Special Delivery. . . .Wait We Didn't Sell to Pirates!!

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Oka Osaa"]

Rendili Stardrive was so very close to breaching into the next tier of development. The recent work with Ri'ess Regal was certainly doing much to propel them forward. Factor in the rest of their business and their contracts with the Republic and Silver Jedi Order and they likely could make the claim on the galactic marketplace that they once more were a top level company that one could trust for reliable service and quality products.

Like the hyperdrive unit they were delivering to the orbital yards at Pii for Lady Ayena Xyhn. When word had come in that she had wanted an advanced hyperdrive unit to go along with the systems and reactor that Stardrive had already put together for her, Camellia didn't hesitate to agree. It had taken some effort, but working on already existing hyperdrive designs and researching the methods of modification that most appeared to put into the units to push them past even what was considered fast for the market made things much simpler.

Of course Rendili was quite adept at constructing ships so making a part that could go with their Proton-8 Reactor and get an extra push from the fierce power source was right up the shipwright's alley. Camellia was rather hopeful that their client would appreciate the work done for them. The 0.5 class ATZ-8 hyperdrive sat within the cargo hold ready for use, built to the specifications for the size of vessel Ms. Xyhn was putting together.

it need only be delivered.

Having taken several jump points and obscure paths to stay discreet for their client, the Rendili Octavia Class Cruiser selected as the transport only needed to make one more course alteration before reaching Pii and the delivery point. Xyhn had said to send a friend to help act as a escort for the final leg of the trip.

But Camellia highly doubted a pair of ships firing on her cruiser when it exited hyperspace were an escort. Perhaps they were hired to take her ship and give the hyperdrive free to Xyhn, but that seemed doubtful when there hadn't been a double cross before. The enemy ships appeared to be a pair of DP20 Frigates of antiquity, but modified perhaps? With a smaller Carrack class further back.

Well this was certainly fun. . . .if Xyhn had sent extra support were they wiped out already or had they not even arrived yet? Regardless. . . "Launch both fighters squadrons and raise shields! I want all our fire concentrated on the nearest enemy vessel. I doubt they expect to take us with just these, but if they are then we'll make them see how foolish it was."

 

[Oka Osaa]

Oka had accepted a task of escort. He figured Rendili knew that but things don't always get around. Coming out of hyperspace, Oka readied his com link. Then, he saw a large Rendili cruiser getting fired upon. "Your escort is here in case you needed it." he said jokingly as the FT-18 Pillar zoomed towards the enemy ships.

[member="Camellia Swift"]

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Oka Osaa"]

The Octavia class cruiser certainly wasn't Camellia's preferred choice of ship to Captain. It was mostly designed to fill in the private market. It didn't have much in the way of firepower like the Dreadnought Cruiser, and it didn't have the speed and maneuverability of the smaller Oberum class frigates that also sported the same long range weaponry. What the Octavia did excel at was being an excellent support ship, its long range turbolasers could deal decent damage when supporting a fleet, especially since the Octavia acted as a small carrier. With a fighter and bomber squadron to its name in addition to a few transports, the Octavia Cruisers resembled old Mandalorian Cruisers.

However, they were better for support roles as mentioned. So the pair of DP20 Frigates were harassing it where the missiles launchers couldn't shoot and were too close for the long range turbos to hit. Nonetheless the Eight Dual Turbolaser cannons fired at both craft, the quad laser cannons contributing where they could, while the long range turbos harried the Carrack class holding off so far away. The starfighter squadrons had launcher to handle the threat, they would be the primary defense against these attackers.

Still, the Rendili woman found herself wondering how these pirates had come to be in this region of space so conveniently. The hyperdrive for Regal had only been finished recently. Numerous tests had been done to ensure that it would operate as predicted with the craft Xyhn was planning to put together. All of which had been done quietly since the vixen appeared to want things under wraps for her little design. So how these pirates found out if this was premeditated was beyond Rendili Stardrive's CEO, but perhaps it was just poor luck. Truly poor indeed. . . . .at least it seemed their. . . .light escort had arrived. "While appreciated the joking helps little. Come around at 2 o'clock and hit the enemy DP20 on the right flank if you would. Its annoying missiles keep targeting our bomber craft."

 

[Oka Osaa]

"On it Captain. B7 activate the targeting systems and ready our laser canons." he commanded making a spin to the right of the ship. Oka activated the shields and started firing the laser canons while sending a missile to the right flank. Several ships received heavy damage but not enough. "Got anything on you that packs a punch?" he asked the captain.

[member="Camellia Swift"]

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Oka Osaa"]

From the bridge aboard the Octavia class cruiser, Camellia watched as the escort made a pass and their payload slammed into the DP20 on the right flank as she requested. The small 120 meter vessel appeared to react to the salvo of torpedos, but appeared to be holding for now. That was fine, as its attention was now drawn towards the new enemies it had trying to take advantage of its focus on the cruiser. The pirate, or mercenary or whatever affiliation the ship held to, DP20 began to turn about towards the trio of escorts. It made the Rendili woman sigh with relief as her own bombers caught a break to recoup and get back into formation without being under intense fire. "Yes we do. We'll hit the other enemy craft now, keep on the one you hit."

