Disclaimer: I do not own SWTOR or anything in the Star Wars franchise.
IN THE FORWARD HANGER BAY OF THE DOMINATOR
Imperial Captain and Ace Pilot Harris Davidson of Lightning Squadron hurried through the Dominator's Forward Hanger to get to his ship. The massive battleship shook and shuddered as the shields took large hits from the huge Republic Grand Fleet. Despite large amounts of reinforcements the Sith fleet was still largely outnumbered.
Harris had been assigned under Darth Thyferus for several years now and had started out as a lowly grunt but quickly rose to command one of the most elite squadrons in Thyferus's fleet. He had served in many a battle and as compensation for his loyalty Darth Thyferus had given Harris permission to handpick the members of Lightning Squadron.
Harris knew many great pilots and starship captains at the time and knew that with Imperial training they would become even greater. Soon he had assembled a group of the most elite pilots in the galaxy. However a few persons did not like his choices. One such being Major Prickin of the Thunder Battle Group. Prickin was disgusted that the pilots were not upstanding nobles with a pedigree. Harris said that good pilots didn't tend to have pedigrees.
Yet Prickin was soon proved to be wrong ever further when both Darth Thyferus and Admiral Gage personally approved of Harris's choices and commended him for it. As for Prickin, the last Harris had heard he was now part of the Imperial Excavation Service on Balmorra.
As for right now Harris was trying to get through the crowd of pilots, officers, flight deck workers, and soldiers to get to his ship. Lightning Squadron was to be launched and only people of Darth Thyferus or Admiral Gage's rank could launch them. Lord Tiberius ordered the squadron to be sent out and support the fleet.
'Oh why cant these fools move out of the way!' Harris thought as he pushed an officer out of his way as the giant warship rocked again meaning the shields must have taken a big hit. Suddenly just as Harris felt everything in his stomach start to swirl he heard a voice call his name. A majestic voice which made his heart soar.
"Harris! Harris!" The Captain of Lightning Squadron turned on light feet to see the pilot for Lightning 2 and his wife Nira Fulcone running towards him with a humored expression on her carefree face. Harris worked hard to keep the loving look out of his eyes as his second-in command ran up to him.
Harris put on a strained stern expression to appear ever the serious and alert Captain. Nira skidded up to him in a humored manner. It had been two months since Lightning Squadron last saw action so Harris could understand her excitement. "Yes Pilot Fulcone?" Harris said in an official manner since they were surrounded by officers and soldiers. It wouldn't be good for Lightning Squadrons reputation if people thought they didn't respect military code.
Nira grinned joyfully at his formality but decided to play along just for the heck of it. "All pilots and craft are prepped and ready for battle Captain Davidson." Nira said very serious like as Harris and her broke through the mob of Imperials and reached Harris's ship. Coincidentally Harris's ship was right behind Nira's. However Harris had the best ship in the squadron.
With Darth Thyferus's permission Harris as Squadron Leader was granted the pick of the lot for his ship. He chose a Fury-Class Interceptor/Light Corvette which he had over time modified with many heavy weapons and advanced systems. The color scheme was all the same except Harris had made the inside corridors white, black, and gray.
He modified the craft so it could hold double the number of torpedoes and also added two new launchers on the underside of the hull to launch the extra torpedoes from. He upgraded the internal systems so they were more advanced than almost any other craft of the same class. Advanced Targeting Systems, Radar, Scanners, Weapons.
Harris walked up the Boarding Ramp and as he was halfway up he turned around and gave Nira a playful wink. She laughed and returned the gesture by winking back. She then hurried off to her own craft.
Harris sighed lovingly and then continued walking up the ramp into his ship. When he was completely inside he turned to the control panel next to the ramp and pushed the intercom button. He needed to make sure everyone was on board.
He pushed the button and spoke into the microphone. "NR-O2 is everyone on board?" Harris called to the Protocol Droid assigned to his ship. The droid absolutely worshipped him and the crew often made jokes about the fact.
A metallic voice responded back through the receiver. "Yes master all crew and craft personal are now accounted for." NR-O2 answered and Harris nodded and took his finger off the intercom button. He then turned and pushed the button which closed the ramp. There was a metallic hiss as the ramp door slid up into the hull.
Harris walked through the corridors and arrived in the main hall area where the ship opened up into a spacious room which had five paths leading out of it. The room was dominated by a large Holoviewer which at the moment showed a image of the battle and was being observed by three of his crew.
