Saga - PT Y-wing: Behind Enemy Lines (OC ,Squad Serial AU after Clone Wars)-Repost update 12-05-17

Title: Y-wing:Behind enemy lines
Author(s): Thorn058
Timeframe: The Saga 5 years after Clone Wars
Characters: OC's some mention of Tarkin, Vader, Ozzel and various Imps
Genre: Squad fic
Keywords: Y-wing, Victory class Star Destroyer, Commando
Summary: A ragtag fleet of rebels harasses the Imperial Fleet shortly after the end of the clone wars. Follows closely two squadrons of Y-wing pilots and the fight for freedom in the galaxy.
Notes: I would give a Dramatis Persona list but as it is a work in progress the list would be incomplete maybe in subsequent posts.

Authors Note: This was my first stab at fanfic and really getting into writing back when I join the boards, it is a WIP that I hope to get back into so some members will remember it from before the move. Feel free to send my an concrit either on PM or following the rules on the thread.



Y-wing: Behind Enemy Lines


Prologue:
Holonet News: Emperor to deliver state of the Empire address later today. Reports abound that he will address the so called rebellion that has been rumored among the outer rim territories and mark the fifth year anniversary of the forming of the Empire and the end of the Clone Wars. Popular opinion polls have the Emperor‘s approval rating in the high 80’s for a record 33rd month and the Imperial Senate continues to provide unfaltering support.

The blackness of deep space passed slowly outside the viewport echoing his current mood, the steady hum of impulse engines breaking his trance like state. He checked his coordinates and course heading for the thousandth time in the last hour finally stopping the never ending routine by visually checking the glow from the engines of the freighter in front of him.

“Join the Imperial Navy and see the galaxy while working for the betterment of all its citizens!” he mumbled to himself what a load of propagandist poodoo. Lt. Tal Kurin glanced over his main console again, this time taking a cloth from his uniform pocket and rubbing a fingerprint smear from his navigation view screen. He was meticulous in his need to run a tight ship, right down to dust in the tiny crew quarters and finger prints on his displays. Some of his fellow freighter captains thought it was this overly developed sense of order and cleanliness that had landed him in the freighter service instead of on a ship of the line but he choose to view it as a stepping stone. Soon enough someone at ImpFleetCom would notice his dedication and he would be fast tracked to a real Imperial Navy ship instead of a bulk freighter.

It was these lonely trips from out in the outer rim and back to the core, traveling at times on impulse due to imprecise hyperspace routes, that he had trouble believing that he really would one day serve the Empire aboard a real starship. In his heart of hearts, here among the thousands of bright stars and black space he sometimes let doubt creep into his resolve. Then just as quickly he would laugh it off. Who wouldn’t promote him? He was the best astronavigator in his class at the academy and quite obviously near the top in mathematics so he was over qualified in his own opinion to serve aboard a starship.

A slight rocking of the ship caused him to refocus, that stupid loadmaster had better not be drunk again he thought to himself. Stupid civilian contractors, bad enough his crew was droids but to contract out the loading to civilians was intolerable. He quickly scanned his displays again; funny his aft scanners were showing that the remaining freighters in the convoy behind him were off course.

“Lead this is Lt. Kurin aboard freighter 9”

“This is lead go ahead Kurin”

“My scanners show freighters ten through fifteen off course”

“Hold a moment Kurin, Yes we see it too”

“Do you want me to contact…” he never got a chance to finish the transmission as his entire cockpit suddenly came alive with blue electricity and then suddenly went dark. He peered out his forward viewport, his eyes adjusting to the lack of light. Suddenly two lights flashed by him on the right a second later two more appear on his left. He recognized them as the engine glow of smaller ships. Rescue craft perhaps? Surely not pirates, who would be crazy enough to steal from the Empire?
Twenty minutes later after exhausting all known ways of restarting his ship he leaned back and tried to make out the distant shape of the freighter ahead of him. He was knocked off his chair by a large bump against the outside of his hull just aft of the cockpit. Finally a rescue craft, about bloody time too. He stood up straightening his uniform and turned to the door of the cockpit.

“Well you took your sweet time getting here. These supplies are vital to” he never got to finish his sentence as a long hairy arm reached through the opening door and grabbed his coat and drove him into the door frame knocking him unconscious.

Chapter 1

Alliance Fleet General Order 161-1A: All ships should make every attempt not to engage the Imperial Fleet unless they have a numerically superior force. You are instructed to continue “privateering” against Imperial shipping as supplies are limited. Further Instructions to follow

Lt. Kayleth Tor pulled his Y-wing up and over the last disabled bulk freighter in line. The BFF-1 bulk freighter listed slowly to port, the small boarding shuttle attached to the hull just behind the command cockpit, visible on his initial pass. He clicked over to the fleet channel.

“Command, this is Dragon Lead. Convoy is disabled”

“Dragon Lead, this is Weatherman, roger that, Status report?”

“Roger Weatherman, half the freighters have been boarded and are in our control. No sign of trouble, Over”

“Roger that Dragon Lead, you are clear to continue operation, over”

“Roger that Weatherman, Fleet Status? Over”

“Fleet status normal, the board is clear. End transmission, Over.”

He switched off and pulled back on his stick putting the Y-wing into a climb so he could get a better view of the engagement zone.

“As always a thrill talking to you too” he mumbled to himself. “ Hey spider how is that stabilizer doing?” his R5 astromech chirped a series of low tones that his flight computer translated for him. “Ok no more bumps I promise” he reassured the droid. He leveled off and goosed his port side repulsors spinning the ship up on its starboard engine pylon. Looking over the engagement zone, he switched to squadron wide frequency.

“Ok everyone listen up this is Dragon lead, everything is going smoothly so we are going to run this by the numbers. Dragons I want you flying cover anyone sees anything suspicious you call it in.” Eleven lights blinked in acknowledgment. His squad knew their jobs. “Howlers I want you to take over assault shuttle escort. We only have a few freighters left so by the books people and everyone gets home. Twenty minutes tops and we head back to the Cal” there was a scattering of gripes about babysitting but for the most part he got twelve green lights. He got a message indicator on a private channel from Howler lead

“Hey Gunner, please tell me you didn’t stick us on the babysitting job because your upset about the promotion”

“No Tank, I’m just following the rotation that the Commander left me. I promise next time your guys will be out front” just then a loud screeching nearly deafened him “friek” he swore Switching back to the squadron channel he waited till the echo died down and could just barely make out the last transmission.

“you kriffing snubjockey what are you trying to do get us all killed?”

“Okay this is Lead, what was that?”

“This is shuttle Beta-9, one of your flyboys just tried some stunt flying and about sent us and the freighter to join the force”

“Alright everyone calm down. Tank, who do you have on Beta-9?”

“Howlers eight and nine”

“Ok boys take it back to the barn, Dragons two and three take over.”

“Roger that Lead”

He watched the two Y-wings drop out of formation while two more slid in to take their place. Just what he didn’t need problems on his first watch. The Captain was going to have his head for this. From his over look he watched as the line of freighters slowly turned back towards the rim and began to jump away. The ten or so assault shuttles slowly made their way back towards the Dreadnaught waiting off in the shadow of a large gas giant. He keyed up the com again,

“Fleet actual this is Dragon Lead, Over”

“This is Weatherman, go ahead lead, Over”

“Little birds headed in making final check we have 15 freighters on their way and both squads coming in, Over.”

“Roger that lead you are cleared for pickup, Weatherman out.”

“About as jolly as ever, Ok you heard the man, Howlers, Crimson Dragons lets head home” he put all power into his engines and shot out after his squadron. “Last one in buys the first round” came the call over the com. Spider whistled enthusiastically and Kayleth answered back to him, “Yeah I know we are always the last ones in, but at least you don’t have to buy.”

 

Excellent, I love a good pilot fic. This started well, good buildup. Great characterization on the Imperial. You built him up, and then the Dragons took him down...and his ship...and his cargo. Nice work! Let me know when you update this, please.

 

Thanks, so much for the read. When I originally started posting this story I had chapters 1 and 2 in the same post because I felt that at least two chapters were needed to really grab the audiences attention but last night I just had time to post the first chapter. I will try to avoid posting an update a day but I still feel like chapter 2 is needed to really snag a reader lol.

 

Chapter 2

Private message from Alliance Fleet Command to Captain Valek Garion: I’m sorry Val, but we are stretched thin right now. I will send you what people I can but ships and supplies we are in desperately short supply. Do what you can and we will try to send you more when we have it, until then may the force be with you.

The flight deck of the Alliance dreadnought Caladon was a busy place during most normal days but as he landed his fighter on the deck, Kayleth noticed that things were more chaotic than usual. He pulled off his helmet and set it on his flight stick, turning around to make sure Spider was being removed from his socket by the deck crew. Looking across the hangar he could see a crowd growing, he jumped down the ladder two steps at a time and went running towards it.

“You young snubjockey punk, you need to be put in your place” shouted a large solidly built man.

Kayleth could tell by the voice that it was the Sarge no two ways about it. “Damn near got my men killed you kriffing little punk” with that he threw a left hook at a pilot in bright orange. Howler 8 or Flight Officer Mar “Pusher” Kellen. Pusher was being held back by two fellow pilots as the Sarge had thrown his punch.

“Try it old man you’ll find yourself sucking vaccum.”

Before the punch could land a huge wall of fur grabbed the Sarge’s fist as well as the front of Pusher’s flight suit and let out a loud howl. The wookie held his long arms apart keeping both men from each other. He released the Sarge's fist to grab a handful of his shirt the same as he did to Pusher and lifted both men slightly off the ground.

“Let me go major this flyboy needs a good beating.”

“That will be the day, when a dirt-eater like you teaches me anything.”

The wookie howled again this time louder and some of the crowd covered their ears. A nearby protocol droid flanked by two more massive wookies translated for the two men.

“I believe Major Tharoonic has suggested that you both stop before he teaches you both some hand to hand combat,” it said.

The wookie growled at him.

“What? you did say unarmed just not whose arms you would be unarming.”

Before he could continue a voice called out. “Attention on deck!” everyone including the two combatants quickly snapped to attention suspended as they were. The Captain walked slowly towards the middle of the crowd, his hands clasped behind his back.

“What goes on here?”

Kayleth quickly spoke up, “Minor disagreement on boarding procedures sir.”

“ Friek if it was, this flyboy just about.”

“ Sergeant, in the ready room if you please.”

“But sir.”

“Now Sergeant, You two Lt. Tor. Everyone else back to your duties.”

The crowd slowly began breaking up “Now people!” the Captain’s deep voice sending everyone running. The wookies stood their ground; it was always tough to tell what they were thinking. Kayleth thought it was because of all the fur.

“Major.” the captain said nodding his head at the large wookie still holding the combatants in his massive grip. The wookie slowly let the two down and released them, chuckling to himself and snapping a quick salute and walking towards the starboard side turbolift door. The wookie commandos in squad one were tough but no one was as tough as the Captain.

Kayleth made his way towards the pilot ready room just off the flight decks port side, the Captain and Sarge waiting for him just inside. The Captain waited until the door slid shut before speaking.

“Ok Gunner, out with it what happened?”

“Honestly sir I can’t tell you. I didn’t really get a good look at what happened.”

"I’ll tell you what happened your snubjockey out there decided he wanted to get cute and pulled an engine over engine loop over one of my shuttles and just about cost good people their lives,” the sarge barked at him, punctuating it by thrusting his finger into Kayleth’s chest. “What kind of FlightOps you running Gunner?”

“Sarge back off and give time to speak. It is a good question though Gunner,” the Captain starred at him, his left eye the mechanical one barely hidden beneath the synflesh of his left cheek faintly glowed red. It was enough to intimidate even the toughest in the fleet and not something you wanted starring back at you.

“He is a combat pilot sir, we are all and we are just trying to keep our edge. I know it isn’t a good reason but it is the only thing I can tell you, I know it isn’t much.”

“Damn straight it isn’t.”

The Captain glanced over at the Sarge and that was enough to quiet him down again.

“I want him off active duty until further notice and get a tighter grip on your people Gunner this isn’t a game, real peoples’ lives hang in the balance. Dismissed.”

“Yes Sir, thank you Sir!” he snapped a quick salute and headed towards the door to the corridor and not back to the hanger.

“Oh and Gunner,” he turned back towards the Captain “good work out there today.”

He smiled and answered back “thank you Sir,” and then quickly retreated the door closing silently behind him. He walked down the dimly lit corridor and rounded the first turn where Pusher was waiting for him.

“Did you and the Captain set that dirt-eater straight?” he asked as Kayleth walked passed him.

Kayleth slowed to a stop, his back to Pusher

“Well? What happened?” the hit came so fast Pusher never saw it coming. Kayleth spun on his heel and backhanded the other pilot in the mouth before he had a chance to protect himself. Pusher stumbled backwards one hand going to the small trickle of blood in the corner of his mouth, the other slowly creeping to the sidearm holster.

“Do it! Go ahead draw down on me! I’m begging you too.”

Pusher let his hand slide off the blasters’ handle and stood up, hate filled eyes staring at Kayleth, the tension visible in every muscle of his face.

“You’re off active duty until further notice.”

“You can’t do that; I’ll go to the Captain.”

