The blue tunnel of hyperspace was a familiar sight to Jackson now.
The fleet, now grown in number since the addition of the Sunray to the fleet, Jackson grateful for the presence of captain Solace.
They were currently following the Tosste Spur, an outer rim trade route that intersects the Rimma Trade route, allowing the fleet to take a direct route to the core systems.
Whilst they travelled, the comms team had managed to gain access to Navy Command, on imperial centre and were sifting through reports.
These would be numbered based of an analysts opinion of importance, before being passed to Grand Moff Jackson, who was in his office, joined by Captain Solace.
"Look here." The blond began. "Rebel armada spotted amassing over Kashyyyk following the routing of imperial forces one standard week ago."
Jackson hmm'ed on annoyance. "Admiral Linui right?"
Solace scoured the report for a second longer before replying. "Yes. Report details him being killed in action when his ship the Redoubtable suffered a critical hit to the hyperdrive whilst attempting to escape."
"Fucking political officers." Jackson cursed, a sentiment which Solace shared.
Silence reigned again until Jackson spoke. "Rebellion Battle fleet spotted advancing up the Hydian way."
Solace sighed, before turning to him. "What are we doing anyway? You clearly have a mission you're carrying out."
Jackson looked up from his data pad, weighing up whether to share the plan with his comrade. "After Maynar, I was tasked by the Emperor to head to the unknown regions, and begin colonising it."
Solace blinked in surprise.
"We travelled there using the black hole where we destroyed the old separatist fleet, and some advanced technology we were able to enter the vortex, and were spat out in the unknown regions.
Until recently we received regular colonists and supplies. The Emperor has a few top secret projects out there, some of which I can't even comprehend."
Solace nodded. "Cloning stuff?"
Jackson shot him an accusatory look, "How did you know?"
Solace shrugged. "I oversaw the escort of them to Coruscant, figured they were going somewhere secretive."
"What happened to the rest of the fleet?" Jackson asked.
"Got broken up in order to plug gaps in other fleets. I lost contact with the others pretty soon after." He explained dejectedly.
His comm chimed, and he answered.
"Jackson here."
"Receiving a distress call sir -" The voice came.
"On my way."
The two officers quickly made their way to bridge, walking up to the communications desk.
"A distress call lieutenant?" Jackson started.
"Encrypted sir, but yes. Originating from the Kuat system, and being sent directly to the Sunray." They reported.
"Have we made any progress in decrypting it?" Jackson asked.
"Nothing substantial sir, the codes appear to be custom made." The officer reported, confused.
Jackson's brow scrunched before Solace spoke. "Try code oh-four-seventy-nine, followed by alpha-ninety-six."
The confused Lieutenant complied, and a decrypted message was displayed.
"How in the galaxy did you know that?"
"It's a combination Chase uses, what does the message say?"
The lieutenant finished the decryption and read the message. "Requesting reinforcements at Kuat, rebels attacking."
"She wouldn't call for backup unless it was serious. We should intervene." Solace recommended.
"Agreed, Kuat is important system." Jackson said, turning to navigation. "Reroute the fleet to Kuat, immediately."
The typical scurry of activity followed, and the ship juddered as their destination was overridden.
"Exiting hyperspace in two minutes sir." Came the report.
"Sound the alarm for general quarters, give us an aggressive approach. Ready all fighter wings." Jackson ordered.
The signature alarm sounded throughout the ship, followed by a smaller localised one as they emerged into the Kuat system.
As a result of their change of destination whilst in hyperspace, their entry into the system was construed, however worked very well to their advantage.
The fleet emerged to the right of the static battleground. The straight line formations of the imperial fleet and rebels created a no mans land area inbetween the fleet, where a pair of corvettes were attempting to cross.
Jackson's ship perfectly slotted, perpendicular to the other ships, bisecting the fight and protecting the star destroyers which had previously been engaged.
The broadside of Jackson's fleet pounded the rebel fleet as they scrambled to reorganise themselves.
Looking out to the right at Chase's imperial fleet, he was met with a woeful sight. Of the three ISDs, the rightmost one, was flaming heavily and slowly listing. The central ship, was missing a chunk of it's conning tower, whilst the leftmost had a row of proton bomb impacts lining the hull.
Jackson contacted the lead ship, The Promarchos.
"Chase." He greeted.
She hid her surprise well, but he still noticed it slip through. "Jackson, your arrival was impeccable."
"Do you know what the rebels are trying to achieve?" Jackson asked.
"Nothing for certain, but I believe they are attempting to capture or destroy ships that are being repaired and constructed." She reported.
