MID CSILLA SYSTEM > APPROACHING MAW STAR DESTROYER FLEET
Bridge of the FIV Resurgent
Gannan turned and nodded to the Supreme Leader.
"The biggest danger we face is whether we can stop that military base from firing in time," The man said, his hands still clasped behind his back, as he surveyed the data that came in from sensors. There was so much naval activity that the space around Csilla threatened to become nothing less than gridlock.
"We have elements in place to assist in stopping that from happening, but it all comes down to time. Time is not on our side, it is on theirs, your Grace."
And true it was. The Brotherhood of the Maw had the advantage. No matter how many fleets worked to stop them, if they could still manage to charge that superweapon to full power and fire it at the Chiss planet,
before they could be stopped, then it would all be for naught. Of course, the Maw would be systematically destroyed after that, because the sheer number of vessels arrayed against their fleet had started to dwarf them. Yet, Gannan wasn't so quick to discount more surprises from the seemingly mad and chaotic group of dark siders. There was an underlying feeling that, perhaps, something else was coming... but as to what? He didn't quite know.
"Begin ascending above the Mercy's equator," Gannan said simply, as he turned from the Supreme Leader for a moment, to face the navigation crew.
"There's a fundamental flaw in the design of the array. It's pointed toward the southern half of the station. So we maintain fleet lines - and broadside facing - toward the northern hemisphere. Begin adjustments."
The Allegiant General clenched his jaw muscles, as he watched some of the battle unfold from the viewport. He had eyes on the battle station, the 'Mercy', when a call from the targeting pit got his attention. "Sir, we have a small force of cruisers are on an attack vector," The sensor crewman reported, as they relayed the information to weapons emplacements. There was obviously a response to be made, and the turrets would be prepared for orders. "Opening fire with laser and ion point-defense cannons and spitfire maser cannons-- sir, escape pods are launching from the cruisers!"
Gannan narrowed his eyes at the small number of vessels - unknowingly commanded by
Talon Kyber . They looked like a pirate group, mottled vessels of varying states of repair and whatnot. Still, no enemy should every be underestimated.
"Fire advanced cluster missiles," The General said, as he let out an exhale loudly.
"I doubt there will be life-form readings. Shields, reinforce the port side."
The missiles were fired after several moments, from the broadside positions, as the clusters of projectiles began to swarm out toward the escape pods. Sensor crews would maintain awareness of what might have been in those pods, but as they began to explode far dramatically than simply missile combustion, the real threat was revealed. Gannan wasn't new to warfare, he understood that there were those that sought to use unorthodox means to cause others to hesitate - but in this circumstance, the enemy had picked their side, and no escape pods were going to make the Allegiant General blink and miss it. From further down the length of the enormous vessel, small flares were seen in space, from the direction of the cruisers and their exploding escape pods.
It's almost beautiful, if not for the death.
"Have our starfighters stay back," Gannan added.
"We don't want to have them caught in the explosions."
"Yes, General."
ESCORT FLOTILLA ONE
Engaging - Talon Kyber
The commander of the escort group, in her Falchion-class Bastion Cruiser maintained relative close proximity to the rear of the
Resurgent. Comm traffic from the First Order command network indicated an attacking force that had closed with the dreadnought. Smaller vessels, compared to the beast that the escorts protected to the rear. Corvettes and frigates, it seemed, from some kind of cobbled force of vessels. No matter how fast they were traveling, it would take them time to run the length of the dreadnought - especially if they were going at any kind of attack speed that was effective.
"We have incoming, they will be on us in three minutes," Lieutenant Frell shouted, as she began relaying orders. "Prepare defensive screens, have the Lancer's move into parallel formation and the Raider Corvettes above and below. The CR-ninety remains beside us. Arm missiles, prepare flak cannons and call for starfighter support, now."
"Yessir!" The comm officer replied sharply, as he got to work. "Formations relayed, starfighter support called in."
"Excellent, we reinforce shields to the port and front sides and have space mines loaded. We're going to send them one hell of a package."
The escort group were no slouches to reacting quickly and effectively. It was their primary task. No matter what happened around them, they would remain behind their assigned vessel, albeit in varied formations, in preparation for exactly this kind of happenstance. A confirmation came back from starfighter command, as two squadrons of TIE/vn Elites were redirected from around the dreadnought - twenty obscenely fast and agile fighters rounded and started to burn thrusters toward the escort flotilla - and Lieutenant Frell sighed in some relief.
It was always tense when a direct attack happened on the escorts. But it tended to happen a lot. That didn't make it easier.
"Enemy approaching, visual confirmation of a group of frigates and corvettes, sir," Sensors called, as they brought up the information and relayed the update. "Our assigned starfighters are closing behind them."