“It was the Captain’s orders, if it were up to me well,” he stepped in close his face just inches from Pushers’. “If it was up to me I would have you cleaning refreshers on some backwater hovel before I ever let you near a cockpit again. I don’t care who your father is, you almost killed our own people! You need to remember we are all on the same side, the sooner you get that through that bigoted head of yours the better. Now dismissed!”

Pusher turned to leave, “Oh and Pusher,” the younger pilot turned back towards his commanding officer only to get a fist in the stomach dropping him to the corridor floor. “Next time you reach for your gun on me you better drop me cause it will be last mistake you ever make,” and he stalked away.

Back in the ready room Captain Garion pulled out a chair and slumped in it wearily, letting out a long sigh.

“Better not let the kids hear you do that they might think you are getting old.”

“You're one to talk old friend.”

“I was born old Val you know that. What are we going to do about this?”

“For the most part I intend to do nothing about it.Gunner is a good officer he will handle it. It is the rest of it that worries me; the moral has been low of late. What is your honest opinion?”

“You don’t want to hear what I think,” the Sarge said setting a steaming cup of caf in front the Captain and pouring one for himself “Nothing good would come of it.”

“No go ahead tell me, at this point I’m sure it is nothing I haven’t thought to myself.”

“I think we have been out for too long. An eight month tour without stopping at any port in the outer rim, without returning to base, it’s a long haul Val. Plus the kid is right we are a combat ship and the most action we have seen in that eight months can readily be called pirating. This ship and the fleet hasn’t been bloodied yet, part of me thinks the first time we get into a scrap with the Imps we plant half these boys in the ground, the other half thinks a good fight is what we need most.”

“I know Sarge, maybe we have been out too long, I keep telling myself each day we stay out here is one more for the alliance, one more day that the base has to remain hidden, one more chance to live free. But your right we should have headed in long ago.” He pulled his comlink from his coat pocket.

“Bridge this is the Captain.”

“Bridge here go ahead Sir.”

“Make ready to head for home Lt.”

“Home sir?”

“Yes Lt. that's right we are headed in to Kenobi base, we are going home son.”

“Yes Sir, I will alert the fleet.”

“No need LT. I’ll handle it,” he switched channels “Weatherman this is the captain.”

“Weatherman here sir.”

“Have Widget make calculations for the jump home and alert the fleet we are headed in.”

“Understood sir Weatherman out.”

Three seconds later the call came over the loudspeakers throughout the dreadnought.

“This is Weatherman to all ships in the fleet, Standby to receive jump coordinates. We are heading home.”

The two men sat back in their chairs each holding their cups in both hands listening to the sounds of cheering coming from all parts of the ship. The Sarge took a long pull on his cup and said,

“Seems someone happy with your decision you’re going to lose your reputation as a hard-ass.”

“Not before you do old friend, not before you,“ and they both laughed as the ship slowly came alive.

 

Nice update! The crew does need a break, if they fight amongst themselves like that.

Looking forward to the next update.

 

I agree. Discipline on that boat is atrocious! Interesting introduction to the story, looking forward to reading more.

 

Yep at this point I was really looking for a feel of the alliance in it's infancy and the command structure, discipline and protocol are still very fluid and haven't really formalized yet. Couple that with a long deployment and tensions are running high.

 

Chapter 3

Personal Communique From Moff Wilhuff Tarkin to Moff Alexander Julstan: Alex, old boy I have been hearing disturbing reports that several shipments from your sector have mysteriously gone missing. I do hope you are not having problems with piracy and that you have the situation well in hand. I would hate to have to report to the Emperor that you are unable to control your own sector. It would be such a shame if I had to take over yet another region in the outer rim. Do contact me if there is anything I can do to help.

Moff Julstan left disaster in his wake as he stormed the corridors of the Star Destroyer Ravisher. It was a Mark 1 Victory class Star Destroyer fresh from the Kuat drive yards and the pristine nature of it seemed lost on Julstan as he made he way towards one of the many ship’s conference rooms. An unsuspecting ensign tried in vain to slow him down.

“The Captain is in a meeting Governor perhaps if you would.”

“Out of my way peasant.” and Julstan shoved him bodily against the far bulkhead and stormed into the conference room. The two Stormtroopers just inside the doors quickly brought their E-11 carbines to bear and even that seemed to deter the Moff little.

“Have you seen this?”

Captain Alistar Barris Commander of the Arkanis Sector fleet, master of the Ravisher and career Naval officer took full measure of his severely agitated governor and spoke to the two officers flanking him.

“Gentlemen a moment please. Troopers be so kind as to let Moff Julstan in. I am sure he can be trusted not to kill me. Isn't that right Governor?”

“Ummph!”

The troopers lowered their carbines and went back to standing guard, the flustered ensign waited just inside the door until the captain noticed him.

“That will be all Ensign, unless you My lord would like some refreshment, a cup of caf perhaps?”

“Damn your pleasantries Barris we have a real problem” he barked back throwing the piece of flimsi he had been carrying down on the conference room table. The ensign seeing the slight nod of his captains head backed out of the room and the door slid shut behind him.

“What is the problem this time my Lord? Some minor functionary not agreeing to pay the tax increase” Barris was becoming all too inconvenienced by the Moff’s use of the sector fleet as a tool for bullying the local systems into paying his increased taxes, taxes he was sure that the Empire knew nothing about. Couple that with the territory fighting between the Hutts and the Zahn Consortium and his job got tougher by the hour.

“Look at this, just look at this” Julstan stammered.

He picked up the nearly crumbled flimsi and scanned it. “It appears to be a personal letter from Governor Tarkin to you sir. I fail to see where this is any of my concern.”

“Are you mad? It is an unveiled threat. He wants my sector, He wants me replaced and you,” he pointed at Barris “you are helping him!”

Barris raised an eyebrow and placed his hands behind his back. “Excuse me?”

“Three convoy’s hit in the last month and you do nothing. Why don’t you just say it Barris you want me out of the way.”

“With all due respect Governor there is nothing to do. There is no trace of the freighters or their crews and no one seems to witness what took place. The disappearances have all been random and in different locations so there is no pattern to follow. I think you need to remain calm and stop making wild accusations before you have all the facts.”

“You fool it is quite obvious that it is rebels why else are there no bodies?”

“It could be the Hutts or Black Sun, even the Zahn’s are not above this sort of piracy my Lord.”

“No if it was pirates or gangsters they wouldn’t have thought twice about killing Imperials that way there is no tracing them. No it is Rebels, Rebels with their high ideals and their morals. You’ll see I’m right.”

“In that case Governor Julstan I suggest you return to your palace and let me and my staff get back to the task of finding said rebels and restoring order to the sector.”

“One week Barris, one week or I take matters in to my own hands,” and with that he stormed out again.

“What do you suppose he meant by that?” asked one of the officers seated in the room waiting to return to what they had been doing.

“I’m not sure. I’m not even sure he does, but he is right about one thing, from all I have heard we don’t want to be serving under Wilhuff Tarkin either.”

He bent back over looking at the troop estimates and fleet figures that they had been starring at before the Moff’s untimely arrival. Again and again he came back to the same conclusion, there was just too much space and not enough resources to watch it all.

“Gentlemen we are spread too thin, too many more demands on the fleet, like this one,” and he pointed to the letter Julstan had left, “and we will be in real danger of losing the sector. Whether to the Hutts or the Zahn’s or to this so called rebel alliance remains to be seen but I will not let it happen on my watch not if I can help it.” He turned to look out the view-port at the stars surrounding the massive ship. The planet Arkanis just above the top edge of the view-port. He stood there a good long minute before turning back to the table.

“Well back to work.” He pushed a button on the tables surface and waited. The conference room door slid open and the ensign stepped inside.

“Yes Captain?”

“Ensign Ortz get me Captain Ulnaca on the Heart of Arkanis. Oh and ensign next time Moff Julstan storms aboard my ship lock the door instead of trying to block it. Stormtroopers maybe expendable to the Empire but good naval officers aren’t.”

"Yes Captain,” the young ensign smiled and left the room.

 

Great work indeed!

Having a good read so far, keep up the marvelous work!

 

Nice update! I can totally see Grand Moff Tarkin pulling something like that. Of course...Moff Julstan may not be the sharpest tool in the shed either.

 

Chapter 4

HolonetNews: Sienar Fleet Systems stock took a 20 point dip today when the Incom Corparation unveiled the prototype for its new single man star fighter. Incom is hoping to secure a highly coveted government contract to produce the new fighter for the Empire and thus cut into Sienar’s monopoly. This comes in the wake of corporate restructuring at Incom due to the defunct ARC-170 star fighter that failed to be produced in significant numbers during the later days of the Clone Wars. No response yet from the board of military procurement and Sienar Fleet’s CEO could not be reached for comment.

It had been a busy two days since the Captain had made the call for the fleet to return home. Kayleth could hardly remember sleeping he had so many new responsibilities. For a quiet unassuming pilot who just loved flying, maybe it was asking too much to suddenly be promoted to CAG. If Commander Allen hadn’t requested a transfer maybe he would have never found out just what it takes to make a fleet air group run. He was so absorbed in what he was doing that he wasn’t really paying attention to his course while walking the corridors of the Caladon and that was why he was too late to avoid what happened.

“SAY aren’t you out of uniform!” the loud deep voice startled him so much he dropped his datapad and the sheets of flimsi he was carrying.

“Wow so much for those legendary flyboy nerves of steel.”

“Hahaha, very funny Tristen, now help me pick this up.”

The big commando crossed his well muscled arms across his chest. The sleeveless vest he was wearing as well as the black camo shirt beneath it straining to contain the blonde man’s muscular frame. He was every bit a recruiting board’s ideal poster boy right down to the blue eyes.

“Nope not until you answer my question. Why are you out of uniform?”

Kayleth looked down at his orange flight suit, which was rolled down to his waist, his squadron shirt, and his flight gear riding on his shoulder. “I’m not out of uniform, I’m going to a briefing and you're making me late.”

“I disagree with you sir. Mister high and mighty CAG should be in his party finest. We have got a celebration to go to.” With that the big man bent down and scooped up the pile of flimsi with far more quickness and agility then a man of his size should posses.

"I haven’t got time for a party Tristen, I have a job remember. Which reminds me aren’t you due on watch right now?” as the two men started walking down the corridor Tristen put his arm over his friend’s shoulder.

“Nope I got a lucky hand in a pick-up game of sabacc and some guys in the 3rd recon have to take my watch. Oh you should have seen it Tor, I couldn’t lose.”

“Are you ever going to grow up?”

“Naw it wouldn’t be as much fun. So how about it, are you coming with me tonight? I want to set you up with this engineer I met from the Blackwind. Man what a looker.”

“Oh No! I remember the last blind date you set me up on. An overweight Selonian widow with three kids, besides there is too much to do: we are going to be home by this time tomorrow.”

“Yeah I remember her; I think she really took a liking to you too.” he laughed “Remind me again why it takes almost three days to get back to base. Why can’t we jump directly there?”

“Captain’s orders that way the base stays secret and we don’t have anyone following us. Besides only three people know the base's location and only Widget gives out the nav points.”

“May the force protect us we are at the mercy of the Captain’s eccentric R2 unit!” Tristen laughed.”Sure you won’t join us for some fun later?”

“Maybe.”

“See that is one thing that makes our friendship work.”

“What my almost Jedi-like patience?”

“Nope, the fact that you’re a flyboy and I’m a ground pounder!”

“Wanna do a fly-by on that one again?”

“It proves that Fleet and Infantry can mix. Hey what is this scuttlebutt I hear about you sucker punching Pusher?”

“Man news travels fast on this ship, I’m sure the crews on the carracks know about it already.”

“This surprises you? Next time let me know I want to be in on all the fun, and speaking of fun you should head over to where they are keeping those Imps prisoner. The Sarge is having a field day sharpening that 8-inch mandalorian knife of his in front of them. One prissy little LT. just about wet himself.”

“Sorry not my sense of humor although I might go for a prisoner exchange if you were involved. How much you think the Imps would give me for you?”

“Haha, I’ll tell the jokes around here.”

They came to a stop in front of the pilot briefing room. Kayleth felt the motion of the big ship change. They were dropping out of hyperspace. He held his breath waiting for that tell-tale call. He didn’t have to wait long.

“Attention all personnel! This is Weatherman the clock is ticking 12 hours until our next jump, that is all.”

“Hey Hey Hey they’re playing our song, I’ll catch you later. Try to make it Bottoms Down later, alright”

“Later Tristen, be good!”

“You know me Tor, I’m the walking embodiment of the light-side of the force. I’m telling you though this girl is stacked,” and he made a gesture with his hands.

“NO!” and with that he entered the briefing room. This wasn’t his first briefing since becoming CAG but none of them came easy. His squad was sitting down front, some with feet on their desks others looked half asleep. The Howlers were right behind them, talking animatedly and the shuttle pilots were scattered out all along the back of the room. No one snapped to attention since they knew he ran a loose briefing.

“Listen up people you heard the call we got twelve hours before we jump out of here so let’s keep it wired tight.”

“Hey, LTee we going to get Liberty when we get back?” came a question from the crowd. He was looking at his notes so he didn’t get a look at who had asked.

"That is the Captain’s decision and when he tells me I’ll tell you. I need two volunteers to escort the shuttle when we drop off the prisoners. Any takers?” two of the Howlers raised their hands. “Alright Howlers 11 and 12” he said marking it down on his datapad, twirling the stylus in his hand.” Next up we have Dragon’s 3 and 4, you got the first CAP with Howlers 9 and 10 on the alert 5. Anymore questions? No! Ok I’ll post the duty roster as you leave, remember twelve hours and then we jump for home.”