"Move your forces to secure them. Use the hyperspace tugs to move them to these coordinates I'm sending you now." Jackson ordered.
"Wildspace, sir?"
"Make the jump from the Maynar system, to the black hole."
Her eyes widened in understanding. "Yessir."
The communication cut and Jackson turned his attention back to the broadside that they were giving the rebel fleet.
Tie fighters and xwings filled the space between, engulfed in a desperate dogfight, an unlucky fighter pilot occasionally being blotted out by a stray turbolaser shot impacting them.
Slowly, a wide array of star destroyers in varying states of both damage, disrepair and construction began to leave the colossal orbital shipyards, under the manipulation of the tug ships.
On the other side of Jackson's fleet, another rebel cruiser succumbed to the damage it had sustained, as its stabilisers gave out it began to sag towards the planet's surface.
Another alarm sounded. "Sir, another enemy fleet entering the system!"
Jackson turned to see the space fill with a second rebel battle group, a fresh wave of fighters entering the fray for the new republic.
Jackson cursed. "How long until those destroyers are out of here?"
"First group is leaving now sir. Admiral Chase has the least constructed leaving last." A deck officer called.
"Set course for the coruscant system, let's get out of here." He ordered.
It felt wrong to retreat from Imperial core world territories, but Jackson knew a losing fight when he saw one.
The new fleet was moving aggressively, now near directly overtop of his fleet as the ships broke formation to turn around and exit the system.
Whilst doing so, they continued their barrage, all batteries firing wildly at different targets to inflict a large spread of damage.
As they finished their turn, a rebel assault cruiser was directly overhead of one of the ships. Jackson watched a salvo of concussion missiles fired from the shipyard platforms strike the frigate, achieving perfect penetration.
The ship burst into both flames and fragments, of which fell directly on to the below star destroyer, The Red Devil.
Jackson and his bridge crew watched in shock as the rebel ship fell and collided with the superstructure of the ship, destroying it completely.
Jackson cursed an impressive slew of words, before turning to the navigation team. "Make the jump." The ship broke space and entered the familiar blue tunnel of light speed.
The battle leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.
The jump was slow.
They hadnt been able to make use of their class 2 hyperdrive, and had to fall back on their class eight reserve. Despite initially having the advantage, the rebel reinforcements had admittedly been a punishing arrival. A considerable amount of damage had been done to the fleet. With the loss of the Red Devil, the fleet was again down to three star destroyers.
In addition the loss of a star destroyer, they had lost nearly all of their support vessels, and a number of their imperial light cruisers. They had also suffered extensive losses to their fighter compliments.
The loss of his home planet to the rebellion was disheartening. He hadn't been home in the years since graduating, and had loss all contact with what little family he did have remaining.
Emergency repair crews were dotted throughout the ship, making critical repairs to his flagship. One by one, damage reports came through from different sectors of the ship.
The most concerning, was the starboard side magazine. The armour plating had been devastated and torn open by a concentrated bombardment, clearly aiming to detonate the stored ammunition.
Whilst performing repairs, the engineering team had made a bone chilling discovery. Embedded into the hull, and stopped out a couple of metres away from the main Tibanna gas stowage, was a concussion missile.
The reports had an image attached, and it clearly showed the warhead of the missile had dudded, thankfully.
The other ships in the fleet had suffered an equal amount of damage, with a couple turbolasers being knocked out, alongside hangar obstructions and other issues.
Another annoying hit had been to the communications relay, and thus, they had no long range comms.
His comm was triggered as he assessed fleet reports.
"Entering into coruscant now sir."
By the time Jackson made it to the bridge, the fleet had exited hyperspace, and was slowly lumbering towards the planet.
He was thankful to see the presence of a fleet already in orbit, another damaged battle group was making use of the orbital repair yards.
"Contact that fleet." Jackson ordered.
"Yessir, opening communication line now."
A moment passed before the connection was established. "This is Grand Moff Jackson, imperial fleet, identify yourself."
The answer was swift. "This is Fleet Admiral Grace of the 3rd Task Force."
Jackson paused. He was frankly surprised that Grace was still alive.
"Well met Grace. I've just been pushed out of the Kuat system."
"I just lost half my fleet at Fondor." Grace replied.
"I have contingency orders from his excellency, I would need cover to execute them if the rebels attack." Jackson briefed.
"Once my fleet is resupplied I will do what I can." Grace promised.
"Long live the empire." They chorused as the comm cut.
Jackson signalled for his death trooper platoon to form up, as they headed for a shuttle.
The hangar crew had just finished prepping it as he and his entourage arrived, and they swiftly piled aboard.
