Star Wars – Aftermath

[whatisinaname]

Comments etc are to be posted at: Star Wars – Aftermath - Discussion (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=83080)

The start of this story takes place seven years before the battle of Yavin. There will be some minor PoD’s during this story, but the general Star Wars Expanded Universe timeline will continue (well sort off!) as a general framwork for this story.

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STAR WARS – AFTERMATH


It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships, are starting to cause problems striking from there hidden base they have won their first small victory against the Empire.

With the first of these victories the Rebellion has sown the first seeds that will allow the Rebellion to start to grown for the first time in ten years since the rise of the Empire.

The Empire, in response to this gowning Rebellion, has begun a rapid expansion of the Imperial military and young men and women from prestigious Imperial families come to join the Imperial military as officers to lead the fight against the Rebellion, one such young man is Zerik Hammond who will become a legend………

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Prelude to Aftermath – Part 1 – Imperial Academy


At the age of 16 Zerik Hammond entered the prestigious Imperial Academy on Coruscant (mainly due to his families influence), his grades are easily high enough to enter the Imperial Academy on Coruscant, but there is a very long waiting list. His father used his not inconsiderable influence within the Imperial Military to gain access to the Imperial Academy for his son.

Over the next three years Cadet Hammond excelled at the Imperial Academy learning how to command, this would easily allow Cadet Hammond to pass out on his 20th birthday with distinction and honours and also be in the top ten of his class for that year.

Many powerful Imperial families favour the Imperial Academy on Coruscant as it allows the children to be at the very heart of the Imperial military machine and thus gives them access to contacts that other Imperial Academy’s do not have access too. This allows those with exceptional combat ability to have their own choice of placing after the graduate from the academy.

During his stay at the Imperial Academy Cadet Hammond along with the other cadets would get invited to social events on Coruscant, this would bring them into contact with the most senior Imperial Moff’s, Admirals and Advisors. Depending on the level of the Cadets social status they would be invited to the more prestigious events on Coruscant. Cadet Hammond’s family having the highest level of social status (Cadet Hammond’s father is an Admiral of Engineers and deputy head of all the Imperial fleets repair facilities) and his mother is the sister of Ardus Kaine, this gets Cadet Hammond invited to the most prestigious events on Coruscant.

The most senior Imperial officers such as Grand Vizier Sate Pestage, Grand Moff Tarkin, Rear Admiral Thrawn, Armand Isard (after Yavin, Ysanne Isard “takes over”) Director of Imperial Intelligence and occasionally the Sith Lord, Lord Tremayne and other high Imperial officials who attend these events. Attending these social events Zerik Hammond will make very useful contacts for the future and also some enemies as well, but during his three years he makes more allies than enemies.

Even without his family’s assistance Zerik Hammond would have passed out of the Imperial Academy with honours, with his family’s assistance and contacts, Zerik Hammond will be able to choose his own assignment and posting (something that the majority of Cadets would not be able to do).

Graduation and First Assignment

Just after his 20 birthday Lieutenant (junior grade) Hammond is asked by the personnel officer at the Imperial Academy what command would be his preferred choice, most graduating Imperial officers are trying to be assigned to Grand Moff Tarkins command (the Death Star project), but Lieutenant Hammond asks if he could be assigned to ISD Victorious as the ships third gunnery officer. This request takes the personnel officer a bit by surprised, but grants Lieutenant Hammonds request and within a week his orders have come and he will be assigned to Imperial class Star Destroyer Victorious.

Zerik Hammond’s ultimate goal over the next few years is to gain command of an Imperial Class Star Destroyer and making that Star Destroyer into an elite Imperial warship, his chosen warship is the Imperial class Star Destroyer Victorious.

The ISD Victorious is one of the first batches of Mark I Imperial Class Star Destroyers to be built and has so far see a lot of action, her current Captain, Captain Allerson has been in command of the Victorious for the past ten years (and is very eager for promotion to Rear Admiral).

Six month later

After serving for six months as the Victorious third gunnery officer Lieutenant (junior grade) Hammond is promoted to full Lieutenant even though he has only been serving onboard Victorious for six months and it would normally be at least a year before he would normally be promoted to full Lieutenant.

