the outer-rim above the planet Celtorn. Immediately the men grumbled, figuring this is how we'd spend the rest of the war, guarding space stations, shipyard, or listening posts. Though all seem to be relieved they aren't stuck in training anymore, even if the atmosphere of boredom and drills remained a constant. Dooku personally saw us off as we boarded our troop transports and cruisers, surprisingly to wish us luck and, "to serve the Confederacy to the best of your abilities."

The 71st was given three troop transports and two cruisers of a new design. The Techno Union and Trade Federation had design these ships together in the hopes of defeating Jedi cruisers more effectively. Though originally they refused to let us be the ones to use them, they eventually gave in and allowed us to test them. Honestly they only really let us have them so if they were destroyed, the wouldn't lose any droids along with them. The TT-71 Transports were smaller than the cruisers, with the bridge in the front-top area of the ship. The sides could open allowing easy debarkation, as well as the rear. The engines were located in both the back, as well as the top of the vessel. The BC-71 Battle Cruisers were twice the size, though a bit smaller than a Venator. However, what it lacked in size, it made up for in sheer armor and guns. Most warships were equipped with large tubro-lasers. The BC's were outfitted with cannons capable of firing a shell the size of an AT-TE at supersonic speed, which could dish out severe damage to a ship's shields in one shot. What it did to vessels without shields was something else; cutting through the armor and entering the inner workings like it was nothing, and detonating once inside. The cruisers had your standard shields, but its armor was thick, several spaced-layers that could absorb hits better than most. The engines were located on the back and sides, four in the rear and two on the sides with good armor plating. The bridge was located on top, but partially dug into the ship. This made it harder to hit, adding to what already made the BC-71 a deadly foe.

The star fighters on the other hand are of our own design. A smooth, circular body with side wings slanted back, and a circular mouth in the front which could fire a proton torpedo. The cockpit was a bubble design, and the tail fin was slanted backwards. The exhaust is on the side-front, pointing forward. Unlike most our weapons, the fighters are equipped with laser cannons. The standard paint job is the dark CIS blue, with chrome going around the front torpedo tube, covering the exhaust, and surrounding the back single engine. The CIS symbol is presented proudly on the tail fin and wings. What makes them very special, is that each fighter has its own nose art and whatever else my men wish to have (albeit within reason). Bunsen's has some brunette on top of a bomb, Parker's got a rancor mouth and eyes on the front, while mine's CIS symbol is gold, along with the chrome. The cruisers can hold 50 fighters each, the hangers being located within the ship. An elevator transports the fighters into and out of the ship, as to avoid any unwanted boarding parties via the hanger. Part of me is glad our first assignment won't be the death of many good men in this battalion, however I wouldn't object to a skirmish.

Two weeks after arrival above Celtorn

"In case of attack, or in any combat situation, I want transport B to act as a medical ship. This will be in effect until we at least get an actual medical frigate."

"That is if we ever are attacked, sir"

"Bunsen I've gone over this before, this shipyard is surely to be a prime target for the Republic's Outer-Rim command. The Techno Union has already lost its footing in nearby systems including Ryloth. Now assuming we are attacked, I want the transports behind the cruisers. Cruisers will be nose to nose, acting as a long wall to protect the transports and shipyard. Cruiser Rook will be facing starboard while cruiser Bishop will face portside. Have a few fighters defend the transport's rear, all other fighters will be diverted to a defensive/offensive role. Try and lure enemy fighters in, the transports have a few turrets and if they are hidden behind the cruisers, they can surprise enemy fighters who try and make a break for the shipyard. If the enemy tries to flank us, the cruisers will open like a door, with transports A and B staying behind Rook while transport C remains behind Bishop. I want as many guns facing the enemy as possible, the bigger cannons can dish out a lot. However, if the enemy gets into their blind spot we'll be in for it."

"Sounds good, sir. I'll notify the men, anything else?"

"No Parker, that'll be all."

"Sir we've got five bogeys inbound, three large, two smaller." Says a calm deck officer, pointing to his screen.

"Good thing you didn't bet on that Bunsen, or else you'd be buying me drinks for the rest of this rotation." I look over at my "favorite" captain who just gives me a grunt and an eye roll. Immediately all hands run to their stations, practically beaming with excitement.

"Our first engagement, let's make it a good one. Are all ships in position, officer?"

"Aye sir"

"Do you have visual?"

"No sir they… yes they've just come out of hyperspace. Two Venators, three corvettes by the looks of it. One of em's a Jedi cruiser."