The first one Harris spotted was Nyomi Racatk a human female born on Corellia and who Harris had handpicked for the crew. She had stormy gray eyes and long flowing red hair. Harris knew she had a bit of a thing for him.
The next person was Roger Killian a human male born on Coruscant whom Harris had known most of his life. He had emerald green eyes and short well kept brown hair. Harris knew that he was also a little shy but also one of the best shots in the galaxy.
The last of the three was a new crewmember whom Harris had yet to really get to know and in fact the man hadn't even said his name yet. He had violet purple eyes and cloud white hair.
Harris nodded at the three of them and then rushed off to the bridge to find his two co-pilots in their seats and the pilots seat awaiting him. Harris sat down in his chair and flipped a few switches.
"All systems go." One of the co-pilots Andrew said as he checked the monitors and pressed a few buttons. Harris nodded and activated the engines enjoying how the ship began to hum powerfully when he did.
"Weapons online." The other co-pilot John said as he checked their armaments and torpedoes. Harris nodded once more and then activated the stabilizers.
"Alright lets show the Republic why they call us Lightning Squadron." Harris took the controls and then deactivated the landing gear as his ship rose up off the Hanger floor. He eased the controls forward and the ship followed as it slowly moved out of the Hanger.
Outside the Hanger, Imperial and Republic Starfighters filled the sky as they chased each other or were being chased. Meanwhile the Imperial and Republic warships duked it out from afar as laser fire filled the sky. As Lightning Leader was easing its way out of the Hanger a group of three Republic Liberator-Class Starfighters zoomed towards the craft guns blazing.
"Raise Forward Shields!" Harris shouted and the crew rushed to perform the task. As they increased the power to the shields several blasts struck the ships hull causing the entire vessel to shudder.
Harris quickly angled the ship upwards so the Republic ships were brought within the view of their guns. "Take this Republic dogs!" Harris slammed his thumbs down on the fire buttons on the control stick. He grinned as he heard the tiny whirl of the mechanisms of his ship preparing to fire.
Green laser blasts streaked out of the medium sized crafts port and starboard guns and knifed their way towards the approaching Republic ships. The three Starfighters were quickly blasted apart by the vessel.
Harris and the others whooped in happiness as the rest of the squadron assembled in front of the Dominator. All thirty ships in the squadron ready to attack. The Republic Grand Fleet lay out in front waiting for them.
'Lets not keep them waiting.' Harris thought as he dove his ship right into the battle.
IN DARTH THYFERUS'S QUARTERS ABOARD THE DOMINATOR
THYFERUS POV
Why in the name of the Empire did I save her? I should have just taken my son and left her to die. Maybe when I heard that she hadn't given birth to Bax's child and instead to mine something was awoken.
No. I dismissed that idea as quickly as it came. My love for her died the day I heard about her loving Bax. Of that I am almost certain. Then again almost certain isn't exactly certain.
"AAAHHHH!" I yelled as the conflict in my mind continued with an alarming pace. I got up off my bed and began to pace back and forth across the room. I pondered again why I spared Nyra's life.
I was fully aware of the massive battle occurring outside the confines of my ship. This was made obvious to me as soon as the Republic Grand Fleet entered the system. I could sense Satele's foul scent from six parsecs away.
Shan. Oh how I hated her. She killed my brother and I will have my revenge. I got rid of her son but that wasn't enough because she has been a thorn in my side for ages.
Just then I heard a small yawn emit from my own son and I turned to look at the small crib I had the crew put in my quarters until we returned to Dromund Kaas and I could get proper accommodations for my son. I knew that little Rosier was starting to wake up.
I felt a great aching in my chest as I recalled that Nyra had named him after my fallen brother. I shook my head and stopped pacing to walk over to my infant son.
I had long since taken off my mask, cloak, and armor. At the moment I was wearing a simple black muscle shirt and tight black pants. Contrary to what is seen at first glance it is all the armor and the cloak that gives me the bulky muscular figure. Actually instead of a bulky muscular figure I have a lean muscular figure.
I leaned over the railing of the crib and watched my tiny son toss and turn in the blankets. I actually smiled as the small boy giggled and laughed at his new environment. I relished in the idea of raising my son and I would do so a lot better than my own father who was not the best parent. As soon as it was discovered I could use the Force he shipped me off to the Korriban Academy.