Captain Allerson knows that Lieutenant Hammond’s family connections will be able to help him get a promotion to Rear Admiral that he wants and promoting Zerik Hammond will go part of that way to his promotion with the Hammond family (which it will do).

The newly promoted Lieutenant Hammond also becomes the ships second gunnery officer, against the wishes of Lieutenant Commander Erikson the Victorious senior gunnery officer. Lieutenant Commander Erikson tries at every opportunity to undermine Lieutenant Hammond, but Captain Allerson will hear none of this against Lieutenant Hammond and each time Lieutenant Commander Erikson puts’ a black mark against Lieutenant Hammond’s record Captain Allerson refuses to endorse the black mark. This means that these “black marks” do not go on Lieutenant Hammond’s permanent record, thus not affecting his chances of promotion.

Twelve months later

After serving for twelve months as the Victorious second gunnery officer a series of events and promotions and some of those promoted leaving the star Victorious for new commands and this allows Captain Allerson to promote Lieutenant Hammond to the rank of Commander with the new position of first officer onboard the Victorious. With Victorious old first officer reassigned to another command and Lieutenant Commander Erikson to “other duties” elsewhere (some “nice” backwater command) within the Empire, with this “freeing” up of this first officers post, thus allowing Captain Allerson to promote Lieutenant Hammond to the rank of Commander and make him his first officer.

This swift level of promotion is only possible for Zerik Hammond, because of two factors, the first being his families influence within the Imperial Fleet and the second being Captain Allerson who is using Zerik Hammond to gain promotion.

On the second part, Captain Allerson gets promoted to Fleet Captain as part of his reward for helping Zerik Hammond up the promotions ladder. Though Fleet Captain Mark Allerson has not yet achieved the rank of Rear Admiral yet, but this is a first step for Fleet Captain Allerson to achieve a Rear Admiral’s rank.

Over the next two years Fleet Captain Allerson along with his first officer Commander Zerik Hammond leads the Victorious on countless missions against the growing rebellion and various pirates and criminal organisations. The Victorious area of operation is under Grand Moff Tarkin’s command Oversector Outer, an area that comprised most of the Outer Rim Territories. The Victorious (and her crew) continue to gain a formidable reputation as an elite crew with their various assignments within the Oversector Outer command. With the Victorious is being used as a roving Star Destroyed (one of many roving commands) rather than being assigned to a single command within one of the sectors of the Oversector Outer command.

A few weeks before that battle of the Yavin system, the Victorious under the temporary command of it first officer Commander Zerik Hammond while the Victorious Captain is at the Oversector Outer command headquarters for a quarterly briefing of various roving Star Destroyed commands with in the Oversector Outer command.

Over the next few weeks leading up to the battle of the Yavin system, the Victorious acting Captain, Commander Zerik Hammond, will be doing a series of random patrols of the systems in the same sector as the Yavin system.

Acting Captain’s log, Commander Zerik Hammond reporting, “So far their has been no sign of and unusual activity, criminal or rebel of any kind, also their has been no other traffic within this sector, the Victorious will be moving to its final system to check then will continue the random patrol pattern for the rest of the patrol, in the hope of encountering Pirates or even Rebels. Thus far the search has proved futile.” Log ends…

What happens next will ensure that Zerik Hammond will be promoted faster than even he could have ever imagined in his widest dreams.

To be continued.

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Prelude to Aftermath – Part 2 – The Vader Incident!


An hour after the destruction of the Death Star, Lord Vader had managed to get his starfighters hyperdrive working and made a short hyperspace jump out of the Yavin system, but within a few minutes of leaving the Yavin system the TIE Advanced x1 (TIE/x1) hyperdrive failed, this time permanently.

Lord Vader, then decides to send out a call for help (something that Lord Vader has been trying to avoid doing), just after Lord Vader has sets his fighters transmitter to send an automated call for assistance from the nearest Imperial warship(s), a Rebel bulk cruiser appears out of hyperspace and begins to head towards Lord Vader’s TIE fighter.

