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BATTLE OF MANDALORE PART 2: DUEL OVER MANDALORE
SOME TIME LATER IN THE BATTLE
Blaster bolts continued to fly everywhere as the Imperial/Death Watch fleet had now entered the blockade. Cruisers and Frigates passed by, above, or under each other as they fired away. Here and there Warships would explode. The battle was in full swing now as the Sith Flagship closed in on the Republic one.
As the warship passed it went through besides and beneath three Republic Frigates. It unleashed volley after volley of Turbo Laser Fire on them and explosions rippled across them as they were torn apart. This powerful ship was only helped along by the Battle Meditation of Tiberius who had recently begun training with such an ability. So it was that the three Republic Frigates were blown apart.
The Imperial Flagship, Reluctance, soon was coming alongside the Republic Flagship, Rising Sun, as it fired away at the defenseless ship. Due to the special Torpedo's the Republic Valor-Class Battleship was left with only a dozen light Turbo Lasers as its defense. The Imperial Warship still had its full arsenal. Red Turbo Laser Bolts fired away from the Harrower-Class Destroyer by the hundreds as each resulted in an explosion, ranging from small to huge, on the hull of the Rising Sun. The few remaining Light Turbo Lasers returned fire with green bolts but each struck the Sith Ship in a show of a blue ripple as they could not penetrate the shields. Imperial Supremacy Mark IV Starfighters peppered the Battleship with blaster fire as the Republic Talon Air Superiority Fighters attempted to hold them off, to no avail.
In the Firing Chamber of the Reluctance along the thin length between her upper and lower hull, Large and long Single Barrel Turbo Laser Guns fired away. When one shot finished the canister popped out and another was tossed in. As it fired the Gun reeled back from the kick and the barrel rotated to toss out the used canister. Imperial Gunners and Officers ran here and there reloading the Guns or directing Gunners where to fire. They were aiming for the places such as the Hanger which no longer had enough power to its shields to prevent Turbo Laser Fire from entering it. They also aimed for the Escape Pod Bays as Darth Thyferus intended to board and he did not want them escaping.
In the Main Hanger in between the two halves of the ship, new and powerful Supremacy Mark IV Starfighters were loaded up and fueled. Entire Squadrons of Twelve Starfighters took off at once from the massive Hanger. However, another sight presented itself. The Loading of troops onto multiple Imperial Shuttles and Transports. All bound for the Hanger of the Rising Sun. Imperial Marines marched onto the Shuttles whose doors stayed open for the entrance and then slowly slid shut as the doors slid over the openings in the Shuttles. The Transports had large ramps in their rear which allowed the Marines to march into them. The Shuttles carried three squads of twelve Marines to a Squad. The Transports carried One Platoon each with four Squads to a Platoon and a Sith Warrior lead each Platoon. However the Hanger was not to be their main point of entrance.
On the Boarding Deck, were thirty-two Boarding Pods ready to launch. Inside these Pods were Six Imperial Droid Marines which would begin attacking the moment the Pods hit the hull. The Pods had a needle like front which tore open the hull of a ship to allow the occupants to enter. Imperial Officers fired the Pods using somewhat like a slingshot system where the Pod was fired out of its Holding Zone by an ejection pad and its engines pushed it the rest of the way. If they wanted to launch the Pods using the Engines then the Shields of the Resolute would have to be completely turned off. And that wasn't worth it.
However there was another way that the Imperials planned to board the Rising Sun with. This was the reason why about two hundred specific Imperial Marines were headed towards the Cargo Hold.
MEANWHILE ONBOARD THE BRIDGE OF THE RISING SUN
Master Hyatt grasped a railing to keep himself from falling over as wave after wave of Imperial Turbo Laser Fire struck their ship. All they had was a couple Light Guns and nothing more. Their Hanger was exposed and therefore was being torn apart. The Talons and Ravens already outside the Hanger were being taken out by the Sith Starfighters. Their case was a grim one.