I saw that little Rosier was reaching up towards me and I smiled again as I reached down and took him in my arms. I cradled his head and tickled his chin. "Hello little guy. I'm your papa." I said happily as Rosier giggled again and reached out to touch everything he could. I guessed he was probably one of those kids that learns by doing rather than listening and watching.
Then Rosier did something that really shocked me by opening his mouth and uttering something besides small giggles and laughter. "Pa…pa." I was shocked that the boy had learned to speak so quickly. Then again I'm a genius and he is my son so I guess he gets the ability to learn fast from me.
I rocked him back and forth in my arms as I gently cooed to him and calmed the small child down. I wondered if Papa was his first word. Maybe I should ask Nyra.
I was positive that I no longer felt anything for her. But then when I thought that I found a little voice in my head saying otherwise. And also the aching in my chest when I discovered Nyra named him after my brother. Okay so maybe I still had some feelings for her.
I looked down at Rosier nestled contentedly in my arms as he giggled softly at me. "Maybe I should bring Mama down here to have a little talk with Papa." I said to Rosier who appeared to be straining to understand what I said. However when he next opened his mouth I heard something interesting.
Rosier opened his tiny mouth and uttered a rather interesting sentence. "Pa…pa..and…Ma…ma." I gave the child a puzzled look as I thought over the statement. Papa and Mama? Not anymore little guy.
Then again stranger things have happened in my life. Like the fact that I ever got married once anyhow. I thought back to the day Nyra and I got married. It was one of the happiest days of my life.
FLASHBACK TO THIRTEEN YEARS AGO ON NABOO
STILL THYFERUS'S POV
I was more nervous than I had ever been before. I was getting married today and nobody could ever have predicted I would be getting married to a Jedi.
"Relax brother everything will turn out fine." My brother Rosier said nonchalantly and naturally calm. I gave him a skeptical gaze as I recalled the last time he said that.
"The last time you said that we were nearly eaten by a pack of Rancor's." I said nervously since it seemed every time my brother said that phrase the day was jinxed. He had too many examples to count. Many involved near-death experiences.
"Oh that was nothing compared to all the other times." Rosier said confidently just before there was a knock on my door. I unlocked it and in walked my future brother-in law Huzan Lartus, Nyra's brother. He had a stern expression on his face.
"Huzan nice to see you. Come to wish me luck?" I asked but Huzan shook his head and instead stuck his Lightsaber under my chin threateningly. He grinned sadistically.
"No just to tell you that if you ever hurt my baby sister I will hunt you down and kill you." Huzan said just before-
END FLASHBACK AND RETURN TO PRESENT ONBOARD DOMINATOR
I was broken out of my thoughts by the intercom panel beside my door beeping incessantly. This rather bothersome beeping frustrated my small son causing him to start crying. I became annoyed at the sound of my child crying.
I quickly put Rosier back in his crib and put his blanket over him and kissed his forehead. The small child began to quiet down but not by much as the beeping continued.
I crossed the room over to the door panel and roughly pushed the answer button. The voice of Admiral Gage whom I had charged with watching over Nyra came through the receiver.
"My lord the prisoner wishes to speak with you. Shall I have her escorted to your quarters?" Admiral Gage asked me and I pondered whether or not to let Nyra come and speak to me. The aching in my chest was back and more happy memories of the twelve years before last began flooding my mind.
I finally relented and decided to let her come here. I pushed the intercom button again to give Admiral Gage my answer. "Send her in." I said as I took my finger off the button and turned back to Rosier's crib. I was about to walk over when the entire ship rocked and I was nearly thrown to the ground. I guessed the Republic Grand Fleet was tougher than expected.
I steadied myself again and then walked back over to find that Rosier was in fact not asleep. Rather he had been awake the whole time and laying quietly for me to come back.
I reached back down and picked him up in my arms and gently rocked him. He was shaking slightly which I figured was probably because the Dominator was shaking and shuddering from Republic fire.
I gently cooed to my son and calmed him down. I tickled his chin again and smiled as he giggled again. "It's okay. Papa wont let anything happen to you." I said to him as the boy settled peacefully into my arms. Just then the door slid open with a metallic hiss.