The Lambda shuttle lifted upwards and headed for the surface. Passing by the battered formation of ships in Grace's battle group.
They breached the clouds to a calm night. Imperial banners still hung proudly from the high rises, and propaganda still reeled off from the holoboards.
The ship banked around and approached the central admiralty building, landing on the executive landing pad.
An adjutant rushed out to meet him.
"Grand Moff sir, the base commandant is expecting you." He whittled off, clearly nervous in the face of the towering death troopers.
"No, corporal, I am expecting the commandant." Jackson replied sternly, he had no time for egos at this moment. "Withdraw every data drive you have, and place them aboard a shuttle for my ship. Then wipe the central computer clean."
"Sir?" The adjutant questioned.
Jackson merely flicked his wrist, and a squad of death troopers broke off to escort the corporal to his new assignment.
Jackson and the rest of the detachment strode through the facility to the Navy Central Operations Command, or as it was lovingly known among command staff, N-COP.
Jackson entered through the main door to the nerve centre, to the rows of terminals all staffed and the central oversight desk, occupied by the base commandant.
"I need a message sent out to every fleet in the galaxy." He ordered.
The lower officers stopped their work and looked over, as the base commandant stood up, outraged.
"Only the Emperor can issue that!" He debated.
"I am acting upon contingency orders from his excellency. I need the message sent out." Jackson repeated, growing visibly more irate.
"No." was the response.
Rapidly approaching his mental limit, Jackson looked to the death trooper captain, and nodded.
The hulking black armourer soldier brought his weapon to bear and fired, executing the base officer.
Jackson paced forward and turned, addressing the some forty lower officers in the room.
"From this point on you are all acting under the direct orders from the Emperor." He announced.
"Refusal to carry out these orders will be classed as high treason, with summary execution as the punishment."
"The empire is not yet defeated. And plans have been made to ensure the survival of our grand order."
"Now, who is in charge of communications?" He asked. A moment passed before a shaky hand was risen.
"Issue a directive to all active fleets in the galaxy, to make their way to the rendezvous point at Jakku."
The officer squeaked out a yes sir and immediately began typing away furiously.
"Activate the coruscant naval reserve, and rally reserve personnel." Jackson further ordered.
Another section of officers began working frantically to fulfil the orders issued.
"Planetary Security Operations?" Jackson called.
"Here sir!" An officer called.
Jackson walked over to the bank of desks. "Connect to my datapad." He ordered. The ensign quickly established a connection, and turned back waiting for more orders.
Jackson tapped at the pad before responding. "Execute protocol Lambda-Five-Nine-Omega."
The ensign typed the access code in, before a message flashed up upon his screen. Jackson retrieved one of his code cylinders, and extracted a special red and black marked one from his belt, entering both into the terminal.
The screen blanked, before the terminal rebooted, instead of the standard imperial insignia, a red and black, six pointed symbol filled the screen.
It disappeared a moment later, and was replaced by a top down map of the senate district, the unique outline of a super-star destroyer visible.
The information on the side of the screen listed the ship designation as the Imperial Vengeance.
"Began the start up process, establish a data link from this terminal to my data pad." He ordered. The shocked ensign quickly complied.
As he got up, a frantic ensign burst in, immediately a blaster was trained on him. "Sir! Rebel fleet in orbit!"
In all her time serving the rebellion and fighting the empire, Hera Syndulla didn't think she had ever seen a larger armada of ships.
Under the leadership of Supreme Admiral Ackbar, the Rebel Home fleet, responsible for the destruction of the second Death Star, had made it's way towards the galactic core, and had arrived over Corellia one standard day ago.
Following their arrival, Ackbar has mobilised other rebel fleets to converge on the core, as the empire fell into disarray.
Action had flared up over both Anaxes and Kuat, but the new republic had routed imperial forces in both engagements.
Following those victories, Ackbar had called for Al nearby fleets and battlegroups to rally in the Alderaan system, whilst they prepared for their raid on Imperial Centre.
Rebel intelligence tracked the defeated remnants of the Anaxes defenders to Coruscant, alongside that of the elusive new Voidwalker II, which had emerged over Takodana recently.
A serene calmness cloaked the buzz of energy the fleet personnel were feeling before the battle.
"Have all groups report in. Prepare to jump." Came the order from the admiral.
The comms were on loud so deckhands could tally off the groups with them.
"Lothal Freedom Corps reporting in."
"Lira San Liberation Corps reporting in."
"Phoenix squadron reporting in."
Soon the bridge was overwhelmed as the near a hundred groups checked in, confirming they were ready to engage. Aboard Home One, final fighter checks were ongoing, and turbolasers were being cooled and cycled.
