He had already alerted the Royal Phalanx Troops of possible action before Kamon's orders even got to him. They had been on stand by for awhile now, in spiffy shape and their blaster rifles always at their side.

Kenshin had sensed the darkness earlier through the Force and it was steadily growing stronger as it neared the Castle.

Scanning the directions on his datapad, his brow furrowed as it confirmed his assumptions.

Sith.

Powerful Sith at that. This could result in heavy casualties as well as a one on one encounter. He would need to be prepared to move.

Kenshin glanced at the set of stormtrooper armor on his bed with a slight frown. Such cumbersome equipment.

Getting up from his seat, he slipped on the chestpiece over his shirt before hastily shoving the rest aside. Not wearing the whole suit would give him more much needed mobility.

Kenshin then buckled on his Jedi utility belt and grabbed his blaster rifle before leaving swiftly to join his Troops.

~Moments Later~

Kenshin stood on the battlements scanning the area with a few of the RPGC beside him. The quick breifing had gone well and the Guards were now all at their assigned posts.

He kept close tabs on Kamon and Jacen's Special Ops troops as well as his Guards.

Skai ordered the Crrack's to stay back and continue their assault on the Korolev. The Serene Justice was brought under control and also fired on the enemy capital ship. The ship lost its shields quickly.

The Yonex and Cobra were firing on one of the enemy gunships. It had lost its shields earlier and burst into a ball of flames when it's engines were hit.

The other Interdictor was firing away at the enemy Gunships. It's fighters also hasseling them. The other fighters with the fleet drove the LFX Tie's away from the main vessels.

Skai sent back for more reinforcements. They were going to need them.

Nebulon B Katie's Fire 2 (en route)
Nebulon B Katie's Pride (en route)
Marauder Corvette Gemstone (en route)
Marauder Corvette Firebird (en route)

TTR loses
ISD Moderate-severe shield damage
Nebulon B Katies Fire destroyed
Nine Rapyir's destroyed

LFX loses
Tarakesh Gunship Jeklash Destroyed
Tarakesh Gunship Vishda Destroyed
Tarekesh Gunship Kashtal Destroyed
10 Tie Fighters Destroyed
Aegis Star Carrier Xaphania moderate shield damage
Aegis Star Carrier Archammer moderate shield damage
Eternal Star Destroyer Korolev shield loss

Imperator Class Star Destroyers had once been the hallmark of the Imperial War Machine. A terrorizing force that inspired fear into any who saw one advancing upon them.

The presence of one in orbit had often been enough to quell entire systems, truly serving the Empire's goals; to subdue the proud and spare the vanquished.

Countless thousands had died in the days that Star Destroyers patrolled the stars in Imperial space. Today, that number would grow yet again.

Two dark shapes formed themslevs from hyperspace, dreadful arrowhead shapes painted a deep, chilling off-black. Unlike the Tholatin warships that had been yanked indiscrimintly from hyperspace by the Interdictors, these ships reverted gracefully, their crews fully expecting the gravity wells and preparing for it.

The ships immediatly began to fire, bright green laser blasts lancing out towards the Tholatin warships. The ships had emerged on either side of the Tholatin Star Destroyer, and both began to pour fire into the flanks of that ship.

Unlike their Tholatin opponets, the gunners on the Demosthesian ships were skilled and quick, their fire plucking turbolaser turrets from the hull of the enemy craft with an seeming ease, while the enemy wasted streams of energy against the fully-charged and raised shields of the Tyrant and Devestator.

With the Star Destroyers came another force, a fleet of smaller, cloaked warships that spread out along the approach vector the Star Destroyers had taken.

They were invisible, but ready to use that to their advantade, should the situation warrant.

The Korolev, her shields weakened considerably from the encounter with the Tholatin warship, dropped back as the new arrivals distracted the Tholatins, drifting out of weapons range and joining the two Carriers, which had by now regenerated a portion of their shields.

The three ships, and an escort of a single wing of TIEs, the rest had joined in with the fresh pilots from Tyrant and Devestator, made their way back towards the main fight, trading eager fire with the enemy Carrack Cruisers.

The small ships were old, but still very able. But they were not frontline warships, more suited to system patrol than fighting. The Carriers and Eternal Star Destroyer would make short work of them, that much was sure.

Meanwhile, the two Interdictors had pushed forward, coming almost within weapons range of the enemy fleet. Any further new arrivals would arrive well out of range of the ambushing fleet, now.

