[3 BBY]
[Unnamed System, Outbound Flight, Utegetu Nebula, Unknown Regions]

The Imperial Fleet of the United Federal Empire roots came from what had once the professional core of the Grand Army of the Republic, and before that the officer corps of the Judiciary forces and the mercenary fleets of the Outer Rim. As with most Successor States arising from the Fall of the Galactic Republic, the disintegration of its Grand Army, the Star Destroyer formed the core of its combat fleets, though the manner of how that fleet core differed radically from it's other primary Republican Successor State's navy, the New Republic Navy in how such vessels functioned. For the New Republic Navy, regardless of government, the Star Destroyer was seen as jack-of-all-trades, intended to provide fire-support, serve as a carrier, and to deploy marine forces in much the same manner as the Venator-class that served as the testbed of both successor states Star Destroyer programmes.

For the Imperial Fleet the Star Destroyer was seen as force multiplier, but a focused one, influenced by both the brutal lessons of the transformation of then GAR-South into the various evolutions of the early Imperial Fleet to battle a revolving door of foes. Further impacting was the extensive, but also smaller and wider-spread, nature of Imperial shipbuilding versus the highly concentrated and centuries deep shipbuilding traditions of the Core worlds. While the Imperial Fleet could, and did, produce vessels in the size-range of the New Republic Navy, these were few in number and retained the focused nature of design that was shown clearly in the V-series Star Destroyer.

Where the Old Republic, and the New Republic's, militaries had settled upon a more generalised model, with size increases to perform yet more difficult or daunting missions, the United Federal Empire had moved to a more taskforce, or fleet-role model. This was reflected in the V-series primary contrast being between the 'gunboat' and 'carrier' classes of the series. Where other successor states Star Destroyers often possessed both turbolasers and starfighters, along with a ground invasion force, an Imperial 'gunboat' V-series class was a combat platform dedicated almost solely to spaceborne combat, or orbital support. Where non-imperial vessels would utilise significant internal space for barracks, mech bays, support logistics, carrier bays, 'gunboat' V-series was simply filled with armour, more armour, power generators often three to four times that of a larger NRN model Star Destroyer, and firepower placed along to two 'spines' to provide both 'under' and 'over' firepower unlike the NRN Liberty-class for instance, doubling the firepower of the V-series.

A similar effort had been made with 'carrier' classes, though these did somewhat fall into the battle-carrier model with the reflection of the Venator-class 'dna' in its core. Still, this focus in design ensured that while armed with turbolasers sufficient to overwhelm cruiser-strength vessels while possessing the maximum number of star-fighters and droid-fighters achievable for their size. While lacking the heavy armour of its opposite variant, the class did possess powerful shields and 'light' turbloser batteries for anti-missile and anti-fighter defence, and never moved without an escort. Indeed Imperial Fleet doctrine ensured a 'gunboat' and 'carrier' almost always moved together in a pair, along with specialised escorts in what was seen as a tried-and-true method of power projection in the Rims.

The Imperial Fifth Fleet were, as such, a reflection of this methodology as Taskforce Vigilant Wanderer went about its secret mission. Save for the addition of the rarely V-series class, a Vigilant-class Command and Control variant which was less armed and armoured than the 'gunboat', possessed a fraction of the fighters of the 'carrier', but possessed thick armour and power generators and other odd fixtures. Beyond this oddity Taskforce Vigilant Wanderer could be considered an almost textbook Interregnum period Imperial Fleet force. Three Star Destroyers forming its core, with heavy escorts in the shape of two Hammerhead II-class Heavy Cruisers alongside six allied Chiss cruisers in close support, and thirty-six frigates and corvettes of various types to serve as support. Crewed by the best trained and most aggressive officers and crews, led by hardened and ruthless veterans of the Fall of the Republic, it saw itself as the premier military forces in the Mid and Outer Rims, if not in the galaxy as a whole.

Such factors…might have been enough to draw the scouts of the extra-galactic invaders towards them, to test mettle, to slaughter 'worthy' foes. But, on this day, these things were but an added benefit, a wonderful taste of pain in their song of bloodshed as dozens of Yorik-et charged forth towards battle, unleashing fleshy starfighters and charging dovin basal. For the titanic wreck they had sought to gather information from, to serve as testbed for the Shapers of Flesh's newest creations, was being invaded. Not only that but a valuable mind, minds, was open to be sought out and torn from flesh; valuable information to extract from screaming flesh. Eager for battle they charged forth, determined to slaughter all and leave no trace. This day would be a test, by blood and battle, for the children of one galaxy against those of another…

