Chapter 86
The Star Forge
Malak was on the bridge of the Leviathan as the battleship reverted to realspace. Several other flashes followed as the rest of his battlegroup followed the Leviathan into the Rakatta system. His flag captain was standing at his shoulder. Not having replaced his Admiral as yet she was doubling as the Master and Commander of the Leviathan. Noticing the debris floating in space had her spinning to the action stations
"Red Alert! All ships beat to quarters. Scan all frequencies. Launch the Air patrol and get a full sweep of the area." She rapid fired her orders
There was a slight flare of the shields as the shattered remains of a gunship impacted the bridge viewport.
"Captain, we have a ship exiting the fourth planet." A tactical officer called out
"Profile Matches the Ebon Hawke." An intelligence analyst was next
"Their trajectory indicates a route to the Star Forge." A third called
Melissa slammed the ejection button and the escape pod jettisoned from the Ebon Hawke. She send the activation code from her comlink before rushing to the loading bay and strappingh into a jump seat. Terri, Bastila and Juhani were already strapped into adjacent seats, all three wearing fully loaded utility vests and two bandoleers of grenades. Melissa force pulled a backpack to her and stepped onto the straps to ensure it stayed by her feet before she pulled her datapad out and linked it up to the barely functional at short range communications system. A chime sounded as the jury rigged system detected the pulse beacon transmission from the drifting escape pod on short range, a second notification came as a second transmission was detected
There was controlled chaos on the bridge of the Leviathan, orders were being called out to different sections as the ship went onto combat footing at short notice
"Air patrol away and on intercept to the Ebon Hawke, squadrons two to eight prepping for launch." The CAG called from his station.
"Gunnery section all weapons loaded and ready for discharge."
"Multiple signals detected, Two pulse beacons active." Communications called out
"Track and destroy those beacons." The captain ordered
Geonosis System. Republic Fleet staging Reliant communication room.
Senior operator second class Neelis was looking at the hull mounted chronometer. In mere minutes yet another boring shift will be over. Her terminal lit up. She wanted to cry in frustration, realising that leaving on time would not be happening
"Pulse Beacon Contact." She called standing up
She pressed down on the activation lighting up a red light over her terminal. The Yeoman of the watch hurried over and she sat down. The Yeoman leaned over her shoulder and confirmed the reading. Producing a datapad the yeoman checked the incoming pulse beacon signature before turning pale before moving to a terminal embedded in a column in the middle of the room.
A wailing sound interrupted Dodonna as she was attending a holocom conference with Coruscant. She paused the relay and for a moment enjoyed the image of the senator she was talking to being silent, before giving her attention to the priority message. The Yeoman at the other end of the camera snapped to attention
"Pulse beacon received from contact Alpha. Navigation point coordinates only." The Yeoman reported instantly
"Relay the coordinates to the Captains and Executive officers in the fleet immediately. Prepare a live uplink from the main bridge after confirmation has been received from all ships."
She unfroze the image of the senator
"Senator Organa, we will continue this discussion at another time, I need to attend to urgent Fleet matters at present."
She disconnected the channel before the Senator could say another word before the door to the day office and Darklighter stepped in ahead of the rest of her command staff, having been on the receiving list for that urgent communication notification. Dodonna smoothed her uniform before addressing her staff
"Report to the secondary bridge and stand by for orders. Darklighter with me, I will lead from main bridge. Someone get Vandar to the secondary bridge. Alerk oversee the Jedi operations. We launch in five minutes." She ordered briskly
Darklighter fell in on her left as she marched to the turbolift dedicated for her sole use. He pressed the button for the bridge level the moment he stepped on board. Tivars stood up from the masters chair the moment she stepped onto the bridge
"Admiral on the bridge." He called out, saluting
"Captian I am assuming Command." Dodonna informed him, returning the salute
"The ship is yours Admiral. All stations report full readiness. Coordinates are locked in and hyperdrive is being prepped for jump as we speak." He reported
"Thank you, Captain. Please assume the duties of the senior officer of the watch. XO report to tactical and assume command."
The officers saluted and Dodonna took the newly vacated chair. The communications officer blew on a whistle to draw her attention over the general noise of the bridge
"All ships standing by for orders." She called out over the sudden silence
Dodonna toggled the activation switch
"Republic fleet. Prepare for immediate hyperjump to the given location. As of this moment the fleet is on war footing, fire at will on exit from hyperspace. May the Force be with you all."
