"I think you underestimated your dear old master," said Ahsoka, entering the commander's quarters of the Fire Hawk with a datapad in hand.
"Ah... Your analysis of the scouting probe's data was successful," said Maul, giving Ahsoka a nod of acknowledgement. "Though truthfully, I do not see what you're so concerned about. Even with our meagre resources, surely our forces would be capable of dispatching one destroyer... especially given your experience with Clone Wars capital ships."
Ahsoka's brow furrowed.
"I wouldn't be so confident. Scans of the superstructure seem to match reports of the new model of Star Destroyer we received from Mon Cala survivors. Odds are, we're dealing with an Imperial Star Destroyer."
"Are not all old Republic Star Destroyers now Imperial Star Destroyers?"
"No, I mean- I mean we're dealing with an Imperial-class Star Destroyer- a ship that's shaping up to be the Venator's successor. We don't have a lot of information about the exact specifications, but we can make some guesses by combining what we know about the superstructure with the ship's energy profile."
Ahsoka tapped a few times on the datapad before placing it down on the table. The datapad's holoprojector flickered to life, depicting a sparsely detailed rendering of the new Star Destroyer's terrifying triangular form.
"It doesn't look all that impressive," said Maul, an unamused expression on his face. "No dorsal hangar bay like the Venator... is it possible that this is just a cheapened downgrade made for peacetime?"
"...I don't think so, no." said Ahsoka, her eyes narrowing. From the countless hours she'd spent both aboard and commanding a Venator, she understood the old Republic's Star Destroyer inside and out. It was built to serve a wide variety of roles- a forward operations base for ground invasions, a carrier for squadrons of fighters, and a capital ship for engaging larger CIS vessels. This ship was different. While the Venator possessed a dorsal hangar larger than any ship in galactic history and a dedicated command tower for managing starfighter operations, this new Imperial-class lacked both... and yet its energy profile suggested it was consuming significantly more power. But Ahsoka had already deduced exactly where all that extra energy was going.
"The Empire made Mon Cala uninhabitable with just a single fleet. I don't think they could have done that with Old Republic ships. And... well... it's the way of the Sith to subjugate through overwhelming might, isn't it? To strike relentlessly, even recklessly, in pursuit of one's goals?"
"It is."
"Then... we can take a guess at what this ship's been designed for."
Ahsoka tapped the datapad, and the image of the superstructure lit up with red dots.
"The amount of power being consumed would be enough to supply eighty heavy turbolaser batteries. I've marked the positions where this kind of weaponry is likely to be placed, but... it's a lot of guesswork and little else. "
Maul's eyes widened in shock.
"Eighty?!"
"Again, a generous estimate on my part, but I think what I'm getting at is clear. The destructive potential of a Star Destroyer with this kind of power usage, designed with a doctrine informed by Sith philosophy..."
"...would be enough to decimate our fleet in seconds. We cannot afford to leave it in play. Even if we could reach the surface of Malachor intact, there would be nothing to stop that ship from vaporising us from orbit. We must disable it."
Ahsoka shook her head.
"Odds are, they'd signal for reinforcements long before we're able to take it out. With the Imperial Navy sequestered in the Core, it's safe to assume Imperial forces would take time to respond, but... eventually our problems would just multiply."
"Then... what do you propose we do?"
Ahsoka's mind raced. A plan had begun to formulate in her mind- but the cost alone made her stomach lurch.
"Well... that depends. You're certain that Malachor will give us the means to finally end this war- that no sacrifice is too great in order to reach it?"
"...I am."
"Then..." began Ahsoka, playfully jabbing Maul in the shoulder to ease her own anxiety.
"I trust you," she said with a smile that poorly concealed the unease within.
During her time as a commander in the Clone Wars, Ahsoka had learned a great deal about battle tactics. She'd seen the slow, discerning, and analytical approach taken by Obi-Wan- and had learned from the decisive, unorthodox spontaneity of Anakin. The longer she studied under them, the clearer a certain truth became: the weapons, tools, and strategies favoured by a combatant is heavily informed by who they are. To defeat an enemy, one need not exclusively study battle tactics- a foe's philosophy and their values could also provide great insight. Or at least, that was the theory. And now, with a galaxy on the line, Ahsoka would attempt to put that theory into practice.