Bhindi Drayson, watching all this from the bridge of the Korolev, smiled thinly.
"Transmit to the Tholatin commander that if they wish to surrender, they may do so now."

<HR>

New Arrivals
Imperator Mk. III Class Star Destroyer Tyrant
Imperator Mk. III Class Star Destroyer Devestator
18 Twilight Class Stealth Gunships

<LI> 12 Sqaudrons TIE Defender

Losses Thus Far

TTR

1 ISD - Severe Shield Damage
2 NBF - Destroyed
2 I418 - Shield Damage
2 CRC - Severe Shield Damage
22 Rapyer Starfighters

LFX/HDE

1 ESD - Moderate Shield Damage
2 ASC - Moderate Shield Damage
2 I418 - Light Shield Damage
6 TIE Defenders

A powerful dark force was drawing ever closer to the palace gates. The entrance into the palace was well guarded, but that still did not keep the Jedi Master from being cautious.

The dark force was not one familiar to Donovin and it had been sometime since he had had any encounters with a darksider. He had a strong suspicion that such a streak was about to end.

It would take more than just the usual tactic measures to stop the darksider.

Cole would be waiting, not only as an employee of The Tholatin Republic but also as a Jedi.

The private reception room of the Monarchy, though not as large as the public room, was still grand in scale. Five figures were present, dwarfed by the sheer size of the room.

“And you have agreed to lend assistance to Tholatin?” asked the Monarch. He sat upon a simple, yet obviously fine seat, with an advisor on either hand.

“Yes, your Excellency.” One of the two men standing a few meters away from the monarch said. “We cannot refuse a plea for help.”

“And you wish to receive the loan of our fleet?”

“No, your Excellency. We simply wish a heavily armed ship to transport us to the scene of combat. We would like this ship to be at our command, for follow up subsequent to the battle.”

“I see. You realize the logistics involved of course. You will, in all probability arrive at the scene very late, and will only be able to assist with cleaning up – or the retreat. Depending on how the battle swings.”

“Yes, your Excellency, we know this. Our plans have been in the making for some time now, the call for help from Tholatin has only been the match on the fuse. This battle, in all likely hood is but a small fraction of the damage that will be done.”

“How much of a threat is this … Holy Empire? Not just to Tholatin, but to the galaxy in general?”

The hooded man on the floor blinked. The Monarch changed topics on a dime.

“We believe the threat to be substantial your Excellency. They are well equipped, and appear to have the will to use their might. On a scale of a meiter bug to the Death Star, the Holy Empire is a galaxy gun.”

“I see. You do realize that there has been a war of sorts going on between the generally known republic supporters, and the supporters of the empire. The New Order is rising from the ashes of the horrific Wrath virus, and, from that wild broadcast on the holonet the other day, has begun to exert their vengeance once again.”

“Yes your Excellency. We too have been watching. The original Empire ruled with fear your Excellency, if allowed to they shall do so again. Although the New Order did not reach the scope, or size of the original Empire before the Wrath virus, their tenacity and skill with both political and military weapons has shown us that they must not be allowed to expand onto the galactic scale.”

“You plan to take on the empire? I fear that would be rash.”

“Very, if we were to do so Sire. We do not plan to take the empire on, that is for the more foolhardy, and the brain-dead rebels.”

“I do not understand this then … the enemies of the Republic have always stood together in some way or another, you make an action against one, you make an action against another. If the Bith were to move to assist Tholatin, we would be moving against the empire. When you go to assist Tholatin, you will be moving against the empire. Certain death will follow.”

“The Empire has a name for cruelty your Excellency. We believe they are relying upon their name alone at this critical point. The galaxy is splintering in every which way, and it appears the allies of the Empire are making a massive movement. Where does it stop? If none step out to assist, shall the Republic fall?”

“The Republic has fallen Sir Jedi, it has fallen twice. But you stray from the topic at hand. Do you, or do you not plan to move against the Empire?”

“If we do your Majesty, no one would ever hear of it. Our strength is not in our fleet, but in our silence. If it comes down to the line, where the Empire threatens this sector, we will do what is necessary to protect it.”

Once again the Monarch changed topics, going back to the issue of the republic.

“You wish to support the Republic? The Republic has never been a strong government in recent history. The Old Republic was the strongest, yet the Darkside of the Force ripped it, and everything it stood for apart in a matter of moments.”

