[2 BBY]
[Command Bridge, Command Deck, Imperial Navy V-series, Valiant-class, Star Destroyer Valiant, Second Independent Squadron Imperial Second Fleet, Fondor System, Colonies Sector, Tapani Free Worlds. Free Worlds Confederacy]
"Damage to forward battery two-B. Repairs underway"
"Shielding recharge complete. Reactivating secondary barriers"
"Target Hit! Impacts on Hostile 116….damaged estimated to aft bridge!"
There was a steady stream of information flowing around, and too, Commodore Hera Syndulla as the Imperial and Droid fleets stood in a Wall of Battle facing the incoming New Republic Navy's Second Fleet. Vice Admiral Thrawn had arrived with his detachment, swinging in on the starboard lower flank of the NRN, and awaiting the arrival of the rest of the Imperial Second Fleet. The formation was slightly off in Hera's mind, as there were cracks in that flank where NRN X-wings were now seeking to breakthrough in large numbers. It was causing issues for her squadron being on the flank of the wall, watching as the screens were illuminated with waves of flashing energies of every colour, marked by explosions as the fleets manoeuvred in tight formation.
Her own Valiant was forced to fight at an angle rather than head on as an Imperial Star Destroyer was designed to give maximum firepower arcs. It was putting significant pressure on the battleship style V-series, as well as the Hammerhead-II heavy cruisers, as their escorts were diverted to the flanks to handle the enemy starfighter swarms. Now the battle in the vast 'centre' had devolved into a brutal slugging match between the two allied fleets and what was estimated at the entire Republican Second Fleet. Second Fleet plus reinforcements perhaps, as the numbers were slightly higher than expected variables according to the analyst systems. Even with the devastating blow to their penal squadrons the Republicans were coming forward with stubborn determination and aggression.
They've brought in two Super Star Destroyers as the spearhead of that charge, surrounded by a core of several dozen Liberty-II Star Destroyers. Though it was proving a sluggish advance at best to Hera's eye, with a bulge formed in the centre where the Republican's had pushed forward…but not far forward enough to fall into the trap of being flanked. Instead the NRN had halted just before hitting that point, indicating they were led by idiots unfortunately, and now a long-range engagement had broken out in the centre as the Fondorian fleet tried to lure that centre forward while the outer 'Wall' held firm and fought a vicious close-in engagement as Hera's own squadron had to do. The only difference was the wild and furious starfighter engagement where Hera was centre versus the limited numbers in the centre and inner flank-wall…
Simply put it was suicide to try fighter heavy tactics in those areas of the battle, whether droid-fighter or starfighter, as the integrated defensive fields of missiles, light turbolasers, and even a few 'shotgun' torpedoes had rendered these as near no-go zones. Such areas were normally where the NRN had deployed their penal forces in the northern crusade, but they'd never faced a large, professional, force there compared to the vast fleet assembled here in defence of Fondor. But the chaos of the droids 'surprise' had crippled that attack vector, today at least, and now it was the elite core of the Republican starfighter corps on the field…and there was no way those were being wasted in suicidal charges against the front of a battle wall.
'No, instead they are here. Kriffing with our forces' she wanted to growl, but held a stoic look, calling out orders and listening to the swirl of information and requests. The Valiant was modern V-series, but even he shuddered occasionally with the sheer volume being thrown out from the starship and thrown towards it and forced to absorb in retaliation. There were even delays as recharge was occurring almost too swiftly at times, as the engagement went on and on, and gunnery reported danger of overheating even from section chiefs!
"Swap positions with Vengeful Spectre" she commanded in response to that growing problem, as well as losing a forward heavy battery "Cover from Hammer of Ages and Conqueror's Heritage as we turnover!"
On her holo-displays she watched another wave of TIEs and Fondorian heavy interceptors race to intercept the enemy some X-wings in a vast clash that was the cause of her light batteries starting to get overwhelmed. The issue was being repeated on the escorts too, and it was an ever-shifting display with each glance it seemed to a stressed twi'lek as commanded her squadron as the commands from above to hold the line. So many in motion that even she couldn't tell who was winning or losing the fight, her sole focus being on dealing with those enemy units seeking to work their way around the 'flank' of the 'Wall' to make a successful attack. How many had died to her commands today?
Her eyes watched and her lips moved. Many and more, that was the story….
