With their vessels prepped and ready, the Imperial forces lined up together for the first hyperspace jump. As the bow of the Ethereal swung around, Laceeya watched as the distant world of Nyar Three left the viewport. She hoped that she’d be alive to see it again.
Whatever happened, at least she’d had those perfect few hours with Bren down on the surface of the world. She wanted to have the chance to experience that again. She wanted the chance at a normal, happy life.
She clenched and relaxed her jaw forcibly. There were many obstacles that stood in the way, the Grysks being a monumental one. It was time to take a step towards clearing that obstacle.
Engines thrumming, the Ethereal put distance between it and Nyar Three, driving out of the planet’s mass shadow. In front, behind, and to the sides were the other warships. It was an exceptionally formidable force. Hopefully it would be enough, Laceeya thought grimly.
Laceeya heard the murmur of voices as the hyperspace calculations were completed and sent to the other ships. Seated in her chair, she received a transmission from Vice Admiral Ilcunor to proceed, and together, the ships entered the realm of hyperspace.
Now there would be two days of travel. Two days of planning, researching, and exploring every aspect she could find to aid in winning the upcoming battle. Two days of worry and dread.
Two days for fear to sink its teeth into her.
As the mottled stars streaked past the viewport, Laceeya wondered to herself what exactly lurked around the corner. What would await the Hand’s forces in the Kwenast system? The fleet was speeding through hyperspace, heading rapidly towards the answer. Would it be a whole Grysk armada, their forces bolstered by the numerous clients who served them?
Laceeya shook off the thoughts. It was all too easy to get sucked into fears and doubts. It was the default place her mind liked to run to when idle, particularly with a battle looming in the near future. She sighed softly, seated in her command chair on the bridge, absently looking through the displays mounted before her.
Laceeya reassured herself that Vice Admiral Ilcunor’s fleet was with her task force. Their combined force was nothing to be reckoned with, as the Grysks and Audeenaxu had so recently learned at Nyar Three. Ilcunor’s forces included the massively powerful Imperial I-Class Star Destroyer Voidhunter, a retrofitted and heavily upgraded Dreadnought-Class heavy cruiser, a couple Carrack-Class light cruisers, two retrofitted Arquitens-Class command cruisers, three Raider-Class corvettes, a Charger C70 corvette, and a few Gozantis.
It was an impressive display of force, all together. Hopefully it would be enough to deal a solid blow to the Grysks, and complete the objective of taking out the mines on Kwenast.
Laceeya was drawing up battle plans and tactics on the displays. She studied records of past encounters with the Grysks and their subservient forces. She wanted to be as prepared as possible, and she was doing everything she could think to do in order to save lives, to win the upcoming battle and complete their objective.
Laceeya knew better than to think every warrior in the fleet would make it to the other side. She didn’t try to lie to herself thinking that they would all survive. It was likely to be a very bloody and costly battle. But she was going to be damn sure that she did everything within her power to keep her people alive.
The thought of it drudged up memories of Joak. Thinking about him left a hollow feeling in her chest. No one would ever get to experience his laugh and uplifting presence again. The other pilots lost as well, each was missed by many others in the same way Joak was by her.
She pursed her lips as she surveyed data of the Grysk destroyer from the first encounter with the Grysks at Nyar Three. The same ship had been spotted around the Kwenast system, so she expected to face it again. Although the mighty destroyer would have been repaired by now, it had suffered severe wounds by the Hand. Perhaps there would be structural weaknesses from its past damage that could be taken advantage of.
They’d faced the same model of Grysk light cruiser on multiple occasions now as well, destroying one at the first skirmish at Nyar Three. One of the cloaked Grysk vessels had likewise been the same variant of ship. Defeating it in the past provided valuable information on the ships layout, and that knowledge could help prove instrumental in defeating similar models in the future.
The tunnel of hyperspace was replaced by stars as the Ethereal popped back into realspace, as it did regularly on a journey, the other vessels in the fleet shortly joining it. Drop out of hyperspace, consult charts, calculate the next jump, reposition, and then jump back to hyperspace. A minute later the ships were back on their way, the view once again shifting to the blurred vortex of stars.
The emptiness of the cold and dark void of the outer Kwenast system was interrupted by the arrival of the Hand’s forces. They dropped out of hyperspace in quick succession, a formidable array of vessels, enough to make most enemies cower in fear.
Laceeya’s glowing red eyes scanned the bridge of the Ethereal, falling on each of the officers and crew. There was subtle anxiety and tension there, but there was primarily confidence and trust. Trust that their commander would get them through to the other side.
Laceeya hoped that their trust wasn’t misplaced.
In preparation, her ship had already been brought to battle readiness a few minutes prior, and all the pilots were located in their fighters and the crew and gunners at their stations.
The stars shone brightly ahead of the Ethereal, and the yellow sun of the Kwenast system could hardly be distinguished from the countless other points of light. Laceeya found her eyes unconsciously drifting to gaze out the side viewport, at the vast and familiar swirl of red and purple clouds that was the Sharasil nebula. She grimaced at the memories of the Ethereal’s harrowing trek through the murky haze of the nebula.
But they’d survived that challenge. And now, another dangerous trial awaited.
Laceeya inhaled deeply, straightening her back and clasping her hands behind her waist. She turned from the viewport to face the bridge. Her fiery crimson gaze swept across the officers and crew. She cleared her throat. “I have a feeling we’re going to have a hell of a fight on our hands,” Laceeya began, her smooth alto voice raised so everyone could hear. “I’d be lying if I said people weren’t going to die. But we’ve all seen plenty of evidence of the Grysks’ evil, and we all know how dangerous cloaking technology can be in their hands.”
She swallowed, licking her lips nervously. “They won’t stop at anything to conquer. Preventing continued access to the resources they need for cloaking tech is key, and in the long run it’ll pay off in more ways than we could see. The battle’s likely to be bloody. So trust in each other, trust your instincts and training, and think about all the people the Grysks have hurt and caused to suffer. Let the idea of putting a stop to that focus you. Think about your friends, your brothers and sisters and siblings here, and fight as hard as you can to keep them alive.” She paused to take a deep breath. “I couldn’t ask for a better crew, and I’m so proud to be your commander. Trust each other, fight for each other, and we’ll get through this.”
Laceeya exhaled slowly upon the completion of her speech.
“Rikal, open the task force channel.” She said.
“Yes ma’am.” Rikal promptly replied, tapping a few buttons.
“This is Commodore Laceeya,” She spoke. “All ships check in.”
One by one, the other commanders of her task force signaled their readiness. Their ships were primed for battle, their crews standing by in anticipation. “Make your final preparations for combat.” She received confirmation of her orders from the other commanders.
She took a deep breath. “Remember what we’re fighting for,” She said into the speaker. “We’re fighting to protect all those people who can’t protect themselves from the Grysks. I have a feeling it’s going to be a tough battle, but I’ll be doing everything I can to get us all to the other side.” She let out a long breath.
“Switch to the Vice Admiral’s channel.” Laceeya told Rikal. A moment later, she was speaking to Ilcunor. “Vice Admiral, my task force is prepared and ready for combat, sir.”
“Good. Thank you, Commodore,” Ilcunor’s commanding voice responded. ”We will proceed momentarily.”
“Yes sir. May warriors fortune smile on our efforts today.” Laceeya said.
“Indeed, Commodore.” Ilcunor replied gravely. “Indeed.”
