Before - Legends Silver Swarms of Ships *RELOADED* [Dear Diary 2014] Diary Complete!

No offense taken—as I've said, you have to work really hard to get under my skin.

Of course, if you ever did go to the Fanon Wiki and looked up Chak's article, you'd find that I diverged from that small-ish summation of his service quite a while back, and I intend to further stretch the bounds of what can be done with this character in a diary/log setting. Many things are possible in the military, as any well-run military organization is just abut the very definition of a meritocracy.

 

Hooray! I'm so glad you worked a Patton quote into your story! I really admire that guy!

[Edit] Great story so far. Riveting and well-written. Hope to see more soon. [Edit 2] I see there are 8 pages..I've only read page 1. Will read the rest if I have time. It certainly will be worth the read...Good job!

 

Glad you like the diary so far, and that you continue to enjoy and follow it! Let me know if you'd like me to tag you for updates or if you plan to "watch" this thread.

 

Pilot log, entry fifty-three, 3958.12.10 BBY

As I had prepared to brief the squadron in our ready room aboard Horseshoe before my first mission as its commanding officer, I kept thinking to myself, "How would Atton Juyode do this?" But when the time came to open my mouth, it was in the voice of that steely-eyed space jockey that had given his first briefing while serving under the enigmatic Gotal that I spoke. On reflection, it was a different tone than that of my old CO, who tended to be a bit more relaxed and amiable; fortunately, when it came down to questions from the pilots I was just as open as he had been. And there were only two, one about whether or not we'd continue to use the scatter formation (we would), the other about what significance this target held. To which I answered "Yag'Dhul and the systems around it represent a toehold of the Sith deep within Republic space, cut off from easy reinforcement. It is our job to help soften up this pocket of enemy resistance."

That was three days ago, and in the time since then and the writing of this log, we performed another strike mission, this time hitting an enemy supply station and spacedock. Thankfully for both myself and my people, both missions went off without much in the way of complications, although in my opinion, there remained enough of the second target to warrant a follow-up strike. I put that in my report, recommending that the attacking force consist of at least two starfighter squadrons backed up by at least a cruiser, though a pair of frigates could do in a pinch. After handling the datawork and making sure it was sent up the chain of command, I sought out a meeting with our host vessel's command staff and was granted it.

So, yesterday, we met in the wardroom and talked shop. Both the captain and the executive officer seemed nice enough, and regarded me with comradely respect, patiently answering my questions even when I felt like a total buffoon for having to ask them. The navigator and engineer, however, seemed to simply tolerate my presence and remained stoically silent, though at least they didn't broadcast any displeasure or retreat into stony expressions of disdain. The helmsman, a Bothan female, just seemed thrilled to be there, so I had her pegged as a recent Academy graduate fairly easily. On the whole, I came away from the meeting with a better understanding of my place in the operation of this vessel and my role in the war, as well as a small upswing in confidence. Though I definitely won't be filling any vacant posts aboard the cruiser anytime soon, I did feel that I had learned a few things about how such warships can be utilized in combat. Perhaps one day, when there isn't such an urgent need for experienced starfighter pilots, I can continue my career by serving aboard a capital ship. I'd have to leave the Corps and go to college first, but at least the potential was there. And it beat the alternative, of being given a desk to fly back on Corulag, Carida or Coruscant while serving on some wing commander's staff.

I think I'd sooner leave the service entirely.

In the end however, that's all just so much daydreaming. Our main task in the short term is to do our level best in this side campaign, to pave the way for the inevitable assault on the Givin homeworld where the Sith have entrenched themselves. Personally I would prefer meeting the enemy on the front they have established on the borders of the Core Worlds than be relegated to this relative backwater, but as I had told Berassa Vilimath, the Devaronian junior lieutenant in Three Flight, we can't afford to let the enemy use their position to their advantage. Such a salient, this deep within our own borders, is also serving as a staging area for the continued assaults on Sullust and other vitally-important Rimward worlds.


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Thumper09 windu4 Nyota's Heart earlybird-obi-wan TrakNar Findswoman

 

Interesting how Chak's style during briefings mirros both commanding officers he served under. Enjoyed his musings on future career paths.