Captain Akraman ran stumbling up to Master Hyatt with Padawan Adrian at his heels. They both also grasped the railing as the entire ship rocked. Captain Akraman was about to say something when the ship shook violently and the three were thrown to the deck. It was no better for the Operators at their consoles. Some were thrown from their chairs to the cold hard metal deck, others were blasted away as their consoles short circuited in a show of sparks. Some of the white and red outlined ceiling panels had fallen with some crushing Republic Officers beneath them. Wires were exposed as they sparked and blasts of steam billowed out of pipes. Several bodies lay unmoving on the deck and Hyatt grimaced at the sight.
As Master Hyatt, Padawan Adrian, and Captain Akraman shakily got up off the deck, Master Hyatt regained his composure and turned to the Captain with a stern face. "Status Report Captain! What damage has the ship suffered!" The Captain also composed himself as he straightened his Uniform and cleared his throat. Outside the Viewport several Talon ASF's flew past, pursued by six Supremacy Mark IV Starfighters.
"The Ship has sustained serious damage sir. Our Shields are completely down and the Engineers say it would take hours to start them up again. Almost all our Primary Weapon Systems have been disabled. Our Starfighter Capacity has been greatly decreased and our Hanger is in ruins. We've lost 15 out of 18 Escape Pod Bays. And our Engines are disabled. The enemy appears to be limiting their attack though. As if their goal is not to destroy us." It was then that Hyatt had a realization.
He approached the Viewport and gazed at the Imperial Flagship. He watched it bombard them but start to slow down the bombardment. Hyatt was grim as he watched. "Your right Captain. They don't intend to destroy us. They intend to board us." As if on cue, the thirty-two Boarding Pods fired and sped at the Rising Sun.
The thirty two Pods impacted the ship at multiple places. Four impacted on the hull outside the Barracks. The Republic Marines grabbed their blasters just as the Hull was torn open and 24 Imperial Droid Marines rolled out of the Pods and opened fire. Unlike most droids, the IDM's were extremely fast, agile, flexible, and versatile. They were built like an actual organic being to have a skeletal structure allowing those qualities.
The Droids immediately opened fire on the Republic Marines who fell back despite their superior numbers. Red Blaster Bolts raced around the Barracks as the Republic Marines took cover behind anything they could. They watched as many of their comrades fell dead to the floor from a blaster.
Another three Pods impacted on the hull outside the Medical Wing. Republic Marines rushed in and Medical Officers drew Blaster Pistols waiting for the Pods to open. They did and a hail of laser fire came out cutting down many. Droids poured out and began to mercilessly fell the Republic Soldiers and wounded.
Six Pods impacted outside the Communications Center and tore open immediately. The Droids quickly cut down all the Republic Troops there and set Charges on all the Consoles and such. Before exiting the Communications Center which moments later blew up in a show of fire and light. The Droids then charged down the adjacent corridor and began blasting away.
The Shuttles and Transports began to flow out of the Reluctance Main Hanger Bay as they made towards the opposing Hanger. Republic Pilots, Marines, Engineers, Flight Crews, Officers, and Operators all took up positions with Blasters ready. The first few dozen or so Shuttles flew through the weakened Hanger Shields and into the Hanger itself. They landed down at various places but did not open up just yet. They waited as more and more Shuttles landed until about three dozen had landed in the Hanger Bay.
Republic Captain Kyle Nark kept his DC-05 Blaster Rifle aimed at the Shuttles as he tried to keep his men calm. "Steady Boys! Remember you are not cowards! You are Soldiers of the Republic! You live and die to preserve the ideas of Peace and Hope! And as long as you do, then victory will be ours!" Just then six of the Shuttles fired Torpedo's which bombarded the line of Republic Troops.
Suddenly the three dozen Shuttles opened their doors as Imperial Marines charged out and began to open fire. Red Blaster Bolts raced at the Republic Troops in the hundreds and Green Blaster Bolts raced at the Imperials. Explosions filled the Hanger as a massive battle began. Imperial Marines opened fire on the right end particularly as it was weaker. Soon after three Transport Ships arrived in the Hanger and the three Platoons and three Sith Warriors charged out into battle.
The sky's of Mandalore would see fire and death on this day.
BACK ONBOARD THE RELUCTANCE IN THE CARGO HOLD
Lord Tiberius paced in front of the two hundred members of the Invincible Battalion that stood before him. They were the troops he was going to use to board the Rising Sun via the Boarding Tube. Tiberius was really nervous. His master had entrusted him with missions on his own before but nothing as important as this. This could decide the fate of the entire invasion.