[Command Bridge, Command Deck, V-series, Vigilant-class Star Destroyer All Seeing Eye, Taskforce Vigilant Wanderer, Imperial Fifth Fleet, Unnamed System, Wreck-site Outbound Flight, Utegetu Nebula, Unknown Regions]

I'd been torn from my relatively brief bit of sleep by the scream of alarms, then the words of alarm through my communicator from the bridge. Multiple unknown contacts, breaching into real-space at the edge of our taskforce's deployed grav-interdiction field beacons. There'd be no time to dress properly, but I was a mage as much a Force User, and 'prestidigitation' and 'dress self' had my clothes and armour on as if preparing for many minutes as I'd rushed out of my bed towards the bridge. Time that couldn't be wasted it seemed as I strode unto the bridge of my current flagship, the vessel shuddering underneath me even as the security doors opened, guards stepping aside.

"Status report!" was my command, feeling my Apprentice awakened and racing towards the bridge through our bond, but my focus was on the battle. I knew, by the absence of feeling in the Force, what was the likely result, but I needed information now more than ever. There was a frantic, but not panicked, flow of commands and reports coming through as voices formed a babble below me, the holo-displays shimmering dozens of angry red icons of foes. Then many, many, more as hundreds of starfighters were clearly launching – along with giant rocks?

"Admiral!" Captain Komad straightened from her screen, turning and salute quickly "Unknown forces have arrived in system. They came out without any warning and immediately engaged our ready forces! They are deploying starfighters and launching asteroids the taskforce by unknown means! Our pre-deployed DMBs have launched! Ion DIBs are firing!"

"Asteroid?" I asked stalking over to the holo-display "That was the shuddering?"

"Yessir, shields down by a fifth. Recharge underway"

"Launch Ready…no, launch all star-fighter and droid-fighter squadrons!" I ordered, immediately making the decision to stand and fighter with my back to the wreck of the Outbound Flight after surveying the battlefield and arriving forces. This was likely the Vong or a catspaw of theirs. There was nothing in the Force, but I trained in such things, and would fight as I had been trained as a non-Jedi during the war "Fleet reform into close formation, Parvanis-Two! Starlight Wanderer as Van of our Wedge, Hammerheads flanking! Bombers to form up behind us, fighters on flanks, escorts to engage at range!"

Then turned to the twi'lek captain "Signal to Admiral Ar'alani! Get her to form up her cruisers with us, or on our right flank here…" I motioned at the holo-display "…if there are comm-command-link issues"

As she moved away, I turned back to command, watching as the fire wave of defences were overwhelmed as the enemy charged forward with relentless speed. The grasers amongst the pre-deployed missile pods seemed to have some effect, but the ion canons and mines had none…which was backed up as images of bulbous and clearly alive organic warships flashed on images. Gravitational alerts began to flash, watching as missiles were torn out of their orbit, or crushed by gravity wells that came into sudden existence. Thankfully the missiles were newer, more modern, pumped energy systems that fired from a distance their powerful charge rather than relying purely on close impact as in the Clone Wars. Yet, even then…

'Well, that's unfortunate' I watched on my screen as a grasers energy beam literally warped and bent as two enemy starfighters went past it, others clearly grabbing and flinging asteroids at us…

I focused. No. Not entirely asteroids. Pressed comms "All vessels be alert for boarders! Scan for breaches! I want all squads to evacuate the Outboard Flight and prepare for evac or insertion per Plan Delta!"

Turned, gestured to a droid section operator, the senior one "Order prep of deployment of swarmer droids!"

That was knowledge in mind of a time not here, but seeing what we'd seen in the hull of the Outbound Flight gave me every reason to prepare the merry bug-droids. Even if the enemy fighters weren't mechanical, and less impacted by the CIS derived saboteurs, they could be used to deal with the organic gremlins I was sure this foe was going to have. Because the things in the former colony ship hinted at such concerns. It was already in motion though, the taskforce reoriented into a 'triangle' of the Star Destroyers, the gunboat the front, while two heavy cruisers flanked us, all beginning to pour turbolaser fire into the approaching foes alongside the various lighter escorts and Chiss vessels.

TIE fighters and droid-fighters poured out of the carrier Vibrant Viridian, shields flaring as they moved, forming up to my commands as massed fire annihilated dozens of enemy starfighters and two vessels. There was nothing larger than a cruiser out there, yet they charged into my fleet without fear, seeking to flank us as well…no, to seek closer combat I judged as Tionne arrived on the bridge. My eyes moved over the battle in motion, as shields on my forward vessels were reported to being 'slammed' or 'moved' by sudden gravitational anomalies that 'tore at them'. I nodded.

I had found the Vong. Evidence of them for High Command.

Now I had to find a means to survive to bring I back…