Dodonna turned to face the helm section
"All ahead full, engage hyperdrive once ready. Weapon crews keep all weapons primed. All Fighter wings to their ships for immediate launch on reversion."
The ship moved forward rapidly, moments later they felt the familiar shudder and the usual blue lines started flashing by
Malak turned to face his flag Captain once messages of readiness stopped coming in from the battlegroup and the station
"Congratulations on your promotion, Admiral. The battle group is yours to command. Prepare my shuttle for immediate departure to the Star Forge." He ordered
Carth dodged another volley from the swarming fighters as the Hawke limped to the massive station. A set of explosions marked the demise of yet another duo of fighters as both the nose turrets and top turret scored hits. Zaalbar growled as he fired the ion cannon from the seat of the co pilot. A fighter jerked as it was hit. Moments later a flash was observed as the pilot ejected.
Carth pointed to a hatch they had noticed launching several gunboats from the approaching station
"Full missile barrage on that hatch, there is where we board." He ordered
The Hawke shuddered as Zaalbar fired the entire rack of missiles in sets of two. Carth resisted the urge to divert course as he spotted several troop carriers and escort ships run for the Rakatta planet. With their compromised communications they were unable to warn the droids of the approaching ships.
There was a flash of light as the last missile overwhelmed the containment shield and several craft were expelled into space as the section vented atmosphere. Carth pushed forward and entered moments before the emergency shield engaged. Two flashes appeared on the rear monitor as pursuing fighters crashed into the shield.
Carth landed the Hawk with the nose turret pointing directly at a hatch. White Vapour was bellowing into the hold as the crew of the station were trying to correct air and pressure levels. The hatch snapped open and droids marched in from the station beyond. The nose gun chattered as Canderous hosed down the section. Moments later there was no further movement and the door was stuck open as the laser bolts had shattered the controls as it had mowed down the approaching droids. A second hatch popped open and another stream of droids entered.
Four blurs exited the ship and jumped directly in front of the second wave. Blurs of light was visible between the flash and smoke of droids being destroyed.
The Reliant exited hyperspace and forged ahead towards the mass of ships in view. Turbolasers started firing from the stern batteries shortly thereafter. The gunners firing at random into the target rich environment. Two squadrons of fighters took up their positions on port and starboard of the battleship in escort position as the rest of the Reliant's squadrons launched and rushed forward to engage. Multiple flashes followed as the rest of the fleet reverted from hyperspace. The Marine carrier ship Dauntless turned broadside and boarding ships launched towards the space station. The Dauntless staggered as she was hit by multiple turbolasers, being unable to shield while launching.
The Dauntless started drifting as her back was broken. The port side boarding ships carrying the survivors of the Dauntless launched and moved deeper into the fleet formation, hoping to meet up with another Marine carrier to link up with and dock.
Terri clipped a new powercell into the hilt of her lightsaber as the turbolift carried them to the next level of the station. She dropped the nearly depleted powercell onto the floor. The preceding three levels had been a constant running battle as they pushed on to the top level where they hoped to find the command level. The predominant enemy they had faced were droids. The usual Sith war droids, the heavier quadrupal legged war droids and a few tank droids. The amount of organic enemies they had faced had been restricted to control rooms they had to clear to advance to the next level. She straightened as she felt a tremor in the force. Bastila finished her water canteen and dropped the empty container
"Multiple Force users, we must be making progress." She remarked
The Sith fleet was being hammered hard and lost ships continuously. Unfortunately the same was true for the Republic. Another sharp whistle rend the air, this time from the sensor relay
"New signals. Multiple ships exiting hyperspace." The officer reported
"Sith?" Darklighter demanded
"Negative."The officer called back
The man looked at the screen and was visibly confused
"Profile suggest Mandalorian battlecruiser and two Light Cruisers. Another two light cruisers, profile signatures unknown."
"Incoming Communications from the battlecruiser. Ship identifies as the Resolution." The coms officer called out
Darklighter looked to Dodonna
"The Resolution was marked as decommissioned and destroyed." He said
"Well she is here now and hopefully willing to help. Accept communication." Dodonna replied
A holograph of a female woman in full Mandalorian armour appeared
"Admiral Dodonna. The houses of Ordo and Wren offer their services in combat along with our allies from Yukira and Arkaxia. Do you accept our assistance?"