The Doomweaver hung in space over the planet like a deadly parasite preparing to latch onto its host. General Kazrus looked down on the Kwenast homeworld from the bridge of his huge flagship. His flagship and a portion of his fleet, supported by a group of Fariivi client warships, had just recently arrived in the system after days of grueling travel. There had been no word from the forces sent to Nyar Three in that time.
Kazrus was now certain of their destruction. There was no other explanation for why they wouldn’t have responded by now. He felt his lip twist in a sneer of hatred at the thought of the Hand. They had cost him and the Grysks far too much. But he’d make certain they would pay. Soon.
Yes, the Grysks had lost three cloaked cruisers. Those were immensely valuable assets, washed away. But the operations in the Kwenast system were still proceeding smoothly, and the bolstered defenses would be sure to keep it that way.
Strolling over behind the main sensor officers station, Kazrus gazed absently at the display. Without warning, a small speck appeared on the display, catching Kazrus’s eye. Multiple other dots flickered into existence around the first.
“General,” The raspy voice of his sensor officer called out. “Multiple ships have been detected arriving from hyperspace.”
Kazrus narrowed his eyes at the distant specks on the screen. “Battle stations,” He snapped. “All pilots to their fighter-craft.”
There was likely only one group it could be.
The Empire of the Hand.
“Hyperspace jump in three…two…one…now.”
With a flicker of blurred stars, the Ethereal arrived. The distant half circle of the Kwenast homeworld stood out against the icy darkness of space. On either side of the Class-546B light cruiser, the other ships of Laceeya’s task force likewise popped out of hyperspace.
Laceeya’s gaze moved from ship to ship. The 900 meter armored grey wedge of the Victory I-Class Star Destroyer, packed with turbolasers and missiles. A pair of Raider-Class corvettes. The broad and flat triangular Quasar Fire-Class cruiser carrier, its hangars holding numerous squadrons of deadly starfighters, each with a pilot seated inside and ready. The Lancer-Class frigate, its twenty quad laser cannons ready to tear apart enemy fighters. Five of the small VT-49 Decimators.
And in the center, Laceeya’s Class-546B light cruiser, her vessel bristling with assorted weaponry. Thousands of lives under her command. Thousands of lives that were at risk.
“Sensors, full scan.” Laceeya called out, running her hands over the sides of her pants in anticipation. She was certainly nervous, but she felt focused and in control.
For the moment at least. Setting her jaw, she was determined to keep it that way.
“Yes ma’am, already on it.” Frenara replied with a nod, working away on his console.
“And bring the shields up to full strength.” Laceeya added, clasping her hands behind her back in an effort to rein in her fidgeting.
“Picking up a number of small and midsize warships in orbit.” Frenara reported. “Nothing that’s larger than a cruiser. I’m able to see the big Kwenast orbital station, but nothing on the Grysk station so far.”
Laceeya nodded in acknowledgment, pursing her lips. “It should be in view around the edge of the planet when we get closer. They’re probably hiding their larger warships around the far side of the planet,” She said. “Or elsewhere in the system, and it’s possible there’s cloaked vessels as well. But I assume we’ll find out soon enough.” She added grimly.
“Yes ma’am.” Frenara replied.
“Let me know if there’s any sort of movement from those ships,” Laceeya said. She bit the inside of her cheek. “I assume we’re still too far out to identify them?”
Frenara nodded, grimacing slightly. “That’s correct. We’ll need to be a bit closer for a definitive identification, ma’am. But from what I can tell from here, their configurations match Kwenast vessels.”
“Understood. Captain, deploy the fighters and have them shut down their engines,” Laceeya told Harax. She turned to Shyka at the weapons station. “Stand by with the tractor beam.”
“I’m on it.” Shyka confirmed, shooting her a tight smile.
One at a time, the starfighters popped out of the bow hangar bay. They emerged, shutting down their engines and systems, going dark. With the fighters’ systems offline, it was a challenge to make out their small forms against the dark backdrop.
Closely studying the sensor display, Laceeya took note of the planet’s mass shadow. Gears turned in her brain as she ran through calculations, paying careful attention to the edges of the gravity well and hyperspace egress points. It was key that everything be set up just right.
Stepping over beside Shyka, Laceeya peered at the display screen. “Establish a tractor lock on the first fighter,” Laceeya told her. “And send it along vector…114 by 249. Full power. Send the rest of the squadron to follow, full power with the tractor beam.”
“Got it, ma’am.” Shyka said, setting to work on her given task.
Laceeya took a few steps over to the communications console. “Open a channel with the task force.”
“Yes ma’am.” Rikal said, giving her a nod a moment later after she’d opened the channel as ordered.
“Captain Temana,” Laceeya greeted. “I want you to slingshot Scythe squadron like we discussed, along the vector I’m sending to you. Make sure they’re fully dark, and sent with maximum power on the tractor beam.”
“Understood, Commodore.” Temana responded. “We’ll get right on it.”
“Good,” Laceeya said, nodding to herself as she watched Shyka send the starfighters soaring along quietly and stealthily through space. This was a paramount part of the plan. “Senior Captain Farwick, you’ll do the same with the squadron of Clawcraft that we prepared, along a separate vector, half power on the tractor beam.”
“Very good, ma’am,” Farwick confirmed. “We won’t let you down.”
“I know,” Laceeya replied. She pursed her lips, her fiery eyes narrowed to slits as she gazed out the viewport. Her body was brimming with anticipation. The first pieces were sliding into place. She could only hope that the Grysks responded as she expected.
Kazrus narrowed his eyes in suspicion as he examined the sensor data of the enemy ships. They seemed to be simply floating there in space, biding their time. What were they waiting for? No movement or activity from or around them had been detected since their departure from hyperspace.
“What information do you have on those vessels?” Kazrus questioned.
“The vessels match the layouts of those used by Commodore Laceeya.” The sensor officer answered.
Kazrus’s lip twisted in a sneer. Commodore Laceeya. She’d become a known figure among his forces, thanks to the harm she’d inflicted upon the Grysks. All of them were familiar with the vessels she commanded.
Finally, she would be within his reach. Finally, he would make her pay. “Very well.” He rasped softly. “Today will mark the day her luck runs dry.”
Minutes crept slowly by. Likely waiting for Laceeya’s ships to approach and show their intentions, the Grysks had not yet made a move to reveal themselves.
“Get us moving along the specified vector, Apoyarp.” Laceeya ordered, pointing out the direction. She chewed her lower lip. “Signal the rest of the task force to do the same.”
“Will do, Commodore.” Apoyarp promptly responded, putting the Ethereal into motion. The quiet hum of the engines rose as the distant planet‘s relative location began to shift. The Ethereal’s approach vector had it moving not straight in toward the Kwenast homeworld, but slightly to the side, in the direction of where the mines on the planet’s surface would be.
With the darkened starfighters on their way at carefully planned speed on their precisely estimated vectors, the first stage of the plan was set. Hopefully, it would work as well as Laceeya had imagined it.
She tapped her fingers against her thigh as the thrusters of the Ethereal and the other ships pushed them forward.
“Getting some better readings on the orbiting vessels, ma’am,” Frenara said, inspecting his display. “They look to be all Kwenast ships, and seem to be repositioning ever so slightly.”
“Got it,” Laceeya said, narrowing her glowing red eyes.
“Wait…” Frenara’s voice said again. “I’m picking up ships coming around from behind the planetary disk,” He studied his displays closer, pressing a few keys on his console. “They seem to be Grysks.” He reported, his voice dark.