With Lord Vader’s TIE Advanced x1 hyperdrive is now dead, but the sub light engines are working at ninety percent of full capacity, Lord Vader starts evasive manoeuvres against the Rebel bulk cruiser. This action causes the Rebel bulk cruiser to launch its own fighters (Z-95 Headhunters), after a few minutes a total of forty-eight fighters have been launch against Lord Vader’s TIE Advanced x1.

Lord Vader recognises the capital ship as a Neutron Star-class bulk cruiser, these aging capital ships that combine the attributes of both warship and cargo hauler, bulk cruisers see service in mainly the Rebel’s hands and also a demising number and still in the Imperial navies service. Most of the bulk cruisers in Rebel hands are used as starfighter carriers, as there armament is not heavy enough to go up against a modern warship.

Lord Vader now has a fight on his hands and turns his fighter to engage the Rebel fighters who outnumber him forty-eight to one. Within the first few minutes Lord Vader has destroyed nine of the forty-eight Rebel fighters, but the Rebel’s still have the advantage of numbers on their side. The battle is still going the Rebels way for the moment, but events area about to change that in a bad way for the Rebels.

ISD Victorious a short distance away…..

Meanwhile in a nearby system, the ISD Victorious has just completed a sweep of the system and is in the process of recovering the last four TIE/rc (a reconnaissance version of the standard TIE/In fighter).

On the bridge the communications officer says, “Commander Hammond, I am picking up an Imperial distress signal.”

Commander Hammond says, “Do you have a location on the distress signal?”

The communications officer replies, “Yes sir, I am getting a lock now.”

Commander Hammond says, “Good, once you have a firm position pass the information to the helm and navigation.”

The communications officer replies, “Aye sir, doing that now.”

Commander Hammond says, “Good, helm and navigation plot a course to the coordinates the communications officer is transferring to you now.” There is a simultaneous “aye sir’s” from the helm and navigation pits on the bridge.

Commander Hammond hits the ships internal communications button on his command console next to his chair and says, “This is Commander Hammond we have received a distress call from an Imperial ship, we are going to their aid. All hands to Battle Stations” with that he switches of the ship wide communications.

At the same time the call to battle stations sounds throughout the Star Destroyer. The crewman at the helm says, “Commander the coordinates are set, awaiting your order”

Commander Hammond says, “Engage hyperdrive at emergency flank speed.” The ISD Victorious leaps forward into hyperspace, fully prepared for battle, the Rebels are in for a very nasty shock.

Meanwhile not far away…..

Lord Vader is having trouble with the remaining thirty-nine Rebel fighters, as these Rebel fighters are trying (unsuccessfully) to herd Lord Vader’s starfighter towards the bulk cruiser, so that the cruiser can use it tractor beam to capture Lord Vader’s fighter.

Using the Dark Side of the Force Lord Vader is easily able to evade the Rebel fighters, but in doing so, Lord Vader is slowly moving towards the Rebel cruiser, when suddenly Lord Vader senses something through the force and without thinking evades out of the way, causing the Rebels perusing him to break off into several different directions.

A few seconds later the shape of a large white triangle of an Imperial class Star Destroyer appears out of hyperspace where Lord Vader’s starfighter had just been. Within a few seconds of appearing the Star Destroyer begins launching TIE fighters from the Star Destroyer’s hanger towards the Rebel fighters.

Lord Vader turns his damaged starfighter towards the Star Destroyer’s hanger, as he does so twelve of the TIE fighters close in around his own starfighter as escort back to the Star Destroyer, while the remaining thirty-six TIE fighters engaged the remaining Rebel fighters.

On the Victorious Bridge Commander Hammond is watching the opening phases of the battle, when one of his consoles bleeps with an identification of the Imperial fighter that was under attack, revelling that it is Lord Vader’s own personnel starfighter. On seeing this Commander Hammond orders the officer in charge of the fighter operation to allocate a squadron of fighters to escort Lord Vader’s fighter back to the Victorious.

At the same time the Victorious is starting to engage the Rebel Neutron Star-class bulk cruiser with its main armaments, but just as the Victorious start to engage with her turbolaser batteries Commander Hammond says, “Guns, engage with ion cannons only I want to capture that ship not destroy it, understood?”

The gunnery officer replies, “Aye sir, understood”

Commander Hammond then says, “Helm keep us between the cruiser and Lord Vader’s fighter until Lord Vader’s fighter has docked.”