"Begin launching space mines," Frell said as she stared at the display before her. "Fill the space in front of them. Anticipate a port redirection of their current direction, and compensate with placement. We do not allow them to get between us and the
Resurgent, understood?"
It was time to herd the attackers.
"Contact Battle Division One, request their frigates and corvettes adjust position to starboard and match elevation to intercept in case the enemy tries to flank them."
"On it, sir!"
The orders were relayed, the warning provided, and the space mines sent out into the space ahead and to the right of the marauder corvettes and frigates. On top of that, the weapons of the escort group began to fire as soon as the enemy was in range. Rapid fire cannons, solid mass projectiles, and all manner of ion bolts filled the space. It was a rough fight, as blow for blow were exchanged - however, the arrival of the TIE/vn Elites soon brought a pincer on the enemy group, and the agile fighters began weaving and firing comparatively strong weapons systems at the vessels as they got into range of the escort flotilla...
"Keep firing until they are nothing but dust," Frell commanded. She also saw the readouts on her vessels, noting the losses in shields and some hull damage, but all were within acceptable ranges for the encounter. "The
Resurgent has informed us of explosive pods being used by this group. Prepare anti-missile and projectile systems."
"Yes, Lieutenant, defense screen crews alerted and prepared."
"Good. Continue firing. Inform the starfighters to evade to range, and then activate those space mines when they are out of the radius."
"Aye, commander!"
Frell nodded to herself, as she watched the displays. They had this under control. They would not fail the Allegiant General today.
THE RESURGENT & BATTLE DIVISIONS ONE/TWO
Engaging -
Derix Tirall
The next biggest threat to the First Fleet was the movement of almost twenty-five Maw aligned Star Destroyers, of varying class and size, that began to approach from the Mercy. They moved through the sector, ion engines burning brightly, and seemed angled toward the carrier division. That was not unexpected, but it would prove a serious issue due to the sheer number of vessels on that heading. The
Resurgent would respond, as would the divisions under it, and the largest emplacements would begin to pound against the smaller Star Destroyers with abandon.
"Weapons, turn all destructor beams onto that enemy fleet," Gannan commanded cooly, as he looked to the Supreme Leader
Natasi Fortan
.
"We didn't anticipate such a large contingent of Destroyers, but it's something we can handle with some adaptation and formation adjustments. You asked before if you could be of benefit? Would it be possible to communicate with the allied leaders, and begin to organize a concentrated effort on that battle station? We're going to need to attack it sooner, rather than later, time is not with us. It would be one less concern in the battle, your Grace."
No doubt the comm traffic in the area was immeasurable, but there were still frequencies shared that could serve the purpose. And so long as encryption was used, the current situation would likely be too convoluted for any enemy to try and unscramble communications. There was simply too much going on--
"General, the battle station is powering up!"
"Calculate alignment of the array, I want to know where it's going to fire. Now!"
"Yes, sir, checking sensors... it's... not aimed at us, it's heading suggests a more central firing arc on the fleets closer to Csilla."
"Damn, all we can do is hope they are able to begin evasive maneuvers quickly enough," Gannan growled, as he leaned forward and gripped the command console. He hated feeling useless. And right now, there was little he could do but watch the sensor display, as it showed a powerful beam fire from the Mercy and slice through a swath of fleet and transport vessels.
Gannan worked his jaw muscles.
"Was that the full power it has? Sensor crews, what are we dealing with?"
"It's hard to say, sir. Our scans of the battle station indicate several more generators, and this wasn't a beam that used them all," The officer said as he squinted at the screen and estimated as best he could. "My guess would indicate no, this was a lower powered array firing, sir."
Gannan's dark eyes glared at the screen, before communications shouted:
"Sir, communication received from the Imperial Order, putting it onto your comm system--"
And in front of the Allegiant General, there came a call from one of the commanders of the fleet.
Gallius Orcana
spoke, calling on the allied factions to begin pushing into the Maw fleet formations. It was a high risk call, one that matched the nature of the battle in all respects, and the Allegiant General knew that the First Order were in the most tactically sound position to assist in the effort. The First Fleet was still a distance from Csilla, outside of the main battle above and around the planet, which meant they could deal with the threat of the two dozen Star Destroyers before moving in rapidly...
"Supreme Leader, we're going to have to move on that station," Gannan said in a low voice.
"I recommend preparing your escape vessel. We will be going deeper into the Maw lines, and that means more risk. For now, precaution is best, so please organize your guard and have them ready... in the meantime, could you inform the Imperial Order that we will move on the station as quickly as able? Thank you, your Grace."