“Looks that way,” Laceeya agreed, turning to look over his shoulder. There were a number of vessels, corvettes and gunships, frigates and cruisers. “Keep us on our current heading.” She swallowed nervously, examining the array of distant vessels. She was certain there were others; the Grysks wouldn’t have kept them all in orbit around the planet. If the intel provided by Zan’parrar was correct, the Grysks kept their destroyer and a few other vessels at one of the other planets in the system.
“Commodore,” Frenara’s voice said tightly. “Enemy ships just dropped out of hyperspace.” Right on schedule, Laceeya thought grimly. Based on the location of the Grysk capital ships’ arrival, they’d jumped in from hyperspace from another planet in the system. Just as Laceeya had expected. An important aspect of her plan had been crafted around that point, based on the intel provided by Zan’parrar.
“From the two groups, I’m picking up a mix of Grysk ships, and an unfamiliar alien design.” Frenara voiced as he peered over his display. “Well, well, well. Looks like our old friend is here, Commodore.” He said darkly, pointing out the Grysk destroyer on the display.
Laceeya nodded. She could feel as her heart rate sped up in anticipation of the upcoming battle. Even with Ilcunor’s fleet to back them up, the multitude of enemy warships was concerning, striking fear into her heart.
Squaring her shoulders and straightening her posture, Laceeya tried to vanquish the unwanted thoughts and emotions from her mind. “Bring us around, and signal the other ships to follow.” Laceeya ordered.
“Yes ma’am.”
Laceeya heard a sudden sharp inhalation of breath. “Commodore!” Frenara’s called out urgently. “There’s a big warship coming around the planet. Battlecruiser size.” His voice was grim and serious, tension clear in his tone.
Quickly stepping closer to examine the display, she leaned in for a better look. But it wasn’t really necessary. The battlecruiser was massive, almost twice the length of an Imperial-Class Star Destroyer and sporting immense destructive potential. Laceeya silently breathed a curse, her heart skipping a beat. She heard Shyka imperceptibly mutter something under her breath. “Understood.” She managed, swallowing nervously.
“Detecting a gravity well, ma’am,” Frenara reported tightly. “Looks like that interdictor frigate we encountered previously powered up their generator.” Laceeya nodded, pursing her lips. There was no possibility for a quick escape to hyperspace now. Her task force was trapped, committed to the mission.
But she’d expected that. “Mark the edges of the gravity well,” Laceeya told Frenara, the muscles in her cheeks tense. Although, what she hadn’t expected was a warship as large as a battlecruiser to be present.
Rikal turned to face her from the communications station. “Ma’am,” She said, her brow knitted together in puzzlement. “They’re hailing us.”
Laceeya narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “Put them on.” Laceeya said, taking a few steps over to stand beside Rikal, inhaling a slow breath. Being such a secretive species, it wasn’t often that Laceeya had a chance to speak with a Grysk, and she was curious what they had to say. “This is Commodore Laceeya of the Empire of the Hand ship Ethereal.” She spoke in Minnisiat into the speaker.
“Ah, Commodore Laceeya,” A commanding voice replied, raspy yet melodic. The cold and powerful voice sent a chill up Laceeya’s spine. “I have heard much about you. It is a pleasure to finally have the opportunity to speak with you.”
“I’m flattered,” Laceeya answered, hoping the sarcasm was conveyed in Minnisiat.
“Where are your manners, Commodore?” The raspy voice chided. “I have waited too long to meet.” Groups of distant enemy ships were steadily closing in, the massive bulk of the battlecruiser frighteningly large despite its distance. Gnawing the inside of her cheek, she noticed that the huge warship remained far off, just visible around the edge of the planet. It looked to be hugging close to Kwenast, not yet joining the other ships in an offensive position.
”Commodore,” Frenara called out softly, getting Laceeya’s attention. She gestured for Rikal to mute the microphone, walking briskly over to peer around Frenara’s shoulder. “The Grysk orbital station appears to be just at the edge of the planetary horizon, ma’am.” He pointed to the indicated spot on the screen. “And the coordinates of the mines are here.” He shifted his finger. “The battlecruiser and a few escort ships are remaining within range of both.”
Taking another deep breath, Laceeya narrowed her burning red eyes, examining the display while chewing her lower lip in thought. That was their target, the entire reason for the attack. A sensation of dread settled in her stomach. It was the reason many brave warriors would die today. With the size of the enemy fleet, that was now a certainty.
The battlecruiser sitting watchfully and patiently over their objective complicated things even more.
“Got it.” Laceeya sighed. From where they’d had to drop out of hyperspace, the relative location of the mines and the orbital station weren’t directly ahead, but rather a quarter of the way around the planet, requiring her forces to travel for a ways. Laceeya frowned slightly with concern. She’d known that going in, but it still left a lot of space to cover while under assault from the Grysk fleet.
Like hungry groundlions creeping up on their prey and preparing to pounce, the enemy fleet was steadily closing in from multiple directions. One group from behind the planet, and the other that had dropped in from hyperspace that was now arcing around and shifting to block their exit. They’d be in range before long. She rubbed her fingers over her pants, as she closely studied the display screen.
“Take us along vector 298 by 113,” Laceeya called out, spinning around. “Signal the task force to stick with us. Corvettes and gunships cover us against fighters and smaller enemy warships.”
“Very good, ma’am.” Harax responded, immediately relaying orders along the chain of command.
“Yes ma’am.” Apoyarp replied, and the stars and planet outside moved as the Ethereal swung its bow around on its new course.
“Commodore,” The voice from the comm rasped. “Your silence is most insulting.”
She bit her lip. She’d been so busy thinking about the battle plan and had almost forgotten the Grysk who was gloating over the comm.
“I’m sorry,” Laceeya answered sarcastically. “I’m sure you understand the difficulties of commanding a warship.”
“Ah, of course,” The Grysk said knowingly. “Surely you will not be so foolish as to try and attack, while your forces are so outnumbered? I suggest that you surrender, if you and those under your command wish to live past the next hour.” He said coldly.
“So you guarantee our safety?” Laceeya asked, raising an eyebrow.
A short cold and dry laugh sounded from the speaker, sending a shiver down Laceeya’s spine. “I’m afraid not, Commodore,” The Grysk commander said. His voice was soft, but it exuded sureness and power. “But I can guarantee that each and every one of you will be killed if you fight.” He really was overconfident, Laceeya thought. Then again, he was the one sitting on the bridge of a 2500 meter long battlecruiser. She figured she’d be confident too in his position.
Frenara again got her attention, and Laceeya gestured for Rikal to mute the microphone. “The interdictor frigate is shifting its position to keep us in its gravity well, ma’am,” Frenara reported. Not that it was necessary at the moment, as the Hand’s ships were already entering the planet’s mass shadow, preventing a jump to hyperspace.
“All ships, launch fighters.”
Laceeya closely examined the sensor display, watching the movements of all the ships on the battlefield. Flooding from the hangars of Shadow’s Bane and the Paladin, Clawcraft and TIEs swept into motion.
Glancing at the chrono, Laceeya nodded to herself. The first group of stealthed squadrons of fighters, led by Major Safiram, should be reaching position soon.
Seated in the shadowy cockpit of his TIE Defender, Safiram gazed out at the planet ahead. The displays and lights before and around him were dim or shut off, along with the entire fighter itself. The ship remained unlit, undetectable by all but the most concentrated sensor probe.