Issuing orders, Camellia directed the support squadrons from her cruiser to divert to hit the enemy corvette now trying to swat out Regal's Escorts. As its missiles and guns spat out at the snub fighters, the Octavia Cruiser turned its full attention toward the second frigate and unleashed its own heavy warhead payload, its turbolaser cannons pouring out fire as well. DP20s were fast and strong and durable for their size, but they were old, and they were still much smaller and less equipped than a cruiser four times its size.

The hostile attackers would be broken soon. At the very least the DP20s would be destroyed. The enemy Carrack class could either retreat or continue the fight though that would be foolish. Were they really after the hyperdrive? Or were they just trying to steal whatever cargo they could and take the ship for themselves? Well regardless they would get neither. It was annoying, maybe she ought to have had another hyperdrive made to put on the cruiser so they might have gotten here and been gone before the pirates arrived. It was a 0.5 compared to the Octavia's 2.0 class. The pirates would have a treat if they had managed to take it.

But they would only find death or imprisonment now.

 

[Oka Osaa]

Oka heard the command and kept firing. To finish off the enemy ship he targeted, all he needed was another missile. He pressed the button and a missile started swirling towards it as explosions and smoke came off the enemy ship. When the missile hit, Oka was relieved. They couldn't build back up their defense because of the major damage and they couldn't call backup because they were dumb pirates. He was winning along with the squadrons.

[member="Camellia Swift"]

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Oka Osaa"]

Honestly it wouldn't even be the end of the world if the hyperdrive had been stolen. It was just expensive to produce, especially when it broke the norms of what could be considered fast for hyperspeed. Which also meant it took a lot of effort on the part of the engineers who put the thing together, although considering the work had been done it could be reproduced rather quickly. Still, it was unique. . . .so then again her desire it could also be installed on the Octavia class or the pirates hope it could be used for themselves, if they even knew it existed, was rather moot. It was designed to go along with the reactor specifically for the ship Ms. Xyhn was having constructed.

Nonetheless pirates deserved to be blown to smithereens anyway if they wouldn't surrender. Criminals preying on those out in deep space, they were scum so Camellia didn't feel bad at all as she watched one of the DP20s ripple with explosions along its hull as the starfighter squadrons laid waste to it. The snub fighters launched their warhead salvos at the hostile corvette and tore through its shields with sheer number, the small ship's hull, while thick for its class, not enough to handle over 28 missiles and torpedos slamming into it.

Which only left the remaining DP20 and the enemy Carrack now desperately trying to close the gap to join the fray. Not that the frigate would last much longer, not as Camellia took in the sight of her Octavia Cruiser's turbolasers and missiles tear into the much smaller vessel and begin to cause flames to erupt from sections of the pirate ship as well. "All fighters focus fire on the Carrack. They're not getting the hyperdrive or anything else. Be wary for its laser cannons!"

 

[Oka Osaa]

"On it captain." he said changing his target. He starting firing on the Carrack. He tried to tale out their engines but it seemed the shield was heavy. Let's see if we can go one more missile, he thought. Oka pressed the button the send a missile aimed at the engines while firing his canons at the same time. After a moment, the shield was damaged already so he supposed this would let the squadrons finish them off.

[member="Camellia Swift"]

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Oka Osaa"]

This battle was essentially over.

The last DP20 was nothing more than a burning wreck, no longer a threat at all to their group. An attempt had been made to establish communications with the ruined vessel to see if any remaining crew on the pirate ship desired to surrender, but either those who could answer were cut off or dead, or their communications array had been destroyed in the attack, regardless there was little that could be done as the smaller craft breathed its last in a final explosion that tore the ship in two. It wouldn't be alone in that act either, as very soon Camellia intended to have the hostile Carrack class torn asunder as well.

Which the starfighters had gotten a head start in doing. Although not without heavy cost it seemed. . . .

Six of the slower bombers had been cut down, pierced by the impressive laser cannons arrayed over the Carrack class vessel, adding to those already lost in the initial attack. At the same time though the strafing runs and missile strikes from the snub fighters had vastly brought down the enemy's shields, at the very least enough for the Octavia Cruiser to come and finish the job. Which it would begin with gusta, as its own missile launchers fired rocketing warheads towards the weakened ship desperately attempting to reach an escape point.

They had wanted to raid those unfortunate enough to pass through. Whether or not they were around to try and steal the hyperdrive Camellia could care less for at this stage. She was more annoyed by their audacity at this point in general than any particular goal the criminals might have had.