They began filing out and Kayleth caught Tanks’ eye, he motioned him towards the side of the briefing room.

“You think your guys will be ok. I mean without Pusher on the active roster?”

“I think you are the one to answer that, you are the one who’s going to pull double shifts.”

“Yeah you’re a real good friend for reminding me of that Tank. Ever hear of delegating maybe you forget who the CAG is,” he laughed.

“No I just know the type of officer you are. You would fly every CAP if it meant keeping your squadron safe.”

Just then the Captain stepped in the briefing room and the two squadron leaders snapped to attention.

“At ease men, Gunner, Tank just wanted to run something by you so that you are prepared when we get in. There are rumors that Incom is developing a new fighter. I want you two to start running some sims on it for the fleet.”

“For or against Sir?”

“Both, now I know you two love your Y-wings but word is fleet thinks these things are the best there is, make the Twin Ion look like Old Republic museum pieces.”

“I for one would be happy to learn a new fighter sir, provided Gunner doesn’t take all of them for himself.”

“It is just a precaution Tank nothing set in stone.”

“Yes Sir!” they both replied.

“Eleven hours and counting boys and then we relax,” and with that he left the room. They looked at the specs he had left them.

“X-wing huh? Bet it never catches on.” Laughed Tank and then he too left the room.

Kayleth thought about the daily reports, the duty roster, the flight checks, and performance reports lying on his desk waiting for him and the he decide maybe one drink wouldn’t hurt.

 

Authors Note: I'd like to thank my readers for their continued viewing and I hope to move things along towards some newer chapters.

Chapter 5

Many times the Force gives you what you need, not what you may want.-Old Jedi saying
If you don’t get what you want at first get a bigger gun-1St Recon Commando Motto

Bottoms Down was perhaps the biggest proof that the Caladon was a truly unique capital ship in the Alliance fleet. Sure other ships had mess halls and officer’s lounges, rec halls, and cafeterias, but they had nothing that even remotely came close to Bottoms Down. At some point during the retrofitting of the Caladon after its decommissioning by the Empire and its subsequent recommissioning by the Alliance, some crew chief or officer got it in his head to turn one of the numerous storage areas on the ship into a fully functional cantina. From that moment on Bottoms Down was born, it was a place where everyone be they officer or crew, fleet or marine, male or female could let their hair down and forget the troubles of the galaxy. The Captain made no rules concerning the place, maybe because he was a former pilot or maybe because he felt the need to have something on board that reminded people of a normal life or maybe he just liked having it on his ship, no one knew for sure.

What had started out as a simple bar had grew to include a diner complete with slices of roasted nerf being tended to by off duty cooks, to a ships band playing rauous tunes in the corner, to a dance floor for couples to expend some energy. The undisputed master of Bottoms was S5-HAM or Sammy as everyone called him. No one knew where he came from or how a serving droid and a protocol droid ended up being turned into one unique droid but without a doubt he was a bartender extraordinaire. At times you almost forgot he was a droid and not a human or maybe a verpine it was tough to tell. Besides being the bartender he ran all the action in the fleet, controlled much of the black market and was the self appointed social director no small feat for a droid. The Bottoms may not be as famous as some cantinas in the core but it was close to it. If asked everyone in the fleet would tell you Bottoms was the jewel of the fleet.

Kayleth had stopped in to his quarters briefly to switch out of his flight suit and pull on his squadron jacket, opting not to pull on the worn cap he usually wore off duty and then headed for the Bottoms. It was mid-shift so Sammy had the lights dimmed down to give the bar an evening sort of look. Even in the dim light it wasn’t hard to spot Tristen. Hell ships in orbit could spot the big man without sensors. He walked as quietly as he, which in the din of the bar should have been fine, towards his friends back. Just inches from his goal Tristen held up his large glass mug and said,

“You’re late, I’m already two ahead of you and here is another dead soldier,” quickly downing the last of his drink “next rounds on you Tor.”

“How do you do that, how do you always know when I’m..” as he moved around Tristen back he trailed off. To stunned to talk. In front of Tristen sat the picture of a small sun, or at least something just as beautiful. For once Tristen was true to his word the woman was beautiful, she had a light golden hue to her skin and red-gold curls that fell all over the place down her shoulders and her eyes, her eyes were light blue pools into which he could stare for hours.

“See Tor told you I could pick’em and you thought I was going to slip you a skimmer. Stacked didn’t I tell ya?”

He kneed Tristen in the thigh.

“Ow hey that hurt.”

“Please forgive my friend he talks to much, I’m Kayleth..” he stammered “Um Lt Kayleth Tor and you are?”

“Thirsty, if you're not going to buy the next round then get out of the way flyboy cause someone has to get it.”

“Lomin-ale,” said Tristen, “only make mine a double, nope make it a triple. Hmmm ale,” He said licking his lips.

“Just how drunk are you?” he asked quickly taking the spot across form Tristen that the woman had just vacated.

“Plenty, I don’t know about you, but I intend to have my fellow marines carry me home,” he laughed loudly.

“Keep your voice down. Don’t you know how much trouble I’m going to be in if Mother hears about this?”

“Isn’t he a little old to be worrying about his mother?” the goddess asked as she came back with the drinks.

Get it together Gunner stop thinking about her as a Goddess she is just another woman. Oh man she looked just as good coming back as she did sitting there.

“Scoot over you big oaf,” she said sliding into a chair next to Tristen and passing out the drinks.

“My thanks ma Lady for the gift of Ale many blessing shall be upon you,” he took a large gulp and then continued. “Kayla Arlien, I present to you my friend Kayleth Tor commanderairgroup,” he slurred into his mug.

“So Lt. you’re a flyboy huh?”

“Yes miss Arlien, I’m a pilot.” he tried not to turn bright red.

“Please call me Kayla or Chief, Miss Arlien makes me sound like a school girl. So who this mother you were talking about?”

“I love Mother!!” Tristen belched out.

“It’s his girlfriend, she is one of my pilots and if she catches him like this I am going to be on her bad side for at least the next year.”

“Nice!” She laughed and it was like the sound of silver bells . Nope knock it off stop thinking like that.”So her name is mother huh that is kinda of weird or is it a nickname?”

“Yeah it’s her call sign.” he tried to sound less like a dork but it kept coming out wrong. Why was she affecting him this way?

“Oh for cute, Do you have one of those cute little call signs LT.” she asked somehow seeming innocent and devilish all at the same time.

“Ha Gunner, she wants to know your call sign hahah.” Tristen slurred.

“Shut up and drink your ale. Gunner my call sign is Gunner,” he replied looking rather downhearted about it.

“Ask why, man is that a funny story."

“Don’t you have some ale to be drinking?”

“Fair enough, this mug appears to be empty. Sammy!!!!” he bellowed “Sammeeiee more ale,” his head began to slip towards the table “yummy ale.”

He mouthed “I’m sorry” across at her

“No problem. He should be passing out here in just a minute. I had the bartender slip him a sedative with that last one.”

“Good call, I think he is taking the news of going home a little bit too well. So Chief, Tristen says you’re an engineer?”

“Well Gunner” she made a smug face at him “Yes I am, but more like chief problem fixer with all the stuff that goes wrong on the Wind. I was kinda hoping that I could get a transfer to the Cal this tour but there is just too much to do for me to leave them empty handed.”

“Wish some other felt like that.”

“What’s the matter? The life of a flyboy not all getting kissed by girls and shaking hands?”

“Ha Ha. Ok I deserved that, no I mean our last CAG just up and transferred dropping everything and I’m just trying to pick up the pieces. The Captain says it’s you and you have to deliver.”

“Why not just say no?”

“Cause it’s the Captain and you just don’t say no to him.”

“He is just a man Kayleth just like any other.”

He smiled when she called he by name. they stared at each other for a minute and then he looked away.

“So why haven’t I seen you here before?”

“Maybe flyboy cause you have your head in the stars and us working girls keep our feet on the deck.”

“I think I’m going to have to start watching my step.”

“Maybe.”

“Booby-trap,” Tristen suddenly shouted jerking his head off the table. “Huh? What? Oh hum ale,” and then he put his head back down. They both laughed out loud at that.

“You think you can get him to his bunk alright? I’m due on the flight deck in a little bit.” he said as he stood up and started to move out from behind the table. Just as he got there she put her left leg up on the table next to them. He tried to move right and she put her right leg up blocking that way too. She brought the two together pulling him in close to her chair and slowly stood up.

“Who said you were free to go?” a red gold curl falling across her face.

“Um I think I out rank you so technically I don’t have to ask permission,” he said brushing the curl back from her face. Her hand reached up and tousled his auburn hair and then pulled him in to a fierce kiss.

“Well you better start asking permission flyboy only the first ones free!” and she moved over to the bar carrying the empty glasses with her.

“Hahah only the first ones free.” Tristen laughed.

“Oh go back to sleep!” and he walked out into the night shaking his head.

 

Loved the blurb in chapter 4 about the X-wing. But who would want to give up their Y-wing for one of those junkers?

Looks like Gunner had a good time at the bar! Definitely more fun than Tristen.

Nice updates! Sorry I missed one.

 

No worries. When I originally started writing this I was hoping to fill in the gaps between episodes 3 and 4 where there wasn't a lot of EU material but since then it has filled in a lot and been rendered non-canon anyway so I think it is fun. It is challenging picking up a story that I haven't worked on in five years or so and trying to get back into the mindset of the characters I was developing. Thankfully their voices never really left my head.

 

I just read chapter 1 and I am hooked, so far you're doing fairly well at managing several characters and the story is interesting. I might have to pay attention to how you play out with minor details and take notes lol, great work!

 

Chapter 6
Fleet Orders for Captain Ulnaca from Office of Sector Fleet Command: The Heart of Arkanis is to rendezvous with two Carrack class cruisers of your choice and proceed to the Hypori System. There you will split up into three patrol groups and search the system for signs of the missing Imperial freighters. This search is to take no longer then three galactic standard days and no less than one.

Private Communique from Captain Barris: Ulnaca I have low expectations of this mission so if you find nothing I’m prepared to live with it. This is more to appease Governor Julstan then a serious fact finding mission. As always I have every confidence in your leadership and look forward to reading your report.

It had been a half hour since he had left Bottoms and he was still replaying the events over in his mind. Had he done something wrong? Did he say the right thing? What was he thinking, was he thinking at all? Spider rolled over to him and extended one of his small grabber arms, pinching the back of his calf.

“Ouch! Spider what do you think you’re doing?” the droid rolled slightly back from him pulling in the grabber, whistling and swiveling his dome at him, one of his optics flashing at the same time.

“Yeah and what would you know about it?” he asked the droid. He picked up a screwdriver and went back to work fine tuning the focusing aperture sitting on the rolling workstation in front of him. Spider whistled again this time with a high pitched squeak at the end.

“Will you just leave me alone; believe me I know what I’m doing when it comes to women.”

“Women cloud the mind, and what in the name of the Emperor’s black bones are you doing to my ship?”

“Sorry Chief!”

Kayleth spun around and shot Spider a look that said thanks for warning me. He then looked over at crew chief Porter. The Chief looked like someone had taken the genetic code for Ugnaughts spliced it with the code for Gammoreans and then impregnated a human with it. He was every bit as bad tempered as either of those two races and just about as nice to look at. He stood about the same height as a Sullstan but was built like an armoured tank. Pure muscle and thick about the chest, bumping into him was like having one of the Wookie commandoes hit you. You almost never got up. He rarely shaved, never appeared in any uniform other than his spattered overalls and smelled fouler then any two garbage scows in the sector. Half the deck crew feared him, as well as half the pilots hated him. He never saluted anyone save the Captain and rank held no meaning to him. Many of the newer pilots wondered why the Captain tolerated him, but Kayleth knew he was the best crew chief in the outer rim and he loved his ships better then he loved his family. Kayleth liked him the minute he came on board.

“Well I’m waiting you addle brained son of sith!”

“The Ion cannons weren’t zeroed out right on that last mission. My starboard cannon kept missing by at least half a meter.”

“So you thought you would fix it huh? And that isn’t what I asked Gunner.”

“Whoa there piggy I’m just fixing my bird don’t get bent out of shape.”

“I’ll piggy you,” he said grabbing a large hydrospanner and making like he was going to hit both Kayleth and the part he was working on. Then as spider started to charge, intending to save his master, both men started laughing.

“Take it easy little guy just having some fun.” the chief stopped and looked at the front of the Y-wing looming before Kayleth. He bent left and then right looking at the fighter’s profile.

“I’ll be a force user’s illegitimate spawn! What darn fool painted eyes on my baby?”

“Like it? One of the squad came up with it, makes us looks more like dragons.”

“Damn foolish if you ask me. Suppose I’ll be the one to have to repaint it every time one of your so-called pilots brushes my hanger door.”

He was about to reply when his comlink buzzed. Picking up his jacket from the laser cannon he hung it on, Kayleth rummaged through his pocket pulling out both the comlink and a white napkin. Flipping the latter over and looking at it. The comlink buzzed again.

“You going to get that or are you communing with the force?”

“Yeah just startled for a moment, sorry. This is the CAG go ahead.”

“Lt. the Captain would like to see you on the bridge.”

