Dominion Foot in the Door | GA Dominion of Kril'Dor

[Ikenna Tahj]

Faith Organa

His grip tightened on her thin arm, his massive hands wrapping all the way around it. He grunted in response to her question.

"It was merely a taste, like salt on the ocean air or the smell of the wind before the Weeping starts. But I still felt it." A shadow fell over his brow. "I could taste the Dark Side here my queen." He let go.

"If it were just some stormin' fool out to settle a score I would've let ye stay, protocol be damned. I could protect ye from that. But a Sith? Hmm These is troubled waters. I'd sooner have you safe in orbit at least than here in these chambers with whatever caused that." He gestured vaguely in the direction of the main chamber.

"Jedi seem to be just as blind to it. Can' trust them to be proactive here."

 

[Faith Organa]

Sith. She had no defense against a sith other than a sharp tongue. If she remembered also there were some Sith who could look like sheep in wolves clothing, smile the most intriguing and inviting smiles and then bite you.

Alderaan history with Sith was devastating to put it ever so mildly. She could stay here in the Senate add what voice she could muster to the arguments that would follow, if she were only responsible for herself. But she also held the responsibility of her office and that came before anything she had wanted to go home anyhow.

"Ok Commander. I'll heed your words, let's go home then." She looked over the Senate one more time, if she were blind to anything it was the role of the Jedi. In addition the words spoken by the Senate before this about the Jedi she couldn't help but take that into consideration, all of this plus what the Commander had added there wasn't an argument to be had or to be won.

But one thing was for certain they needed to get to the bottom of all of this.

Ikenna Tahj

 

[Liedran Kathause]

{Kril'Dor Refinery}
{{NPC: Flight Lieutenant Yenova Gellen - Regal Leader}}
{Engaging Sularen's Interceptors}
​

They appeared on short-range scanners soon enough-- 72 enraged hostile contacts chasing after Regal and Shiver squadrons' red cape, guns drawn in concentrated fury, and always seeming to take the lead with every turn.

Even her Pamarthen flight training seemed limited in comparison.

The V-wing spun around, etheric rudders in full gear, and guiding the craft such that its own laser cannons faced into one of the enemy flight groups. Missiles locked on their individual targets. And Yenova sent two concussion missiles flying into the nearest fighters, before spraying the disoriented enemy with double-cannon shots. And once she was satisfied with her work, she dove underneath the charging interceptors and sped off for the rest of the Alliance formation.

"This is Regal Leader. Shiver squadron, prep a missile spray, let's try and cover our exit."

From the corner of the canopy, she watched an explosion reduce one of the refinery's communications dishes to fiery debris, another streak of cannon fire cutting through its hull plating. But she had far greater issues to draw her attention to-- Regal Squadron was already down three birds, each pilot's name still fresh in Yenova's mind.

Outnumbered.

Separated.

She hated the odds, the sharp radio cutoffs, the mission... Evidently Commodore Kathause hadn't expected to meet so much resistance when she sent the four starfighter squadrons to their target. Though, it was closer to three squadrons at that moment, considering the total formation-wide losses.

Yenova dove through a cloud of shrapnel, escaping only with a minor hit to her fighter's hull, while another enemy interceptor was completely perforated by the scarred metal. But they hadn't given up pursuit, continuing with cannons active as she approached the fleeing Regal and Shiver squadrons. The X-wings fired off yet another burst of missiles in the meantime, only aiming to distract the incoming Brotherhood TIEs while the images of the 3rd Expeditionary's two frigates grew closer and closer...

Her helmet crashed into the dashboard with a sudden impact-induced lurch. Teeth gritted, pain pounded at her head, but the feelings soon vanished as horror filled her eyes; and as she began to scan over the dials and displays, she watched the shield graph plummeting, watched the inertial dampeners report a failure, watched every other system slowly flicker from activity-

And watched as her vision was engulfed in flames.