"Alright we've gone over this scenario a thousand times, but what I wanna know is which Jedi we dealin' with here?"

"Trying to scan the cruiser, see if I can make out whose it is. They aren't firing yet though sir… and they are in range."

"We in range?"

"Yes, all cannons loaded, fighters are ready. Boarding repellent parties are at their stations, and the shipyard has been notified. They are moving their workers planet-side."

"Odd… they always fire the second the exit hyperspace. Maybe they are trying to figure out who we are?"

"Ha, they must be pretty slow then. Our allegiance is plastered right on the side of our ships. Ya see that Ruuu-puuu-bliiic clones? Or did they keep you in your test tubes for too long? Ha-ha!"

"We get it Bunsen, you've found a group of people dumber than even you."

"Ah can it Miles."

"Quit it you two, it's one thing if we are on down time, but we've got company. Have all cannons fire on my mark, they haven't fired yet so I'm a bit curious as to their intentions."

"Sir the Jedi cruiser is… signaling us?"

"Maybe they've surrendered?" says Miles with a hint of sarcasm. A quick glare tells him to shut it, "Patch them through." I say as I turn my focus back to the screen. All the men on the bridge stop what they are doing to look up at the screen, wondering who the face of the enemy commander will look like.

All eyes go wide as a blue Twi'lek shows up on screen, I raise an eyebrow and glance over at Bunsen who simply shrugs his shoulders. The enemy bridge is bustling, many of the crewmembers seem to have confused looks on their faces as they work. Perhaps they are trying to figure out what they are looking at? I look back at the Twi'lek and assume she is the Jedi, her expression too is of surprise, then curiosity as her brow furrows. She seems to study my face and the men on the bridge fairly quickly, I guess she didn't expect to see only human men aboard a Separatist cruiser's bridge. With a quick clear of her throat, she turns her attention to me.

"I am General Aayla Secura of the Grand Army of the Republic, and Jedi Knight." Some eyes on the ship narrow at the mention of Jedi. "You are out-gunned, and I am giving you a chance to surrender your ships, and… men to the Galactic Republic. You will be treated fairly."

"General Secura, a pleasure to meet you. I am Colonel Jon Frost of the 71st Infantry Battalion of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. I appreciate your kind offer, however my men are quite prepared, and anxious. It'd be criminal to rob them of a good fight, don't you agree?" Although I truly did appreciate her offer, I couldn't help but drop a bit of sarcasm in there. Miles and Bunsen are really becoming an influence.

General Secura raised an eyebrow and gave a half smile, "I'd call it suicide, rather than a fight, Colonel. Though I respect your tenacity. Best of luck, you'll need it."

"I'd have half a mind to ask you to surrender but we both seem to be of the same mindset, minus are allegiances. Oh, and try not to damage our ships too much, they are new after all."

With a quite laugh and shake of her head, the screen went blank. The bridge went back to work, and my attention immediately went to the enemy fleet.

"Deploy all fighters, have them stay behind the cruisers. Have cannons aim for the Venator to the left of the flagship. Let's demonstrate how wrong they are about "out-gunning" us."

"Yes sir. Cannons, aim for the Venator to the left of the flagship."

General POV

Aayla Secura was puzzeled, "Human males, manning a Separatist ship without droids?" she thought. Her thoughts were quickly interrupted when her Commander, Bly, looked up from one of the bridges scanners.

"Enemy cruisers are training on our fleet!"

"I don't want their turbolasers to be hitting us for long, launch all fight…" she was cut off as the two cruisers seem to burst with yellow flashes. Almost immediately the accompanying Venator, Challenger, was hit hard by three dozen explosions.

"By the force… Challenger's shields are gone, some rounds penetrated the ship and caused massive damage, her left bridge is destroyed!" The bridge went silent, Aayla felt hundreds of lives abruptly end.

"H-how?! I want to know what they just fired at us, because it sure wasn't turbolasers!"

"Some kind of cannon sir, firing armor-piercing explosive shells. Like a giant slugthrower. Orders?"

"I want all fighters out there now! We cannot lose the Challenger, otherwise this battle won't last very long. Bly, come with me, we are boarding one of those cruisers. I want to know who we are fighting."

So yeah that's longer than the last two chapters. Hope ya'll are enjoying this, as I've said there will be references and such to historical stuff. For example, I dunno if you noticed but the 71st's star fighters are a cross between the F3H Demon and F86 Sabre with a bit of MiG in them. Leave your comments, hope to update soon. Enjoy.