He cleared his throat as he spoke to the two hundred assembled Imperial Marines. As he started speaking a hologram of the two ships came up. "Men, our mission is a simple one to say. But difficult to perform. We are to capture the Bridge of the Republic Flagship. It is likely there are Jedi on the Bridge but does that scare us. No." Tiberius pressed some buttons and the hologram changed.
Now a long tube connected the two ships and a red line ran through the tube and a certain path inside the Republic ship to its Bridge. Tiberius continued to speak. "We will enter their ship via the Boarding Tube and then fight our way through their troops to the Bridge. However upon entry Squads 1.2-2.4 will break off and head for the Power Core to blow it." A Gold Line strayed off from the Tube exit and to the Ship's Reactor Core.
Tiberius spoke again. "Once we have secured the Bridge we will set it to collide with the Nearby Mandalorian Security Station which is laying down heavy fire on our troops. And which controls the Shield from space. The charges on the Reactor will detonate just as the impact occurs and the Station will be destroyed." The hologram showed the Battleship crashing into the large Space Station. Just as it impacted the entire ship went up and most of the Station as well.
Tiberius looked around and saw no questions so he dismissed them and they marched to the Boarding Tube. Just as they arrived it began to extend out towards the Republic Ship. It was long and white and Tiberius waited patiently as he took out his Lightsaber and watched the elite Imperial Marines draw full weapons. Soon the light above the Door turned green and a loud thud showed the Tube was connected. No doubt the Republic would be waiting on the other side.
Tiberius and his troops marched slowly down the tube as they watched the battle around them. They could see everything and even the Pods on the hull of the Republic Ship. As they marched, Tiberius could hear shouts and thuds from behind the Door they approached meaning the Republic Marines were waiting on the other side. Tiberius ordered a dozen Smoke Grenades set off to mask their entrance. The smoke filled the Tube and began to billow out of the cracks in the door. So no one was able to see well when the Imperials stood before the door.
Tiberius pulled his arm back and held it. It may look like he was going to throw something but in reality he was gathering Force Energy in his hand to blast at the door. And when he let it go it let go. The Door flew in and crashed into and crushed three Republic Marines. One of which had been holding a Z-1 Rotary Cannon. Then they began their attack.
Tiberius swung his Lightsaber around as he deflected many dozens of blaster bolts back at the enemy. He arced out quite a few opponents legs. However Tiberius rushed through all these Soldiers as he cleared his own path to the Bridge. Behind him Squad's 1.2-2.4 broke off and headed for the Reactor Core.
Tiberius cut down any and all in his way as he made his way to the Bridge. It did not take much time as the Bridge was nearby. Upon arriving there Tiberius looked at Hyatt and Gecko with disdain as he scoffed at them.
"Jedi." Tiberius spat at them as if the very name itself were a plague, the likes of which should be avoided. Master Hyatt and Adrian drew their Lightsabers.
"Sith." Hyatt spat back as he and his Padawan ignited their Lightsabers and charged straight into battle. Tiberius chuckled at their foolishness. All his best Lightsaber techniques worked their best when his opponent struck first. And that is exactly what these two fools had just done. They gave him the advantage. Behind him about two dozen Imperial Marines charged into the Bridge and opened fire on the Bridge Crew and quickly cut them all down. They formed a barricade to prevent the Jedi from escaping.
Master Hyatt had a sole green Lightsaber which he raised above his head ready to bring it down on Tiberius. As he swung down to execute the overhead slice, Tiberius quickly sidestepped and swung at Hyatt's head with the left end of his Lightsaber. Hyatt ducked and lunged at Tiberius's stomach but was blocked by the right end of the double crimson blade. Tiberius laughed at Hyatt's failed attack.
As Tiberius and Hyatt fought, Adrian came up behind Tiberius and prepared to strike him down. He carried two Lightsabers, one green and one blue. Adrian used his Master's distraction to swing at Tiberius from behind. However the Sith Lord turned and kneeled as he caught both of Adrian's Lightsabers on one end of his and Hyatt's Lightsaber on the other end.