The TIE Defender continued drifting along the specified vector, after being given a strong shove by the Ethereal’s tractor beam. Safiram clenched and unclenched his jaw. He felt vulnerable, floating through space with all the ship’s systems shut down. With the shields down and ion engines off, he felt like a sitting avian waiting to be picked off. Until the Defender was powered up, the only protection he, and the other fighters that had been sent along with him, had available to them was the fact that they remained hidden from sensors.
Safiram grimaced, hoping the plan would work. He trusted Laceeya fully of course, but he still felt vulnerable. That said, mounted to his TIE and the other fighters with him, was a special surprise in the form of additional ordnance that was an important part of the overall battle strategy.
He drummed his fingers on the flight yoke. He could make out the far off form that was the Kwenast’s large orbital station, silhouetted against the planet, along with the specks of ships around it.
Safiram and the others just had to wait a few more minutes for all the ships to maneuver into the proper positions. He took a deep breath, settling back in his seat to wait.
Laceeya studied the sensor display in concentration, the beat of her heart seeming to pulse through her entire body, carefully noting the edges of the gravity well projected by the Grysk frigate. “Have these coordinates sent to Vice Admiral Ilcunor’s fleet,” Laceeya said, pointing out a few positions. She almost wished the firing would hurry up and start.
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Waiting in anticipation for the first shots to be fired, the inevitable first death, and to see if her plan worked was almost worse than combat itself, and Laceeya could hear her heart beating in her ears. The Grysk fleet was huge, and that battlecruiser…she felt a slightly queasy feeling in her stomach. This whole attack had been her idea, it was on her shoulders.
“Yes ma’am.” Frenara replied.
Maneuvering to flank and cut off the Ethereal, the Grysk destroyer and a number of the other ships that had arrived from hyperspace were aligning themselves with its vector. Laceeya nodded to herself in satisfaction that the enemy was behaving as expected in that regard, exiting hyperspace in the location she’d predicted. Unbeknownst to it, the destroyer was positioning itself near where the darkened fighters were drifting to.
Laceeya could see that swarms of starfighters were beginning to emerge from the hangars of the Grysk vessels. Clouds of quick little craft like flocks of migrating whisperbirds filled the void.
“Captain, tell the Vice Admiral to split his force and bring the Voidhunter and its escorts along this vector, and the Starlight on this one.” Laceeya ordered, chewing the inside of her cheek. Bringing Ilcunor’s fleet in at the precise locations was critical. “Have him stand by for my signal.”
“Understood, Commodore.” Harax answered, stepping away to speak into his headset.
Laceeya’s task force was driving towards the vessels that had jumped in from hyperspace, the Grysk destroyer looming menacingly against space. The battlecruiser and its escort fleet was hanging around the side, sticking close to the Kwenast homeworld.
Creating a protective shell around the Imperial ships, the TIE Interceptors and Clawcraft from Shadow’s Bane and the Paladin formed up in their squadrons. “Stand by with all weapons,” Laceeya said, wetting her lips expectantly as the enemy fighters began to near effective range. “Open fire when in range.”
“Yes ma’am.” Shyka promptly replied.
Laceeya swallowed as hordes of Grysk fighters began to unleash volleys of laser fire at the Hand’s ships. “Captain, now.” Laceeya ordered.
Harax immediately relayed the order through his headset to Vice Admiral Ilcunor. A moment later, the void was ripped open as the grey triangular form of the Imperial-Class Star Destroyer flickered into existence, supported by a number of smaller vessels. “Signal Major Safiram to begin his attack run.” Laceeya ordered.
Safiram observed as all the pieces moved into place, his two squadrons of starfighters drifting closer towards the unknowing Grysk destroyer. He tapped his fingers on the flight yoke, waiting for the sign to power up his TIE Defender. Suddenly, he saw Vice Admiral Ilcunor’s flagship, the Voidhunter, emerge from hyperspace near the destroyer that lay in space accompanied by its smaller picket ships. On the other side of the large Grysk vessel, the 600 meter long Dreadnought-Class heavy cruiser Starlight and the remaining ships of Ilcunor’s fleet had also arrived.
A multitude of smaller warships had arrived alongside the larger capital ships, Raider-Class corvettes, Arquitens-Class and Carrack-Class light cruisers, Gozanti gunships, all arrayed together.
Springing into action, Safiram keyed in the buttons and flipped the necessary switches to bring his TIE online. The ion engines surged in power, weapons and shields powered up in a second.
“Major Safiram,” Captain Harax’s clipped voice spoke inside his helmet. “You’ll take your squadrons on an attack run on the Grysk destroyer, and use your special ordnance.”
“Yes sir, we’re on it.” Safiram confirmed. He switched over to his squadron channel. “All fighters, form up on me, we’re headed in towards the Grysk destroyer.”
Safiram increased thrust to maximum, sending his Defender rocketing forward even closer to the destroyer. Thanks to the tactic of sending the fighters in dark and unpowered, they’d been able to drift close to the huge Grysk ship without it noticing. Now they were near enough to be inside its point defenses, making the fighters difficult targets.
Each of the fighters had been outfitted with a special package. A pair of capital ship grade proton torpedoes had been mounted to the craft, modified to be able to fire from the unorthodox position. Mounting such heavy weaponry to a starfighter of that size made it slow and sluggish, greatly impacting its maneuverability. Typically, carrying such ordnance would hamper the fighters agility so greatly that they’d never stand a chance of flying close enough to the Grysk destroyer to unleash their payload.
However, thanks to Senior Lieutenant Shyka’s careful work with the tractor beam, Safiram’s fighters had already coasted close enough to be in range of the destroyer. Steering beneath the hull of the destroyer and gritting his teeth, Safiram lined up his targeting brackets on the underside of the main body of the huge ship, an area that had been damaged before at Nyar Three. It had been repaired, but it was likely to still be vulnerable beneath the fresh skin.
With his sights lined up, Safiram hit the button to fire the heavy torpedoes. The two huge projectiles sped away on jets of flame, followed by dozens more from the rest of the fighters with him. Noticing the threat, the Grysk vessel was firing its many point defense cannons, but at such close range they proved to be awkward targets. Safiram was already throwing his craft into a series of evasive maneuvers as the volley of torpedoes sailed unimpeded to impact against the shield of the vessel. Explosions swelled as the following pairs of projectiles joined the fiery cloud.
Gold and red brilliant explosions burst through the shields of the huge ship, impacting the hull. Armor panels were deformed and vaporized from the detonation of the torpedoes, and air rushed to escape from exposed decks, fueling the flame.
Safiram smiled faintly in satisfaction at the results of his attack, swinging his starfighter away from the inferno that was consuming the ventral side of the destroyer.
A breathtaking fireball billowed outwards from the underside of the Grysk destroyer. Arriving only moments earlier, the Voidhunter was capitalizing on the ship’s weakness and was pouring sheets of turbolaser fire into the enemy ship. The shots from the Imperial-Class Star Destroyer’s massive octuple barbette turbolasers cleaved through the destroyer’s body, along with the smaller but still powerful bolts from its many heavy turbolasers.
Consecutive bursts of plasma from the octuple barbette turbolasers cut across the void, spearing into the Grysk destroyer. It was what the ISD had been designed to do, and it was filling the purpose of it’s creation perfectly and putting all of its awe-inspiring firepower to use. Layers of Nyix-alloy armored hull panels were peeled away and vaporized, ocher flames grew as oxygen from exposed decks was sucked into space.