In the doorway I saw two black armored Shadow Guards and in between them a restrained Nyra. She had a Force collar on and cuffs around her wrists and ankles. I felt a ache in my heart so strong I couldn't stand to see her that way.
"Those wont be necessary." I told my elite troops motioning towards the collar and cuffs. The two loyal soldiers nodded to each other and took them off Nyra. They turned back to me.
"Leave us." I said to the two and they bowed to me and then turned on their feet and marched away as Nyra stepped into my quarters. She walked in and the door slid closed once more.
She walked over to me and looked from me to the small boy giggling in my arms as if refusing to believe that children didn't run from me. "Give me my son." She said but I shook my head and then turned and put Rosier back in his crib and covered him with his blanket. I turned back to Nyra and leaned against the crib gazing at my ex-wife with interest.
I took in how her figure had changed. She had clearly been working out since their last encounter. She had started to regain some color after losing so much blood. "Not just your child Nyra. He's my son too." I said as I leaned against the crib and looked at her. The aching had been replaced by a pounding I had not felt since the day I married Nyra. The happy memories flowed too fast for me to stop it.
Nyra gazed at me skeptically as she moved towards the crib and in turn me. She however kept to the front and gazed down at Rosier giggling in his crib. "Like you would ever take care of him." Nyra said and for some reason that really stung me and felt like a knife through my heart. However I would take care of him and her as well.
I moved closer to Nyra until I stood right next to her and towered at least a foot above her. I looked down at her and she looked up at me. Our eyes met and for some reason I felt something strange inside. Something happy.
"I will take care of him ….and you." And without thinking I kissed her. I felt her shock through the Force but then felt her arms wrap around my neck pulling me down.
And we stayed that way embracing each other for who knows how long.
ON THE DOMINATOR'S BRIDGE (NO POV)
"Brace for impact!" A controller nervously shouted as a torpedo crashed in the large vessel's starboard gun deck. The entire ship shook from the blast as the shields took another hit.
Tiberius steadied himself as he along with Captain Manfred and Admiral Gage among other officers observed the battle on the Holoviewer. "Move several squadrons to protect our transports." Tiberius told an officer who hurried off to the Comm. Center. Tiberius sighed as he watched more ships be destroyed on the image.
Admiral Gage turned to Tiberius and the young Apprentice of Darth Thyferus saw that for once the Admiral had a worried expression on his face. "Sir I rarely say this but I think we should retreat and regroup." Gage said and Manfred as well as the other officers all nodded. Tiberius pondered on the idea and asked himself what his master would do. He finally decided that his master would agree that retreating was the best choice.
Tiberius turned to look at all the officers surrounding him and motioned for anyone with an idea to come forward. Admiral Gage came forward and then highlighted an Imperial Squadron that seemed to be invincible. "Why not use Lightning Squadron to distract the enemy while we escape?" Gage said and Tiberius nodded giving the green light to contact Captain Harris and to signal the retreat. Gage walked away to contact the good Captain.
ABOARD HARRIS'S SHIP JUST PASSING THE FREEDOM
Harris was just passing the Republic Flagship trying to avoid the laser fire from the warship and shake two Starfighters off his tail when Admiral Gage called. A Hologram of the good officer appeared on the dashboard.
"Come in Captain Harris. Do you copy?" Admiral Gage asked just as Harris weaved the ship through an opening through the Freedom and grinned as the Republic Starfighters exploded after failing to make the opening. Harris turned back to Gage.
"I read you loud and clear sir. What do you need?" Harris asked as he blasted the tunnel through the Republic Flagship apart causing quite a few internal explosions inside the vessel. He pushed his ship out of the tunnel to be met with a hail of laser fire being launched at his craft.
"We need you and your squadron to cover the fleets retreat." Harris was in shock as soon as Admiral Gage uttered these words. Darth Thyferus's fleet had never before retreated. Harris had never seen the fleet flee during his time serving in it.
"Retreat? I never thought I would hear you say that word Admiral." Harris said and he saw the Admiral look ashamed that he had uttered such a word. He hung his head as he felt the shame in it.
"Neither did I. Now the best way for you to distract the Republic Grand Fleet is to launch an all out attack on the Flagship Freedom which you just happen to be right next to. I don't care how you distract them just do it. Gage out." The image disappeared and Harris took a deep breath before bringing all of Lightning Squadron on the Comm. Channel.