"All ships, make the jump to light speed."
The fleet hurtled into the blue tunnel of hyperspace, the ship rumbling with energy.
The jump was extremely short, and the fleet emerged a distance from Coruscant itself, whilst all ships checked in.
Eleven Imperial two star destroyers hung in a blockade formation, ready for the fleet. Just past them, between the planet and fleet, the orbital shipyards held the lone Imperial three star destroyer, the Voidwalker II.
"That Imperial three is in dry docks, if we hit it, we may be able to destroy it." Hera proposed.
"Good spot. Vector in a fighter bomber group." Ackbar ordered, as the Imperial Star Destroyers opened fire.
Zeb's X-wing powered out of the hangar into the space above coruscant.
"Purple Squadron check in." He called.
"Purple 2 Standing by."
"Purple 3 Standing by."
"Purple 4 Standing by.
"Purp' 5 ready to go." Tra signed off.
"Form up on me, we're escorting gold squadron to strike those shipping docks." Zeb ordered.
"Roger that purple leader."
The fighter and bomber craft surged towards the imperial formation, ducking out of the way off the horde of tie fighters and interceptors unleashed by the imperial blockade.
A few shots were loosed in order to destroy any fighters directly blocking them, but aside from a few minor interruptions, good squadron made it through, beginning their attack run.
The docking arms and clamps were beginning to retract as the Y-wings made their attack run, opening with a spread of shots from the ion cannon, forcing the clamps to reactivate lest the ship fall to the planet below.
As they reattached to the metallic hull, the proton bombs were dropped, savaging the weakened structure, and igniting a fuel line within.
The resulting explosion ripped the ship apart, baking the surrounding area in space and ripping the orbital dry docks apart.
The rebel capital ships began pressing forward, their turbolasers in conjunction with bombers causing immense damage to the star destroyers, their TIE fighters simply outclassed by the rebel fighters.
One by one, the rebels armada destroyed the low hanging star destroyers. Behind the main line, a further three star destroyers hung in wait.
"Scramble all surface fighters. Have the reserve fleet hang in low altitude above the senate district. Make contact with fleet admiral Grace." Jackson roared.
The officers among the room burst into a hurried action at the news of a rebel attack. Jackson looked out of the observation windows to see the reserve fleet lifting out of the planetside dry docks. On the other side, TIEs nearly blotted out the sun in their number.
Jackson quickly returned to his shuttle, confident the admittedly terrified ensigns would carry out his orders to the T.
His shuttle was chocked full of data tapes, the corporal that greeted him was waiting by the boarding ramp, the two troopers with him.
"I've wiped the data core sir, all information is on the taps." He reported.
"Excellent work corporal." Jackson said in passing, boarding the shuttle.
His troopers followed him, and the ship lifted up, turning and heading towards the senate district, where seven further star destroyers sat in low altitude.
They flew under the fleet, entering on of the vertical tunnels to the sub levels, sunlight slowly leaving them.
Zeb watched as a proton bomb impacted the centre of the last star destroyers super structure, igniting the bridge and sending the ship down listing heavily.
With that blow, orbit had been cleared, and the ships began to head towards the surface. Zeb powered his sensors forward.
"Purple Leader to Home one." He opened his comm.
"Home one reads you." Hera's voice came back.
"Reading multiple large power readings below the clouds, above the senate district." He relayed.
"Copy Purple one. Give update when you breach cloud cover."
Zeb locked his S foils at closed, and sped towards the planet surface. His fighter wing forming around him.
A batch of turbulence hit before they powered out of the bottom of the clouds, facing off against another seven destroyers.
His flight computer beeped angrily as he looked over at his sensor.
"Home One I'm detecting a massive power signature below us." He reported.
As Zeb lined his wing up to engage the approaching ties, the surface of the imperial senate district burst apart, as a super star destroyer emerged from beneath.
"There's a super star destroyer here!" He called out frantically.
The ship ascended clear of the high rises, before it's engines flared, and the ship jumped to hyperspace straight from atmosphere, joined by three of the seven star destroyers.
AN:
Skadoosh.
So the Buried SSD is a legends thing I somewhat integrated, somewhat reinvented. It also features in a YouTube fan film.
This chapter showed the rebels blitzing their way through the galactic core, and also sets up the battle of Jakku.
We also get to see another couple of familiar faces from earlier.
I kind of passed over it, but Jason Grace is killed defending the Imperial Core.
Another note, for those asking about thrawn and the unknown regions, I've just ordered the books, and will give them a read in the coming weeks and seeing how well I can integrate them.
-- also check out my clone wars story --
Cheers, Dududheheh