“The Dark Side is powerful, your Excelency. The Republic is no more, only fragments of her exist. This is what the allies of the Empire are preying upon. The members of the former Republic and her Allies will always hide in fear, running from the Empire so long as they are fragmented. Only when they are one will they stand strong. To answer your question, no we do not to support the Republic. We will appose the Dark Side of the Force where ever it lives – even if it lives in Tholatin.”

“You wish to reform the Republic?”

“No, your Excelency. Such would be folly at this time.”

“But in the future, yes?”

“Perhaps. The future is ever in motion.”

With a sigh the Monarch stood, and moved across the monolithic room in a gliding stride. As he walked, he spoke.

“This is why we Bith stay neutral, neither supporting nor shunning either side. The Force favors one side, then the other, neither is stable.”

The two Jedi followed at a distance, keeping pace with the pacing Bith.

“When the Empire rules again, do you really think the Galaxy will be stable? Remember the turmoil, the horror the Empire extended. We have no answers for what could be a stable government, but we do know that the Dark Side corrupts all, and that it must be rooted out. The Empire is imbued with the Dark Side Sire.

As they neared one of the twenty towering windows on the south side of the reception room, something occurred to the silent Jedi, and he spoke up.

“Will they will allow you to remain an independent Monarchy? Will they allow you to own your own battle fleet for protection? Or will they force you to use their protection, force you to beg for help against the raiders who once preyed upon your planet.”

This stuck a chord with the Monarch, and he stood in silence for a few moments. The Bith fleet was his personal pride and joy; he spent many hours planning its usage and construction. The thought of the Empire once again occupying his land was not unbearable in its self, yet the thought of being forced to deal with biased and speceist imperial officers again sent a bitter taste to his mouth. His advisors bent in to whisper with him, the sounds of their voices not quite clear to even the force enhanced senses of the two Jedi. The brilliant light from the Clak’dor sun flooded over the two separate parties of me, warming their garments. Turning, the Monarch spoke.

“I shall convene with the council tomorrow, we shall discuss the state of the galaxy. The Empire has never been a particularly giving master, yet we loathe making enemies of anyone. What you, and your Order do is up to you. However, do not drag us into it – let us make our own decisions.”

And after a short pause…

“You have been granted a ship. The newly completed Clak’Dor will be yours to command, it and it’s compliment, and escort. May the Force be with you, Sir Jedi”

With that the Monarch turned, and exited the hall with his two advisors, leaving the two Jedi standing. They too turned, and exited, speaking to each other.



“A cautious Bith.”

“He does not wish for his people to become embroiled in the cares of the galaxy. Yet, the threat of the Empire once again being his overlord made him pause.”

“I think it was the concept of not having his personal fleet of ships. Do you know how long he spends laboring over the fleet?”

“No, tell me”

“I’ve heard reports from two hours a week to ten hours a day… the most reliable being six dedicated hours a day in which he spends time with his fleet department.”

“A passion then”

“Yes.”

“Something to remember, and look into.”

“Yes.”

...

“We will arrive late.”

“Yes, it is unavoidable.”

...

“The Dark Side grows stronger every passing day.”

“Yes.”

“Can we face it alone?”

“No.”

“So the Dark Side has become the strongest.”

“No – the more numerous, but not strongest. Light twinkles still.”

“But, will the light help.”

“Uncertain. The Dark Side, it clouds everything.”

“Yes.”

Commenor

The starlines had captivated the young man as he watched them. So this was it. His first mission out, the first chance he'd get to show his loyalty to Jutraal, and he wore his excitement as easily as he wore his service uniform.

They passed by him and yet were in front of him, like an endless road that suddenly stopped, and he jerked forward in his seat, feeling the painful counter force of the straps he'd fastened less than comfortably around his shoulders.

For some reason Jutraalian protocol had involved the lowering of inertial compensation on all ships. The CO of the ship had said it had something to do with getting a feel for the ship's movements and becoming one with it, but Flight Sergeant Arus thought it was just a waste of a good technology.

"All forces arm and ready," Arus heard through the earpiece he'd had plugged into his ear. He tapped it a couple times to make sure it fitted correctly and reached over and grabbed the twin sticks that controlled the turbolaser turret before him.

He exhaled deeply and closed his eyes. His first mission, and all the stress and nervousness that entailed.

But also all the excitement.

He grinned visibly, showing a vast array of pale ivory teeth. He finally got a chance to prove himself.

With the inertial compensators turned down he could feel the Star Destroyer's propulsion as it moved ever forward. He looked all about, at the fighters raging amongst each other, swooping and diving, blasting each other into spacedust, he watched as the big ships got into vicious slug matches with one another, raining either side with thousands upon thousands of little green and red turbolasers.