The helmsman replies, “Aye sir” and the Victorious begin’s to move between the bulk cruiser and Lord Vader’s fighter to provide Lord Vader’s fighter with cover against the bulk cruiser’s weapons fire.

Commander Hammond then says to Major Brack “Prepare both Gamma class assault shuttles and also have additional shuttles with back-up storm troopers and Imperial Army troops in a support role, after the space troopers have captured that hanger bay.”

Major Brack replies, “Aye sir”.

In space the one sided battle between the ISD Victorious and the Neutron Star-class bulk cruiser, the bulk cruiser red laser cannons fire is impacting harmlessly against the ISD Victorious shields, the ISD Victorious responds with her Ion cannons from her Port batteries in a ripple of continuous fire from Victorious Ion cannon batteries causing systems on the bulk cruisers systems to start to shut down and within a few minutes the bulk cruiser is dead in space with only her emergency systems operational.

As the Lord Vader’s fighter enters Victorious hanger bay, the battle outside the Victorious is now going badly for the Rebels as they have lost all their starfighters and the Victorious ion cannons have disabled the bulk cruiser. Once Lord Vader’s fighter has docked the two gamma class assault shuttles each carrying forty space troopers is launched along with six shuttles each carrying sixty stormtroopers with the next wave will be carrying Imperial Army troopers.

Lord Vader makes his way to the bridge, once on the bridge Lord Vader says without the usual preamble, “How long until that cruiser is captured?”

Commander Hammond replies, “We should have the cruiser secured within the hour, Lord Vader” Lord Vader does not reply and just stands watching the assault shuttles move towards the disabled bulk cruiser.

Within an hour the bulk cruiser is secured and of the total crew complement of 2,050 with only 872 crewmembers remaining alive, including the ships Captain and First Officer. With the 872 Rebel prisoners being taken in small groups back to the Victorious holding cells, this process takes several hours to complete, while this is going on, temporary repairs are being made to the bulk cruiser to allow the ship to be taken to the nearest Imperial facility for a more detailed examination.

Several hours later…

Lord Vader speaking to Commander Hammond says, “You have done very well Fleet Admiral Hammond” all the newly promoted Fleet Admiral Hammond can say is, “Thank you Lord Vader.” With that Lord Vader leaves the bridge of the Victorious to report what has happened to the Emperor, leaving behind a very stunned and newly promoted Fleet Admiral Hammond left to continue with the cleanup operation.

This promotion at twenty-four years old makes Zerik Hammond the youngest Fleet Admiral in the Imperial Fleet and he knows that he has received promotion well in advance of other officers and only due to Lord Vader’s authority will he be able to keep his promotion and the ISD Victorious as his flagship (provided of course Lord Vader does not kill him!)

After and hour or so, once Lord Vader has spoken at length to the Emperor, Lord Vader informs Fleet Admiral Hammond (who has now changed into the proper uniform that now has the rank insignia of a Imperial Fleet Admiral), Lord Vader says, “The Emperor commands my presence at Coruscant along with that captured warship, I will be in my quarters inform me when we arrive at Coruscant.”

Fleet Admiral Hammond replies, “Yes sir, Lord Vader.” With that Lord Vader leaves the bridge, leaving Fleet Admiral Hammond to give the order to set course for Coruscant at maximum speed, on the bulk cruiser has been repaired.

Over the next few days travelling in hyperspace is uneventful as is their arrival at Coruscant (with the exception of the person in charge of space traffic control around Coruscant who gives the two warships priority clearance for Coruscant orbit). The next meeting for Fleet Admiral Hammond will be with the Emperor (though he does not know this yet, as Lord Vader has not told him).

The Emperor would also have a shock in store for the newly promoted Fleet Admiral Hammond and would grant Zerik Hammond a series of design and other ideas that he had kept to himself (so he thought).

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Prelude to Aftermath – Part 3

A New Command

Coruscant, several days later, both Lord Vader and Fleet Admiral Hammond has been summoned before the Emperor, as they both travelled down to the Imperial Palace, it is now known to Fleet Admiral Hammond, that the Emperor wants to see Lord Vader first and then the Emperor wanted to see him. As they descended towards the Imperial Palace Fleet Admiral Hammond felt very uneasy about meeting the Emperor especially after the recent destruction to the Death Star.

