[font=Times New Roman]Mon Calamari[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]Jan sat at his temporary desk on Mon Calamari, making numerous calls. When the capital was moved to Azguard, a move which Jan didn’t especially support, his office was also moved there and he old office he held on Mon Calamari was given to someone else. However he had still managed to get a private office in one of the garrisons for the duration of his stay on Mon Calamari. He had numerous tasks to complete before heading out to do Operation: Surprise!, and only a short time to do them all in. The main thing that he had to do was figure out what ships he would be bringing to use in the mission. He couldn’t use just any ship, he needed ships that wouldn’t be identified as belonging to the Coalition. The problem with this was that with the recent military rebuilding had come a new era for the Coalition, an era of a more uniform fleet, with little to no reminders of the Imperials. This was quite unlike the old fleet, which had been full of Imperial equipment, from Star Destroyers down to TIE Defenders. Now the sight of a Star Destroyer was quite rare in the Coalition. However, slowly but surely Jan set up a fleet to take out. It would consist of the Imperial Star Destroyer, Prosperity, currently stationed at Tynna. Also involved would be the Interdictor Cruiser, Web Weaver, stationed at Mon Calamari itself and 8 squadrons of TIE Defenders, including Slasher Squadron, the elite squadron led by Gordon Fren, also situated at Tynna. Also involved would be a quartet of old Marauder Corvettes situated at Teth that had joined the Coalition when Teth did. Where the Tethians had gotten the old ships from Jan didn’t know, nor did he especially care. We mattered to him was that they join the force used for Operation: Surprise!. Fake IFF codes would have to be made up for the ships, but that shouldn’t prove to difficult.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]He also had to get the necessary engineers and mechanics to Ando and onto the ships that would be heading out on patrol with Galden. These ships would be the same as those that had left Mon Calamari under Galden’s control, including the carrier Endurance. As well four Defender Gunships would join in with the fleet. While this was a larger patrol that what would normally have been sent out, seeing as there were numerous other patrols circulating the area, he wanted the fleet to have the gunships as that would even up the two fleets in terms of size, although the major striking power in Galden’s fleet would be concentrated in the three 500m sized vessels while the main striking power of the other fleet would be concentrated in the 1600m Imperial Star Destroyer. Getting the engineers and mechanics to Ando shouldn’t prove to be too large of a problem, as much of the necessary personnel were already there and the rest could easily be flown in. The harder part would be getting the mechanics and engineers onboard the ships without raising too much suspicion amongst the captains and crew, but that shouldn’t prove to be a large problem as many of the crewers would be going down for shore leave, mechanics and engineers would normally come aboard to check out the ships when situated for a long time at a planet and, of course, Jan was the Minister of Defence and could therefore have the necessary work orders made up with little to no effort.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]The next thing he had to worry about was what to do with MX-103 and MX-104. These were the two main planets which ships passed by on their way from Mon Calamari to Kubindi. While this would pose a problem for most places, the issue here was that they were far from either of the two planets and in what the Black Dragon Empire liked to refer to as their sphere of influence. These two planets had to be defended and kept under the control of the Coalition or else they could find themselves with the Black Dragon Empire blockading Mon Calamari. Therefore a military base had to be established on both of these planets, and soon. After the initial bases were established it would be necessary for the worlds to be heavily fortified. Not only would these bases be used to defend the planet and therefore the space lanes, they would also be used as a spot for ships, both military and civilian although initially only military, to stop, get refuelled and get more supplies. After all, its was not uncommon for civilian vessels to miscalculate the length of the trip from Kubindi to Mon Calamari and not bring on enough fuel. Establishing bases where ships could be refuelled on both of the planets would prevent the Coalition from having to go out and rescue all of those ships.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]Jan then began his search of a fleet to go out and establish these bases. Each planet would need a sizeable fleet orbiting it while the bases were being built, as it wouldn’t do to have the half completed bases attacked and destroyed by the Dragons.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]Meanwhile, on route to Bimmisaari…[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]Kit smiled as the alarm bells began ringing out throughout the fleet, bells signifying that the ship would revert from hyperspace in 5 minutes. So far the journey had gone off without a hitch and both of the new captains had received a chance to escort transports down to the respective meeting places at each of the planets. Telcrot had done it at Kubindi and then Albsan had done it at Tammar. However now Kit wanted the two captains to get the feel of what it was like to command a patrol fleet.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Open a channel with Dreamer.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Yes sir. Channel open.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Captain Telcrot, I want you to take charge of the fleet as it exits hyperspace at Bimmisaari. You can handle the talks with the locals and everything until after we re-enter hyperspace.”[/font]

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[font='Times New Roman']Then sent a message to Angelic and the rest of the convoy informing them of the temporary change in command. Included in the message to Angelic was a small bit at the end informing Captain Albsan that he would get command for the reversion at Leritor. The Kit leaned back and waited for the ship to come out of hyperspace, waiting to see how Telcrot would handle this part of the mission. It shouldn’t be too hard, seeing as it wasn’t like Operation: Surprise! was going to start now, that wasn’t scheduled to happen until the fleet was returning from Ando…[/font]

Daren couldn’t help find himself exited of his command like a little boy from a new toy, he actually had power and he was accepted to serve a greater good in the galaxy. Then the message came and Daren nervously began brushing his hair back.