Another four flashes appeared before multiple minor flashes from smaller ships appeared. The figure looked behind her before speaking again
"Correction it will be the houses of Wren, Ordo, Fett , Kryze and Brevkin. Do you accept our aid."
"I accept. My communications officer will send you the command frequency now. How do I address you?" Dodonna made a rapid decision
"Countess Wren, I am assuming command of the Mandalorian fleet, I will forward our fleet composition to you shortly."
One of the light cruisers sped forward before jumping into hyperspace. It reverted into realspace deep within the Sith fleet. A turbolaser barrage was unleashed before the ship jumped again. Shields flared as the turbolasers struck home. Moments later multiple ships started exploding.
Darklighter swore as he studied the tactical display
"How the fuck did they do that?" He demanded
There came a chuckle from the holograph
"That would be the Pride of Arkaxis. She is loaded with experimental weapons and ion turbolaser batteries. Just one of many surprises that ship and our fleet is capable of."
"Experimental hyperdrive engines as well? Or a captain suicidal enough to jump on hot hyperdrive engines?" Dodonna asked
"The pride has one standard and three smaller hyperdrive engines. Hit and run operations is her speciality."
The communication officer motioned to Dodonna
"Data package received from the Mandalorian fleet." She reported
"Mark as Allied and send to the fleet."
Multiple box like ships reverted and started moving into the fray. Turrets firing into the mass of ships
"That would be our rescue and resupply ships." Wren informed them
"Resupply?" Darklighter asked
"That is correct."
A squadron of elongated ships moved past the Reliant. The shapes shimmered as they cloaked.
"Squadron signal lost." Sensors reported
Dodonna looked in interest as fighter squadrons from the Mandalorian fleet moved past.
"It seems they have been really busy recently. Those aren't the fighters we have fought before." Trivars remarked
The cloaked Squadron reappeared at the rear of several Sith Cruisers. Each ship fired of four tubes at the ships before cloaking again. Three of the boxlike ships pulled back and settled behind the Mandalorian battlecruiser. The squadron reverted to real space and lined up behind the rescue craft as they decloaked. Two at a time they entered the ship and left minutes later before reassembling in formation and departing back into the fray after cloaking. Dodonna leaned over to Darklighter
"Make sure everything is recorded, we are witnessing a major change in how the Mando's fight. I want everything analysed to the last pixel later." She ordered softly
A hologram lit up before her chair and Vandar appeared
"Breached the station the Jedi and Commandoes have. Contact made with crew of Ebon Hawke. Cazor and Shan moving to engage Malak, assistance from Wren and Juhani they have. Station main target is."
Wren cleared her throat
"The Resolution can engage the Leviathan and keep her from reinforcing the station, Yukira's Howl and Serpent Strike will act as our support. That is if you agree Admiral. The Pride of Arkaxis needs to fall back and cool her hyperdrives while she rearms her torpedo tubes."
Wren looked behind her before speaking again as another figure spoke to her
"I have just been reminded that the Pride also carries two squadrons of Checabra class fighters but have no spare pilots. They are almost identical to A wings, we actually use A wing simulators to train Checabra pilots. Also the Pride is understaffed if you have spare engineering and technical staff they could get the Pride into fight quickly again."
"How understaffed is the Pride at present?" Dodonna asked
"She has a hundred and fifty aboard of a complement of four hundred and fifty."
"We will send what we can spare. You are free to engage the Leviathan." Dodonna replied
Darklighter shook his head
"I am not sure if I should be shocked or impressed. A ship running on barely above skeleton crew had already accounted for fifteen capital ships by itself and is still in the fight."
The Mandalorian battlecruiser moved forward with the two light cruisers moving into position to port and starboard of the ship. Large shield generators on the noses of the cruisers lit up and an extra two shield domes came into being. Shield projectors on the battlecruiser lit up creating a larger third dome that covered the three ships as they waded into the sea of laser bolts. Launchers on top the light cruisers fired a volley of long tubes into the fray. Moments later a second volley was fired
"Track those devices." Darklighter ordered
Two Sith Corvettes were in the line of the tubes, four struck the Corvettes and ion charges rippled from the point of impact, negating the shields in that area, the rest of the tubes followed and impacted along the now vulnerable hulls. Fire bloomed as high explosives ripped the hulls apart. The second volley entered through the breaches made by the first volley. Explosions ripped the Corvettes apart from inside. The trio of Ships calmly sailed through the wreckage of the destroyed Corvettes, shields flickering as it made contact with the debris in its path
"I think we can all be thankful, that that was not standard battlefield protocol when we faced them." Trivars remarked
"A barrage like that would render most ships combat ineffective if not outright destroyed. This ship included" Darklighter said softly
Terri sank to her knees and merged with the force to replenish herself. She was breathing harshly and sweating profusely. The constatnt battles were beyond brutal and draining on all of them. Before them was the reinforced doors to the bridge. Behind them were decimated platoons of Sith soldiers and droids. She heard the whistling sound of Melissa firing a barrage of Whistling Birds at a group of droids exiting the turbolift, the sounds of explosions followed shortly after.