 

[Oka Osaa]

Oka's starfighter received little damage so they were victorious to him. "Okay Captain, do I escort you to your destination or shall I leave you to do that?" he asked zooming in front of her ship. Hopefully, this would set their boundaries with any other threats

[member="Camellia Swift"]

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Oka Osaa"]

The enemy Carrack didn't last very long beneath the barrage, weakened as it was. The Snub Fighters' salvos from before had already placed heavy strain on the vessel's shields, so they broke almost instantly once the missile strikes and turbolaser fire from the Octavia class struck it. There must have been some form of chain reaction within the ship's reactor as well, a lucky hit on one of the gunners parts, seeing as the Carrack cruiser practically detonated in a rather pretty explosion. This thankfully left the pirates defeated, and the cargo of the advanced hyperdrive unit safe, but at the same time Camellia wasn't happy it cost the lives of thirteen pilots from her own ship's support squadrons.

And yet even now as the pirates had stayed silent throughout their attack, Camellia still wasn't sure what their objective was. Was this random? Planned? Their usual spot? Did they want the ship? The crew? The cargo? Or did they know about the hyperdrive being delivered and want it for themselves? If there was anything the young Rendili woman hated, it was an unanswered: Why?

Perhaps that was why she was so irritable when it came to philosophy and politics, because that was the most unanswered question of all whenever it came down to those subjects.

At least her answer to the Regal Escorts was easier and simpler to provide. "I would indeed prefer it if you did follow us the rest of the way. I think it would be appropriate and helpful if you were to make a timely report of the events here. I'd like to know that we provide the same information, unless you know more. Nonetheless there's no reason to stay. Mark your logs and follow us out to Pii." Cutting communication, Camellia found herself sighing as she turned her attention to her own bridge crew now. Ordering the return of the surviving support fighters, Cam merely waited as her ship drifted toward the exit point for the final jump to Pii's factory ring.

Even for a 0.5 Hyperdrive, this was a lot of trouble to go through. All the work to build it and deliver it now ought to be worth it she hoped.

 

[Oka Osaa]

"Okay." he said. His droid would be the record of what happened. The astromech can literally replay stuff it sees. Anyways, it was time to follow orders and keep up sith a good distance.

[member="Camellia Swift"]

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Oka Osaa"]

To say the least, Camellia found herself rather disappointed and exasperated with the escort she ended up receiving. Late to the rendezvous point, only bringing a few starfighters as if they were just acting as guides, and utterly taking the whole situation as a joke with little seriousness. It made the Defense Fleet Captain and CEO sigh thinking about the actual soldiers she had lost who she respected much more than the flippant and remorseless fellows she had playing support. Of course she wouldn't voice such complaints out loud, but she dearly wished that she had someone more in tune with the situation, or who at least cared about the hyperdrive or pilots who lost their lives.

This person acknowledge much of either. . . .

At the very least she supposed she could be thankful the last jump through hyperspace occurred without incidence after her ship appeared within Pii space safely a few hours later. Nonetheless she would be informing Xyhn for sure about the pirate incident in case there was a leak, purposeful or accidental, or if it had just been luck. At the very least Regal would likely wish to know that route could be potentially dangerous for cargo shipments in the future. But then, Camellia wasn't sure how much Regal intended to use such wayward routes once their secret project of a ship was finished. "This is Captain Swift of the RHDF, CEO of Rendili Stardrive, delivering the advanced hyperdrive unit as agreed upon. We also have a brief incident report to make once we make berth."

Of course, now that project was one advanced hyperdrive closer to completion. . . . once she docked and had it transferred onto the factory ring.

 

[Oka Osaa]

Coming out of hyperspace along with the Rendili ship, he stayed a little behind in case anymore pop ups came. Honestly, Oka was fed up with pirates. Jedi don't kill often but pirates deserve it. After hearing the captain speak to the Pii communications, he caught back up and waited for anymore orders.

[member="Camellia Swift"]

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Oka Osaa"]

There would be no more orders to give, they were done now, safely at their destination at last and already enroute to docking the cruiser to the factory ring to perform the hand over of the hyperdrive unit. Permissions, docking codes, coordinates, and hanger space was communicated over to the Rendili vessel as it made its approach, leaving Camellia with little else to do as she issued her own final orders to the crew to prepare the advanced hyperdrive to be off loaded once the docking clamps were secured and they could transfer the unit over to the Regal crews on Pii.

The only thing Camellia found herself doing was writing up the incident report to send to both Xyhn and the Administration Security on Pii. If pirates were nearby any future shipments could be at risk, so they ought to be made aware. To Xyhn though a message was also sent to inform the vulpine woman about the completion of this part of their business as well, leaving only a little left to go, and an inquiry about whether or not they should meet up to discuss the matters sooner.

This had been a much longer and harder trip than it needed to be for a simple delivery. All for a 0.5 Hyperdrive unit, that the pirates may or may not have even been aware of. Well it was over now, all the work on the part, all the delays with the pirate attack, and soon even the transfer of the part would be over. And the rewards of it were soon to come as well perhaps. . . . .

 

[Oka Osaa]

"Okay Captain, I suppose we are done here now? If so, I'll report what I have and be on my way." he said hanging back letting the ship unload and all that. The pirates were brave but a little ignorant. You should never confront a skilled squadron, even if you have the most powerful armada. So they were indeed ignorant. Oka sat in the starfighter awaiting a response.

[member="Camellia Swift"]