“Roger that I’ll be there in five.” He finished the call and slipped his jacket on.”I’ve got to go Chief can you finish this up?”

“Sure you tear it apart and I have to be the one that puts it back together. So what was with the napkin?”

“Oh a girl I met to night slipped into my pocket when I wasn’t watching. It is her comm. information.”

“I thought you pilots were supposed to have situational awareness? How’d you miss something like that?”

“I was distracted by her lips on mine at the time.”

“That’ll do it every time. So go, get out of here Captain’s waiting on you.”

Kayleth turned and started running for the door.

“Remember what I said women cloud the mind!” the Chief yelled as Kayleth left the hanger.

It took him less than the five minutes to get the bridge. The two huge blast door sitting open just like every other time he had been on the bridge. The Captain was busy staring at one of the screens set into the console in front of him. He was talking in a low voice into the headset that covered his left ear and had a microphone that extended to the front of his mouth. The bridge crew arrange by station around the raised platform that the Captain’s chair and station sat on were oddly quiet even for third shift. The Sarge motioned for Kayleth to step over to the marine ops station.

“What’s going on Sarge?” he asked in a lowered voice.

“We got a faint contact coming out of hyperspace just inside the system. Captain is trying to figure out if it is friendly or not.”

The Captain waved him over. “Gunner, good to see that you can get here fast if need be. Sarge status on the shuttle?” the Sarge shook his head at him.

“Who do you have out there Gunner?”

“Thumper and Wash-out Sir! With Howlers 2 and 3 on the ready alert.”

“Thumper and Wash-out, not sure if I know them very well. How good are they?”

“Solid pilots sir they can hold their own.” The Captain motioned for him to pick up a headset.

“Weatherman, you there?”

“Online Captain! What do you need?”

“Can you get me a tight banned comm. to the CAP without giving away our position?”

“Just a moment Sir, alright go ahead sir.”

“Thumper, Wash-out this is the Captain what is the situation?

“Sir this is Wash-out. We have a Corellian blockade runner on a direct course for the fleet. We estimate thirty minutes till they are within scanner range to detect the fleet. IFF transponder marks her as the Heart of Arkanis.”

“Have they spotted you yet?”

“Negative sir we are powered down and free floating near some space debris.”

“Hold on for the CAG” and then he switched off. “Gunner take over make sure they don’t engage until the absolutely have too.”

“Well? What about it can we jump out of here in less than 30 minutes?”

“Negative Captain it will take at least at least 45 minutes to compute a random exit jump and coordinate that jump with all ships in the fleet.” Came the reply from Weatherman.

“Agreed Captain that shuttle is not going to be anywhere near back in time.” The Sarge chimed in.

The Captain paused and looked over his console and then back at his bridge crew before looking out of the forward viewport.

“We may have not wanted this fight Captain but here it is,” the Sarge told him.

“Ok! Weatherman get me the Blackwind and Darkstar, Gunner launch the alert five craft and then scramble everything else. Sarge get your crews to the shuttles, full gear."

“You mean to take her as a prize?” the Captain only nodded “Then I want the Major and his squad first to go.”

“Done. Gunner?”

“On my way sir” he tore off the headset and paused long enough to watch the engine glow from the two Carrack class cruisers in the fleet as they moved into action, their black hulls barely distinguishable from the blackness of space. Then he pulled out his comlink and ran for the turbolift.

“Sir I have the Blackwind and Darkstar.”

“This is the Captain you two will get the first crack at her. I want her bracketed and kept from moving.”

“Roger that.” came the reply from both ships captains.

“Lt Keyes sound general alert. Move people this is for real it isn’t some kriffing exercise. Sarge what are you waiting for?”

“On my way Sir. Good hunting.”

“Good hunting.”

As he burst from the turbolift Kayleth heard the alarm klaxon go off.

“Now hear this all crews to your stations, all crews to your stations! Battle stations! Battle stations! This is not a drill. I repeat this is not a drill.”

The sound was deafening, as he got closer to the hanger. He felt a sudden lurch and he knew the alert 5 fighters were on their way.

“Say again! No I want the Howlers out first. No standard load out the Captain wants to try and take her whole so concussion missiles only.“ He swerved to get out of the way of a company of marines headed back from the hanger. The whole ship was jumping, pilots running toward the locker room, techs running for their command stations, gunnery crews to their weapons station. It was a sight to behold a combat ship about to do battle for the first time.

Kayleth ran into the hanger helmet in one hand and comlink in the other.

“Spider get her prepped I will be there in a few.”

The Sarge came running up to him.

“You want the assault shuttles out after you launch?”

“No get the R&R shuttle out first then you guys follow when the Captain gives the word.”

“Got it, good hunting Gunner.”

“Good hunting Sarge” and with that he smacked his flight helmet against the Sarge’s campaign “bucket”

The flight deck was a flurry of activity. Kayleth jumped over fueling hoses and ducked under fighters on his way to his own ship. He paused to watch the engine flare of the last of the Howlers leave the hanger. Chief Porter waiting for him by his Y-wing, Kayleth took one last look at the magcon in front of the hanger and then hurried over to his craft.

“Gunner that port stabilizer is patch welded so don’t give her too much of a bumpy ride and I racked a pair of proton torpedoes on your bird just in case.”

“Thanks chief!” he grabbed the smaller man’s right forearm in his “Good hunting Chief.”

“Good hunting son, now light the fires!”

“Right.” he turned and started for the ladder to the cockpit. As he settled in he spotted Tristen across the hanger barking orders and brandishing a huge repeating blaster. The big man looked none the worse for wear from the drinking done less than an hour ago. He got Kayleths’ eye and waved him good luck. Pulling on his helmet and buckling its chin strap he got down to business.

“Spider give me the squad.” The astromech tootled his reply “Ok by the numbers call’em out.”

“Dragon 2 this is Mother, two in the green.
”
“Dragon 3 Baseman locked and loaded.”

“Dragon 6 Heartbreaker fired up!”

“Dragon 7 Reaper ready and willing.”

“Dragon 8 Aces&8’s let me at em.”

“Dragon 9 Doc, lock stocked and ready to rock.”

“Dragon 10 Skinner live to kill.”

“Dragon 11 Preacher, let’s do this.”

“Dragon 12 Mightmite, I think I left the caf on!”

The last one got a laugh from the squad and Kayleth fired up his own replusers lifting the Y-wing off the deck.

“Dragon lead Good Hunting everybody.”

“Good hunting." came ten replies at once.

“This is Weatherman to Dragons you are clear to launch, repeat you are clear to launch.”

“Alright Dragons you heard him time to earn your pay go get’em!”

Ten Y-wings slowly began to move towards the magcon at the front of the hanger each one kicking in their engines just as they passed through the bubble, and roaring away from the ship.

 

Glad to see my favorite group of wishbone pilots again! I got all caught up and am really enjoying the story. It's really interesting to see activities during the early Rebellion timeframe when things were a bit more rough-around-the-edges, supplies were even shorter, and the odds were even longer. I like seeing the politics of the Imperials and their internal power struggles playing out as well.

Kayleth has his work cut out for him trying to learn the CAG duties on-the-job, but he seems to have a good head on his shoulders and is taking the responsibility seriously, so I hope he continues to do well with it.

I don't think the Imperials really know what they're in for with this low-expectation, token search mission of theirs. Between the Rebel fleet's eight-month-long haul, the excitement of almost being home, and now the adrenaline of their impending first fight, I bet the emotions in that fleet are mixed into a jumbled powder keg that's about to go off, heh. I hope all the Dragons and Howlers make it through okay and prove half of Sarge's prediction wrong.

“Don’t you have some ale to be drinking?”
I laughed at this. Great line!

And though he didn't get much "screen time" when he appeared, I think I really like Major Tharoonic. Hoping to see him again.

Looking forward to more!

 

Thanks for the rad once again Thumper. I'm glad to get back into my writing even if it is just fixing what I already have done. It allowed me to get my muse going. Hopefully the plot bunny that sprung to life three days ago doesn't prevent me from working on this more.

 

Chapter 7

My friends I have come to realize that this war will have consequences beyond what we may have considered. Always before we have taught our younglings and padawans that death is part of life and that we should weep not for lost friends as they have become one with the force. The endless cycle of Life, Death and rebirth that feeds the force was comforting to us in the past but, now I believe that so many violent deaths in one place, at one time leaves a very different mark on the force. I can feel it like ripples in the fountains that stand in the temple meditation gardens. A great sorrow is growing in the force and I feel that perhaps we should not have been so quick to involve ourselves in such battles. It weighs heavy on my mind, my friends.-Jedi Master Plo Koon in a letter to the Jedi Council before the battle of Cato Neimoidia

Captain Ulnaca of the Imperial blockade runner Heart of Arkanis was a harsh study in contrasts. His dark skin was almost black to the eye while his close cropped hair was almost pure white except at the temples which were more grey in color. His height was substantial at nearly six foot four inches tall, nearly the size of a wookie, but he carried himself like a much smaller man. His stern face masked a compassionate heart and a love of his men. He could have easily commanded a Star Destroyer in the core but preferred the quite crew of his blockade runner and the training of quality officers to carry on where he choose not to go. It was this quite confident man that would be the first to battle the ships of the alliance against the Empire in the Arkanis sector of the outer rim.
As they exited hyperspace his bridge crew went about their duties with the calm quiet resolve that he had drilled into them. Ulnaca heartily approved of them; he was almost overwhelmed by Captain Barris’s decision to have his ship as lead for this mission. It gave Ulnaca the perfect opportunity to observe his people under live conditions instead of training missions. He chuckled to himself as he read his notes on the Hypori system, sitting in his command chair all but invisible to his bridge crew, until his reverie was broken

“Umm Captain?”

“Lt Cieara Imperial naval officers are not timid. They are bold, authoritative, and precise. We are a great many things aboard this ship but timid is not one of them. So again please, what do you wish to say?” he replied without looking up from his datapad.

“Sir I have several contacts inbound on our position.” The Lieutenant stated more solidly.

“I see and are they local constabulary, defense forces or something other?”

“Captain I mark them as nine small craft, fighter size no IFF signals as well as two large contacts that I can establish no visual confirmation of.”

Ulnaca closed his datapad quickly and walked towards the crew stations. He quickly scanned his crew and their displays.

“Did you run a diagnostic Lieutenant?”

“Yes sir everything is working and in the green.”

“Comm. get fleet headquarters and find our cruisers?”

“Sir we have a broad spectrum jamming on all frequencies! It’s impossible to reach fleet or our support craft,” the comms. officer replied.

“Well then it is pirates or worse. Sound the alarm, all crews to their fighters and stand by for battle. Time to see what we are made of gentlemen.”

Thumper and Wash-out’s Y-wings hung almost lifeless in the black void of space. Each pilot watching the Imperial ship as it slowly made it way towards them, they were anxious to power up and test their mettle against the enemy but not so foolish as to engage without orders. Thumper glanced at his scanners and saw the images of the remainder of the Howlers inbound with the two ready alert fighters already well on their way. He also marked the ever increasing progress of the Blackwind and Darkstar as they made their way to rain down fire on the unsuspecting Imperials. The Caladon had yet to move, as the big dreadnought hung back releasing fighters and protecting the two unarmed freighters that traveled with the fleet. He looked over at his wingman making sure Wash-out was alert and ready to go. He could tell that Wash-out was as keyed up as he was and that all it would take is the word go and they would be all over that Imperial ship. His R2-unit hooted an alarm at him. As he read the display and looked up and out of his cockpit window a wave of uncertainty broke his calm.

“Oh no way! Come in fleet this is Thumper do you copy?”

“Hey Thumper what are you doing? You’re broadcasting in the clear.” Wash-out screamed at him.

“Open your eyes Wash-out! We’ve got trouble!”

“Oh friek!”

“This is Dragon 4 come in fleet. They are launching fighters do you copy? They are launching fighters, it’s a modified blockade-runner. Over!”

“Did you get through Thumper?”

“I hope so otherwise we are in some serious trouble.”

Aboard the Caladon the Captain was conducting his own symphony of efficiency. Each station responded to his call for a status report, each report came quickly and without preamble. His replies were short and to the point. He exuded an air of calm efficient command and all it took to throw a hydrospanner in the works was the unexpected call from Thumper.

“They are launching fighters do you copy? They are launching fighters, it’s a modified blockade-runner. Over.” blared over the fleet comm. channel.

Then everything hit at once. Shouting from every direction, questions being asked, doubts being raised, voices being used in anger, it began to overtake the bridge. The Captain let it continue for a half a minute more until one lowly ensign said something that snapped him back into focus.

“Maybe we should just cut and run now!” it was said in such a quiet and soft voice that it was barely audible over the commotion.

“ENSIGN ANDERS WHAT WAS THAT!” The Captain bellowed. The bridge suddenly silent, the crew looking at their Captain, everyone tensed waiting, just waiting.

“Sir I, well I said maybe we should…” the young man stammered.

“Belay that load of drivel. We are a combat vessel and by all that I hold dear we will not abandon our shipmates because of an enemy surprise. Is that clear Ensign?”

“Ummm Yes Sir.”

“I said is that clear?” the entire bridge shouted a response “SIR, YES SIR” “Now anyone who feels that they are unable to perform their duty can get their sorry butts off my command deck. We are going to get a grip and then we are going to get in this fight is that understood?”

“SIR YES SIR” they all shouted in response.