"That was my last whistling birds." Melissa reported
"I am also out of ion grenades." Juhanni added
"As are we all." Bastila said
Bastila thankfully took the canteen Juhani offered her before passing it to Terri after taking a swallow of water. They changed powercells again. Terri got to her feet
"Nearly there, Let us finish this."
She placed her hand on the biometric scanner next to the reinforced door. An earlier slice had their biometric added to the system and the door opened. They moved in redirecting various blaster bolts fired by panicking technicians. From the viewports they had a front row seat to the battle outside. Terri placed a hand on Bastila's shoulder
"Do your thing, Babe." She said
Terri found herself in a tight embrace moments later
"Be carefull, don't underestimate Malak. He may be a brute force fighter but he is extremely skilled with a blade." Bastila whispered
Bastila led Terri go and sank to her knees before merging deeply with the force. Juhani took position before the door leading to the bridge, with Melissa contacting Mission to help set up a terminal slice to access the main systems. Once the slice was running and files were downloaded Melissa removed her backpack and pulled several explosive charges out that were randomly placed on terminals and armed.
Terri walked to the last Turbolift and stepped in. For a moment she hesitated before pulling a hypogun out from a pocket on her utility vest, Taking a deep sigh she injected herself with the combat stimulants before dropping the hypogun, She screamed in pain and rage as the drug raced through her system.
Dodonna felt the moment when the battle changed. The stalemate they had turned into their favour. The door to the bridge opened and Vandar walked in
"Aiding us Young Bastila is." He announced walking closer to the tactical display
"Her Battle Meditation I am assuming." Dodonna stated
"Turning the tide is. Target the station we must." Vandar said
"What of Malak?" Dodonna asked
"In combat with Cazor he is. Delay we can not."
Malak was standing before a viewport as Terri exited the turbolift. At the top of the station three prongs stood out, The prongs flared with power as a solar surge from the sun was intercepted.
"In case you were wondering we still have not discovered how the station stimulates the solar flares and capture them to power the station." Malak said without turning
"Considering that this station is due to become space dust that is not really relevant at this point in time." Terri replied as she walked to the centre of the room
Malak turned to face her
"When we stood here before I was forced to become your apprentice instead of your partner." He said
"I have no memory of what you speak of." Terri shrugged
" Do you really have no memory or are you playing a game even now as is your habit? Pretend to be amnesiac till the moment for the real Revan to rise up and reveal herself comes?"
"Revan died on the Ravager, what ltlle fragments were left were murdered by the Jedi Council." Terri said
"What drives you then? Clearly not revenge on me, if we can take at face value that you have no memories of before. Revenge on the Jedi for killing of who you were, possible but I do not sense any anger from you, or you have hidden it very well."
Malak started circling her as he spoke
"I could waste my time trying to recruit you to my side, remind you of the true threat out there. But you will not believe me, nor can I trust you to stay loyal. Your ambition and ego will not allow that, My old Master."
Terri remained silent
"I will admit I felt dissatisfied for not having killed you myself when you were at your prime, not this shell. But seeing life leaving your eyes will be satisfying none the less and with you dead Shan will fall and join me, maybe even the little girl you have adopted."
"You will not touch my family." Terri said activating her lightsaber
Terri twirled away as Malak attacked before flipping over a bolt of force lightning. Swinging her blade in an arc she absorbed another two bolts before dropping to the deck in a ready crouch.
"Seems you have retained some of your former skills." Malak remarked
He rushed forward and slashed down. Terri stepped to the side and flicked her blade to divert the slash. Malak recovered before she could counter slash the moment his blade was out of position. She unleashed a force push before swinging her blade forward. Malak braced and grunted slightly as both attacks struck home. Terri flipped back, disengaging her blade instead of letting Malak hold her down in a power struggle.