{ANV Pegasus - C.I.C}
{3rd Expeditionary Squadron - Commodore Kathause in Command}
{Engaging: Marlon Sularen }
{Allies: Kathryn Foster , Alexandra Morrow <inactive> }

​

"220 hostile fighter contacts inbound for Phoenix Fleet's launched squadrons," A voice joined with the updating charts to confirm her fears, "E.T.A looks to be one minute..."

"Sirs, Searchlight squadron reports shots fired... Scanner contacts fluctuating...They may be stealth fighters."

"We've lost contact with Regal Leader!"

The reports flooded Liedran's mind, engulfing her confidence, crashing into her emotional control, drowning everything she had left...

The commodore wanted to scream, to disregard her own professional image and break down as she had so many years before-- only a flight lieutenant when she watched half of her squadron being butchered in front of her.

She didn't have the luxury of showing weakness, especially not with so many eyes turned her way.

Her hand began to rise, gingerly taking hold of the gold-coated necklace adorning her uniform's collar, and gliding down to wrap around the family heirloom at the string's bail. Fingers glided along the intricately-sculpted edges of the bright blue octagonal gemstone, almost absorbing some sense of tranquility. Liedran let her eyes close, concentrating on the feeling of a Chandrilan wind sweeping over, and soon opening her vision to the image of the Pegasus's bridge-- just as she had left it.

"Commodore," She felt a hand gently wrapping around her upper arm, accompanied by a reassuring squeeze to guide her back to reality, "Orders?"

Academy Tactical Training kicked into full gear, as Liedran ran simulations in her head, each few seconds making a glance at the data screens.

"Have Odyssey take a position with Dreamer and Armistice. Launch interceptors, screening formation... Then take each further into our fighters' path," She took Captain Foffin's hand in search of extra support, "What's the strike team's E.T.A?"

"Shiver and Regal will meet our frigates in one minute, Searchlight should be one minute behind."

"Keep closing in. Let's bring our birds home," Liedran made another glance at the sensor screen, "Send Huntress to reinforce Phoenix Fleet's charge, assault concussion missiles...three-forths salvo. Save the rest for diamond borons."

Shiver squadron soon dove through a hole in the combined frigate and corvette screen, followed by a battered and limping Regal squadron. Shields fluctuated-- if they even were still active, that was. Numbers were drastically reduced in the earlier conflict, a total of 15 fighters remaining in contrast to the two squadrons' original 22.

There would be more death in the coming hour.

"Take Pegasus, Ardent, and Intrepid into enemy turbolaser range, let's see if we can help draw some fire," She sent a nod to her aide, simply to confirm her decision to break from her more typical battle doctrine, "Frigates..make the advance, move in to engagement range of the refinery, but have Odyssey take Regal and Shiver back to the fleet. They're in no condition to fight. As for the cloaked fighters... Get gravitic scans ready, we should be able to pick up a recognizable clump of mass signatures. Hold them off until Searchlight squadron has returned."

"Get general coordinates...and give them hell."

 

[Kathryn Foster]

Location: Attacking the refinery above Kril'Dor.
Objective: II - engage the refinery, and try not to play hero.
Tags: Liedran Kathause , Marlon Sularen , Alexandra Morrow <inactive> , open!

The targeting computer indicated a direct hit on the major communications installation, but the celebration was cut short as the T-wings gravitic sensors soon picked up fast approaching bogeys from the right.

<''We've got company incoming from the right! Abort mission!''> she called over the intercom, but the velocity that the agressively approaching dots were telling her that they had little time to abort and regroup into dogfight mode. A short moment later, the X-wing on the far right was hit and went up in a fireball.

Foster pulled back hard on the joystick and slammed the throttle forward, which send the T-wing in a steep climb. She threw a quick look back to get a visual on the bandits, and saw Searchlight Leader and a couple of X-wings that had managed to escape the stealth attack following her tail. Much to her guess, The TIE-class starfighters had sucessfully managed to break their formation. The intercom started to fill with distress calls and a voice was cut short with another enemy hit, something everyone from pilots to commanders had to fight in their mind.