“Captain Telcrot, I want you to take charge of the fleet as it exits hyperspace at Bimmisaari. You can handle the talks with the locals and everything until after we re-enter hyperspace.”

Daren pressed his finger on the channel button opening it and spoke with a nervous tone. The fear of failure in his first command was his worst nightmare, but should it be successful he would be in happy as ever.

"Copy that Justice II, Dreamer out..."

Daren sighed and leaned back trying to find comfort in the chair, but it felt like he was back in the academy once again being teased by Malakem and couldn’t find the answer right away, but knew that he had it almost in his grip. Daren looked at the lieutenant and told her to come closer.

"How long was it for the boys to get in the fighters?"

"Approximately 30 seconds sir why?"

Daren smiled.

"They’ll have to have their share of the action don’t you agree lieutenant? Get them up and ready for an escort trip when we arrive at Bimmisaari..."

Mia nodded and turned away to the ship communication systems alarming the pilots for a quick mission .The ships exited hyperspace near the planet of Bimmisaari and Daren got up, his hand trembled as usual when he got nervous and he tried to stop it by holding his hand, but it was quite hard especially when most of the bridge crew was staring at him for orders. Daren looked at them and exploded to action after clearing the nervousness. Daren opened the channels to the planet.

"Bimmisaari Control, this is the Dreamer escorting convoy WI-3 from Mon Calamari to Ando and we are carrying supplies to be left here on Bimmisaari... "

“Dreamer this is Bimmisaari Control. Transports 1 through 3 are to come to a new heading, 90 degrees to port. They will be met at the following coordinates that we are sending right now...”

Daren smiled slightly thinking, so far so good.

“The rest of your convoy, minus an escort for Transports 1-3, should maintain their current heading and course. Other shuttles are coming to top you guys up with fuel.”

"Thank you Bimmisaari control... Dreamer out..."

Daren changed the channel to the fleet and bit his cheek slightly because he was quite a perfectionist; he couldn’t stand a single flaw in himself and was afraid of disappointing all those who trusted him.

"This is Captain Telcrot speaking, other ships are to continue on course except Angelic that will escort the transports to the port and we will launch two fighter wings to escort you Angelic..."

"Roger that..."

"Dreamer out..."

The ships began their routine and Angelic began escorting the transports as the fighter wings launched from the Dreamer, Daren had a paranoid feeling since he was exited, but thought that there would be nothing to worry about. Besides he would get used to this because it was pure routine and he would get used to it on the coming years in the fleet. The ships received their fuel and all the transports were unloaded and loaded, Daren smiled as the Angelic returned with the transports and the fighters returned home to the Dreamer. Daren sat in his chair relaxed opening the channel to the rest of the convoy once more.

"After we are in position, we will make our way towards Leritor..."

The ships assembled and Daren smiled for the fact that the hard part was over.

"Take course for Leritor... and jump..."

The ships flashed out of Bimmisaari space and Daren slightly stretched his neck, he was only too nervous for being granted this much respect and expectations, but if there was more to come then he would be glad to accept them and not feel so bothered. It had been like a lightning had hit him from a cloudless sky as he was told he was a captain and then another followed as he met Jan Dondana himself. The stars flashed besides the ships as they made their way towards Leritor where Captain Albsan would get his turn....