“Weatherman get a handle on that comm.. I don’t want another transmission like that last one to get through.”

“Yes Sir sorry Sir won’t happen again.”

Well that was a first usually even when wrong Weatherman never admitted it. I guess I got their attention then he thought to himself.

“Helm, turn us towards the fight, looks like we are going to have to lend a hand at keeping the Imps at bay. Comm. I want you to contact the freighters and tell them to move off and wait for the shuttle and its escort. Weapons, I want all batteries charged and ready to fire, if we can’t take her I am going to blow her out of space. Move people we have men that could be dying out there.”

“Yes Sir” came a myriad of replies.

“Weatherman get me Gunner he is going to want to hear this and fast!”

Twenty seconds is all the time it took for Kayleth to join his squadron, half a minute more for them to form up and head towards the approaching Imperial ship. Two minutes after that his existence as he knew it would never be the same. The whole squadron heard bits and pieces of Thumper’s call to the Caladon. He credited their training more than his command ability for their presence of mind not to fill the airwaves with cross talk. Half a minute after he got the bad news from the Captain, things had gone from easy to difficult and the engagement had just begun.

“Gunner were you able to make out any of Thumper’s transmission?” the Captain asked him.

“I got some of it Sir but it was garbled. What’s the situation?”

“Well this just escalated from the simple disable and swipe job we are used to having and into a full fledged engagement. That is a modified blockade-runner, she is carrying fighter support. I don’t know how many and what type but I want both squadrons to form a fighter screen. I am moving the Cal into support the carracks so we will be right there with you.”

“Are you still planning on trying to take the ship sir?”

“That will depend entirely upon their Captain. He has already shown himself to be a shrewd fighter by popping that fighter surprise on us and now his is disrupting our comm. systems right back at us. It is going to be a fight no doubt about it. You have your orders Lieutenant bring them back save and sound.”

“Understood Captain” he switched over to the squadron’s channel.

“Listen up everyone we need to get to that engagement zone and we need to get their fast, so everyone drop your weapons and shields and put every last ounce of power you have into your engines. We are going to be facing enemy fighters so let’s not leave the Howlers hanging.”

Ten Y-wings rocketed forward, each pilot watching as the meters ticked down on their targeting computers. Each one praying that their friends would be alright.

The Heart of Arkanis began to alter its course to bring its main battery in line with the oncoming fighters. Captain Ulnaca calmly assed the situation and began issuing orders to his bridge crew.

“I want confirmation on those fighters as soon as we have type and numbers contact our Tie-Fighters and let them know. Comm. I want you to keep trying to punch a signal through to fleet HQ or any Imperial ship in the system. All batteries hold until I give the order, we aren’t going to fire the first shot today, not if I can help it.”

“Sir I can confirm nine Y-wings inbound, two other crafts are within strike range and two Carrack-class cruisers bearing down on us, repeat two Carrack-class cruisers.” His sensor officer reported.

“Well then this is going to be a slugfest! Anything else in range Lieutenant?”

“Sir?”

“Carrack-class cruisers can’t carry Y-wings so I assume we can expect more than just this.”

“Scanning sir! SIR oh man we are so dead!”

“Don’t embellish son, let me hear it, what is out there?”

“I have ten more Y-wings on an intercept course ETA 2 minutes and one Rendili StarDrives Dreadnought coming in fast sir.”

“So much for low mission expectations. Ok listen up people we have a fighting chance but only if we bloody their nose and make them pull back then we pull out.”

“Retreat Sir?”

“Not retreat son, strategic withdrawal. Get me the flight leader, tell him maneuver Alpha-Gamma 2Delta.”

“Yes Sir!”

“May the force be with us.” Ulnaca muttered under his breath.

As his squadron raced towards their friends Kayleth made one final call before losing his comm. to interference.

“Weatherman this is Dragon Lead! I need confirmation are we cleared hot?”

“Dragon Lead Hold! That is confirmed you are cleared for weapons hot, you may fire when ready.”

He switched to a fleet wide channel and hope he had enough power to broadcast to Thumper and Wash-out. It would take only a second and he prayed it worked.

“This is Lead GO! GO! GO!”

The effect was instantaneous he could see Thumper and Wash-out fire up their engines and pull hard around racing back towards the incoming Howlers. The two ready alert Y-wings began opening fire to keep anyone from trailing their fellow pilots and as they did the blockade runner began to open up with its main guns. The second battle of Hypori had begun.

 

Things are about to get real for everyone on both sides. And when there's some element of surprise on both ends, all the planning can go out the window very quickly. Great build-up of the action and tension here. This looks like it's going to be a hard battle for the Rebel group, and one that will certainly test them.

I like Captain Ulnaca. There's something about him that commands respect, and I like that he truly cares for the people he leads. As an Imperial officer, his invocation of the Force was interesting too. I wonder if it's something he remembers from his younger days when the Jedi were still around, or if there's another reason for it.

So now I'm stuck because I certainly don't want the Rebels to be injured or killed in this fight, but I want Ulnaca to come through it okay too. How 'bout a round of kumbaya and everyone walks away friends?

Keep up the great work!

 

Authors note: Trying to get back into my writing and working on this again.


Chapter 8

There will always be a need for the starfighter corps. The big ships may trade blows but it is you who are the heart and soul of the fleet. You will be the first into the fray and the last to leave. Your ships will be responsible for the safety and protection of the fleet. The war maybe over but the need for pilots will never cease. So keep a firm hand on your stick and remember alone you are nothing, you must always count on the man beside you. It is his job to watch your back and your wing and make sure you always come back home-Admiral Adar Tallon’s graduation address to the first graduating class from the Imperial Navy’s fighter school

As they grew nearer to the battle Kayleth throttled back and began to distribute power back to his weapons and shields. The ten other Y-wings in the formation began slowing as well. His people were good that was for sure, even without the use of their comm. systems they knew each other well enough to sense the squadrons movements. The distant flashes from the blockade-runners guns were growing more intense with each passing moment and Kayleth wished he could talk to his men.

“Spider is there any chance we can boost a signal to the Howlers?”

Spider didn’t have time to answer as an ear splitting squawk blared through the comm. systems. Kayleth fought the urge to yank his flight stick over. He looked out the cockpit window at the squadron and he could tell he wasn’t alone in that respect. The whole squadron juked a bit from the interference. He was working his jaw trying to clear his ears when he heard the sweetest sound in the world.

“This is Weatherman! We have broken the interference; go to encryption code 2-alpha-zero. We will try to keep the channel open.”

“I never thought I would be so happy to hear that voice, ok people we have limited comm. so let’s try to keep the cross talk to a minimum. Howler Lead this is the CAG we are inbound do you copy?”

It took a few seconds but he finally got a reply “This is Howler Lead, I read you. So what kept you guys?”

“We had to stop by the supply room and get a fresh load of paint for all the kill silhouettes we are gunna have” Reaper blurted out.

“Get a handle on it people! That’s an order” Kayleth didn’t like having to scold the men but this wasn’t training. People could really die in this fight. “Tank I need a SitRep.” The cross-talk from the howlers was beginning to get bad; he could barely make out anything.

“Man those things are fast!”
“I’m losing him! Do you have him? Anyone?”
“Whoa how do they turn like that?”
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this!”

“Gunner, Gunner, you there?”

“I’m here Tank I need a SitRep fast we are almost to you guys.”

“We have eight eyeballs, I say again eight eyeballs and Gunner they are nothing like we trained against. They are so fast it is unreal. I don’t know if we can do this.”

Before he could answer a loud clear voice broke the comm. channel.

“I’m hit! Oh no I’m hit look ouuu…..” A huge fireball flared in the distance.

“Tank what was that? Talk to me! Tank”

His voice came softly and silently over the now quiet comm. “She’s gone Gunner just gone.”

“Who is Tank? What happened?”

“Hammer, she was on my wing while we were following a couple of eyeballs and we got to close to the blockade-runner and it just, it just took her out.”

“Tank is she gone for sure? Did you see her punch out? Is there a signal beacon?”

“Umm yeah, Yeah! She’s alive! She’s alive! But she is EV we need the shuttle.”

“Everyone listen up. Howlers pull back. I want you to form up with us. Dragons throttle back and wait for the Howlers. Tank have your squad switch their shields double back and get to us we will cover you. No one is to get in range for those guns. Is that clear?”

He got acknowledgement lights from everyone. “Spider get me Weatherman as fast as you can.” He waited a few moments and then heard the same almost monotone voice that he had heard since first joining the fleet.

“This is Weatherman! Go ahead.”

“This is the CAG requesting the rescue and recover shuttle. Howler 2 is EV, I repeat Howler 2 is EV.”

“Negative, the zone is too hot. The R&R shuttle cannot pick up Howler 2”

“Weatherman just get that shuttle to my formation and I will make sure it gets cover.”

“Hold please. The shuttle has been authorized, but it is your tail in the sling.”

As the Dragons waited Thumper and Wash-out rejoined the squad “Missed you guys see anything exciting?” Kayleth asked trying to calm some nerves.

“Oh yeah lots of things but I left my creds in my other flightsuit” Thumper laughingly replied.

The Howlers regrouped and flew into formation with Kayleth’s squadron. The Tie-fighters, as he expected didn’t give chase. They were staying near to the blockade-runner acting as bait to lure his fighters in close where the bigger ship’s guns could take them out.

“What are we going to do Gunner? Those things are way faster than we are and more maneuverable too. Man I am going to slap those techs for not getting those sims right.” Tank asked?

“First off we are going to wait for the carracks to engage that beast then once the shuttle gets here we are going to escort it in and get our pilot back. Then I think it is time to hunt some Imps.”

“How are we going to do that we don’t match up against those things.”

“Well they have speed on us, but we have numbers plus we are tougher and better armed. So here is what we are going to do. Once we get in there I want to break by flights. Howlers you’re the bait.”

“Bait?” they interrupted.

“Yep get them on your tail and we will get them off you. Dragons I want missiles first and if not use your ion cannons. I want some of those things to study. Once they break and run Howlers you are free to engage but not until then. Any question?” as he waited for what he was sure would be a long list of complaints he watched as the two nearly invisible Carrack cruisers began to rain fire down on the blockade runner. He was amazed that he was still waiting and had heard no complaints. He checked his scanner and the R&R shuttle had settled in behind them.

“Pilots let’s go get Hammer back and kick some Imp butt!” twenty Y-wings roared ahead into the fight.

“Hey Gunner you sounded almost like the Captain back there.”

“Thanks Tank. Now go get your girl. I’ve got some Imps to introduce myself to.”

Ulnaca’s sense of calm was the only thing holding his crew together. He could tell they were on edge, the look in their eyes told him that. His fighter maneuver had worked to a small extent. They had destroyed one of the fighters but the rest had dropped back and were regrouping. He hadn’t expected to get many with that trick but more than one would have been nice. He kept an eye on his display while looking out the viewport. The long black shape that could only be one of the two carracks that they had detected blotted out the star field in front of them. It began pouring coherent light into his shields. There was a slight rumble to his ship as the blasts hit.

“Engineering I want all discretionary power to the shields. Flight controllers inform the Ties that they are free to engage. All forward batteries hit that thing with everything we can muster.”

“Sir! Should we try to turn and give them a broadside?”

“No, Lieutenant they have us bracket any move we make they will follow. Our only chance now is to batter that ship enough to get it to withdraw and then perhaps if they haven’t taken our engines we can escape.”

“Maybe if we have the fighters strafe the cruiser we can get them to pull back.”

“It is a good thought son, but they have more fighters then we do and we will soon be overrun. We will however make a fight of it yet.”

The thumping got louder against his hull, but Ulnaca stood stone still in the center of his bridge. His crew took hope since their captain would not despair neither would they. Come what may they were in this fight to the end.

Standing in front of the Caladon’s front viewport the Captain lost himself in thought. His ship slowly gained ground on the Imperials and even though they had lost a fighter, Gunner’s people had reengaged and looked to turn the tide. He starred at the small flashes of light in the distance, he moved his wrist ever so slightly, a small motor whirring that was barely audible even to him came from his mechanical hand. The slight movement caused his eye to adjust focus on the battle and then enlarge it and refocus again, until he could make out each Y-wing as it moved. He closed his real eye and let the images he was seeing process in his mind. Once he had been a pilot, once he had been out there with a rocket engine strapped to his back, fighting the good fight, once. He chuckled to himself.

“Sir?” came his second in commands voice.

“Yes Lieutenant. What is it?”

“Captain the rescue and recover shuttle has picked up flight officer Harmon and is on its way back.”

“Very good Lieutenant. How soon till we have a firing solution on that ship?”

“We should be in range for the forward guns within the next few minutes sir.”

“Weapons! I want a firing solution for the ion cannons first and have all turbolaser batteries standing by.”

“Yes Captain” was the reply from the weapons officer. He smiled as he walked back to his station. Not bad work for third shift. Against his better judgment he kept them at their stations instead of switching out with the first shift officers, the ones he was really familiar with. Well now he was starting to get a feel for how they worked as a crew, not bad not bad at all. He should make more appearances on third shift just to keep them on their toes. Ha! He slapped his hand on the arm of his chair it was good to be in combat again. He felt alive!

They had nailed two of the eyeballs on the first pass. Mother had dropped in behind one that was following Howler 7 and with Kayleth on her wing she got him with a good missile shot. The other Doc and Skinner had bracketed and both pilot’s lasers had blown the eyeballs wings off. As he and Mother looped around the topside of the Darkstar a pair of Ties swooped in and began to fire away at their shields.