Somehow, the X-wings seemed to be the only ones targeted as of now. Her missile approach warning system was not sounding or indicating in that fiery red color that made you go into cold perspiration and your pulse race. The TIEs might not have lacked the advanced sensor systems needed to picked her up just yet. Still, it was only a matter of seconds that someone would get a visual on her now that they were at such a close range. She saw the opportunity. She spent a fraction of a moment thinking of it. They were outnumbered, but she would be a fool not to take this opportunity to take down at least one or two of them before they retreated towards the fleet. They were playing the stealth game, so would she.

<''Searchlight Leader - on me! The rest of you head towards the fleet, deflector shields up at maximum! GO!''>

With that order, she and Searchlight Leader spun and turned back towards an X-wing being followed by two TIEs. Without wasting precious time, they targeted one each and lined up before swiftly blowing the enemy fighters into oblivion, rescuing Searchlight Six. The three of them turned again and cranked their deflector shields as they followed the ion flames of their comrades in the distance, and the fleet forming up further away.

<''Commodore - We're closing in on your position with multiple TIE Enforcers on our tails! We'd really appreciate some covering fire!''> she addressed commodore Kathause as the surviving fighters from Searchlight Squadron dove through a hole in the fleet formation, very soon followed by Foster and Searchlight Leader who was pushing their engines to the max, sacrificing some deflective capabilities to outrun the pursuing TIEs.

 

[Marlon Sularen]

Ignore this Post

 

[Marlon Sularen]

KRIL'DOR , MID RIM
Mawite Occupied Platform
Objective | Crush the GADF

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MAW IRREGULAR FLEET Core Fleet - Task Force One Predator [Agitator-Class Super Heavy Battlecarrier] Defiance [Pellaeon-IV Star Battlecarrier] Retribution [Pellaeon-IV Star Battlecarrier] 661/720 TIE/fd Fighters 131/152 TIE/fd Interceptors 19/24 TIE/en Enforcers [Crimson Linings] Wolfpack Aurek - Group One Leviathan [Invincible-Class] Maurauder [Supremacy-I Class] 216/216 TIE/fd Fighters 56/56 TIE/fd Interceptors Wolfpack Aurek - Group Two Conqueror [Supremacy-I Class] Dauntless [Supremacy-I Class] Despoiler [Supremacy-I Class] 180/180 TIE/fd Fighters 96/96 TIE/fd Interceptors Wolfpack Aurek - Group Three Punisher [Supremacy-I Class] Phalanx [Supremacy-I Class] Nemesis [Supremacy-I Class] 180/180 TIE/fd Fighters 96/96 TIE/fd Interceptors

Focus | Grand Overseer Marlon Sularen
Location | Agiatator-Class Super Heavy Battlecarrier "Predator"

After a long and painful wait , Sularen's Shuttle reached the Ventral Hangars of the Predator unharmed with the Alliance Starfighters having not even payed attention to it. Although had Captain Fisk not sent fighters to cover his retreat , the Alliance would have shot his shuttle down in no time not to mention pin down the Mawites below. As the Shuttle doors opened , The Grand Overseer came out helped by Captain Hunter and another Crimson Guard. As they helped the Grand Overseer off the Shuttle , Captain Hunter addressed the Grand Overseer with concern.

"Sir , you need to rest. You are still wounded." the Captain said , a bit worried at the condition of his superior.

"And abandon the Battle that is taking place right outside this Ship? Never. I'd rather go down in a fight then flee or hide like a coward wounded or not wounded. I fled from Byss to regroup with the Maw and make plans to take my Kingdom Back and i will not allow these GADF bastards to win the day."

The Captain sighed but there was nothing he could do to stop the Grand Overseer. Despite being one of the Final Dawn's Finest , the Grand Overseer was quite arrogant although he understood his position. This trap was well laid and the GADF Strike Force had fallen right into it and now they were in a perfect position to annihilate them and send a message back to Coruscant. This was an opportunity that couldn't be missed but the Grand Overseer was seriously wounded and the Captain feared that it might affect him in battle.