In response, the enemy destroyer and its escorts had likewise brought their weapons to bear on the Voidhunter and its fellow ships when they emerged from hyperspace. White dashes of spectrum lasers crossed between the opposing vessels, peppering the Voidhunter’s shields.
Grysk starfighters were peeling away from the direction of Laceeya’s task force and returning to aid their besieged comrades. Laceeya let out a small sigh of relief. The battle was just beginning, but at least the first stage was proceeding as planned.
Sitting further behind the other Grysk forces was the Grysk frigate with the gravity well generator, blocking Laceeya’s task force from escaping.
The frigate’s relative location had unknowingly set up the gravity well in a perfect position to pull Ilcunor’s fleet from hyperspace. Laceeya had carefully provided the coordinates, and Ilcunor’s ships had jumped in along the specified vectors. Completing its job perfectly, the gravity well generator had yanked the ships from hyperspace.
However, in this case the mass shadow generated by the frigate certainly hadn’t been used for the purpose the Grysks intended, drawing Ilcunor’s vessels from hyperspace close to the Grysk forces, catching them off guard and unleashing their full spectrum of weaponry.
Then, Safiram’s squadron had popped up seemingly out of thin air to drop off their deadly present, inflicting massive damage on the destroyer. The Grysk ships and their allies were scrambling to reposition, fighters rushing back to assist in repelling the new threat.
Laceeya’s task force was now entering the range of the first group of enemy capital ships. A Grysk light cruiser and an alien looking heavy cruiser of some unknown variety, supported by numerous smaller corvettes and gunboats, were firing on the Ethereal and her fellow ships. Laser fire was exchanged between the opposing sides, bright streaks of green, red, and white.
Laceeya took a deep breath, her pulse racing in her chest as she saw smaller explosions of destroyed fighters flare in the surrounding space. “Rikal, open the task force channel.” Laceeya ordered.
“Yes ma’am.” Rikal responded, pressing the corresponding buttons.
“Senior Captain Farwick,” Laceeya said. “Head to the lower port side of the heavy cruiser, and launch a full broadside fusillade.”
“Understood, Commodore,” Farwick’s deep voice answered. “I’ll get right to it.”
Laceeya stepped over to peer over Frenara’s shoulder at the sensor display. “Take us towards that Grysk light cruiser,” Laceeya commanded. “Prepare for a frontal attack.”
“Will do, ma’am.” Apoyarp said, steering the ship on its new trajectory. Dozens of starfighters clashed with each other around the capital ships, flitting around nimbly as they weaved through the firefight.
The enemy formation split apart, the light cruiser and a corvette shifting to place the Ethereal in front and between them. It’s bow facing the enemy, the majority of the Ethereal’s firepower was able to be brought to bear.
Erupting from the barrels of the Ethereal’s main turbolasers, shafts of concentrated plasma sliced through the void to smack against the enemy light cruiser’s shield. Four smaller bolts cracked from the quad light turbolasers, tracing lines through space and thrashing the vessel’s shields. Vibrations rumbled through the deck as rainbow-tinged streaks of white energy fired from the spectrum laser emplacements on the Grysk ship.
“Send a starfighter squadron to strike at that corvette on the opposite side.” Laceeya ordered. Captain Harax nodded briskly in acknowledgment, holding a hand to the side of his head as he relayed the message. A TIE squadron immediately peeled away in response, driving towards the corvette.
“Focus the starboard side turbolasers on the midsection of the corvette,” Laceeya said. Her heart was racing in her chest from the intense battle taking place. There were so many ships, so much happening to take in. The Grysk corvette had moved into position ahead and to the starboard side of the Ethereal, it and the light cruiser catching the 546B in a crossfire. “And target the ventral section of the light cruiser, just before the engines. Load two salvos of proton torpedoes in the starboard launchers, and on my signal hit the midsection of the corvette.”
There was so much chaos to absorb, so many separate fights all rolled into one massive brawl.
“On it.” Shyka confirmed promptly. The Ethereal shuddered from the rain of laser fire that was impacting its shields. Its turbolasers lashed out at the Grysk warships, its weapons split between the two targets, spitting bursts of plasma from both sides.
Detonating in a cloud of flame, one of the TIE Interceptors was vanquished as the rest peppered the corvette with their laser cannons.
Carefully aiming at the specified points on the Grysk ships, the Ethereal’s gunners were firing, green bolts converging and impacting the enemy vessels. The 180 meter corvette’s shields held initially, but the concentrated barrage broke through and bored into the armor. Laceeya had noted that the midsection appeared to be less armored than the rest of the vessel, and the results confirmed her observation.
Explosions ripped into the smaller ship, breaking through layers of decks. “Shyka, fire,” Laceeya ordered. ”Ready breachers on the port side.” The pairs of proton torpedoes shot out from the launch tubes, sailing across the space between the two ships. The corvette was too busy to intercept them, the TIEs serving their purpose to distract the ship. Caught up with repelling the closer threat, the torpedoes slipped through and slammed into the damaged midsection with huge detonations. Orange and red flames billowed outward, the middle of the corvette disintegrating amidst flames as it snapped in half.
Laceeya nodded to herself in satisfaction. One Grysk ship down, even if it was just a corvette. Turning her attention back to the light cruiser, she saw the 400 meter ship closing in, preparing to come alongside the Ethereal. Numerous launch tubes across the vessel were spitting out a fusillade of missiles, joining the laser fire. “Watch those missiles.” Laceeya pointed out to Shyka.
“Yes ma’am.” Shyka said, but her warning was unnecessary, as Shyka’s gunners had immediately switched their aim to the new threat.
However, the point defense laser cannons blasts didn’t make it to the missiles, small clouds of fire popping up just before them. Laceeya grimaced, her chest tight with anxiety. The Grysks were using dibbers, dozens of tiny missiles flying before the main projectiles to shield them from damage.
“Ma’am, they’re using dibbers.” Frenara reported as he glanced up at her from his display, voicing what she’d just noticed.
“Target the missiles with a breacher screen.” Laceeya snapped, rubbing her thumb and forefinger together anxiously.
“Got it…” Shyka said, her hands deftly working her console. “Breachers away…” With twin trails from their thrusters, the breachers sped out towards the rapidly approaching enemy projectiles. The numerous dibbers were being taken out but there were too many of them. Gritting her teeth, Laceeya watched in anticipation as the barrage of projectiles closed in, the deck trembling from spectrum lasers.
Shortly before the breachers reached the sea of dibbers, lasers lanced out to hit them, disgorging their payload of acid. The acid spread, flooding across the groups of small missiles. Little explosions flared where all the dibbers detonated from the acid leeching through their casings. But the larger missiles sliced through the acid cloud thanks to the dibbers sacrifice.
Yet the acid had served its intended role, neutralizing the dozens of dibbers. With the dibbers that had been shielding them cleared out, the gunners were able to destroy the larger projectiles shortly before they could impact the Ethereal. As the remnants of missile shells clattered across the hull, Laceeya exhaled a breath that she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
Then the Ethereal was slipping past the Grysk light cruiser. “Bring us around for another pass, Apoyarp.” She said, running her hands over the side of her pants and wiping the sweat from her palms. Her instinct was to order Apoyarp to drive full throttle towards the planet of Kwenast. But she knew it wouldn’t be advantageous to have the Grysk light cruiser and its fellow ships pounding away at the Ethereal’s engine block.