“Mother get ready to break on my mark.”

“Roger that Lead.”

“Hold your course Gunner and dive when I tell you to.” Tank cut in.

They held their course coming over the carrack, Kayleth watched as his shield power began to lower faster and faster.

“Come on Tank. My shields aren’t going to hold.” He glanced down with his eyes at his shield meter.

“Now” Tank shouted!

They both pushed forward on their sticks putting their Y-wings into a steep dive between their cruiser and the Imps Blockade runner. Tank , with Howler-3 on his wing shot over them and both launched concussion missiles at the trailing eyeballs at range, shattering them into atoms.

“Thanks for the assist Tank.”

“Just returning the favor boss. What do we have left?”

Kayleth checked his scanner they had taken out four of the enemy fighters and disabled one. He still saw twenty friendlies on his screen so he hadn’t lost anymore of his fighters in the engagement. Two of the remaining eyeballs were taking a run at 3 flight but the Howlers were coming around on their tails. One lone remaining Tie-fighter was slowly making its way toward the Cal which was just settling in above the Darkstar and opening up with its ion cannons, blue fire racing towards the Imps engines. He had an uneasy feeling about that fighter.

“Spider get me a read on that Tie.” He looked back in time to see the pair of eyeballs crackle all over with blue energy and go dark. Well three captured fighters so at least they could get a good handle on what they were up against. Spider whistled a response to his request and as he looked at his screen the results weren’t good.

“Oh fierfriek! Mother you’re with me. Everyone else coordinate with Weatherman and start hitting that capital ship with your ion cannons.” And he increased his speed and pointed his fighter towards the Cal. To her credit Mother was right with him.

“What’s the deal Boss?”

“That last eyeball is hypercomm equipped. If he gets a good look at the Cal and gets clear of the jamming we are in big trouble.” He fed more power to his engines, Mother did the same but they didn’t seem to be gaining on the faster Imperial fighter.

“Weatherman this is the CAG I need to talk to the Captain immediately.”

“The Captain is busy Lieutenant. Need I remind you that I am in charge of all communications and tactical.”

“Listen Weatherman I respect your command but we have an emergency. I need the Captain! Now!”
“Ok Gunner go ahead you got my attention.”

“Sir I think it is safe to say you can send the assault shuttles but right now you have an Imperial fighter inbound.”

“One fighter is hardly going to put a dent in our armor Gunner. You got me on the comm. for that? I know it is your first combat battle son but you need to get a grip.”

“Sorry to interrupt sir but this particular fighter is hypercomm equipped. If he scans you and gets in the clear every Imp for three sectors is going to know we are here.”

“Sorry to doubt you Gunner, good work we’ll get on it.”

The Caladon’s forward turbolaser opened up on the small fighter but at range it was like trying to swat a bug with a piece of flimsi. There was only so much they could do.

“Gunner I don’t think we can stop him. Any chance you can get close enough to take a shot?”

“I don’t think so sir he is too far for our guns and the concussion missiles don’t have that range.”
Spider started whistling and hooting at his last transmission.

“What is your mech saying Gunner?”

“I’ve got what Spider? Oh yeah in all the excitement I forgot.” His clicked his weapons selector over to proton torpedoes and commed the Captain. “Sir the Chief loaded a pair of proton on my Y-wing. I’ll get’em before he gets away.”

“I think you owe the chief a round Gunner.”

“Yes sir!” he lined up his targeting reticule and watched as it went from yellow to green and then fired both torpedoes. The Tie started to juke up and down, left and right trying to shake the glowing death that trailed it. The first one exploded just to the port side crumbling the fighter wing, the second took it right in the engine and blew the threat to atoms.

“Great shot Gunner!”

“Thanks Mother. Now it is up to the Sarge and the commandoes to do the hard part.”

“Don’t remind me Gunner. Tristen is going to be on that ship.”

“Don’t worry if I know Tristen he will be the one to find the Imps personal stash of Lomin-ale and that is all the action he will see.”

“I hope so” and with that they turn back towards their fellow pilots and the fight to disable the blockade runner.

 

Chapter 9

We are the faceless, the nameless, and the elite. We are Imperial Stormtroopers. If one of us falls, another will take his place and another and yet again. We are legion. We live to serve and die knowing that without honor, without glory, without fame, without so much as marker will we be remembered. We are Imperial Stormtroopers and this is our fate.-Imperial Stormtroopers Motto

The pounding had all but stopped now. The occasional flash of blue light from an ion blast would sparkle against the failing shields. There was little he could do. The Heart of Arkanis was slowly losing its power and with it the will to fight. Their fighter screen was gone, destroyed or disabled. His ship had withstood a pounding and yet there was no escape. Ulnaca issued his orders before his ship lost all power.

“Engineering, I want you to reroute what power you can to keep the life support systems and interior lighting on.”

“Yes Captain rerouting power now.”

“Captain I have several small contacts inbound from the dreadnaught,“ his sensor officer called.

“That will be the assault shuttles.”

“Sir how can you be so sure,” his second in command asked?

“Because Lieutenant it would appear that we have found the ones responsible for our missing freighters and they don’t like to leave any evidence. Get me Major Garnov and the security command.”

“Yes Captain.”

“Quickly son we haven’t much time.” He walked back to his command chair and pulled on his uniform jacket, belting the gun holster that lay beneath it around his waist. He pulled the non-standard issue Blas-tech 44 out and slid a new power cell into it. It had come down to fighting to save his men or fighting to save his ship either way it was bound to get ugly before it was over.

“Sir Major Garnov is on the comm.”

“Major we are about to be boarded. You are in charge of our defense. You have all the troopers at your command use them as you see fit. I will release what personnel I can to help in your efforts but I will keep some back to defend the bridge.” As he finished the lights flickered and out of the viewport he saw two more Y-wing roar past them the lightening from their ion blast rippling across the hull.

“Understood Sir.”

“Good Luck Major.” he never got to finish as the entire ship went dark.

The assault shuttle rocked back and forth causing most of the commandos to steady themselves by grabbing whatever was handy; fortunately that list did not include Tristen. The usually good humored and jovial commando got quieter and more intense the closer the mission got. In the dim light of the shuttle’s cargo bay it was hard to make out his face but most of the commandos in his team knew it would be a stern looking one that starred back at them. Tristen idly fingered the huge repeating blaster strapped to his chest; he turned and looked into the cockpit and out its viewport. The blockade-runner had gone dark and he grunted in approval.

“Two minutes.” the pilot told him. He turn around to face his squad, the cargo bay suddenly lit by a single red light near its roof.

“Two minutes! Marines on the Line!” he bellowed. Ten pairs of boots slammed down on the deck. He walked down the two rows of five commandoes smacking each one on their shoulders, a chorus of “Good Hunting” echoing down the line after him. There was no need for words each man knew his job, each man knew his place, they were a well-oiled machine the way the Sarge had trained them to be. They all felt the sudden shift as the shuttle swung around and approached the blockade-runner. The Major and his Wookie commandos were going in on the stern near the engines, the Sarge and his team, at the bow near the comms relay. That left Tristen with the midships entry way. The shuttle settled in with a loud clang and the red light went green. One of the shuttles crewmen started the cutter and as it finished Tristen yelled at him.

“Get behind me! Now” Tristen heaved his big repeating blaster in front of the door, planting his huge boot against it and kicking it inside. Blaster fire started to pour into the opening and Tristen laughed blasting away with the big gun. He stepped through the rough opening screaming at the top of his lungs.

“Let’s go marines we got Stormies that need killing!” his squad jumped into the fray firing at anything that moved.

The Sarge’s team had made it aboard and into one of the dimly lit hallways before the first shots were fired. Damn he hated ambushes. The five marine commandos with him were pinned down just inside a T intersection. He thought about calling his other five man fire team back from the direction they had taken. A blaster bolt burned into the corridor wall just over his head. Enough of this he thought to himself. He pulled his “bucket” over top of his head, the t-shaped visor immediately lit up and his HUD came alive. He clicked his comm. to his squad channel.

“Ok boys here is where the fun begins. On my mark covering fire.” His squad readied their rifles.

“Covering Fire!” the squad began blasting in both directions and as the imperials ducked for cover the Sarge stepped out and threw a stun grenade at the nearest group. He dove back into the hallway waiting for the tell tale blast to go off. He didn’t have to wait long.

“We’re in business. Go Go Go!” he drew both his blasters and covered the squad as they made their way towards the disabled troopers. Both guns blazing; he kept the rest of the ambushing troop's heads down.

“Sarge take a look.” he looked over the barricade and saw what his commando was pointing at.

“I think I am insulted. They didn’t even have the decency to give us some Stormies to fight.”

Lying on the ground unconscious were three plain clothes crew members, E-11 Carbines in their hands.

“Ok strip their weapons and cuff’em. Let’s get moving if we don’t have the Stormies here then you can bet either Tristen or the Wookies do. If it is the latter I wish them the best of luck.”

“With squad one, you can bet they aren’t going to leave anything but pieces for us” said one of the squad.

“Alright stop jabbering and let’s get moving.”

Ten minutes later the Sarge was by himself, they had taken some nasty crossfire and two of his squad were wounded, nothing serious but enough that they would slow him down. He left the five of them guarding the hallway and waiting for a corpsman to tend to the wounded. He rounded a bend and found Tristen and his team pinned down in the corridor. A smaller version of an E-web mounted laser canon was keeping them from moving. Three members of Tristen’s squad were positioned across the corridor in another passageway while Tristen and two others were holed up in the passage the Sarge came in on.

“Looks like they have you bottled up,” he said as he knelt down beside Tristen.

“Yeah can’t get a clean shot at that emplacement.They have it too well protected.”

“What happened to your repeater?” the big blaster would have been just the ticket to keep the Imps under cover while they took out the emplacement.

“Ran out of gas, literally” the big man laughed. He curled a stolen carbine in his hands.

“Looks like you got a love tap.”

“What where?”

“There,” the Sarge pointed at Tristen’s left shoulder, “just between you shoulder and bicep armor plates."

Tristen tilted the two plates back a little bit to find that he had a scorched hole in his under shirt and it went clear to the skin of his upper arm.

“Great just perfect!” he said

“What? It isn’t that bad.” The Sarge told him.

“Not that bad! Not that bad.” He grabbed another carbine in his other hand and stood up “Those miserable Stormies ruined my tattoo!” and with that he ran into the hallway screaming and firing both blasters at the gun emplacement.

“You darn fool! Covering fire.” the Sarge called to the rest of Tristen’s men. They began firing at the far end of the corridor, trying not to hit Tristen as he raced towards the gun.

It probably wasn’t the smartest move Tristen had ever made, but he was well past the point of turning back now. His first shot had glanced off a stormie’s shoulder and knocked him backwards. The second caused the group to the right of the gun emplacement to duck for cover. His third shot from the gun in his left hand went wide and then to top it off the imperial piece of junk jammed on him. A trooper popped his head over the barricade and lined up a shot at Tristen. Without slowing down Tristen flipped the jammed weapon around, grabbing it by the barrel and threw it into the troopers face. The effect was a satisfying meaty thunk against the bulkhead behind the gun emplacement. By this time a couple of Stormies were lining the canon up to take a shot at Tristen. He threw his carbine over to his left hand and caught hold of the barrel to the E-web canon and forced it towards the ceiling. As he stood exposed in front of the Imperials barricaded position he thought to himself, “I wish I had some armor like the Sarge’s instead of this plastoid combat junk.” Looking to his left he saw the trooper that had taken the hit to the shoulder standing there with his gun leveled at Tristen’s midsection.

“Nice try scum, but you’re still going to die.” the Trooper spat.

Tristen didn’t have time to think let alone react. He thought for sure he was a goner, but before the trooper could fire; a blast from under Tristen’s arm took him in the throat and knocked him back into the prone body of another stormtrooper.

“Nobody kills my men Imp. Nobody!” the Sarge said as he holstered his blaster.

Tristen watched as the rest of his squad finished off the remaining troopers in the emplacement.

“Thanks for the assist Sarge, but I think I had everything taken care of. Really I did.”

“Sure you did, I just didn’t want to be on Mothers’ bad side.“

“Come on Sarge big tough Mando like you isn’t afraid of a woman are you?” Tristen laughed.

“Tristen that just proves you aren’t using the brains in your head boy. Being a tough Mando has nothing to do with staying away from the bad side of that woman of yours. That is just a good rule to live by. I bet she could scare some of the Wookies.“

“I bet she could at that.” He laughed.

“All right gear up. We are getting near to the final push. They are coming out of the walls now.” As he finished a slight static crackle sounded over his comlink. It lasted for a good thirty seconds and then a message came through.

“Bravo squad here mission complete.”

“Listen up people their comm. relay has been disabled. Bravo squad double time it towards the bridge we may need help for the final push.”

“Copy that Sarge.”

“You ready Tristen?”

“Just waiting on you Sarge. Wouldn’t want to start the fun without you.”

“Yeah right, let’s go people I’m not getting any younger standing here.” He drew his right blaster and took the lead as the squad move down the corridor. They had to be getting close to the bridge. No self respecting commander would risk putting a gun emplacement like the one they just took out to far from their main force. It would just be a waste of men and gear. They moved past a terminal uplink and he held up his fist signaling the squad to hold. Everyone took a knee, rifles trained in front of them. Tristen scurried over to him.