Then Colonel Rackham put his hand on the Crimson Guardsmen's shoulder. "Don't worry , Captain. The Grand Overseer will be fine. All that matters now is that we take our revenge against those who tried to kill him and send a proper message back to those greedy politicians back on Coruscant , that we will be coming for them" The Colonel said in a reassuring tone. The Captain sighed before replying. "Alright. Let's bring you to the Bridge. Grand Overseer. We have a battle to win." Sularen smiled before simply saying. "Indeed. This is just the beginning"

Within minutes , the Grand Overseer was on the bridge and with the help of Captain Hunter and the other Guardsman had carefully sat down on his Command Chair on the Bridge which kinda hurted as he sat down but nevertheless , Sularen tolerated the pain as the only thing that mattered right now was that they decimated this pathetic excuse for a Strike Force in which the Alliance sent. Even with more Warships then Sularen they probably had a slight edge in Firepower but less Starfighters then the Predator and it's escorts and certainly reinforcements from the nearby system would secure total victory for the Final Dawn.

As the Grand Overseer adjusted his position in his chair he turned to Captain Fisk who was overseeing the battle infront of the Viewport. "Captain Fisk. What's the current status of the Battle?" Sularen asked. "Nothing much , we have deployed a few squadrons of fighters to intercept enemy fighter squadrons sent against us while keeping the rest in reserve. But recently we have noticed that the GADF Strike Force is baring down on us perhaps preparing to open fire"

"And the status of Wolfpack Aurek?"

"They are still on standby awaiting your orders to spring the Trap"

Suddenly , the brief conversation was interrupted by an officer who informed the Grand Overseer of a new crucial development. "Sir 3 Alliance Warships have entered in range of the Predator. One Fifteen-Hundread Meter Long Warship and two smaller vessels , three hundred and thirty and two-hundred meters long respectively. Should we begin calculating Firing Solutions?"

Sularen thought for a second. From the Tactical Display on the Datapad attached to his Command Chair it seemed that the Vanguard of the 3rd Expeditionary Squadron was leading the charge presumably to divert the attention of the Predator and it's Escorts away from Phoenix Fleet which was right behind them and closing in on the Three Battlecarriers but nevertheless now that those ships were in range of his Battlecarrier , it was time to spring the trap and put an end to this nuisance.

"Yes , prepare to open fire on the lead ship identified as the ANV Pegasus , have our Proton Beam Cannons locked on to that Ship and fire when ready. Concentrate all firepower on the ANV Pegasus and ignore the other ships , they are nothing more but a nuisance and pose no threat to the Predator or our escorting ships. Then proceed to concentrate our Interdiction Field in the area surrounding the GADF Strike Force and inform Vice-Admiral Hamilton to split his fleet in three and execute a precise microjump at the rear of the GADF Strike Force. We will pin these fools down and proceed to tear them apart one by one until there is nothing left of their pathetic Strike Force."

The Officers of the Bridge simply nodded in compliance before carrying out the order. Vice-Admiral Hamilton was informed of Sularen's new Orders while the Predator and it's Escorting Ships concentrated their Interdiction Fields around the 3rd Expeditionary Squadron and Phoenix Fleet to ensure that Wolfpack Aurek could emerge from Hyperspace right behind them. At the same time , the Tactical Officers finished calculating the Firing Solutions on the Pegasus and within Seconds , the Predator opened fire on the Star Defender firing it's trio of Proton Beam Cannons at the Pegasus while it's escorting Pellaeon-IVs moving into position ready to open fire on the Vessels of Pheonix Fleet the moment they entered in range.

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Focus | Captain Gavin Harcourt
Location | TIE/en Enforcer "Crimson Leader"

"Alright , Crimson Linings de-cloak in 3 , 2 , 1!!!. Let's give them hell"

After a long detour around the Refinery , the two dozen TIE Enforcers that made up the Crimson Linings previously cloaked suddenly decloaked and with full power to their engines accelerated as they opened fire on Searchlight Squadrons destroying a few X-Wings as they unleashed a barrage of laser cannons on the unsuspecting Starfighter Squadron forcing them to break formation as Captain Harcourt proceeded to destroy an X-Wing emerging from the flames of the destroyed Starfighter.