During the trip to Coruscant, Imperial Navel Command would confirm Zerik Hammond’s promotion to Fleet Admiral. None of the Admirals at Imperial Fleet headquarters (who are in charge of promotions and appointments) would try to oppose a promotion that had been given by Lord Vader, as this would be quite literally a fatal mistake, so Zerik Hammond’s confirmation of promotion and that the ISD Victorious will be his command ship goes though very quickly.

Coruscant

While waiting outside the Emperor’s audience chamber with several other Moff’s and Governors, including Grand Moff Ardus Kaine (Zerik Hammond’s uncle) the new commander of Oversector Outer, after Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin’s death onboard the Death Star.

After Lord Vader has been with the Emperor for more than an hour, it was Fleet Admiral Hammond’s turn to be, summoned before the Emperor, and to find out what the Emperor had in store for him, after all if the Emperor wanted him dead, he would be dead by now.

In meeting with the Emperor, there is no preamble with the Emperor, the Emperor gets right down to it, congratulating Fleet Admiral Hammond on his rescue of Lord Vader an his promotion to full Fleet Admiral. The Emperor then surprised Fleet Admiral Hammond by stating that he had seen the ideas of Zerik Hammond about the vulnerabilities of the ISD’s and various other ideas that Zerik Hammond had put forward.

The Emperor states that he is interested in these ideas and that Fleet Admiral Hammond is to implement them immediately. For this, the Emperor will give Fleet Admiral Hammond command of a small sector within Grand Moff Ardus Kaine Oversector Outer command, but would operate with a degree of independence from Grand Moff Kaine’s command.

Hammond will receive all the necessary supplies from Oversector Outer command to complete these projects and any other that either the Emperor gives him or that Fleet Admiral Hammond thinks up himself, the Emperor gives Admiral Hammond a free hand in any reasearch project.

With the meeting over the Emperor dismisses Admiral Hammond and at the same time instructs one of the Royal Guards that he would see Grand Moff Kaine next (the Emperor is not known for the social niceties).

The sector that the Emperor has given command to Admiral Hammond is the Calon Sector this sector is on the boarder area with the unknown regions and was until the Emperor had given this command to Admiral Hammond. The Calon Sector was considered a backwater command and a low priority sector, and now this will all change. On his way to the Calon sector Admiral Hammond would pick-up eight additional Imperial I class star destroyers that would become part of his command, these are the Battle Hammer, Astute, Tiger, Sentinel, Pacifier, Imperial Storm, Warspite and Scorpion.

These nine star destroyers will be added to the eleven Victory I class star destroyers of the current Calon sector fleet along with other warships of the Calon sector.

A few week later…..

Within a few weeks Admiral Hammond of his meeting with the Emperor he had taken command of the Calon Sector and has begun the transformation of the sectors limited and out of date equipment with the most up to date he could requisition from Grand Moff Ardus Kaine Oversector Outer command.

When Admiral Hammond sends, his requisitions for supplies to Grand Moff Ardus Kaine’s headquarters for the supplies that he needs to bring the sector military facilities up to full strength.

When Grand Moff Kaine reads what supplies Admiral Hammond needs and the timescale (twenty-four months), Grand Moff Kaine thinks that the timescale is to long and triples the numbers of resources and supplies that Fleet Admiral Hammond’s Calon Sector will need to speed up this timescale (which it will do).

The Calon sectors major asset is the Calon system itself, the planet of Calon III, which is designated as an Ordnance/Regional Depot (abbreviated ORD) is a planet that serves as a military outpost and Calon III is the command and control centre planet of this sector.

This world of Calon III, is suppose to be heavily defended by a full complement of 32 planetary shield generators covering the entire planet and several hundred KDY165 surface to space turbolaser cannons, KDY 150 planet defender ion cannons. The planetary defence equipment that was suppose to be protecting this planet has not been fitted as the sector was not considered a priority by Imperial Command, but now with this sector being a priority these defences will be fitted.