"Sir, communications incoming from more First Order fleets," The comms officer said. "Vice Admiral Barkai and his Fifteenth have arrived, sir. His people report he has arrived behind us, and has started to move toward the battle proper. We are also getting a hyper-comm incoming... Captain Thorne, with the ninety-ninth, sir, they have received our battle position updates and are suggesting a tactical maneuver coming out from hyperspace against the Maw Star Destroyers!"
"Good, have Vice Admiral
Rahmmon Barkai
begin closing distance with the First Fleet, in rear-guard position as he is able at a distance he is comfortable - but still effective - with," Gannan conveyed, as he looked to the communications crew.
"He will be in a position to attack any Star Destroyers from the Maw that slip through. Our carrier division will also fall back to remain nearer his screen, have them launch fighters and bombers immediately - all of them - and avoid approaching with the rest of the First Fleet for now."
Then there was the Chiss Captain, the one known as Mitth'orn'eruod - Thorne - who proposed a pincer from hyperspace reversion. It was risky, at least for most, but there were reports that indicated he utilized a special Chiss navigation method. It was kept secret, which was respected, but the documents implied a very highly precise means of space traversal... and if that was the case, and the Captain was in a position to, then it would only assist against the encroaching dozen Star Destroyers.
"Permission granted. We will do our part when he arrives."
Gannan turned his attention back to the fleet of enemy Star Destroyers.
"Have Battle Division One slow and maneuver back to intercept any Maw forces that try to run through to the carrier division," Gannan watched the displays, as his eyes moved rapidly and he calculated.
"Shift Battle Division Two closer to our aft. I want them lined up with us, as we broadside this enemy fleet with everything we have. How long until the arrival of the ninety-ninth?"
"About five minutes, sir!"
"Let's make this happen, now!"
Confirmations and orders were sent, as the formations began to shift. It would put more risk on the dreadnought, but it had shielding far more powerful than most of the Star Destroyers arrayed against it combined - or at least damned close to. Not to mention some additional redundancy, for when those shields began to take damage. In those handful of minutes, the fleets began to move, like cumbersome beasts in the void. The carriers also launched all their starfighter squadrons, a plethora of different fighter types and numbers, before also slowing and maneuvering to avoid the closing Star Destroyers that moved toward the First Fleet.
"Sir, the battle station is firing with an array of turbolasers," Sensor pit crews reported, as the information was shared. "Seems they have alternative means of firing and are hitting the closest fleets hard, General."
"We need to get in there." Gannan muttered. He stood and looked to the Supreme Leader
Natasi Fortan
.
"We'll end this, one way or the other... please be ready to move when needed, ma'am."
"General, at the rate the station is charging, we estimate another capacity to fire within... seven to ten minutes," The sensor officer added. "It's incredibly fast and efficient, by all standards."
Indeed.
"Sir,
FIV Diligent and it's fleet emerging from hyperspace not far from our position," Communications reported. "Captain Reed reports arrival, battle preparation, and is awaiting orders!"
"Have Captain Charlotte Reed begin to flank the Maw Star Destroyer fleet, but to maintain range so as to avoid being overwhelmed or encircled if they change tactic and move toward her fleet," Gannan said calmly, as he exhaled and nodded to the crews. They were doing admirably.
"And with that, we see what the Chiss Captain can do. Time until the ninety-ninth arrives?"
"Seconds, sir."
"Prepare all weapons, all ordinance, and lower orbital cannons into broadside configuration."
The mighty orbital cannons began to lower along the ventral underside of the
Resurgent, before they began to rotate into port firing angles. And across the space between the fleets, the 99th emerged from hyperspace incredibly precise and began to open fire in a line of broadside formation.
"Open fire with everything," Gannan commanded as he slammed a fist down onto the console.
"Decimate that line of Star Destroyers!"
An immeasurable amount of firepower was unleashed onto the Maw fleet near the First Order divisions, as the armament of the dreadnought - and it's supporting vessels - began to fill the dark space between themselves and the enemy with copious amounts of projectiles, energy, explosives, solid mass and even more unique and destructive armament - null void bursts, destructor beams, orbital cannon shots. The power brought to bear by the full First Fleet - and the
Resurgent in particular - was overwhelming.
"Maintain firing angles on bridges, use our destructor beams to slice through as many hull sections as possible," Gannan glanced to the Supreme Leader, his expression serious, but a hint of glee in his eye.
"Do not relent. And should any of those Maw vessels even think to try and ram us, fire the conner nets... leave them ionized and incapacitated in space, to be finished off.
"Also maintain sensor awareness to our starboard. Do not allow any enemy vessels a chance to jump onto our flank."
It was going to be a gory mass of energy, flak and metal, and the Allegiant General would cut through the Maw to get to the battle station...
Zachariel Steelblood