The Crimson Linings with brutal efficiency had managed to force Searchlight Squadron to retreat back to their fleet within mere minutes as their attack ended in disaster , another victory for the Vengeful Starfighter Squadron whose roster had received unfair treatment by the previous iteration of the Galactic Alliance. As the X-Wing Squadron retreated towards the rest of the GADF Task Force the Crimson Linings pursued them , they were a ruthless and unrelenting force.

With their power concentrated on their engines there was no chance the fleeing X-Wings could outmaneuver the TIE Enforcers , they were Faster and more Maneuverable then the X-Wings and even capable of taking a few hits from Dedicated Anti-Starfighter Vessels such as Corvettes and Frigates. Thus Foster and Searchlight Leader's efforts to outrun the Crimson Linings were unsuccessful as even under fire from the Support ships of the 3rd Expeditionary , the Crimson Linings remained on target although now shifted their power to the Shields to avoid straight up getting shot down although managing to shot down another set of X-Wings in the process.

As the Crimson Linings continued their pursuit , Harcourt and his two Wingmen bared down on Foster and Searchlight Leader as Harcourt fired on Searchlight Leader who made numerous attempts to outrun and outmaneuver the Veteran Ace Pilot but it was in vain. Soon enough Harcourt had locked onto Searchlight Leader's X-Wing and opened fire unleashing a barrage of green plasma bolts that teared through Searchlight Leader's X-Wing annihilating it instantly. As Searchlight Leader met his end Harcourt smiled , this was what they deserved after making him and his fellow pilots suffer for all those years. They were once the Old GA's Finest only to be cast aside and treated as Criminals. Now it was time for payback and although this GA had no relation with the previous iteration releasing their anger and frustration on them felt so good.

And with that the Crimson Linings pulled back having broken Searchlight Squadron and losing only 4 Fighters as a result , while some members of Searchlight Squadron would survive this was still a victory nevertheless. With Searchlight Squadron dealt with the Crimson Linings proceeded to search for new targets to hunt down and destroy continuing their relentless pursuit of vengeance against people who had never harmed them yet represented a continuation of a government who did ready to lay waste to anyone who stood in their way.

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Focus | Vice-Admiral Kaine Hamilton
Location | Invincible-Class Heavy Battlecruiser "Leviathan"

From the Bridge of the Leviathan , Vice-Admiral Kaine Hamilton watched as the Leviathan and the rest of Wolfpack Aurek , comprised of 7 Supremacy Type Ones emerged from Hyperspace precisely at the rear of the GADF Strike Force attacking Sularen's Trio of Battlecarriers already in range of the closest Vessels most notably the Concord-Class Star Defender Radiant Night. "Get me Grand Overseer Sularen , now" the Vice-Admiral Ordered. Wolfpack Aurek had entered the Battle and they were ready to give the GADF the biggest spanking they had ever had.

"Sir , we got the Grand Overseer connected."

"Grand Overseer Sularen , we have arrived at the System precisely behind the Enemy Strike Force and in range of their Fleet. We have firing solutions already calculated and are in position to attack. Do you have any further orders?" the Vice-Admiral asked.

"Have two of your Ships focus on the rear of their Fleet and have the rest of Wolfpack Aurek split into two even groups in order to outflank both Pheonix Fleet and the 3rd Expiditionary" the Grand Overseer said in response. "We must pin down their Fleet and slowly pick them apart one by one until there is nothing left. Now that Wolfpack Aurek is here we have superiority in terms of Numbers and Firepower. It's time we teach the Alliance a proper lesson , Vice-Admiral. I hope you will not fail me at this crucial time."

"No sir i will not fail you. I will ensure this strike force remains pinned down or atleast give them a hell of a fight. Victory is nearly ours and we are one step closer to reclaiming Byss."

"Very well then. I'll leave you to resume your engagement with Alliance Forces"

As the transmission ended , Vice-Admiral Kaine Hamilton gave a new set of orders ready to pounce on the rear of Phoenix Fleet. "Okay guys. It's time we ended this battle and teach those Alliance goons who's boss. I want all Fighter Squadrons minus those of the Leviathan deployed in order to engage whatever Fighters the enemy has in reserve , have the Leviathan and Maurauder concentrate fire on the nearest ship and have the rest of Wolfpack Aurek split into two even groups and begin outflanking the GADF Strike Force. We must pin them down to ensure a total and decisive victory. For the Final Dawn!For Byss!"