Calon III has a total population of just over 125 million the population of this world, are all linked in some way to Imperial military or civil personnel and their families. Calon III will be restored into the vast military base that it was originally intended to be. With the orbital shipyards will not only able to repair and upgrade warships, but also be able to be used to as a production centre for new ships of all types and classes. This planet will have the largest orbiting dry-docks of all the systems within the Calon sector and several surrounding sectors as well, this where most of the Calon sector fleet will be based when not on patrol.

All this construction work will boost trade within the sector and attract the attention of all the large corporations within the Empire and the Corporate Sector Authority and of course the Rebels and Pirate groups.

Imperial Fleet presences within the Calon Sector

The current Imperial fleet now stands at 9 Imperial I class Star Destroyers transferred from other commands, to boost the sector fleets strength, and this includes the ISD Victorious. The remaining fifteen star destroyers are the older Victory class, with a mix of nine mark ones and six mark twos. The remaining three hundred odd warships of the sector fleet are the usual mix of corvettes though to heavy cruisers with most of these warships in need of replacement with newer types.

As the new sector governor Admiral Hammond has his work cut out to bring this sectors up to full operation capability within the next twelve months and to impalement the upgrades and improvements to his nine Imperial I class Star Destroyers.

Upgrades to an Imperial I class Star Destroyer

The upgrades that Admiral Hammond had proposed at the Imperial Academy, but where rejected, until the Emperor somehow got hold of them that is! The idea is to enhance an Imperial I class Star Destroyer, with the following modifications, the star destroyers main bridge would be made flush with star destroyers hull leaving only the top part of the bridge showing. The two shield generators spheres mounted on short towers would be recessed into the star destroyers bridge so that only the top of the shield generators spheres would show as domes, the shields would also have back-up generators just in case the main shields failed.

The weapons would be modified, by increasing the number and type of turbolasers, to 70 heavy turbolaser batteries and reducing the number of ion cannons from 60 to 30 to help with the power needs of the heavy turbolaser batteries. In addition, a point defence, laser system would be fitted to help deal with starfighter and missile attacks (a major problem for star destroyers).

The final change would be the hyperdrive this would be upgraded from a class two hyperdrive to the much faster class one hyperdrive, to give the star destroyer a better hyperspace performance capability. These changes would also lead to a crew reduction from just over 37,000 to just around 25,000 personnel mark, without loss of combat capability.

The Calon sector would change from a sector with very little hope, to a thriving sector within a few years.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Prelude to Aftermath – Part 4

The Calon Sector – A Brief Overview

The Calon Sector was formed in the last hundred years of the Old Republic, as a combination of a Republic colony and observation (and proposed exploration) base on the edge of the Old Republic space with the Unknown Regions. The Calon Sector currently has seven major systems these are the Calon, Tala, Setia, Portan, Carri, Darcknis and Tallis systems, along with several hundred other minor systems or systems that are of no value.

During the first fifty to sixty years, the Calon sector saw a period of growth thanks to generous low cost loans from the Republic Senate, to establish colonies within the newly formed sector. During the rise of the Empire the Calon sector was considered a backwater sector and the funds were drastically cutback (transferred to the new growing Imperial military force) leaving the sector with little or no real investment.

With the coming of Admiral Hammond, the Calon sector will become a priority sector once again, with a vast increase in funding, allowing the Calon sector to begin growing in capability again. Within a few years, the Calon sector will become a mini industrial base all on it own, giving a degree of “independence” to Admiral Hammond’s military force that few other sectors could achieve.

Tala System

Tala III is a mixed world of agriculture, mining and production, is its main export resource production comes from Tala V that has large Tibanna gas mining facilities. Tala III has a current population of over 280 million and is now starting to grow at a very fast rate with the new investments coming into the sector.

The planet of Tala III will be fully defended in the next few years by a full complement of 28 planetary shield generators and several hundred KDY 165 surface to space turbolaser cannons, KDY 150 planet defender ion cannons. There will also be 22 Imperial Army/Navy garrison bases spread over the planets surface.