[2 BBY]
[Command Bridge, Command Deck, Imperial Navy V-series, Vigilant-class, Star Destroyer Chimaera, Battlegroup Chimaera, Imperial Second Fleet, Fondor System, Colonies Sector, Tapani Free Worlds. Free Worlds Confederacy]
The New Republic Navy was quite predictable at times Mitth'raw'nuruodo, called by the United Federal Empire as Thrawn, had learned rather quickly in his studies of them. A curiously problematic dynamic at times as they were simplistic in though process at times, especially in comparison to the rather advanced in planning, yet deeply corrupt, predecessor force under the prior regime. Useful to see what was to come, but also less beneficial than would be thought at first glance by his superiors; simplistic in thought and form perhaps, but that focus, and straightforward approach did not translate into stupidity. Such as here and now; the NRN had deployed in force their Second Fleet but had already shown willingness to withdraw beyond a certain point.
For, they too, were aware of their own fanaticism and simplistic nature. They could be out thought and out fought, and they were aware of such defects and done much to make conflicts suit to their needs.
Fondor would not fall this day. The forces set against it were insufficient, and the Republicans would suffer the heavier casualties regardless, and then be forced to retreat. Well within the NRN's 'pain tolerance' as he had judged such things. A problem, as that allowed them the initiative in the coming conflict, and with the coming of the Far Outsiders such problems needed to be mitigated. The droids little surprise was…not unexpected in truth, but a welcome one, but it had put a timer on events as the NRN's Second Fleet would not continue with such losses when they had no longer access to easily deployable fodder. It was a stunningly wasteful and callous entity in his estimation, perhaps even moreso than the Vaagari and other such barbarians were. No, to inflict a hard loss here would need to be through means less direct, and less obvious that pain had been inflicted in the longer run.
He had withdrawn himself from the frantic noise of the fore-bridge, instead standing within the calm and quiet of the rear-bridge that existed on the Vigilant variant of the V-series Star Destroyer. There was an artful dance taking place, and there was limited need to focus upon the grander scale of the battle in the centre and the outer wall. Kalani, the droid, and his subordinates were sufficient to ensure Fondor held strong, and the swirling chaos of the starfighter and droid-fighter clash. Tracking such a melee was truly difficult, but also vital to achieve a useful victory from this engagement. A victory was certainly to be achieved, but such victories had occurred for the defenders in the galactic north and had merely resulted in battles won, and a war lost in the long run as industrial strength came to bear. No, the NRN could not be allowed to dictate the pace of this conflict in regard to Fondor.
It was why his focus was upon the chaotic engagement of thousands of fighters rather than upon the larger engagement with great battle fleets. The NRN would retreat when such a fleet was threatened. They were predictable in such a situation, and the interdiction efforts were already at maximum. But their predictability could be exploited in other methodologies, ones they favoured in battle – a gap here, a crack there, where nimble and heavily armed X-wings could inflict heavy damage. Something they had grasped with eagerness, as shorn of their fodder they had only one tool for such a task, and, almost instinctively, they had committed that, till now largely idle, force.
Those were a worthwhile prize as the combination of highly skilled pilot, fanatical loyalty, and general command competence was far more difficult to recruit than the ship crews, even the Republican commanders, which valued loyalty and commitment over ability. So they had been drawn in as he had planned, before the arrival of his superiors and the whole of the Imperial Second Fleet…
Watching as said fleet transmitted into real-space at the edge of the system's extensive interdiction fields as had been planned. Time to allow the NRN to withdraw as the Imperial Fleet came in on the flank to reinforce Mitth'raw'nuruodo's overextended force. Lifting a piece off the holo-display Thrawn placed it down anew, signalling the command to throw in the reserve starfighter units, along with the gunships that had been held back, to cut in against the retreating point of the X-wings. The price would be high, but far less than the Republicans as the Imperial Navy would remain upon the field while the Republicans would be retreating soon enough. The big advantage of the X-wing over the TIE was its hyperspace abilities, with the TIEs an emergency feature compared to the X-wings system mobility. But, with interdictors active, and that ability cut off…
There…a means to an end completed he mused as the piece served as a block on the board in his mind. Watch as the battle momentarily intensified as reinforcements arrived….
Then the Republicans cut their losses after an hour after the full weight of the Empire's fleet came into the Wall of Battle. Objective complete.