She reengaged her blade and moved forward with lighting quick stabs and slashes forcing Malak to revert to Shii Cho to deflect her attacks. She jumped back as he started moving forward and batted at his balde as he started his counter attack, Sparks jumping from both blades as they crashed against each other again and again
They both moved back and started circling each other. Malak rushed forward in a force sprint, closing his blade. Terri was taken into a bear hug before she could dodge the unusual attack. Malak lifted her of from her feet before tightening his grip. Terri gasped as he was crushing her, she could feel the servomotors in his suit tightening enforcing his already prodigous strength
"This is much more satisfying than killing you with a blade." Malak chuckled in her ear
Terri was starting to see black spots and her vision dimmed, her body screaming at her to breath. She managed to get her left arm free, but paid for the move as Malak could now more affectively crush her chest. With her last strength she slammed her had forward, fingers extended
Malak howled with pain and dropped her as he staggered back. Her fingernails having punctured one of his eyes. She pulled her fallen lightsaber to her and pressed the activation button as she stumbled forward gasping for breath.
Her blade entered underneath his chain and proceeded to push through with the tip exiting the back of his head.
Terri closed her blade and dropped to her knees coughing harshly as she cradled her injured chest, ignoring the body of her foe as it dropped to the deck. She spat out blood onto the deck. The door to the turbolift opened and she was barely aware of the approaching footsteps.
She heard voices speaking but could not make out what they were saying as she felt herself being lifted up and being dragged away. The blackness enveloped her and Terri slumped into unconsiousness.
Melissa burst into the cockpit of the Hawke
"Move! Get us out of here!" She screamed
Carth heard the whine of the landing ramp being lifted and activated the repulsor coils lifting the hawk from the deck
"Canderous, target the emergency shield generator." He called into the comset.
Laser bloomed and an explosion marked the destruction of said generator, Carth thrust the accelerator to full and the Hawke limped out into the mess of the battle outside the station. Melissa pointed out the viewport
"There, that is the Resoloution. We need to get to her, Terri needs a doctor urgently." She ordered
Carth nodded to that and started sterring to the ship, ignoring the fact that the Resolution was at that moment hammering away at the Leviathan.
They had barely gotten away as a barrage of turbolasers started striking into the station as The Reliant and the Republic Dan moved into position to provide sustained fire onto the station
A group of Mandalorian fighters took up escort position as they made their way to the reliant. Carth scowled as the engine shuddered
"Come on baby, just a bit more." He pleaded with the failing ship
The engine kept on shuddering and they were losing speed and power. The engine died and they started drifting.
"Come on old girl, just once more." Carth said
He was frantically trying to restart the ship. With a whine the engine turned on, this was followed by a series of sharp bangs but the Hawke stopped drifting and started moving towards the Resolution again. He winced as their shields failed and lasers bit into the hull of the shop.
The Hawke shuddered as it was gripped by a tractor beam. The engine died for the last time, but it no longer mattered as they were being pulled towards the Resolution, their fighter escort peeling of as they entered the protective zone of the Resolutions guns.
Spontanous cheers from the bridge crew were quickly silenced by the deck officers as the Station started to break apart and was being pulled into the gravity well of the star
"All ships pull back and engage the Sith fleet." Dodonna ordered
She turned to Tivars
"Put us on course to the Leviathan." She ordered
As they approached the lower bays of the Resolution opened up. Several T shaped ships dropped from where the Basilik war droids were normally deployed from. The ships sped to the Leviathan before turning a hundred and eighthy degrees and the rear sections of the ship hit the hull. The T pieced detached leaving squareboxes behind on the hull before speeding back to the resolution to launch again within minutes with another set of boxed attached
The image of Countess Wren flickered to Life
"Resolution to Reliant, we are breaching the Leviathan and deploying raiders. The Leviathan will be pacified shortly." Wren said grimly
"Very well." Dodonna acknowledges
The XO;s hologram was next to light up from wher she was in the tactical room
"The Sith fleet is breaking up, we have multiple ships preparing to jump." She reported
"Target their engines to stop them from jumping if we can. We can not risk the chance of them regrouping with other battle groups." Dodonna ordered
Dodonna turned to Darklighter
"Deploy boarding ships to capture what we can, Check with the Mandalorians if they have any spare boarding craft and soldiers left."
"Aye; mam." Darklighter responded sharply
"Tivars set course to the nearest capital ship still fighting, we have to start catching up. There is no way we are letting the Mandalorians achieve the highest kill score in this engagement."