His fingers itched to squeeze the trigger, his hands throbbed to jerk the weapon around and pummel the closest thing with laserfire.

Unfortunately the most he would get to hit would be a nearby capital ship, as turbolasers were relatively easy for enemy fighters to dodge, but once they hit...the craft might as well have kissed its arse goodbye.

An enemy TIE Defender swooshed past him and on sheer reflex he opened fire, relishing in the yellow-green blasts that raked out after it.

He was finally doing something.



Commodore Vicerene chewed hard on his lower lip, drawing blood even from the pressure, who's grip was almost equally as strong as his hand's against the railbar ahead of him.

There were too many of them ahead. They could beat them, but there were too many of them.

He felt the blood drain from his face as he looked left and right, sudden feelings of Dantooine flashing back at him. He had been a mere radarboy back then, relaying positions of enemy ships back to be targetted and hit by the turbolasers.

And yet...the horror of that battle had stayed with him ever since.

He remembered all too well the constant loss of life, the thousands of ships pouring upon one another, the horrid inertial pull from the planet and the ships. It was unbearably devastating.

Stop it he ordered himself. This is nothing like Dantooine, this is a small skirmish, we're here to decimate the enemy interdictors, that is our assignment.

He stared back up at the enemy craft - all a good twelve klicks away, well beyond missile or turbolaser range. The fighters would lead the battle.

"Are the fighters ready?" the commodore asked, turning to his helmsman at his side. The smaller, pale man shook his head.

"No sir, five minutes."

Vicerene bit on his already cut lip again.

"Five minutes is too long...get an emergency dispatch crew..."

"Rho Squadron?"

"Yes...and get Bullhorn out as soon as possible."

"Yes sir."




<li>Defender-Class Star Destroyer
<li>Carrack-Class Cruiser
<li>Carrack-Class Cruiser
<li>Carrack-Class Cruiser
<li>Carrack-Class Cruiser
<li>Carrack-Class Cruiser
<li>Lancer-Class Anti-Starfighter Frigate
<li>Lancer-Class Anti-Starfighter Frigate
<li>Lancer-Class Anti-Starfighter Frigate

-- Fighters --

<li>36 Chiss Clawcraft -- Note: only 18 are piloted by Chiss, the rest are about as well piloted as a TIE interceptor, thus resulting in mild clumsiness --
<li>10 TIE Phantoms
<li>20 TIE Defenders

Position 12 klicks out from current skirmish, 10 TIE Phantoms have cloaked and are moving in.

Skai got the message and laughed. Whoever was in charge of the enemy fleet was very arrogant. He replied.

"We will never surrender to the likes of you. However, if you wish to surrender, you may do so now."

The Carrack Cruisers traded fire with the enemy ties and also moved back behind the newcomer Star Destroyers. They opened up on the enemy ships engines.

The ISD Serene Justice continued to pound out a battle with the two ships. It itself was damaged but still very able to fight.

Back at Tholatin, Kamon placed a message on the holonet that was heavily encrypted and unbreakable. The TTR ships that were en route suddenly dropped out of hyperspace, turned, and jumped back to Tholatin. The ships hadn't even made it to the battlefield.

Skai contacted the TJE fleet immediately.

"Commander, would you please concentrate on these Tie's with your Lancer's? Also we need to destroy the interdictors or at least their generators. Our ships need to return to Tholatin."

The remaining Rapyir fighters launched their proton torpedoes at the shields around the two new ImpStar's engines. 18 Torpedoes lanced out and struck the shields.

Along with the Fire from the Carrack's this brought the ships shields down in that area. It was time to immobilize the ships.

The two Interdictors moved to engage the enemy interdictors and started a slug fest with the ships. Technically it was a stand off, but all the same it had to be done.

TTR

1 ISD - Severe Shield Damage
2 NBF - Destroyed
2 I418 - Shield Damage
2 CRC - Severe Shield Damage
22 Rapyer Starfighters

LFX/HDE

3 Tarakesh Gunships Destroyed
2 ISD's-Moderate/Heavy shield damage
1 ESD - Moderate Shield Damage
2 ASC - Moderate Shield Damage
2 I418 - Moderate Shield Damage
18 TIE Defenders Destroyed

"Admiral, I detect several capital ships emerging from hyperspace on the edge of our gravity wells."

Bhindi barely glanced away from the battle outside the viewports to check her sensor display, but confirmed the statement with a nod.