 

Findswoman: To answer that in visual terms, take a look at a map representing the so-called "Battle of the Bulge" as the Germans' Ardennes Offensive in the winter of '44-'45 is colloquially known. But put more technically, it refers to an area of territory that makes a dramatic protrusion into the lines of contention (the "front lines" as it were). Salients can be good while the momentum is with an attacking force, but bad if that momentum is stalled and they become defensive positions. Moving salients can lead to encirclements of opposing forces, allowing such pockets of resistance to be crushed later, while static salients can be attacked from multiple angles and are thus much harder to defend. An example of a salient put to good use in a defensive battle is what the Russians did prior to the Battle of Kursk in June of '43, but due to the cracking of German codes by the British, the Red Army knew of the anticipated German offensive long before it took place.

If you look at the galactic atlas map that describes the Jedi Civil War, you'll see there's a pocket of Sith occupied space surrounding Yag'Dhul.

 

Great post with his musings on carreer

 

Pilot log, entry fifty-four, 3958.12.16 BBY

After a couple more strikes against enemy-held interstellar infrastructure and discussions with my pilots and our host vessel's senior officers, I'm starting to learn more about fleet organization and operations. Horseshoe, along with Delta Dagger and three other Hammerhead-class cruisers as well as a pair of Axehead-class warships, make up Cruiser Squadron 17 (CruRon 17 for short), with each vessel supporting a squadron of Aurek fighters. While the flagship and my current home host Marine units (the 2nd Marines are shipping aboard Delta Dagger), the others are Navy squadrons including the 51st, which fought at Iridonia all those months ago. CruRon 17 is attached to the 3rd Battle Group of the First Core Fleet, which I'm to understand is charged with keeping the Sith in and around Yag'Dhul bottled up.

So far, my people are exhibiting all of the skill and discipline that I have come to expect from seasoned fighter pilots. Despite not going up against any significant spaceborne resistance beyond easily-dispatched half-squad patrols, the men and women under my command are continuing to be vigilant in the manner I and my former leader have insisted upon. Determined now as when I had assumed command to lead by example, on those occasions we do run into enemy interceptors, I am the first into battle and the last to go into hyperspace on the egress, in order to ensure everyone makes it out of the combat zone. As a result, my kill tally is approaching that of my exec, who doesn't seem too overly concerned about this. Lieutenant Thioro's record indicates that he was offered his own squadron not long after the outbreak of this current war, however he refused the promotion for "personal reasons." Wanting to understand this for myself, I took him aside after yesterday's attack on a Sith-held sensor outpost. "A man with your talents and record should be leading this unit, you know," I told him as we walked to our quarters after the debrief. "Compared to you I'm just another upstart."

He shrugged at that, then gestured at the rank insignia on my shoulders. "And yet here you are, sir."

Banking on the fact that he had to know I had access to the dossiers on everyone in the squadron, I jumped straight to the point. "You've fought the Mandos and the Sith with equal skill and bravery, but you've made few friends in the Aerospace Wings. Commander Juyode seemed to think of you as a 'perpetual loner,' and yet you take charge of your flight as though you're a mother shrike defending her clutch from a flock of hawk-bats."

The Corellian simply nodded at that assessment, either content at my summation or unwilling to contest it.

"You have to know that we're losing this war, San," I prompted, to which he gave a grunted agreement. "So then I have to ask, what's holding you back?"

As I asked the question, we arrived at the quarters he shared with Lieutenant Vinjha. "Begging your pardon sir," he said deferentially, "but perhaps we could discuss this later."

As he entered, it occurred to me that I would be well within my rights to order him to explain himself, but that knowledge was tempered by what I knew of myself—that were our positions reversed, I would have hated an attempt by my commander to forcibly drag such information to the fore. There is no reason why San Thioro shouldn't have taken over the 23rd, but then there isn't necessarily any reason why he should have. I had accepted this assignment because it had been my duty, and not because I was in any great hurry to gain a command of my own. To tell the truth, at that instant it had never even occurred to me to refuse, despite having had every reason to stay on Corulag with the 18th, the swoop team...and Teish'ala. As I returned to the single-occupancy my rank and role warranted, I resolved to do whatever it took to get my XO out of my unit and into the command slot that he so richly deserved—and willingly, at that.