[font=Times New Roman]Jan raced towards the docking bay from his office. As he reached the docking bay door he slowed to a stop, saluting to the guards, whose faces showed no signs of being surprised by Jan’s hurried appearance, and punched in the correct code to access the docking bay. Once in he hit the button on his comlink to send a message to the computer onboard his YT-1300, Rover, which would then commence the start-up procedures. As he got into the cockpit he checked to make sure everything was fine, then called Mon Calamari Control.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“MCC, this is the YT-1300 freighter Rover requesting permission to takeoff and meet up with the Claymore Battleship Survivor, presently orbiting at…” he listed off the co-ordinates.[/font]
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[font=Times New Roman]“This is MCC, Rover you have permission to take-off on vector 4.5. MCC out.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Thank you MCC.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]Jan quickly piloted his ship up to the Survivor and landed in the docking bay. There the captain was waiting for him.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Is the fleet ready and prepared?”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Yes sir.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Even all the Bulk Cruisers have arrived?”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Yes, the last one reported in ten minutes ago.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“I see. Then let us proceed to the bridge and commence this operation.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Yes sir.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]The fleet collected was made up of 2 Claymore Battleships, 2 Haven Light Cruisers, 2 Longsword Frigates and 8 Defender Gunships, with accompanying fighters. They were escorting a fleet of bulk cruisers, freighters, escort carriers and even the Interdictor Cruiser Web Weaver, now with an alternate IFF code available to it, but not currently in use. The bulk cruisers, freighters and even some of the escort carriers carried troops, engineers, supplies, equipment, mines and a variety of ground based weaponry and shielding. There were even a couple of prefabricated garrisons which would serve as the primary bases for the moment. The Coalition had pulled out a lot of equipment previously dismantled and stored in warehouses for this mission. Foremost among these were the mines, Gencore II Shield Generators and Planetary Turbolaser and Ion Cannons that had previously been distributed amongst a variety of Coalition planets but since the military restoration and re-vamping had been dismantled and stored for a time when they would be need. That time was now, and the Coalition was making use of the old, but still quite good, technology.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]Soon the fleet came out of hyperspace at MX-103. As they entered the system the fleet immediately began scanning the system for ships. There were a few ships in the system, but none posed any sort of threat to the fleet and all contained legitimate civilians IFFs.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Split into Alpha and Beta Fleets.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]The fleet split in half, with 1 Claymore Battleship, 1 Haven Light Cruiser, 1 Longsword Frigate and 4 Defender Gunships going to each fleet. As well the escorting fleet was split in half, with the Interdictor Cruiser going to the Beta Fleet. Survivor was the Claymore Battleship assigned to Beta Fleet.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Alpha Fleet, launch all fighters and then commence operations on the planet’s surface. As well, start laying the mines.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]Fighters were quickly launched from the ships, including some of the escort carriers. As they launched they formed up with some of the freighters and bulk cruisers. Then they flew down to the surface and began operations there. First a flat plain was found adjacent to a fresh water lake that scans indicated was drinkable. Flowing into the lake on the west side was a large river and a smaller river flowed out on the south side. The first bulk cruiser set down on this, and earth-moving equipment was brought out, to improve the nature of the plain. They started moving the earth 50m from the lake outward and spread out so that they would have the flat area going from 30m from one edge of the incoming river to 30m from the edge of the outbound river. Along the 30m lines they began building up levees and also built some along the 50m line.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]Another group of earth-moving equipment was moving to create a perimeter 2km from the edge of the lake between the two rivers, the area of ground which would flattened in the first stage. Later stages would see the perimeter expanded and large fortifications and defences built along the perimeter, especially where the perimeter met the rivers.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]Seeing that the work was going well, Jan ordered the Beta Fleet to progress onto the MX-104. As the fleet arrived there, a portion of the fleet broke off and began heading towards an exit vector for Kubindi. This fleet included the Interdictor Web Weaver, a Defender Gunship and an escort carrier. This was the fleet that Jan was to make the rest of his journey with, so he quickly returned to Rover and once it was powered up, he received clearance to depart. Upon his departure he formed up with the fleet heading for Kubindi and then they launched into hyperspace.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]Upon arrival at Kubindi the fleet divided up once more. Web Weaver and Rover broke off from the fleet and formed up with 4 Marauder Corvettes. This fleet then moved on to Bimmisaari where the Imperial Star Destroyer Prosperity with 6 Squadrons of TIE Defenders onboard and a escort carrier with another 2 Squadrons of TIE Defenders were waiting for them. Here the final modifications were being done on the ships allowing them to be set up for Operation: Surprise![/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]Captain Kit Galden smiled as the fleet reverted from hyperspace at Ando. The patrol was done and both Captain Telcrot and Captain Albsan had performed well on their first mission.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“This is Ando Space Control hailing incoming fleet, what is your purpose.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“ASC, this is Captain Kit Galden onboard the Galactic Coalition Haven Cruiser Justice II. We are escorting a convoy designated for Ando.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“ASC copies that Captain. Ando Defence Control will contact you momentarily so your ships can form up into the defensive grid. After that I believe some of your crews have shore leave while general maintenance is done on the ships.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“That is correct ASC.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“I’m turning you over to ADC now.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]The transports moved down towards the planet while Justice II, Dreamer, Angelic and Endurance took up their positions in the defence grid. Following that it would be time for many of ships crewmembers, including Captain Telcrot as Kit remembered it, to go on a multi-day (5 day) shore leave. Kit on the other hand we remain onboard Justice II and the other ships at Ando assigned to Operation: Surprise![/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]MX-103 and MX-104 are now being taken in this thread as well. They are made up planets, uninhabited and only serve as a garrison and point of travel for when ships are traveling between Kubindi and Mon Calamari (to avoid BDE space). They are both near the very edge of the galaxy so ships just go straight to the edge of the galaxy from Kubindi, travel up to the next way point and then go over to Mon Calamari. This was all planned before the start of the BDE/GC war (around September or October I got the idea), however if Heir wishes to intervene as we are near BDE space I would be more than willing to talk to him about how we can fit this in without seriously damaging the timeline of BDE/GC confrontations etc.[/font]

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