Character
513 Heavy Assault Line
Bassadro Armada
Undisclosed location between Thyferra and Bassadro Systems
Commanding Officer:
Kiff Brayde
The stillness of space was deceptive.
It was something intangible and invisible, yet it carried such leviathans through it, like the old sea-going vessels that each planet had known in their earliest evolutions; a time long before the stars had called to them. They, like now, charted their course by the stars, drawing familiar images across them to help guide them on their way. It was different for each civilisation in its isolation, but a common path known to many.
Verin Oldo had something that set him apart from the Ancients. He had been to see these stars. He had danced from point to point, his own images painted across the dark canvas. He had brought fire and destruction to the stillness of space, explosions bringing their power and awe to whomever had warranted it. He had ordered such destruction himself, a powerful ship under his control. A ship became two, became three, became a flotilla, became a Line of the Fleet. He was now one of the senior-most officers in the entire Bassadro Armada, designated to defend and patrol one of the key sectors of CIS space.
One did not fight often in the Navy. With the ability to bear planet-gutting firepower on weaker craft, the CIS Navy did not engage targets very often. It had been a little while since Oldo had ordered the ships of his command to open fire. Even in his extensive career pre-Confederation, Voldo had known some action but nothing like he had seen since the formation of the CIS.
Today was different.
For the first time, the 513th Heavy Attack Line was to enjoy a ‘makeover’, its component ships retired, reallocated, or repurposed for the various duties required of them. The familiar formation of five Grievous Class Star Destroyers had been changed. Today, just two rippled through that familiar stillness; the CNS Carrhae White and his former flagship, the CNS Exigent. This pair were to be the only Star Destroyer class ships in the line, the others replaced by a single vessel.
The CNS Al’raja. A battlecruiser.
Oldo had received the command gladly, an honour in the short history of the Line. To have a battlecruiser leading the Line? It was what Naval Commands were made of. Brand new from the Roble shipyards above Fondor, the Al’raja had made its journey, fully fitted, to be received by the CIS NAVCOM. Prior to her formal commissioning, she would need to be trialed in full battle order.
Oldo stood on the bridge, its placement central and high above the superstructure, a clear view of the Line afforded thus. He watched the limited ‘organic’ complement about their posts, the automated and droid controlled components working perfectly well. They had been running tests and drills under a variety of scenario conditions and Oldo felt fully confident that the crew would bring her to heel swiftly. Today was about a little more than the engine functionality or the response of the VSI Batteries.
She was going to meet the rest of the Line.