But that matter will have to keep, because today I was called to the bridge to meet with Horseshoe's captain and first officer, as well as those of the other ships in the flotilla and squadron commanders, via holo. It seems that the brass agreed with my assessment of the depot and dockyard operation, and are sending CruRon 17—along with its starfighter screen—back into the system in a full-scale attack. It seems that, after the 23rd had hit the place and made it back out, an Intelligence ferret had been sent in for a follow-up sweep. According to the information Captain Svellyn relayed to me, the Sith are reinforcing their position in that system in anticipation of a follow-up strike. Upon hearing this, I realized that our earlier mission there had been intended as something more than a straightforward hit-and-hype raid, and told the gathered officers of my feeling. "No twelve starfighters ever made would've cracked that nut, sirs," I concluded matter-of-factly. "But my people will be delighted to help bring the hammer down."

That earned nods of approval from several of the other starfighter chiefs, as well as CruRon 17's commanding officer, Rear Admiral Oran Bel Dorian. "Since your unit has been there before, Commander, I hope you won't mind taking point for the rest of us," he replied with a satisfied smile. "I hear you've been experimenting with some new tactics in simulation, and I for one can't wait to see you put them to good use."

Knowing that the admiral knew of my past experience in massed fleet actions, I replied with a predatory nod. "Good," he continued, wrapping things up. "My aide will be forwarding all the necessary briefing data within the hour. Go over it with your people and your fellow commanders, and don't hesitate to sim on your own recognizance. If anyone spots a hole in our swing, I want to know about it ASAP. Dismissed."


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Thumper09 windu4 Nyota's Heart earlybird-obi-wan TrakNar Findswoman

 

Great to see him wanting to know why the Corellian pilot doesn't want promotion and great planning

 

Nope, no connection. I actually pulled the surname from one of the X-wing novels (Iron Fist, to be precise), where the name is identified as Corellian; incidentally, I've recently reread the first eight novels in that series as part of the continuing effort to keep this diary exciting.

 

Chak's curiosity is understandable and I like the credibility and respect he is already garnering with his superiors. It's good they're going into familiar territory, it might level the odds a bit more.

 

Pilot log, entry fifty-five, 3958.12.21 BBY

The admiral's attack plan was vigorously tested, updated every twelve hours with reports from the Intelligence ferret, and finally put into action yesterday. Bel Dorian had had a suspicion that the enemy would attempt to reinforce their position to guard against a follow-up strike, despite the fact that strategically, the supply depot and dockyard wasn't a critical part of the Sith defense lines. His concerns proved to be sound, as the tiny recon ship detected and tracked a number of Interdictor-class cruisers entering and then leaving local airspace. Unfortunately, it couldn't get in close enough to tell what the enemy warships were actually doing while on guard duty, whether or not they were putting out their starfighters either in full force or in patrol circuits of limited numbers—not without betraying its presence in-system, that is. So as a way to keep the enemy guessing as to our true intentions, CruRon 17 and its fighter screen conducted yet more hit-and-fade attacks away from the projected corridor of attack.

The target system itself is fairly close to Yag'Dhul, but was largely uninhabited prior to the war save for a small Republic outpost on the moon of the third planet, now in the hands of the enemy and likely more heavily fortified. The depot and yard we hit was in the early stages of construction when the Sith took over, and we (that is to say, the cruiser captains and starfighter squadron leaders) were told that it was therefore no surprise to High Command to learn that they had been completed soon after the Givin homeworld had fallen. As Shabu Leader, I am increasingly becoming trusted with operational details that, if leaked, could doom the entire flotilla, and thus I am not to share them with my people. Part of me had balked at that restriction, at least at first, but the necessity of it swiftly became apparent in the wake of the first mission we flew together: my people, if captured, can't reveal what they don't know. Captain Svellyn tells me that such details can, in moderation, be shared in my personal logs however.

So, long story short: the Sith know we're coming, and that if we want to take Yag'Dhul away from them, going through this way is the quickest and most efficient route, as well as the easiest to keep open and reinforced. CruRon 17 doesn't have enough firepower, on its own, to do the job. But when the time comes we're going to do our best to burn down the enemy's installations, put holes in or vape as many enemy warships and fighters as we can, and retreat in good order. I can only assume that our force is only one part of the larger effort, but that's just speculation on my part and based on nothing more than my rudimentary, but ever-expanding, knowledge of fleet operations. My pilots are no slouches, and even though I can't give them the whole picture, they know enough to do their jobs and the brighter ones have already been bunk-flying the campaign at great length.