“What’s the status of the Grysk battlecruiser and its flotilla?” She asked.
“A number of the other warships are coming up fast, but the battlecruiser and a few of its escorts are still sticking by the orbital station,” Frenara reported grimly.
Laceeya nodded. The battlecruiser was a terrifying sight, one that left a hollow feeling in her stomach. She’d expected the Grysks to have a significant fleet here, but that ship was huge. It certainly threw a hydrospanner into things.
Not only that, but the Grysk commander was wise enough to realize Laceeya’s intended target, and decided to patiently wait for her forces to come to them.
On the bright side, at least they didn’t have to combat the massive warship yet. But on the downside, they also wouldn’t have the chance to sneak past it to reach the planet.
Laceeya’s lips compressed into a thin line. This was going to be difficult.
“Captain, signal the Crux and two of the VT-49s to move behind the rear of the light cruiser and hit its engines while we keep it occupied.” Laceeya ordered. “Order the Blitz and the remaining VT-49s to intercept that Kwenast frigate and gunships moving towards Shadow's Bane.”
“Understood, Commodore.” Harax said with a brisk nod.
The Ethereal had swung its bow around to make another pass at the enemy light cruiser, as the Grysk ship was likewise doing the same. Lining up their noses, the two warships continued to trade salvos of laser fire, thrusters aglow as they closed in.
Kazrus watched the battle from the bridge of the Doomweaver, a scowl on his face. Commodore Laceeya had again proved to be a clever adversary, somehow managing to move unpowered starfighters into a position to launch a surprise attack on the Grysk Havoc-Class Warmaster. They’d utilized powerful weaponry not typically found on ships of that size, inflicting a major blow onto the destroyer. And now the Hand’s capital ships that had emerged from hyperspace in the exact location to strike were capitalizing on the damage.
The Grysk destroyer was trying to get clear, but the Hand’s ships stuck with it, firing all their turbolasers, and targeting the weak point on the destroyer. Kazrus felt a burning fury rise inside him as the Imperial-Class Star Destroyer unleashed its awesome potential, and explosions dug deeper into the warmaster.
Though the Doomweaver hung back, another group of Grysk forces was nearing the Hand’s ships, but it would be too late to provide assistance to the Grysk warmaster. He watched in impotent rage as a huge chain of internal explosions erupted from the destroyer, bursting outward through its hull as missile stores detonated and the reactor blew. The weapons on the dying Grysk ship fell silent.
Kazrus felt his lip twist. “Order the Fariivi to unleash their ion weapons.” Kazrus commanded the communications officer.
“By your command, General.” The other Grysk responded. Kazrus allowed himself a small smile. The Hand had struck a large blow, but they would certainly not be expecting this.
The deck rumbled beneath Laceeya’s feet as repeated laser blasts struck the shields. She chewed her lower lip anxiously. The shields were holding strong for the moment, at least.
“Commodore,” Rikal piped up. “Signal from the Vice Admiral. They managed to take out the Grysk destroyer and are on their way over to intercept the group of Grysk ships coming around the planet.”
“Good,” Laceeya said, licking her lips. “Thanks Rikal. Shyka, what’s the damage status on that light cruiser?” She asked, spinning around to face her.
Shyka was working her controls, her eyes narrowed in determination and focus. Laceeya felt a slight stab of fear inside her. The Grysks had an overwhelming force here. What if the mission failed, or the Ethereal was destroyed? The thought of anything happening to Bren was terrifying.
Tugging on the lower hem of her tunic, Laceeya smoothed her uniform nervously, squaring her shoulders. Focus, she thought. She couldn’t let her personal feelings influence her here. Shyka was collected and focused wholly on the task at hand, and Laceeya needed to do the same. Swallowing, she forced down her fears.
“We’re through its shields now,” Shyka stated. “Starting to work away at its hull armor.” As if hearing her words, the light cruiser began to roll over its center axis to hide the area where its shields had been knocked down.
“Have the Crux reposition to hit the spot where the shields are down,” Laceeya ordered. “We’ll keep at it from this side.”
Laceeya glanced out the side viewport, where she could see Shadow’s Bane dueling the 800 meter alien warship. The Victory-Class had inflicted damage with its devastating salvos of missiles, but a few smaller picket ships were joining in to protect the heavy cruiser, barraging the triangular ship.
Laceeya frowned as she saw all the heavy cruiser's weapons cease firing, for no apparent reason, her eyes narrowing.
“Commodore, I’m getting a massive power surge from that alien heavy cruiser,” Frenara called out, confusion and concern evident in his tone. Suddenly, a huge bright blast of electric blue energy crackled out from an aperture on the side of the alien heavy cruiser. The large ball of vibrant energy slowly sailed through space towards the Victory-Class. The gunners on Shadow’s Bane fired at the blast, but the bolts passed through it with seemingly no effect. Its engines flared, propelling it forward and angling away in an attempt to avoid it, but the thrusters had too much mass to contend with, and it was too late. Impacting the rear port underside of the hull, the blast struck the Star Destroyer and sent arcs of electrical energy coursing across it.
“What the hell was that?” Shyka muttered incredulously. “Looked like some sort of ion weapon, but I’ve never seen one that big on a capital ship.”
Laceeya shook her head, glowing red gaze narrowed to slits.
“Actually…I think I recall learning about a ship from back in the clone wars with a similar weapon,” Shyka added. “But I’ve never seen something like that myself.”
“Neither have I.” Laceeya murmured, her lips set in a thin line.
“I have Senior Captain Farwick on the comm, ma’am.” Rikal said, looking up at Laceeya.
Laceeya hastily stepped over. “Senior Captain,” She spoke into the microphone. “What’d you just get hit with?”
“It appeared to be an ion weapon of some variety, Commodore,” Farwick’s grim voice replied, cut with bursts of static. “All our weapons and sensors in the area it hit were knocked offline by it, and our shields were disabled in that location as well. We’re working fast to bring things back online, but over half of our portside missile launchers and turbolasers are currently disabled. Additionally, we’re experiencing a bit of trouble with the port side main engine, ma’am.”
Laceeya pursed her lips. Spectrum lasers continued to rain down on her ship, the shaking impacts making it difficult to think. She hadn’t ever personally witnessed an ion weapon at that scale. But after Shyka mentioned it, she did recall reading about a vessel in the clone wars with a huge ion weapon, from information that had been compiled and provided by Grand Admiral Thrawn.
It must have massive power requirements, hence the heavy cruiser’s other weapons cutting off beforehand. “Understood,” Laceeya finally answered, taking a deep breath. “Roll on your center axis to hide your unshielded flank, Senior Captain. Then fire a salvo of missiles at the weapon aperture on the heavy cruiser. We’ve got to take its barrier down and get that ion cannon out of commission.”
“Understood, Commodore.” Farwick’s static filled voice responded.
Tremors ran through the deck beneath Laceeya’s booted feet. Sticking beside the Ethereal, the Grysk light cruiser was engaging in a broadside attack, missiles arrowing from launch tubes and spectrum lasers flashing. In return, all the Ethereal’s turbolasers were blazing with emerald flashes of light, battering the enemy warship’s defenses.
Laceeya could see the Voidhunter and other ships of Ilcunor’s fleet moving to take up positions to battle the expansive group of Grysk warships that had previously been concealed on the far side of the planet.