"Foolish Jedi!" Tiberius shouted as he pushed them both back and spun around kicking both away. Tiberius then used the force to push Hyatt back into a pile of rubble. Then more rubble was thrown on top, thus separating Master and Padawan. Tiberius then turned his attention to Adrian.
Tiberius began to attack Adrian as his sole opponent. He executed moves in such a flurry that Adrian barely blocked any. He attacked without mercy. Adrian saw a flash of crimson everywhere as he spun his blades around to block only he never had a chance to fight back. A crimson swing to his side just barely grazed his ribs and Adrian stepped back, clutching his side as Tiberius continued his assault.
Tiberius spun around and caught both of Adrian's Lightsaber's on his blade. Tiberius smirked behind his mask, then quickly sliced his blade down as he grazed Adrian's left hand. Adrian grunted as his blue Lightsaber fell from his hand. Tiberius then kicked it in the air and sliced through it. Leaving Adrian with only one Lightsaber to defend himself with.
Unfortunately for him Tiberius wasn't finished. Tiberius quickly hit Adrian in the head with his Lightsaber hilt and then spun around as he impaled the right end of his Lightsaber in Adrian's torso. Adrian went pale as a sheet as he felt the cold abyss of death approaching. It was at that moment that Master Hyatt broke free and saw Adrian.
"No." He whispered as Adrian fell back and Tiberius turned to Master Hyatt and leapt into the air prepared to end him as well. Hyatt reached out with the Force and grabbed one of Adrian's Lightsabers just in time as he ignited both blades. He crossed them and caught Tiberius's Lightsaber on them.
They began to battle in a flurry of blows, parry's, and strikes. Hyatt swung one blade at Tiberius's head and the other at his legs. Tiberius switched his Lightsaber to a vertical position and caught the two blades. Then he kicked Hyatt away and lunged at him but found his blade caught by two others. Tiberius lifted his blade up and broke free as he stepped back.
"Die Jedi Scum!" Tiberius said as he deactivated his Lightsaber and raised his hands. Crackling blue bolts of Lightning flew out at Hyatt. He raised his Lightsabers and caught the Lightning on them. Hyatt grunted as the force of the assault made him step back and began to push him back. Tiberius began to advance forward as he lowered one hand to hold his Lightsaber once more.
As soon as Tiberius was close enough he ceased his Lightning Assault and ignited his Lightsaber. Tiberius quickly swung it around and sliced off one of Hyatt's hands and then disarmed him. Following this he spun around and sliced his Torso. Tiberius then stepped back as Hyatt fell dead to the deck.
Tiberius picked up Hyatt's Lightsaber to keep as a trophy. He turned to the Imperial Marines. "Set the ship to crash into the Station." The Soldiers took over the controls. Tiberius began walking back to the Boarding Tube.
SOME TIME LATER IN THE BATTLE
As all Imperial Forces had been withdrawn from the Republic Flagship, the massive Republic Warship began to move on a crash course with the Republic Space Station. The ship moved at its top speed on its course of destruction. Meanwhile dozens of charges counted down on the Reactor Core inside. Having noticed the ship on the crash course, the Republic and Mandalorian Ships had begun to open fire upon it.
Their efforts were in vain as the warship soon crashed into the Station and then the entire Station and Warship went up. A massive explosion erupted and obliterated quite a bit of the nearby Republic and Mandalorian Ships. Thus the Red Shield around the planet began to flicker and eventually it shut down.
Darth Thyferus smirked as he watched this. 'And so, the Invasion begins.' He thought as he watched wave after wave of Imperial Mark IV Starfighters and Terminus-Class Frigates raced down to the planet below. Sounding the start of the Invasion.
JUST OUTSIDE OF A MANDALORIAN OUTPOST
A squad of Republic Snow Troopers was roving the border of a Mandalorian Outpost, watching for anything Imperial. They did not have to watch long as a deep thunder noise filled the air. They all looked skyward as Imperial Frigates and Starfighters broke through the clouds.
The Republic Troops and Mandalorian Security Troops dived for cover as the Starfighters strafed the ground and cut them down. Several Frigate opened fire on the Outpost with their Turbo Lasers while several others lowered down to ground. Imperial Snow Soldiers, Sith Warriors, and Imperial War Droids swarmed out of the Frigates and began their attack.
And so the Invasion begins.
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