It was a strange and surreal feeling, being in the pilot seat of Vader's starfighter- a sleek, black vessel reminiscent of the Delta-7s, but with a few critical differences. The ship possessed elegant curved wings, powerful sublight engines, torpedos, and heavy turbolasers- it was the finest ship Ahsoka had ever flown. And as she sat in the cockpit, watching the cloudy blue of hyperspace fly by, she couldn't help but feel remnants of her old master- and a strange sense of longing- as she gripped the controls. The last thing Ahsoka needed was a reminder of Anakin- a reminder of how coldly she'd dispatched her own master- a reminder of how vile her former friend had become- and a reminder of all that she risked becoming. Yet this was the most devastating starfighter in their arsenal- and Maul had begrudgingly conceded that as the superior pilot between the two, Ahsoka would be able to make the most of this ship's impressive capabilities. She took a deep breath. If Maul was right about Malachor- if it truly held a weapon capable of vanquishing the mighty Darth Sidious- this battle could decide the very fate of the galaxy. So many had put so much at stake to get her this far- she couldn't afford to let it go to waste. This was her plan- and she knew that if it were to succeed, the blood of countless people would be on her hands. But what else was new? She'd been a killer since her very first day on the battlefield. Never a peacekeeper- only a commander. And as the Clone Wars dragged on, the blood on her hands- the blood of friends and foes alike- became less and less repulsive. But it was for the greater good- it was to protect people- wasn't it? Maul's words echoed in her mind.
"The greater good- an ideal used by the immoral to justify their immorality."
Was she truly fighting to ensure justice prevailed? Was she truly fighting to protect the galaxy? Or was it all for the sake of retribution? Perhaps she only wanted to destroy Sidious because the rage and hatred she concealed beneath the surface was the only source of purpose she had left. She couldn't help but feel guilty about her failure to control her emotions- and yet it was only her fury that kept her from succumbing to despair. She despised herself for seeking vengeance- and yet she wanted it all the same. Perhaps this was a path towards inescapable darkness- perhaps after today, Ahsoka would never be able to call herself a good person. But her feelings had become far too strong for second thoughts, and it was too late to turn back. Even if it condemned her, Sidious would fall. Suddenly, Ahsoka was pulled from her thoughts by an alert from her fighter. The battle for Malachor was about to begin.
"This is Fulcrum Leader," spoke Ahsoka, her fighter at the head of a squadron of six Starhoppers. As they'd anticipated, the moment they left hyperspace above Malachor, they were met with the enormous monstrosity of metal and malice that was the Imperial Star Destroyer.
"All wings, report in."
A chaotic cacophony of acknowledgements flowed in.
"Fulcrum Two, standing by."
"Fulcrum Three... standing by."
"Fulcrum Four, standing by!"
"Fulcrum Five, ready to engage on your order, Fulcrum Leader!"
"Fulcrum Six. Ready."
"Fulcrum Seven, all set."
The mercenary pilots under her command- though undoubtedly skilled individually, were unlikely to have operated under a rigid chain of command. It was no wonder then, that they lacked the order and disciplines of clones in which these ideals were instilled from birth. But longing for what she once had was pointless. These were the cards she'd been dealt- and she would ensure she played them well. The advanced sensors of Ahsoka's fighter picked up the locations of the most prominent gun emplacements, and she quickly broadcasted the data to the rest of the group.
The Star Destroyer opened a communication channel to the approaching squadron- but were met with only silence.
Several seconds passed.
And then, in an instant, the darkness of space lit up as countless turbolasers opened fire on the squadron, blanketing the area in blindingly bright green.
"All fighters, on me- follow my lead!"
Ahsoka rolled her ship out of the path of an enormous turbolaser blast, before accelerating rapidly towards the ship's ventral surface. The rest of her squadrons followed suit, weaving through the barrage of laserfire with impressive grace. It seemed Ahsoka's predictions had paid off. The philosophy of the Sith- the philosophy of absolute domination- was simply not a strategy that translated well into military doctrine. Contrary to popular belief, overwhelming offence did not necessarily translate to an effective defence- and it was this vulnerability- a lack of point-defence systems- that Ahsoka's fighters would exploit. The squadron dove deftly beneath the hull of the Star Destroyer, striking at turbolaser platforms with barrages of laser-fire. Everything seemed to be going according to plan- until a new threat appeared on the sensors.
"Incoming fighters at point-three!" called Fulcrum-Two. Immediately, Ahsoka saw them- dull grey, circular fighters with large, solar-panelled wings. They swarmed from the lower hangar of the Star Destroyer like locusts, rushing at the squadron with terrifying speed.
"This is Fulcrum Seven, I'm caught in a tractor be-"
The communication channel turned to static as Fulcrum Seven was blasted to pieces. Ahsoka's fingers grew tensed around the controls.
"A tractor beam?!"
Ahsoka studied the hull of the vessel, her eyes quickly settling on the twin tractor beam projectors.
"Fulcrum two and three- give us some cover and engage fighters! Four and five, disable the tractor beam, then carry on with the primary objective!"
Spinning her ship around, Ahsoka swiftly eviscerated two oncoming fighters before launching a torpedo at one of the projectors, blowing it apart. The other was swiftly eliminated by her squadronmates. Then, she brought all her weapons to bear against a dome-shaped protrusion at the base of the ship- a protrusion Ahsoka suspected was part of the ship's reactor. The formidable power demands of the Imperial Star Destroyer necessitated an equally formidable reactor- and fortunately for Ahsoka, this meant that the reactor was too large to be entirely contained within the ship itself, leaving it exposed and vulnerable to attack. Or so she thought. The hull plating protecting the reactor was significant, enduring several barrages of fire. But after three attack runs with the help of her squadmates, their weapons finally penetrated the armour-plating while causing the reactor to burst open in spectacular fashion. The ship was certain to have a backup reactor keeping critical systems online, but they'd at least succeeded in weakening the vast majority of the Star Destroyer's long-range turbolasers.