Soon enough , 63 Squadrons of Mixed TIE/fd Fighters and Interceptors had been deployed moving to engage Pheonix Fleet's Starfighter Reserves while the Leviathan and Maurauder having completed calculating their firing solutions on the nearest Alliance Vessel , the Radiant Night began opening fire as the Maurauder unleashed a full barrage of autocannons at the Alliance Star Defender. Meanwhile the rest of Wolfpack Aurek had split in two even groups just as Vice-Admiral Hamilton had instructed and they began to move to outflank the Enemy Strike Fleet as a means to decimate them once and for all , while also firing at nearby Alliance Warships.

Now , the GADF Strike Fleet was beset on two sides and with Wolfpack Aurek splitting to fully surround them , it would be only a matter of time before this Strike Fleet fell apart to ensure a total and decisive victory for the Final Dawn and the Brotherhood of the Maw in a brilliant display of Sularen's Tactical Genius. The events that would playout here on Kril'Dor would only serve as a warning for the Alliance , that Byss was only the beginning , that Sularen wasn't done with them yet and that one day he would return to the Core and burn it to the ground and rule over it's ashes for his will was undeniable , his will was absolute.

Tags | Alexandra Morrow <inactive> | Liedran Kathause | Kathryn Foster
​

Spoiler: TLDR

• Sularen despite being injured arrives at the Bridge of the Predator and assumes Command once more​
• The Predator opens fire on the ANV Pegasus unleashing it's Trio of Proton Beam Cannons and it's Main Batteries at the Star Defender​
• The 360 TIE/fd Fighters that had previously established a Defensive Screen move forth to attack the ANV Intrepid and the ANV Ardent with the objective of completely destroying the Light Cruiser and Corvette​
• The Retribution deploys it's full compliment of Fighters to further support the initial attack on the ANV Intrepid and Ardent and to counteract any Starfighter attack on the Predator and it's Escorts​
• Captain Harcourt and the Crimson Linings engage Searchlight Squadron taking out numerous X-Wings including Searchlight Leader before breaking off their pursuit to avoid further losses to seek new targets.​
• Vice-Admiral Hamilton and Wolfpack Aurek arrive at the rear of Phoenix Fleet right in range of their Rearguard Warships​
• The Leviathan and Maurauder open fire on the Radiant Night with the latter firing a full barrage from it's Twin-Autocannons on the Star Defender ​
• The rest of Wolfpack Aurek split into two even groups of 3 Star Destroyers and begin outflanking Pheonix Fleet also firing on nearby Alliance Warships ​
• All Fighters from Wolfpack Aurek are deployed and begin engaging the Reserve Squadrons of Phoenix Fleet ​

 

[Liedran Kathause]

{ANV Pegasus - C.I.C}
{3rd Expeditionary Squadron - Commodore Kathause in Command}
{ Kathryn Foster , Marlon Sularen , Alexandra Morrow <inactive> }​

<''Commodore - We're closing in on your position with multiple TIE Enforcers on our tails! We'd really appreciate some covering fire!''>

"Point defense screens are coming online. Hold tight," Fractions of her anxiety began to bleed through the comm unit, her foot tapping against the cold flooring of the CIC to nearly match the speed of the two green dots approaching the rest of the fleet.

The red dots were following close behind.

"Ma'am. Searchlight Leader's transponder just went down-"

She didn't need anyone to tell her. The image was abundantly clear-- Searchlight 1's green circle flickering out of its position on the plots, right as Colonel Foster's marker dove past the two screening frigates. Liedran's heart soon drowned in dread, even after she watched the hostile fighter group breaking off from the attack.

She had sent so many people to die.