"Come in all pilots! We have a new set of orders. Commence an all out attack on the Republic Flagship. Make sure it is large enough to draw the attention of their entire fleet." Harris ordered and he saw all the ships in the squadron turn to the Republic Flagship and start firing. He then prepped the torpedo's.
He turned to John and Andrew and they all shared a glance that this might be the last mission they go on. "Boys instead of just attacking we are going to crash into the bridge of the ship and then draw their attention with a good brawl." Harris said as he turned the ship around and pushed the ship to full speed towards the bridge of the large Valor-Class Battleship.
Once he was in range he fired six torpedo's at the bridge which sped towards it at lightning speeds. They hit the tower that the bridge was on and blasted apart the turrets that guarded the massive crafts center of command.
Harris increased the speed further and then told NR-O2 to inform the crew to get ready to board. After that he pulled a locket out of the folds of his shirt and opened it.
Inside was a picture of himself, Nira, and two small children in front of his ship when he first acquired it. His son and daughter were staying with his brother while their parents were in the service.
Harris felt a tear slide down his cheek as he thought about how he may never see them again. He then keyed in a frequency into the Comm. Channel. Soon an image of Captain Silas Manfred popped up on the viewer.
"Harris why have you contacted me on my personal communicator?" Silas said curiously as Harris felt more tears begin to fall. Silas was an old family friend and Harris had known him and been friends with him since they were children. If anyone was to break the news of his passing to his family he wanted it to be Silas.
"Silas I want you to tell my brother I'm gone when I don't come back." Harris said and Silas's eyes widened when he heard Harris say when and not if. As if he knew he was going on his final mission today.
"Harris wait! DON'T-" Harris cut the line before Silas could protest his statement. Harris now knew full and well of the tears that flowed down his face.
'I'll miss you all. But I die knowing I have served the Empire well and good. I have no more business in this life.' Harris thought as he set his ship on a crash course with the bridge of the Republic Flagship.
ONBOARD THE FREEDOM'S BRIDGE MOMENTS BEFORE THE CRASH
Captain Duskin gazed out the viewport as Sith ships swarmed his vessel bombarding it with laser fire. With each explosion on his ship it felt like a knife through his heart. "Intensify forward firepower." Duskin ordered knowing that the bridge was vulnerable as a volley of Sith torpedo's had destroyed the towers turrets.
Just then a controller ran up to him and tapped him on the shoulder causing Duskin to turn around. "Sir a Sith Fury-Class Interceptor is on a collision course with the bridge. Their performing the act of a suicide bomber!" The man said but Duskin shook his head as he observed the incoming ship through the viewport and the angle it was coming in at.
"No. Judging by the angle its coming in at I would say that their going to try and board our bridge. So lets get ready to welcome them." Duskin said as he called for several security details to be sent to the bridge to repel a Boarding Party. Duskin returned to watching the ship get closer and closer.
BACK ABOARD THE DOMINATOR'S BRIDGE
Tiberius noticed that Captain Manfred was in something akin to shock. He tapped Admiral Gage on the shoulder and they both walked over to Silas to investigate.
"Silas? Silas? SILAS?" Admiral Gage kept shouting at him and when Silas finally turned around they saw that he was almost as pale as Nyra had been when they brought her aboard. He was white as a sheet you could say.
"Harris just asked me to tell his brother he has passed when he doesn't come back. Not if, when!" Silas was clearly having a nervous breakdown but then again wasn't everyone today. Gage put a hand on his shoulder and they shared a moment of silence for the soon to be fallen men. They all knew that Silas and Harris were childhood friends.
Tiberius heard the metallic hiss of the bridge doors opening and turned to see his master walking out into the bridge. He once again had his armor, mask, and cloak on and strode over to the trio. "What is going on here?" Thyferus asked demandingly as he looked from his kneeling Apprentice to the shocked Silas to the comforting Gage. He gazed at the group questioningly.
Tiberius stepped forward and cleared his throat as he stood nervously in front of his master. "I'd call it a tactical maneuver but you might call it retreating." Tiberius said but just as Thyferus was about to respond they all turned at the sound of a massive explosion to see the bridge of the Republic Flagship blossom in flames. Clearly Harris had handed in his resignation.
They all took a moment to remember the brave pilots who saved them all. The sacrifice made by Harris and his crew gave them all enough time to jump to Hyperspace.
They would not be forgotten. Neither would the sacrifices they made.
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