"Time to firing range?" She asked cooly, watching as the Achammer delivered another salvo of turbolaser fire into the side of the Tholatin Carrack cruiser.

"Seven minutes, Ma'am. We have no fighters on our scopes. But..."

He trailed off, not sure if his Admiral was listening.

"But?" she prompted, almost coldly.

"But they did raise their shields immediatly upon reentry, and lower them again for a moment or two. Enough time to launch a cloaked starfighter sqaudron, perhaps."

Bhindi nodded.

"Alert Silencer Sqaudron to be on the lookout for cloaked warships in the area." She paused a moment. "Status of the fleet?"

There was a moment's delay as the officer brought up the appropriate information on his console.

"Tyrant and Devestator shields both down to 87%, but holding there. Rear shields down to 60%. Probably a starfighter attack. All weapons online. The enemy Star Destroyer Serene Justice has suffered weapons failure and hull breaches, shields are down in most areas."

Bhindi nodded carefully, taking the information in and smiling thinly.

"And our offer?"

"I'll patch you their response, if you like."

She nodded, and there was a pause. Then laughter, and, "We will never surrender to the likes of you. However, if you wish to surrender, you may do so now.".

She gave a short, low laugh and sighed.

"Destroy them, then. If they will not give in, then they will feel the wrath of the Empire."

The two Carrack Cruisers deployed by the Tholatin Republic had come under heavy fire from three vessels, each thrice their size and more. These two ships were each dead in space, now, flames issuing from their midsections as the last of the oxygen in the ships issued off into space in the form of dark, grey smoke.

The enemy Star Destroyer, likewise, was taking a pounding. Despite the foolish and wasteful expenditure of torpedoes against the Black Fleet's own rear shields, the Tyrant and Devestator held firm, their hundreds of weapons systems tearing repeatadly into the flanks of the enemy vessel.

The destruction of the bridge had left her out of control for some time, and that time had been taken to strip weapons from her hull as only the gunners of the Black Fleet could.

By this time, the Serene Justice was little more than a hulk of a Star Destroyer, drifting nearly aimlessly through space. The few still-working weapons systems lashed out, their bolts easily stopped by the shields of the two Star Destroyers assaulting her, and the batteries that had let go the offending shots were destroyed instantly in a hailstorm of return fire.

Meanwhile, the TIE Defenders of the fleet had succeeded in driving away the last of the enemy Rapyer starfighters, their superior piloting making up for what little advantadge the unknown Rapyers may have had.

Left of the Tholatin fleet were two relitively intact Interdictors, and the smashed hulks of the remainder of their fleet.

And in the distance, just coming into firing range, another Star Destroyer, and an array of support craft.

On the Korolev, Bhindi smiled.

"Form up the fleet on their entry route and prepare for hyperspace. I have no doubt the Jutraalian Empire will attempt to secure their position here once they see the remnant of the Tholatin fleet."

There was a nod, and the fleet formed up along the two wedge-shaped Star Destroyers.

<hr>

Losses Thus Far

The Tholatin Republic

(2) Nebulon B Frigates (Destroyed)
(2) Carrack Light Cruisers (Destroyed)
(1) Imperator (Imperial) Class Star Destroyer (Crippled)
(2) Interdictor Cruisers (Severe Shield Damage)
(ALL) Rapyer Starfighters

The Holy Demosthesian Empire

(1) Eternal Class Star Destroyer (Moderate Shield Damage, regenrating)
(2) Imperator (Imperial) Mark II Class Star Destroyers (Light Shield Damage, regenrating)
(2) Interdictor Cruisers (Moderate Shield Damage)
(2) Aegis Star Carriers (Moderate Shield Damage, regenerating)
(22) TIE Defenders

Vicrene felt the knot in his stomach gradually untying, allowing him to think a bit more clearly. He let out long sigh as he analyzed the battle - fortunately with a clear head - before making his plans.

So far the LFX fleet had more or less surrounded the bigger ships in the Tholatin fleet. The two were in an ever present slug match, tossing green and red laser fire at one another that both smashed off each others' shields and hull.

Both of them were in a lose-lose battle there, it was a matter of who's gunners got the most shots off in a matter of minutes first. The commodore remembered what the emperor had told him after Dantooine: When it all comes down to it, and that first shot whisps by your ship, everything about tactics and plotting just go straight to hell. All you can think about is kill that person there and keep going. Your strategies, your plans, they mean nothing when it comes down to that most carnal part of the battle.

So far Vicrene had been forced to agree.