“What’s up Sarge?”

“Jack into that terminal and get us a ship layout. They probably encrypted anything of value but you should be able to access some kind of rough schematic of the ship.”

Tristen pointed at two of his troopers and then at the terminal. The two moved over and one got in front of the other covering them while his partner pulled a datapad from his pack and used a patch cable to access the ships system. As they waited the Sarge got a double click on his comm.

“Bravo is coming up. Let everyone know.” He told Tristen.

Tristen made a few hand signals and the rest of the squad acknowledge it. Bravo came up silently from behind them and got in position. The commando that was splicing into the ships systems tapped his partner on the soldier and the two backed away from the console and back into formation. He tossed the datapad to Tristen as they went by, catching it he handed it over to the Sarge.

“Looks like around the next corner and then a straight shot to the bridge.”

“Ok nice and easy move out.”

They move slowly and quietly picking up alpha squad on the way, fifteen commandoes plus Tristen they should be able to rush any bridge defense the Imps had set up and take control quickly. He hoped. As they reached the corner they realized it was going to be harder than they thought. He peered around the corner to get a look, as he did the Imps started firing everything they had. He pulled his head back in as Tristen waved some men towards the far side of the entryway they were in. The troopers began leaning out and firing but as long as they were pinned down they couldn’t press the attack.

“They are dug in alright” He leaned out and fired off a few shots before ducking back.

“Yeah doesn’t look like they want company either” Tristen said as he too leaned out and fired a few shots at the Imps position. It went on like that for ten minutes, the Imps keeping them pinned and the commandoes unable to keep any serious fire on their position.

“This is getting old real fast.” he said pulling his head back before a blaster bolt hit the wall in front of him.

“I thought you liked things getting old Sarge?” Tristen laughed back at him.

“Keep laughing Big Man and I am going to use you for a human shield.” Just then his comm. crackled.

“Sarge what is the situation? What is taking so long?”

“I’m kind of busy at the moment Captain.”

“We don’t have a lot of time here Sarge.”

“Yes Sir I’ll keep that in mind.” He slid a new pack into his blaster and then drew the left one as well. He looked over at Tristen who had just finished loading his two carbines. “Ok Tristen you ready?”

Tristen nodded at him waving some of the troopers up to along the wall opposite of them.

“You want high or low Sarge?”

“I’ll take low you take high. On two everybody and get your rears in gear and get across that passageway. Two!” he called. Tristen stepped out and began firing while the Sarge knelt beside him covering everything from the waist down. This was just enough to get the Imperials to duck for cover and that was all the Sarge was waiting for.

“Move! Go get over there.” Six men sprinted behind them and set up shop in the adjacent doorway, adding their own rifle fire to the mix.”You ready Tristen?”

“Go Sarge I got you covered” with that the big man backed towards the doorway never once letting off the triggers and finally spinning back into cover. Three commandoes took their place and now with two corridors of fire they could begin to make a plan of attack. The Sarge slumped down next to Tristen pulling off his helmet and wiping the sweat from his brow.

“How’s the arm?”

“Not bad only stings when I flex.”

“Better get it looked at when we get back. I don’t think Patches will be happy if his arm wrestling partner is out for a few days.” The Sarge told him referring to one of the Wookies in squad one.

“Yeah don’t tell him I said this but I am thinking of retiring from competition. Last time he just about ripped my chest muscles to shreds.”

“Ha-ha and you were the one who wanted to do it in the first place ha-ha.”

“Yeah very funny Sarge. So what are we going to do about those Imps? Grenades?”

Looking over the diagrams that they downloaded from the ships computer the Sarge saw that the corridor across from them looped around to the main corridor that ran in front of the bridge, the one the Imps had barricaded.

“Nope leave this one to me. Grenades would make too much of a mess near the bridge. I’ll take care of this, you be ready when I signal.” He slipped his helmet back on and drew his blaster “Trust me. Covering fire!” he yelled. He sprinted across the corridor as both sets of commandos opened up on the Imps.

Tristen moved up and peered around the corner at the Imperial’s position. A few minutes after the Sarge left the signal came. A simple “now” was all they got, but it was all that was really needed. They began firing at the barricade and as they did Tristen kept an eye out for the Sarge. Like a flash of magic he was there, a force in blue and black armor. Tristen thought of himself as a fairly good soldier but he was nowhere near the same league as the Sarge. He was a warrior born and bred, a fighting machine. Tristen starred in awe at the beautiful destruction the he was witnessing.

Blaster in his left hand the Sarge pulled his eight inch knife from its sheath behind his back plate and threw it into the eyehole of one Stormtrooper. He shot the next one in line in the throat. One trooper turned and the Sarge kicked him in the gut and then grabbed him in a headlock, using him as a shield. He fired three quick shots burning a hole in three plain clothes officers’ right through their foreheads. He pointed his blaster into his captives back and shot him throwing the body onto two of his comrades and then punching one of them in the neck with the vibroblade from his gauntlet cuff. He withdrew the blade and drew his other blaster in one swift motion and shot two more stormtroopers before the rest could throw down their weapons as Tristen and his fifteen commandoes got to the barricade. Too stunned to talk they just stared at him.

“Sarge, I don’t know what to say, that was, that was amazing.”

“No Tristen that was unnecessary. Nobody wins in fights like this.” He holstered his blaster and looked over the carnage, for once thankful no one could see his face behind his bucket. “Let’s police these bodies and then give that blastdoor over there a knock.”

“Right away Sarge.”

He walked over to the door, picking up a stormtrooper helmet on the way, and then pounded on the door to the bridge with it.

“Open up in there. It’s all over” he yelled. Flanked by Tristen and several members of alpha squad he waited half minute and was ready to hit the door again when it suddenly slid open. All his men quickly trained their weapons on the opening. The Sarge stood there arms crossed in front of his chest, swinging the dead troopers helmet on his finger. A tall dark skinned man stood just inside the bridge, left hand on a holstered blaster.

“A Mandolorian! I should have guessed, or are you a clone? Fighting because that is all you know?”

“Nope 100 percent original, not that it matters. So what is it to be the easy way or the really easy way?”

“There is no need for threats umm?”

“Sergeant” he supplied “Or if you prefer just call me Sarge.
”
“Very well then Sarge. I am Captain Ulnaca of the Imperial Blockade-runner Heart of Arkanis and I formally surrender my command and my ship to you.”

“Smart man but you don’t surrender to me. For that you need to talk to the Captain. In the meantime why don’t you and your crew make nice and give my boys your weapons.”

“Of course, men surrender your weapons. It appears we are now prisoners in a war we never knew existed.”

 

Chapter 10

Holonet News: More protests outside the Imperial Senate Rotunda today. This marks a week of such protests that the Imperial ministry of information calls nothing more than a group of radical university students trying to cause trouble for the administration. Some protestors responded to these claims by issuing statements to media outlets that they are protesting recent changes in the Imperial Freedoms act which limits the freedoms of a large number of non human groups. The Senate has refused comment and the Senate Guards as well as several battalions of the 501st have been dispatched to disband the demonstrations.

Captain Ulnaca had proven true to his word. His crew had turned in their guns by the dozens, from side arms to holdout blasters, carbine to full size rifles. Alpha squad had a large rolling bin of them positioned in the small hangar awaiting a shuttle to load both the weapons and the wounded aboard. The grizzly sight of rows of double stacked body bags was a sobering one, as the crew of the captured blockade runner continued to line their fallen comrades up along the hangars far side. Tristen oversaw the loading of non essential personnel aboard one shuttle, these were prisoners that wouldn’t be need in handling the captured vessel and who could be moved to one of the other ships in the fleet. Sarge moved over to Tristen, a tired and weary look on his face, it had been a quick battle but once the adrenaline wore off the various aches and pains began to manifest, he envied Tristen his youth, but only for a moment.

“Tristen, sitrep. Now”

“These are the last few prisoners Sarge. This shuttle is just about loaded and the final one is on its way from the Cal. Should be ready to jump out in 15 minutes or so. Want me to stay here or take the last few prisoners in?”

“Wait for the last shuttle and then hitch a ride back to the Cal. I should be fine with the Wookies and Bravo squad to keep me company. You alright Tristen you seem distracted?”

“I just don’t get it Sarge.” he kept moving his head looking in corners as if waiting for another attack to come.

“Don’t get what son?”

“They just surrendered no attempts at sabotage, no booby traps, and no hidden forces. They just gave up, it is spooky is all, gives me a feeling like we missed something.”

“Can’t say I feel the same but then again I have been around death too much in my lifetime, never going to take an honest surrender for granted. Their Captain seems like an honorable man, for an Imp, maybe he is an exception to all the horror stories we have been hearing.”

“I don’t know Sarge, the whole ship gives me the shakes, sooner I get off it, sooner I am happy.”

The Sarge wrinkled his brow as if weighing the importance of Tristen’s gut feelings before responding. “We will keep a sharp eye out then and you best have the doc check you out when you get back, don’t want that blaster burn getting infected.”

“What about the bodies?”

“I am due to give the captain a progress report, we will let him decide, although my money is on holding them till after the next jump, leave as little a trace as possible. Let me know if you have any more problems.”

“Yes sir.”

As he moved back towards the blockade runners command bridge, he kept his hand on his blaster. There was cautious and then there was stupid, his old man had always said better safe than sorry. As he neared the bridge he looked into the small conference room where bravo was holding Ulnacca and his bridge crew. They seemed in good spirits despite the loss of their ship and the loss of many of their shipmates. Tristen was right about one thing it was a little bit disconcerting that no one had so much as coughed when Ulnacca surrendered. They just followed orders as if this was the most natural thing in the world. He kept walking and entered the bridge, looking out the main viewport as he pulled his comlink out and got a secure link to the Captain. Only the Cal’s running lights were visible in the distance with the occasional engine flash from one of the Y-wings as it patrolled the area.

“We are just about wrapped up here Val. How are things going on your end?”

“The Blackwind and Darkstar as well as the freighters have all jumped to the rally point. We recovered the disabled fighters and are waiting on the last shuttle from your end.”

“Tristen should have everything just about squared away. What do you want to do about the bodies Val?”

“Normally I would say let the Imperials look to their own and a proper burial in space, but we can’t risk leaving them for anyone to discover. Keep them till we complete the next jump.”

“Which brings me to my next question, how we doing on a crew to fly this bucket?”

“We have plenty of crew for the engineering sections just coming up short on a bridge crew. I’m still struggling to find people rated for duty on a blockade runner. Push comes to shove I might have to transfer over and pilot her myself.”

“That won’t be necessary Captain, I assure you.” a deep voice from behind the Sarge’s back said.

The Sarge showed no outward sign of alarm as he turned towards Ulnacca, if he was surprised by the lack of reaction he held it in as well.

“Felt like stretching your legs Ulnacca? I have shot men for less you know.”

“Please Sergeant; I thought we had progressed beyond the need for threats and false bravado. Your men let me out because I pose them and you no threat. I told them I needed to speak with you and that you would be alright with that.”

“It wasn’t false bravado, what do you want Ulnacca?”

“I have surrendered my ship to you, you are in need of a bridge crew, mine will pilot the ship anywhere you wish to go?”

“Sure your officers are just going to let you order them to fly this thing anywhere I say.”

“I am an officer in the Imperial Navy and I have given you my word that this ship is yours and my men will act with the honor I have instilled in them.”

“Sarge?” the captain said.

“Give us a moment, Ulnacca.”

“Yes of course I will be with my men.” and he turned and walked back to the conference room.

“I don’t like it Val, he doesn’t act like any Imp I have dealt with in the last five years. What do you think?”

“I think we are running low on time and options. He has a point though between your men, the wookies and the tech crews what could his bridge crew possibly do?”

“That is a big risk Val, you sure?”

“I’ll send over an astromech with jump coordinates from Widget. You bring the ship in after the rest of the fleet has jumped and is waiting back at base. The tech that brings the droid will be responsible for protecting it and wiping the nav data after each jump. That is the best I can do. Let me talk to him."
The Sarge walked down the corridor and signaled Ulnacca to come out, handing him the comlink.
“I am going to hold you and your men to your word Captain Ulnacca. My men have orders to shoot every last one of you, starting with you, captain should you try anything to regain control of the ship is that clear?”

“Perfectly Captain, However I assure you threats are not necessary.”

“That isn’t a threat Ulnacca that is a cold hard fact that I want you to understand, and the stakes we are talking about here.”

“I understand captain and I hope that I may make the pleasure of you acquaintance when we reach our destination.”

“Good day Ulnacca.” and the link went dead.

“Welcome to the fleet Ulnacca, where’s the caf?” the Sarge said rubbing his hands together and walking down the corridor. “Let’s get the heat on in here, time’s a wasting.”

Kayleth left the bustle of the hanger deck behind him as he tried to keep walking while scribbling notes on his datapad. Trying to keep the details of the battle as fresh as possible for the after action report and the fleet wide meeting he was sure the captain would call once they were safely away. He had rolled his flight suit down to his waist, while his undershirt was still damp, showing just how much he perspired during the fight. He needed a shower but he had to get everything squared away before that, then there was task of checking on Hammer, making sure that everyone was alright mentally as well as physically and a thousand other things he never though went into being CAG but he was now learning how little he really knew. He kept walking, scribbling as he went, paying more attention to his writing than to his course. That was until the commotion at one end of the corridor got his attention.