Farther off, the Grysk battlecruiser was lurking above the Kwenast homeworld, content on waiting for the Hand’s forces to come to it. Throwing a glance at the sensor display, even the massive form of the Imperial-Class Star Destroyer was dwarfed by the monstrous Grysk warship. But they’d cross that bridge when they got there.
Taking advantage of its greater speed and maneuverability to try and avoid the light cruiser’s wrath, the Crux had heeded Laceeya's directions, situating itself on the opposite side of the light cruiser, picking away at the unshielded section of hull with its lasers and ion cannon, beginning to bite through the Nyix-alloy armor.
“Keep firing at the area just before the thrusters,” Laceeya ordered Shyka. They needed to get through the current wave of enemy ships and get to the planet, Laceeya thought, her lips pressed tightly together. The longer they were here, the more the Hand’s forces were being whittled down by the numerically superior enemy fleet.
But she also didn’t want to rush into driving straight for the planet, Laceeya considered, biting the inside of her cheek. Having enemy vessels firing on the Ethereal from the rear would be far from ideal. Less of the 546B’s firepower could be brought to bear on pursuing ships, and presenting the engines directly towards the enemy was asking for trouble.
Starfighters were dogfighting with each other all around the Ethereal, and Laceeya grimly caught a glimpse of a TIE Interceptor exploding in a cloud of flame and shrapnel. The Grysk light cruiser let fly another spate of missiles, again guarded by countless dibbers. “Captain, have the Sunbeam come up and blast those missiles from behind.”
“I’ll get them right on it, Commodore.” Harax replied. The VT-49 was already in a position behind the engines of the light cruiser, and it maneuvered around the ship, using its small size and agility to avoid the heavy laser fire. A blast from a point defense cannon impacted the small ship, but the shields soaked it up. Located behind the missiles rapidly nearing the Ethereal, the Sunbeam opened fire with its two quad laser cannon turrets at their rear.
Unprotected by dibbers around back, the VT-49 focused its fire to aim into the thrusters of the big missiles, successfully destroying them one by one. Laceeya breathed a small sigh of relief, squaring her stiff shoulders.
“Almost through the shields on this side of the light cruiser,” Shyka reported determinedly.
“Good. Ready a round of proton torpedoes, followed by two of breachers,” Laceeya said. “Same location, fire each on my signal.”
“I’m it, ma’am.” Shyka answered, speaking softly into her headset and relaying the commands to her gunners. “Ordnance locked and loaded.”
“Torpedoes, now.” Laceeya ordered decisively, chewing her lower lip as she stared out the viewport in anticipation, her glowing eyes narrowed slightly. “Stand by with breachers…” The torpedoes jetted away from the Ethereal, but the Grysks were quick to respond, and dibbers shot out to intercept them. “Fire.” Laceeya snapped, as the heavy proton torpedoes detonated in large fireballs, vanquishing the rest of the tiny missiles in the vicinity. Bursting from their tubes, the twin pairs of breachers sailed away, their launch obscured from the Grysk light cruiser by the expanding clouds of flame.
Arrowing towards the Grysk ship, the missiles passed unimpeded through the fiery cloud that was now contracting. Shortly before they could strike the enemy vessel, the Grysks responded to the attack and fired on the missiles. Blazes of light managed to intercept two of the breachers, but the other pair flew on to release their acid across the hull of the ship. Unfortunately for the Grysk cruiser, the two breachers that had been struck by lasers had been near enough to the body of the vessel, with the spread of acid joining the rest to splash across the ship's hull.
Laceeya watched in satisfaction as the acid saturated the hull, melting through armor and weapons and compromising the integrity of the armor. “Pour everything you have into where the breachers hit.” Laceeya commanded.
“Yes ma’am.” Shyka said with a nod. Green sheets of turbolaser fire all converged on the location, exploding through the weakened hull metal. Blasts shredded armor and tore through layers of the ship, and flames grew as the internal atmosphere of the ship fed the fire.
Explosions ripped deeper into the vessel, lasers feeding the inferno. Hull metal was superheated and disintegrated, bulkheads ripped apart in flames.
Engines straining, the injured Grysk ship began to turn away. But just before it could hide its wound, a massive internal explosion at the aft end rocked the ship, and its thrusters and weapons fell silent. Laceeya exhaled a breath in relief. Previous encounters with the same model of Grysk light cruiser had taught her its weaknesses. Knowing precisely where its weak point and reactor was, she’d focused her assault specifically on that area, and it had paid off perfectly.
The Grysk ship was now no more than a large chunk of metal, its stern torn apart by the catastrophic collapse of its reactor. “Great work, Shyka.” Laceeya said, turning away from the viewport momentarily.
“Thank you, ma’am.” Shyka answered, glancing up to meet her eyes and giving her a small but reassuring smile.
“Picking up another big power surge from the heavy cruiser, ma’am.” Frenara stated. The giant ion cannon pulsed with energy and a huge blast of electricity shot out and slowly crawled across the void between Shadow’s Bane and the heavy cruiser. The Victory-Class was too large and unwieldy to escape the assault and the blast struck the stern, tendrils of ionic energy shorting out systems, and the main thrusters fell offline.
Taking advantage of its weakened state, the heavy cruiser began pounding at the unshielded hull of Shadow’s Bane. Laceeya winced, watching the laser blasts explode against the thick armor of the VSD. A number of the Victory-Class’ turbolasers were inactive as a result of the ion attack.
“What’s the shield status, Asmaril?” Laceeya asked, raising her voice slightly to speak to him at the defense station.
Asmaril consulted his displays, his eyes flicking over the readouts. “Most sections are hovering around 60% strength ma’am, with section 5 at 47% and section 9 at 51%.”
“Got it. Go ahead and balance out those sections if you can.” Laceeya said, nodding in acknowledgment. ”We’ve got to help Shadow’s Bane.” She murmured darkly, throwing a glance at the injured Victory-Class Star Destroyer.
She gestured for Rikal to open the communications channel. “Senior Captain Farwick, what’s the state of the enemy heavy cruiser?” Laceeya questioned. Shadow’s Bane was tearing apart a frigate on its opposite side, its array of weaponry still active there, as it desperately fought the alien heavy cruiser on the other with the remaining offensive potential on its partially disabled flank. The enemy ship had taken significant damage from the Victory’s missiles and turbolasers, but it was still alive and kicking for the moment.
“Our engines and many of our port side turbolasers are offline,” Farwick said, his voice crackly from the speaker. “We’re taking heavy hull damage on the port side with the shields deactivated by that ion blast. We can’t maneuver to get clear or get the shields back up ma’am. We’ll be in trouble before long.”
Laceeya pursed her lips. “We’re on our way, just hang on a little longer.” She wet her lips nervously as she turned to face the helm. “Keep the dead light cruiser between us as long as possible, and move around to the rear of the heavy cruiser,” Laceeya ordered. She looked out the viewport at the sea of destruction and carnage taking place. Her stomach churned uncomfortably at the thought of all the death that was occurring.
“Yes ma’am.” Apoyarp replied, working his controls as he set about maneuvering the Ethereal. keeping the corpse of the Grysk light cruiser between the heavy cruiser and the Ethereal as much as possible to block attack from the larger vessel.
“Three rounds of proton torpedoes, target the engines and fire immediately once you have the shot.” Laceeya told Shyka.
“On it.” Shyka said, her expression focused.
“Entering view now…” Apoyarp called out. The aft end of the heavy cruiser became visible around the dead Grysk ship, the larger vessel heavily damaged from its brawl with Shadow’s Bane, but intent on trying to kill the partially disabled Star Destroyer.