He turned over to his commanders, who were working furiously to get the operation up an underway, were working to get the craft in their predetermined positions.

"Move us around the enemy fleet, but remain this distance, get me into a blockade style formation, when you've done that, move in closer very slightly," he ordered.

The plan was simple enough. Surround them, cut them off, eat away at their morale, and then move in for the kill.

Another memory of Fearsons's teachings popped into his head. When you can avoid throwing your capital ships into slug matches, do it. Your fighters are the key to victory.

As he thought about it, Commodore Vicrene had to agree. Throwing warships needlessly against each other was a waste of energy, and would be a waste of mechanics' time. Ships could be damaged or destroyed...

At least with fighters they could get in, blast, dodge, and get back out. It was entirely at the pilot's discretion.

He heard the confirmation order from one of his men, and he peered back out the viewport ahead of him, watching the brilliant flashes of light back and forth against each other.

May the Force be with us.






The Phantoms came uncloaked right over the first enemy Interdictor, giving it a surprise to be sure. It had opened up with its lasers almost immediately in a futile attempt to smash them into oblivion, but they got their shots off, dodged, and recloaked, thus frustrating the crew on the inside.

A wave of fighters had just slipped past the entire line, caused semi-hull damage against one of the Interdictors, and totally disappeared, leaving absolutely nothing to fire at.

And to top it all off, a squadron of Chiss Clawcraft had just come into range, their threat warning devices giving off the all too familiar ring of enemy starfighters locking on with missiles.


Actions

<li>Warcraft begin moving into box formation around the fleet, hanging out of range of weapons.
<li>TIE Phantoms came uncloaked, ripped out some shots at an interdictor, and went recloaked.
<li>Chiss Clawcraft are gaining missile lock on that same interdictor.

Damage

None Noteworthy

Silencer XP-21

"Time to firing range?" The Captain asked, staring out at the Jutraalian capital ships through the viewport of the cloaked gunship. The arrowhead shape of the Star Destroyer, a Defender Class Star Destroyer, if that name made any sense to anyone, was directed just off their current heading, aimed at the Imperial fleet behind the gunships.

Those small ships, invisible to all sensors and scanners aboard the Imperial fleet, moved forward, slowly, coming within range of the enemy ship.

"We're in missile range now, Captain." Ensign Dareel reported, resting his hand on the button that would arm the deadly missile banks the vessel carried for just this sort of occurence.

Captain Edwards - Havoc, as most of the crew knew him - nodded, a thin smile forming across his features.

"Prepare volley one."

Meanwhile, Main Battle

"Admiral, the Jutraalian fleet is taking up a flanking position around the fleet. Something like a blockade formation."

Bhindi bit her lip, staring at the sensor display. What can you hope to accomplish without attacking? She swore softly as realization dawned. Unless they are waiting... or this is a distraction.

"Admiral! Starry Ice reports under attack by unidentified starfighters! Missile locks by the dozen!"

Bhindi rose from her command chair, spinning to look to the man.

"Give me a sensor reading on those fighters, ensign."

The image slowly formed itself on the Admiral's screen, a distinctive TIE ball cockpit, with wings that seemed to wrap around the ship, almost resembling a claw.

Chiss Clawcraft.

Memories of Borleais flooded back to the girl, uncalled. It seemed a lifetime ago, the bitter battle to hold Thyferra from the Yuuzhan Vong long enough for the rest of the Republic to recover from the fall.

Of Jagged Fel, a human raised by the Chiss, and his fighter flying circles around the X-wings of Twin Suns Sqaudron.

She shook her head. That was a lifetime ago. A different lifetime altogether.

"Deploy Korolev's wing to support those from Starry Ice and Solar Wind. Tell them to be cautious - if those fighters are being piloted by Chiss we're looking at superior pilots."

Bhindi realised now that she was standing. For how long? She slumped into her chair again, smile fading. Probably since that missile attack on the Interdictor.

"Alert Silencer Sqaudron. They can begin full assault immediatly."

"Yes, Admiral."

Silencer XP-21

"Authorization to fire, Captain." Havoc nodded simply, grinning.

"Fire at will, ensign."

From the XP-21, and the half a dozen counterpart ships that made up this Silencer Sqaudron, missiles lanced out from the banks emplaced along their hulls.

From each ship fifteen warheads burst into space, and crossed the distance between the cloaked warships and the Star Destroyer in an instant.

Before the enemy could return fire, the cloaked ships were gone, moving to a new position, prepared for a second volley. Should it be needed.