The world shook with a deafening impact. Then again. Under the fire of the Brotherhood flagship's proton beam cannons, every shielding circuit in Pegasus's hull lit up in flame. So too did the outer layers as another bright green beam cut across the breadth of the superstructure. For a fraction of a second, inertial dampeners began to weaken their fields, leaving a perfect window of time for crewmembers to topple over in the chaos. And before she knew it, Liedran was on a collision course with the central table.

The commodore's vision flared, the room around her now turning a dark red for a split second as the table's bludgeoning edge made contact with her ribs, cut off her breathing, and silenced her scream as the lights switched to emergency power.

In the distance, she heard cries for help, maddening internal explosions, only for the sounds to be silenced with the closing of blast doors.

"SIT-REP!" Once she could finally breath, Liedran's voice came to an ear-splitting shout, fueled with every last bit of pent-up volume she had. She soon paid the price in a sharp wince, however, her side overtaken by agony from where she hit the table.

"Three proton beam cannons fired from the Brotherhood flagship. First two fused our shield systems. Third broke through decks one through three-- Heavy casualties. Damage control reports several life-support failures and fires," The nearby crewman was trying his best to stay calm throughout, "Hostile Contacts closing in. 360 counts approaching us. I estimate two and a half minutes till arrival...."

"..Oh gods..."

The bridge officer went quiet for a moment, and by the time he had found the courage to speak, Liedran saw a new round of hostiles popping up on sensors.

"Eight battlecruisers emerging from hyperspace- launching fighters... They're working with the other battlecarriers to bracket us. Engaging Phoenix fleet in specific."

"Can you get us out of their firing range?"

"I don't think I'll be quick enough. Engineering's reporting reactor surges. We won't be able to send a lot of power through the engines-"

"Shunt whatever power you can! Calculate our safest course away from their effective range! Have Intrepid and Ardent take the lead-- point defense screens at full intensity!" Another wince struck her expression as an arriving medical officer took a position at her side, "Get Pillbox Squadron prepped...start evacuation procedures. Get our fighters ready to cover our transports."

The 3rd Expeditionary's flagship had begun to limp from its location just within range of the Brotherhood's weapons, engines flickering in and out in agonizing randomness, seemingly doomed to destruction as turbolasers continued to tear through the caved in webs of metal left by the proton beams. They tore further into bulkheads, walls, crashing into munitions and turrets alike to send smoke flowing down hallways, and to open corridors to a cold and unforgiving void.

Batteries continued to fire off from all sides, Phoenix Fleet and the ANV Huntress working in tandem to prepper the enemy's far off defenses with concentrated missile and turbolaser barrages, soon followed by similar fire from Brotherhood vessels on two flanks. Pegasus's own guns soon found locks on both enemy formations, her location in the middle of the fleets allowing for the release of defiant salvos from the vessels broadsides-- portside shots slowing fading in intensity as they approached the three battlecarriers, while the starboard turbolasers battered a nearby Supremacy-class from closer and far more effective range.

They just had to hold for a while longer.

The three vanguard ships of the 3rd Expeditionary threw their point defense screens into gear, firing off salvo upon salvo of fast-moving laser cannon rounds to envelop the encroaching swarm of enemy fighters. Explosions began to ripple throughout the surrounding space, jettisons of fiery debris flung from the likes of Brotherhood TIEs and the Alliance's own diamond boron missiles.

"Do our frigates have their mass drivers ready?" Everyone in CIC braced themselves as a torpedo slammed into a distant row of turbolasers and set off a short-lived chain reaction throughout far-off corridors.

"Loaded..." Captain Foffin gritted his teeth, "Where do we target?"

"Dreamer-- Target lock on that Invincible-class. Have Armistice aim for the flagship, pinpoint their proton-beam cannons... Both high-explosive."

Eight HAAT dropships escaped the Star Defender's aft hanger soon after, at the very moment the two frigates waiting over the refinery turned their mass-drivers on their respective targets. And once the locks were in place, their barrels erupted with the hyper-accelerated release of slugs.