In keeping with my pledge, for yesterday's raid I put Lieutenant Thioro in charge of the squadron, staying aboard Horseshoe and sending one of the cruiser's spare pilots out in my Aurek. He didn't seem too happy when I announced that fact in the briefing, but he didn't protest either, and I doubt the rest of the squadron really caught on to his discomfiture. I'm not quite sure how I was able to read it myself, but that's neither here nor there. All that matters is that under his reluctant leadership, the unit did fine and the target—a small convoy of enemy freighters escorted through the Mechis system by a pair of corvettes—was utterly annihilated. Today, we're going to camp along the spacelane leading out of enemy-held territory toward the embattled world of Foless, hoping to ambush another shipment, with myself back in command. As I prepare the briefing, it occurs to me that this could end up being the kind of mishap that took my old CO's life, but if it is, at least we will sell our lives dearly.


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Thumper09 windu4 Nyota's Heart earlybird-obi-wan TrakNar Findswoman

 

He sure is back in the fray. Thioro did great

 

Actually Findswoman, "bunk flying" is to pilots and aircrew what "scuttlebutt" is to Navy folks and Marines. Kind of like the rumor mill, it's more about hashing out possibilities based on wild speculation mixed with prior experience, and possibly insights into how things are "supposed" to work according to whoever is doing the speculating. It isn't all that different from when a bunch of Star Wars geeks get together to have a bull session about what may or may not be in Episode VII.

 

Good strategy to test San's leadership skills. I hope they're part of a larger effort Chak's resolve and telling only what needs to be known - he's already doing instinctively what seasoned commanders would do.

 

Nyota's Heart and Findswoman: You have to understand that Chak had a lot of help when it came to picking up the trade and bringing his natural abilities to the fore. That's what being a part of a military organization, especially one that strives to also be a meritocracy, is about; you look out for your own, and nurture the budding talents of your charges. Chak may see something in himself reflected in San Thioro, or perhaps he believes the Corellian pilot needs a kick in the butt to get his mind back on track, who can be certain? What matters is that, even though he's new to command, he has a lot of precedent to follow and other, more senior officers aboard his ship to help guide his endeavors.

It may even be possible that he's bounced some of these ideas he's put into practice across the captain's desk...

 

Pilot log, entry fifty-six, 3958.12.26 BBY

After more strikes along the Sith frontier, CruRon 17 is concentrating in order to make its planned assault, and my pilots are champing at the bit to get in on the action. Even Lieutenant Thioro seems to be a little less distant; perhaps the fire I've lit under his rear is starting to have the desired effect. Without notifying him, I've sent a recommendation up the chain of command that he be given a squadron of his own at the next opportunity—whether he wants it or not. I expect that, by the time our mini-offensive is through, they'll have a billet for him.

The convoy attack mission that I had previously been concerned about was ultimately a success, even facing what we found when we ambushed them at their course-correction point. Escorted by an Interdictor-class cruiser and its fighters, the double-handful of large freighters opened up on us with their single-mount laser cannons once we began hitting them, though their shots were wild and disorganized. The cruiser wasn't so reluctant to engage, and even as its charges began to scatter, it sent a fusillade of turbolaser bolts in our direction. Most passed uncomfortably close to our formation and went off into space, but a few actually clipped the freighters we were trying to destroy. As we had planned it, as soon as we realized what we were up against I had signaled Horseshoe to come in-system and bring its own guns to bear on the enemy cruiser, which it did. It wasn't an easy thing, but using the offensive maneuvers I had trained the squadron in, we drove into those interceptors that were already out on patrol, while our own capital ship fired on the enemy's hanger to prevent the launching of reinforcements.

It was a hard slog, and a few times I was forced to tack back on our slashing attacks to reform and set up different angles. I'd like to think that the enemy fliers were taken aback at the ferocity with which we engaged them, but there was no way to really tell. We engaged the convoy with our lasers only, saving our proton torpedoes for the cruiser once Horseshoe had punched a hole in its shields. In the end, we succeeded in forcing the enemy warship to retire after suffering heavy damage from repeated nova flares, which left us free to chop up those SIth freighters which didn't surrender. After the battle I felt the heady rush of success, and decided that the squadron had avenged its fallen leader magnificently, telling them so at the debrief while our host vessel and its prizes were jumped Rimward and to the rendezvous point.

Tomorrow is the big show, when we'll begin the multi-pronged effort intended ultimately to retake Yag'Dhul. May the Force be with us.


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Thumper09 windu4 Nyota's Heart earlybird-obi-wan TrakNar Findswoman

 

Great victory for his team and now more at Yag'Dhul?