“Out my Way, you miserable sacks of hutt slime. Make a hole, NOW!”

Mother was storming down the corridor, slamming into techs and pushing fleet personnel out of her way. After the first couple found themselves the targets of her anger the rest moved quickly. She was still in her flight gear, her short scruff of hair mussed about and the light blue dye she had used before the battle had faded to her signature blonde. Her deep blue eyes settled on Kayleth and he turned quickly looking for a quick escape.

“Oh No Gunner, you stand fast. You aren’t getting away that easy, you rancid piece of nerf droppings.”

He turned back to face his wingman forgetting for the moment that he was her superior officer. “Jas how did the CAP go?”

“Don’t you Jas me Gunner; you sent me out on CAP first to keep Tristen away from me, what in the name of the force were you thinking? Did you honestly think I wouldn’t figure out what you were doing and that the big lummox had done something stupid? Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t beat you to a pulp right now?”

At five foot six inches tall Jas Kaltin was as physically intimidating as she was dangerous in a cockpit. She was one of Kayleth’s best pilots and her fierce temper and protectiveness of her squad mates and her friends is what had earned her the call-sign “mother”. It was also the reason she scared people because she could dish out punishment harsher than your own mother. That was enough to give Kayleth pause.

“Come on Jas he is a combat Marine you know he is going to get into tough scrapes now and again, besides that E-web really wasn’t that.”

“WHAT! What E-Web? That colossal idiot what did he do Gunner? No don’t tell me, I don’t want to know. Just get out of my way.”

“Hold up Jas, what are you going to do? I thought you had heard about him storming that E-web blaster. Seriously he wasn’t in any danger. Sarge was right there with him.”

“Move Gunner!”

He moved to blocker her advance towards the hanger deck hoping against hope that Tristen had left by now on his way to sick bay to get his blaster burn looked at. She turned back the other way, yelling at the bulkhead, the decking, overly curious passerby’s, the latter of which ran for cover when she turn her attention on them. Jas could swear bad enough to make a Hutt envious and she was just hitting her stride now.

“I’ll kill him!, No death is too good for him, first I’ll break his arm, then his nose and then his legs and then maybe just maybe I’ll kill him. Then I’ll find a Jedi and bring his sorry backside back from the other side and then kill him all over again.” She ranted turning back towards Kayleth. “I told you Gunner get out of my way!”

“Jaz, come on now settle down, we both know you love Tristen and you are not going to hurt anyone least of all him.”

“Wrong again Gunner” she punched him in the gut dropping him to the deck “That’s for not telling me what he did when we got back in” she then cuffed him across the back of his head, hard “and that’s for talking crazy. Not hurt anyone, when has that ever stopped me.” Then she stormed down the corridor towards the hanger.

Kayleth caught his breath and ran after her. She had a head start and was ready to hurt anyone that got in her way and so most of the deck crew melted from sight in front of her. Tristen, being who he was, had not left the hanger and was holding court by one of the shuttles, surrounded by a throng of pilots, marines and crew, entertaining everyone with tales of his exploits aboard the captured ship. For a commando he was incredible stupid sitting with his back to the door to the corridor. Jas walked up right behind him without him even noticing her standing behind him looking menacing. Kayleth swallowed hard this was not going to end well for his friend.

“So we were trapped in this section with a miniature E-web cannon keeping our heads down and the Sarge looks at me and says “Tristen, my boy I don’t like the looks of that thing. I don’t think I can take this one and risking your men isn’t any better of an option. What do you think? Can you take it?” I tell him don’t worry Sarge I got this and charge the cannon with guns a blazing, I manage to get every one of those Stormies before they even get a chance to think about shooting. The Sarge tells me he has never seen any thing like it.”

“HA, you lying piece of sith spit. I am betting you lost your nerve and wet yourself waiting for the Sarge to save your pathetic excuse for a real man’s life. I have heard some whoppers in my time but that piece of poodoo has to be the size of a moon and smell just about as rotten as you do right now.”

The crowd of listeners began to thin out quickly, some like Kayleth stayed because the two were friends and they wanted to make sure things didn’t get out of hand.

"Jas, honey, sweetie. I didn’t know you were standing there. Come to praise the conquering hero. Did Gunner tell you about my exploits?” he winked in Kayleth’s direction, “I’m telling you baby I think I could have taken that ship single handedly.”

“Don’t you sweetie me Tristen. Give me one reason why I shouldn't kick your sorry backside from here to Hutt space for being dumb enough to try that stunt. Just one reason Tristen, just one.” she stood with her fists on her hips just daring him to say something.

He didn’t say one word though he simply moved in that fast and agile way that Kayleth found amazing everytime he saw it and picked her up in a fierce hug and kissed her soundly. Setting her back down and stepping back. “How’s that for a reason sweetie?”

Jas smirked at him and then kicked him in the groin dropping him to his knees.. “How is this for a reason Tristen?” She decked him right in the face knocking him unconscious and left him laying there stalking off yelling at the air again.

Kayleth stooped to help Tristen feeling the big dreadnought slowly turning and moving towards the jump point. Soon they would be home and this would be just another fight between Jas and Tristen, or at least he hoped so.

 

I just finished catching up. Sorry about that, been a rough couple months. I'm glad to see this story continuing!

Now that they got their first taste of combat, I wonder how it will affect them. That was a lot for them to go through. Even the ground troops got in on the action, which was cool. Hopefully Hammer isn't hurt badly.

I still like Ulnaca. I wonder what he's up to-- I agree with Tristan that something smells fishy.

Great job!

 

Chapter 11

The moment I have been dreading yet preparing for has finally come. I can only hope that I have given the crews enough time to prepare for the hundreds and maybe thousands I will be bringing. Time wasn’t something I thought we had a lot of, but yet another month maybe two and I think I would have been better prepared. The Chancellor has made his move, the republic is failing, crumbling before my eyes and an Emperor and his empire are rising. I hope I can get those in the most danger out, I hope there is enough supplies, I hope for so many things, time will tell if we are successful.-Personal journal of Valek Garion entry for the night of Order 66


The swirling gas giant provided a stark background to the millions of floating asteroids, huge chunks of rock slowly rotating through space. The fleet dropped out of hyperspace almost in perfect unison, Widget’s jump calculations always seemed to plan for the fleet’s slowest ship and based everything on that scale. The Captain quickly went to work calling out to his crew.

“Fleet status?”

“All ships have exited hyperspace and are accounted for.”

“Sensor contacts?”

“Nothing other than our own ships sir, deep scans show we are clear.”

“Weatherman she is all yours”

“Thank you Captain. Transmitting encoded signal now, time to reply thirty seconds.”

The whole crew held their breath waiting for the answering signal that would tell them if they were going home or if they had another three days of jumping around the galaxy trying to elude any potential Imperial entanglements. The Captain could almost cut the tension with a knife but he too felt that weight and wanted to hear the crackling on the comm systems replaced by a clear voice welcoming them home.

“Transmission acknowledged Weatherman, Stormwatch reads you as five ships and zero enemy contacts. Welcome home everyone.”

A cheer could be heard throughout the ship and he was sure it was fleet wide as well.

“We read you Stormwatch, the fleet stands ready and we are all yours.”

“Copy that Weatherman the tugs are on their way.”

“Captain, Stormwatch confirms we are cleared to make port, tugs are on their way.”

“Thank you Weatherman.” he turned towards his bridge crew. “Bridge crew you are relieved, Weatherman give me a fleet wide channel.”

“Open Captain, go ahead.”

“Well done people we made it home safe and sound. As soon as your ships dock all non-essential personnel will have a twenty-four hour liberty, essential personnel will have twelve hours and then report to your duty officers for further instructions. Good job everyone.”

He watched as his bridge crew filed out barely containing their excitement and joy to be getting some real RR. He couldn’t blame them eight months had been too long a tour, they all need a break. The engine glow from the small fleet of tugs coming towards them was a welcome sight and it almost made him lose focus on the job at hand.

“Captain I have an urgent message that Stormwatch is routing from Kenobi base.”

“Patch them through Weatherman.”

“Channel zeta-2 Captain.”

“This is the captain go ahead.” He listened for a few minutes “You have got to be kidding me, No. Don’t do that I will take care of things.” “Weatherman open the fleet channel again.”

“Go ahead when you are ready Captain.”

“Now hear this at 1900 all personnel will assemble in the botanical atrium I repeat all personnel. Dress uniforms for the men and ladies choice for the women. This is an order so I expect to see everyone there. Captain out.” That was going to be a challenge almost 13,000 people all told in a place not designed to hold more than a couple of hundred.

Kayleth jogged down the corridor trying to move as quickly as possible through the crush of people. He made it to the marine barracks just as Tristen was shouldering his duffle bag. His friend was sporting a beauty of a black eye but his "everything is all right with the world because I’m in it" smile was still intact.

“You sure you are ok to be moving? Maybe you should have one of the Docs check you again to make sure you aren’t suffering any post traumatic stress or anything.”

“What did I tell you about the jokes Gunner, besides takes more than a black eye and some sore *pride* to keep me from getting home on the first shuttle. Are you coming down on the first run?”

“No I think I will just wait until the ship docks, I’m in no real hurry. Besides I have just about got my reports caught up and I want to make sure my notes are in order, the Captain scheduled a fleet wide briefing for day after tomorrow.”

They started walking towards the turbolift, people naturally separating around the big commando. Kayleth stayed in his wake trying to avoid the crush of the crowd as it began to push forward in the same direction they were headed.

“Gunner how long you figure it will take to get docked?” Tristen spun his head around looking for his friend, “oh there you are, so how long?”

Kayleth managed to avoid getting run over by a crew member with a cart moving against the press of the crowd and then looked back to answer him. “It shouldn’t take long. The tugs will tow in the freighters first, and then the carracks and the Cal will be last. Maybe thirty minutes to an hour.”

The turbolift doors opened and the crowd pushed forward. Tristen walked in causing everyone to move around him. Kayleth hugged the wall and watched the turbolift fill-up.

“I’ll see you dirtside then Gunner.” He waved as the doors closed. Kayleth took a deep breath and tried to weave his way through the ever growing press of bodies. He would be glad to get back to the nearly deserted hanger and the pilot briefing room.



The gas giant of the Austan system provided a pleasant back drop as the captain watched the four small yet powerful tugs pull the big dreadnaught towards the huge hanger cut into a nearly planet sized asteroid. Eight months ago the five ships in his fleet had barely fit into the secret base but now there looked to be room for several more besides. They had been busy there was no doubt about that. As the Cal was slowly maneuvered around another huge asteroid he looked for the well hidden structure that made up Stormwatch, the fleet command and communications center. If it was there, they had managed to hide it just about as well as they had the huge doors to the base hanger. They had been busy indeed.

“Weatherman, did you alert Stormwatch that the Sarge would be bringing in that captured blockade-runner?”

“Yes Captain. I should be on station by the time they arrive and will guide them in.”

“Perhaps I should stay aboard and make sure they get in alright.”

“With all due respect Sir, You can’t hide out on the ship. All this was your idea; you can’t hide from those who want to show you their appreciation.”

“If I had known the trouble it would be I think I would have stayed on Courscant.”



The Caladon finally settled into its moorings, the boarding chutes extended to the numerous hatches on the port side. The skeleton crew left aboard began to power down the big ship’s non essential systems. After five minutes the few people that had remained on board had thinned down to a trickle and the Captain strolled down the boarding chute towards Kenobi base. The expected crowd wasn’t waiting for him; in fact the lobby like boarding area was nearly empty save for the three individuals patiently waiting and talking among themselves.

“Told you he would wait till the last moment to leave the ship. Pay up, twenty creds from you both.” Said a solidly built man in faded coveralls.

A small sullstan, small even by their standards chattered away at him. The sullstan’s own red coveralls covered in a grey dust and torn in several places, showed just as much wear as the other mans.

“Well there was always hope that he would change Kiv, a small hope at that” said the third man, a tall thin man with graying hair and a weary look about him. “Welcome home Val, it's been a while.”

“Garrett, you seem to be getting thinner everytime I see you.” He grabbed the thin man in firm hug “all your weight Cooper seems to be gaining.” He laughed.

“This rock gets cold sometimes so a body needs a little insulation” the big man laughed holding his stomach. The Sullstan chattered at them.

“Good to see you too Kiv, looks like your boys have been busy, real busy.”

“There will be time enough for that later Val, right now let’s just get you squared away.”

“Where is everyone, I expected this place to be jammed packed”

“Given your attitude towards spectacle, I thought it best if we kept the greeting party to as small a number as possible.”

“And he still bet me twenty creds you wouldn’t be the last one off the ship, talk about easy pickings” Cooper laughed

“It’s a pleasant surprise that is for sure. Which reminds me whose idea was this shindig? Is there even enough room in the atrium for the entire fleet?”

“Oh there is plenty of room, you have no idea just how much Kiv and his boys have done makes my people look like lazy slobs.” Kiv seemed to walk a bit taller if that was possible after Cooper’s comment

“Time enough for that later Cooper. The party was Sammie’s idea and he got word to us through the usual channels. He felt the fleet and base personnel needed a day off and a little celebrating.”

“Remind me to put a restraining bolt on that droid and his good ideas. Well let’s get this over with.”

The four of them laughed as they walked away from the boarding area, old friends falling into familiar patterns.