Seconds after, a barrage of torpedoes passed through where the ANV Intrepid's shield bubble used to be. Another few seconds passed with their journeys, the light cruiser simultaneously fighting to dive out of the way. But it was too late. Intrepid broke apart at every seam, previously-welded sheets of metal violently ripped apart until all that remained was a lifeless and charred skeleton of the former vessel.

They hit Ardent's engine block soon after.

Spoiler: Summary of Fleet Actions

• Pegasus's systems are crippled with the Brotherhood's bombardment, shields being drained completely with no hope of being brought back, while a large portion of the superstructure and surrounding decks have been vented into space.
• The three vanguard vessels of the 3rd Expeditionary begin a retreat to exit effective turbolaser range of the Brotherhood, though at slow speeds to make up for the Pegasus's already low max velocity.
• The two frigates(now circling the refinery) target each of their two mass accelerator cannons for the Predator and Leviathan respectively.
• Evacuations being aboard Pegasus. 8 HAAT dropships with approximately 20 crewmembers each flee the area and prepare to jump out once outside of interdiction range. Fighters will work to escort the remaining hyperspace-incapable escape pods to the hangers of the mostly-safe frigates
• Intrepid is torn apart by a torpedo wave, while the smaller Ardent is crippled under another
• Point defense screens have likely wiped out a portion of the attacking Brotherhood fighters, however

 

[Kathryn Foster]

Location: Behind ANV Pegasus and the front lines
Objective: II - contain feelings, and escort transports to a safe zone
Tags: Liedran Kathause , Marlon Sularen , Alexandra Morrow <inactive>

Spoiler

Colonel Foster frantically turned hear head, trying to get a visual on Searchlight Leader who was supposed to be just behind her. What she saw was the remains of a fireball and dust that were Searchlight Leader. A vision that made her heart sank as she passed the battleships of the Alliance armada.

''Searchlight?'' she called, instantly knowing that she called for deceased ears, as she tried once more. ''SEARCHLIGHT?!''

''No... No! NO!!'' colonel Foster grit her teeth behind the breath mask and agressively turned the T-wing around, preparing to take up whatever fight that might have come to her. What she saw was retreating TIEs that she was very tempted to hunt down on herself. ''DAMN IT! You bastards!''

The colonel fought with sense and reason, and threw a hard punch and a second one into the sidepanel as she saw the exhausts of the TIEs escape the wrath of the Pegasus. Chaos and wrath filled the commander as she saw the fading face of her wingman before her. ''Why are you fleeing?! Afraid to meet your maker?! Come at me! COME AT ME, COWARDS!!''

If she had not rushed to the rescue of Searchlight Six, Searchlight Leader would maybe had been alive. But then, they would have lost Searchlight Six in the process. A difficult dilemma for every commander, and even if they were in different aircrafts, Kathryn could feel the gaze of every pilot directed upon her.

The loss of Searchlight squadron leader hit hard upon the surviving squadrons and colonel Foster in particular. She couldn't avoid to think of why she had gone on the offensive when they were clearly outnumbered. Searchlight Leader was gone, and that was partially because of her. Or, at least Kathryn thought so just now. She breathed deeply in the mask while the battlecruisers pummeled each other with green and red lasers in front of her.

Colonel Foster gave herself some time to breath and collect herself for the continuation of the battle. Battleships were being attacked and emergency procedures were being activated. They had a battle to survive and she had to recover from the sudden outburst of emotions that had taken her over for a moment. She had to focus and stay on top. They would have the time to grief later. Hopefully.

''All surviving aircrafts, on me!'' she called out over the intercom. ''We got losses to grief, but... that time is not now! It's time to do what we do best! I'm counting on everyone of you! We gotta protect our transports jumping to a safe hangar, before the hyperspace jump! We're not done...'' she said on a wavering voice. ''We're not done til we've avenged Searchlight Leader!''

And with that, Kathryn took the lead by the HAAT transports leaving the Pegasus.

''Commodore Kathause, remaining squadrons from the Pegasus are regrouped and ready for new orders... How are we doing, commodore? Are you on a transport yet? I fear that Pegasus will not be able to get out of reach of the Brotherhood laser cannons!'' colonel Foster called to the commodore while escorting the first HAAT ships.