“Lining up…torpedoes away.” Shyka said. With an almost imperceptible bump as the torpedoes flew from their launch tubes, Laceeya held her breath in anticipation as the projectiles shot across space. With its full focus on the vulnerable Victory Star Destroyer, the torpedoes slipped through and slammed directly into the main thrusters of the heavy cruiser.
Fire bloomed spectacularly, brutally tearing apart the engines of the heavy cruiser. Metal was superheated and vaporized. The glow from the ships engines was overshadowed by the massive explosion that resulted, flame enveloping the aft end of the big vessel.
Exhaling heavily, she saw as life exited the engines of the 800 meter long warship, many of the enemy vessel’s weapons ceased firing. Another enemy ship out of the fight, yet it felt as if whenever one was destroyed, additional vessels arrived to replace it.
Laceeya shifted her luminous red gaze from the derelict enemy ship to where Shadow’s Bane drifted lifelessly in space, the crew struggling to try and reboot offline systems.
Laser bolts were flying in all directions outside Safiram’s cockpit as he dove into yet another swarm of Grysk fighters, a few other ships from his squadron along with him. He twitched his ship to the left to skirt around a laser blast from an enemy craft, and lined up his sights quickly to let off a burst of green laser fire from the wingtip laser cannons. Immediately he rolled his ship to starboard, dodging beside enemy fire, seeing his first target shatter in chunks of shrapnel out of the corner of his eye. He centered another approaching Grysk fighter in his targeting brackets, but the pilot was skilled and wasn’t making themselves an easy target.
Safiram weaved his ship in unpredictable patterns to likewise remain hard to hit. He swung his targets back across the approaching Grysk fighter, squeezing down on the firing trigger. The vibrant lasers cut through space to impact the Grysk craft, the first hits knocking down the electrostatic barrier and the next tearing through the hull, and into the engines. The enemy ship detonated in a rapidly expanding ball of fire.
“Kyst, Larkenova, break to port. Katani, with me to the right.” Safiram said as he slipped his Defender beside the destruction, throwing it into a turn to starboard to come around behind the squadron of enemy ships. Katani matched his maneuver in her TIE Avenger, as the other two pilots in his squadron turned to port.
The Grysk fighters had chosen to fly straight for a moment before swinging around to approach head on towards Kyst and Larkenova in their advanced TIEs. Safiram and Katani swept through space in a wide turn at high speed, slotting in behind the enemy squadron.
“Katani, I’ll take the furthest two to starboard,” Safiram stated. “Let’s make it quick.” A weakness of the Grysks that had been discovered was that they often saw the enemy closest to them as the greatest threat. It proved true in this case as well, the Grysks too focused on their prey nearest to them in their sights. With their advanced TIEs capable of incredible speed, they were caught unaware by the suddenness at which Safiram and Katani had come from behind.
His teeth set and his hands firmly grasped around his controls, Safiram selected a concussion missile, and squeezed the trigger on his yoke as a Grysk ship fell into his targeting brackets. As the missile sailed away from his TIE Defender, Safiram immediately swapped targets to the second enemy craft.
Green bolts leapt from the wingtip laser cannons, striking the Grysk fighter just as the concussion missile reached its target. The two fighters exploded in quick succession, and at the edge of his vision he saw another pair detonate in satisfying clouds of fire and shrapnel as they met the same fate from Katani’s attack.
The four remaining Grysk fighters of the squadron reacted promptly, splitting into pairs to head in opposite directions. But Kyst and Larkenova were already predicting their moves, and they flew into a flurry of bolts from the TIEs. Safiram exhaled in relief after he and the others finished wiping up the Grysk squadron.
But the moment of respite was exceedingly brief, and a few other Grysk craft rapidly approached from a perpendicular angle. Twisting his yoke, Safiram bobbed and weaved between spectrum lasers.
Suddenly his Defender was jolted violently, jerked off his path. Gritting his teeth, Safiram fought for control, an alarm wailing in his cockpit. “I’m hit.” He reported calmly through clenched teeth. “Shields are down.” With a firm hand on his flight yoke, Safiram regained stability of his TIE.
Shoving the yoke forward, the Defender fell into a steep dive, lasers cutting through the space he’d just occupied. Following behind him, the Grysk craft matched his maneuver.
“I’m breaking off and coming around.” Katani’s voice said.
Continuing to sporadically weave and dodge, Safiram kept his TIE flitting around as white lasers streaked by. His Defender shuddered as a near miss practically scraped the edge of a solar array. His heart was beating quickly, and his breathing heavy, but despite that Safiram still felt calm and in control. This was what he did best, after all.
Swinging his Defender to starboard, Safiram slammed the throttle forward, gaining speed. Glancing at his sensor display, he saw the enemy fighters trailing behind him as he gained ground.
“I took a hit, shields are down.” Kyst’s voice came in over his helmet comm. Yet with the enemy starfighters glued to his tail and his own shields disabled, there was nothing he could do for the moment.
His eyebrows knit together in focus and his jaw set, Safiram cut back on thrust, turning the yoke hard to the right and modulating the etheric rudder. Precisely handling his controls, the TIE was tossed into a sharp starboard turn, the back of the craft drifting around.
Executing the tight maneuver perfectly, the Defender swung around 180 degrees, the nose of his ship facing his pursuit. Throttling up, the Defender rocketed forward, and he spun the craft as he approached. The entire maneuver had taken only a couple seconds, and he was now squeezing the trigger as the targeting brackets were lined up on the first approaching Grysk starfighter. Bolts of green energy shot from each of the wingtips, of his spinning TIE, shattering the unlucky Grysk ship.
Twitching the yoke to port, Safiram rolled around a volley of incoming laser fire, narrowly avoiding the blast. A fiery explosion flared as he skewered another Grysk fighter, sending chunks of the small ship flying.
Then Katani’s TIE Avenger was sailing in from the side, spitting verdant energy from its laser cannons. Her ship jerked slightly as a blast glanced off her Avenger’s shields. Piercing the electrostatic barrier of a Grysk craft with a precise stream of plasma bolts and sending the enemy ship careening wildly out of control after a hit to its side, she shot a concussion missile at the last Grysk fighter that was swerving to try and dodge the attack.
Boldly, the last ship of the group turned to face Katani’s rapidly nearing TIE, firing its spectrum lasers to shoot the incoming missile out of the air at the last moment. Safiram banked his Defender into a turn to follow as the Grysk starfighter managed to score another glancing blow on Katani’s Avenger, soaked up by the shields.
“Shields are down.” Katani reported tightly.
“I’m on him.” Safiram replied. Slotting in behind, the Grysk pilot didn’t get another chance to fire before he erased him from existence with a ferocious volley of plasma bolts. Safiram sighed in satisfaction after wiping up that group of fighters. Diverting power to recharge his shields, Safiram caught his breath after the intense dogfight.
“Good work, everyone.” He spoke into the squadron channel. “Form up on-“
He was cut off as Captain Harax’s voice boomed through his helmet. “Major Safiram, return to the Ethereal to assist in screening against fighters.”
“Understood, sir, we’re on the way.” Safiram replied . “Everyone, form up, we’re headed back to the Ethereal.” He was already arcing his fighter around to align it with the Ethereal’s location.
Clenching his jaw in determination and focus, Safiram dialed up the thrust of his Defender, cutting across the void to drive back into the crowds of fighters.