"Stage one successful- calling in the frigates!"
Ahsoka broadcasted a signal, and immediately, four Gozanti-class ships emblazoned with the Black Sun emblem emerged from hyperspace above the Star Destroyer's dorsal hull. With its fighters occupied on the ventral side by Ahsoka's squadron and its turbolasers disrupted by the destruction of the reactor, the Star Destroyer could not stop the Gozantis as they advanced through its deflector shields and brought their weapons to bear on the twin shield generators perched atop the command tower. The frigates weathered blast after blast. One soon succumbed to enemy fire. But eventually, both shield generators were disabled.
"Stage two successful- frigates moving to strike at the rear engines. All fighters, concentrate your efforts on screening them from enemy fire!"
The remaining three Gozantis passed behind the destroyer's command tower before turning around and opening fire on the Star Destroyer's rear engines. With limited weapons coverage behind the ship, the lumbering Star Destroyer had no choice but to slowly turn around in order to bring most of its weapons to bear. Meanwhile, in the squadron's attempts to protect the frigates from fighter assault, Fulcrum Two and Fulcrum Three were lost.
As the Star Destroyer turned, allowing more weapons a clear shot at the frigates, the second of the four was soon torn apart by turbolaser fire. And in all the chaos, Fulcrum Five opted to desert- fleeing the battle and retreating into the safety of hyperspace. Then, another frigate fell, and the fight, it seemed, was lost. One frigates and three fighters stood alone against the might of an Imperial Star Destroyer. And yet, the Star Destroyer's crew had made a grave tactical blunder. In turning to level their weapons against the Gozantis, the ship had turned its back to Malachor's hyperspace lane. Finally, Ahsoka sprung her trap.
"Stage three successful- Star Destroyer in position. Calling in the Fire Hawk!"
The Fire Hawk emerged from hyperspace directly behind the Star Destroyer, accompanied by another formation of starfighters with Maul at the head.
"Shadow Squadron, our time is now," proclaimed Maul across the communication channel. "Protect the Fire Hawk at all costs!"
Now the stakes had reached their highest. If a single enemy fighter reached the Fire Hawk- if a single turbolaser battery got in a good shot- everything Ahsoka and Maul had worked for would be undone. The ship was on a preprogrammed course- no one was aboard- and there would be no way to recover if things went wrong. But every stage of her plan had worked to ensure the Fire Hawk's safety. Very few of the destroyer's weapons were in a position to deal with an attack from behind- after all, the Star Destroyers had been built with the intention to be used in full-frontal assaults. And thus, with Shadow Squadron and the remnants of Fulcrum Squadron providing fighter support, the Fire Hawk soon reached a position directly below the Star Destroyer's ventral hangar.
"It's over," thought Ahsoka.
Fulcrum Four and Fulcrum Six escaped just in time. The final remaining frigate wasn't so lucky. Both Maul and Ahsoka dove towards the planet's surface- seeking refuge in the planet's atmosphere from what they both knew was coming.
And then, it happened. The rhydonium fuel stashed aboard the Fire Hawk was ignited. A breathtaking wave of colour exploded from the doomed ship, utterly obliterating it and the Star Destroyer above. Bits of scorched metal rained from the sky as Ahsoka and Maul's fighters made haste towards the Malachor's surface. And as the pair touched down, Ahsoka couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. So much had happened. So many had fallen. And yet, her plan had worked. The Fire Hawk, once a proud symbol of defiance against the Empire, had been reduced to little more than ash and dust. Their fleet had been torn asunder. And yet, things had proceeded precisely as Ahsoka intended.
Maul was right in saying that the Star Destroyer could not be allowed to remain in play- but the potential for reinforcements to arrive represented an even more significant risk. And so, simply disabling the Star Destroyer wouldn't be enough. Ahsoka's plan necessitated that the Star Destroyer be shattered. Shattering the Star Destroyer above Malachor in such a dramatic fashion served a purpose beyond eliminating a single vessel- the explosion she'd set off had been perfectly positioned to turn the enormous destroyer into a dense and deadly field of orbiting durasteel debris. In doing so, she'd made approaching Malachor virtually impossible for all but the most skilled of pilots, while rendering geosynchronous orbit too hazardous for any capital ships to attempt orbital bombardment. Even if the Empire had called reinforcements, it didn't matter. Because thanks to Ahsoka's plan, she and Maul were safe.
Yet a doubt nagged at the back of her mind- for this safety had been purchased with an ocean of blood.
