Chapter Four:
Hyperspace Shipping Route Attack
The Jor Lokas Nebula space lane, between the Mid Rim and the Outer Rim, four parsecs from the Gulmi sector. The Ralquary Imperial class transport flew through its intended route, accompanied by four fighters and the Da'feth, a Lamba class shuttle.
The transport's cargo?
A crate full of Kyber Crystals picked up from Gul as well as Vika 9 in the Varlori sector. In the last several planetary rotations, the Ralquary had been given several escorts in light of various attacks that had taken place in a few sectors. Many of these attacks had been coordinated pirate attacks, while some attackers were active droid fighter squadrons fighting for whatever remained of the CIS after the war.
Yet, there was something about the attacks that raised some eyebrows. Pirates didn't attack shipment routes, not unless there was something of interest on the ships they were attacking. However, when the attacks took place, the pirates would attack until there was nothing left.
Captain Nex Ru'th'r, a decorated Clone Wars veteran, stood on the bridge of the Ralquary, his eyes on the stars itself. The ship would jump to hyperspace soon, once it had met up with the Distribution and the cargo had been loaded on board. Nex knew why they were carrying those crystals, it was for a greater purpose, the very purpose the Empire was made to do.
"Status report?" Nex asked clearly to his men.
"Cargo remains secure and heavily guarded." A trooper reported, "Scheduled rendezvous will be in four minutes, the ship is on its way."
"Captain, we're receiving a transmission." A pilot spoke up as the dashboard beeped.
"Patch it through." Nex instructed, "And see who it's from.
"It's from Imperial Command. Director Krennic is asking for an update on the next shipment of Kyber Crystals."
"Make sure the transmission is on a secure channel, I will speak with Krennic."
The pilot and co-pilot worked at the com channel, making sure that everything was in order. Seconds later, a hologram activated, showing the image of Director Orson Krennic in his full white uniform with decently combed hair. Nex stepped forward, facing Krennic directly, and prepared to speak with his commanding officer.
"Director Krennic." Nex said coolly, "I expected to speak with you soon."
"Is your cargo secure, captain?" Krennic asked, "While we are experiencing delays with construction, the delivery of the Kyber crystals is still important. I have received a report regarding attacks on shipping lanes, you've been made aware of the situation, yes?"
"The cargo is safe and heavily secured, Director. And we are aware of the recent attacks, and we've accepted the fighter escorts with the assurance that we will be heavily defended until we've made the delivery, but we do not expect an attack to take place in this sector. Having navigated the Galaxy for years, I have made sure we stay out of hostile lanes and..."
An alarm began to beep.
"Sir, we have ships coming out of hyperspace." The pilot reported, "Fighter class."
Before Nex could continue speaking with Krennic, a squadron of fighters made their appearance in a flash of light and a BWOOSH sound, the unmistakable effect of a ship emerging from lightspeed. The fighters streaked towards the transport and the fighters along with the shuttle. And, as they came closer, Nex could see the fighters had a rusty red-black color scheme with skull symbols.
Pirates. And yet, their fighters weren't the only ships to appear, they were accompanied by a trio of Vulture-class droid fighters that appeared to have rolled off the assembly line recently as if the Clone Wars had never ended.
"WE'RE BEING ATTACKED!" Nex shouted, "EVASIVE ACTION!"
It was the pirates who attacked first, before the Imperial fighters could make a move to defend the cruiser. Streaks of red light screamed from the barrels of every ship, taking out the V-Wings and TIE Fighters. A Vulture Droid fired at the Da'feth, striking off one of its wings, and another blasted every inch of the ship until it went down.
Imperial troops aboard the Ralquary scrambled to their guns, ready to fight, but the pirates moved fast and blasted away at the cruiser's walls. Alarms screamed and Imperial officers scattered as explosions rocked the ship. A wall in one corridor exploded from the blaster fire, causing several Imperial Clones to be sucked out into space along with a mouse droid.
"SIR, WE'VE LOST THE HYPERDRIVE!" The pilot screamed to Nex as another alarm blared.
"A pity we can't send reinforcements, Captain." Krennic told Nex, who could barely hear him as static engulfed the transmission, "*kssh* But this *kssh* shall *kssh* mean more delays for us, unless these *kssh* attacks cease..."
The pirate squadron swooped in for another attack and Nex braced himself, knowing that the Empire would hardly grieve for him. Seconds later, the ship was engulfed in a fiery explosion along with the cargo it was carrying. As the ship exploded, the Kyber exploded with it, releasing a colorful shockwave that lit up the stars and creating a ripple in the energy field of The Force...