Tala V produces Tibanna gas, which is mined to keep the Imperial war machine operating efficiently. The planet is only visited when the Tibanna gas needs to be mined. The gas is initially transported to Tala III, then processed and shipped onwards to the Core worlds. Tibanna gas is an extremely rare gas that is used primarily as a hyperdrive coolant and blaster/ion enhancer. When the gas is spin-sealed and frozen in carbonite, it is converted into a simpler form that can be readily transported to where it is needed.

There is a very strong Imperial navy presence in this system to protect the two planets with a single Victory I class star destroyer (acting a command ship but will be supplemented by and Imperial class star destroyer in due course) and thirty cruisers and several hundred other patrol and support ships. All these ships are dedicated to protecting the Tibanna gas facilities and unless there is an extreme emergency they do not leave they system.

This is the one system in the Calon sector that received additional funding even after the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire, but only because of the Tibanna gas.

Setia System

Setia II has a mixture of agriculture, mining and production facilities and is seen as a growing world. The current population is quite small but growing and currently stands at around 122 million in size. Setia II has a mixture of agriculture, mining and production facilities to make this world independent of outside supply. This planet has seen slow but steady growth since the rise of the Empire, manly due to internal growth this has now changed with the Calon Sector becoming a priority sector.

Setia II currently has a limited Imperial military presence and is unlikely to grow much in the next few years. The Imperial military presence is limited the a few major sites that have sprung up over the past few decades, each of these cities are protected by a shield generator that is limited to protecting the city where the shield generator is based and not the entire planet.

The systems strongest defence is with the Imperial navy that maintains a strong presence in the system with at least one Victory I class Star Destroyer and ten cruisers plus various support vessels in the system at any one time. There is also a small shipyard in orbit around Setia II that is capable of providing limited support to both civilian and military vessels.

Portan System

The Portan System provides majority of the resources in the form of ore mining for the Calon Sector. Portan III has a population of 225 million and is growing as the mining operations are expanded. Portan III is the main source of raw materials and the processing and shipment to the various manufacturing facilities through out the Calon sector and beyond. The mining in this system has been relatively light, and the system has not been working and anywhere near full capacity, but now the systems mining operations are now running at nearly full capacity with the sudden increase in demand.

There is also an asteroid field, which also provides large quantity of materials that are transported from the asteroid field to Portan III before being shipped via heavily guarded convoys to where the materials are needed this system is heavily patrolled by Imperial warships.

This does not include Imperial protected convoys coming and going with supplies of raw materials for the manufacturing worlds in the Calon Sector and beyond. The planet of Portan III will eventually be defended by a full complement of 32 planetary shield generators and several hundred KDY 165 surface to space turbolaser cannons, KDY 150 planet defender ion cannons. There will be 35 Imperial Army/Navy garrison bases on the planets surface with the next few years.

The Portan system has a strong Imperial navy presence with a least one Imperial class star destroyer (replacing the Victory class star destroyer) based in the system at any one time along with twenty cruisers and over one hundred Rendili StarDrive Imperial Customs corvettes patrolling the system. In orbit around Portan III there are four Golan III orbital battle stations under early stages of construction.

The Portan system is the second most heavily defended system (behind the Calon system) within this sector.

Carri System

The Carri System is a new colony that was only set-up fifteen years ago on Carri III this colony is made up of staunchly pro Imperials and 95% of the current population of nine million is human. The population is slowly expanding at the rate of a few hundred thousand per year there is only one major city on the planets surface, this is were the Imperial military console is based and a small Imperial army presence of a light infantry brigade of 4,000 army troops and support personnel is based.

There are currently no defences based on the planets surface, the planet and the system must rely on the Imperial navy to defend the planet and the system. At the moment there is very little to steal from the planet as the infrastructure is still in the development stage. The forces defending this system are based around two Victory I class Star Destroyers and several dozen support vessels, all of these vessels are in permanent orbit with orders to protect the planet.

The Imperial population of this planet has strong political links with senior members of the Emperors court and can get additional firepower if needed, I the long term the population hopped to turn the Carri System into the headquarters of the Calon Sector, but with the coming of Admiral Hammond, this has shifted the balance of power in the sector away from the Carri System, back to Calon III.

Darcknis System

There are no habitable worlds in this system only a moon around Darcknis IV, this moon is called Watchers Moon. This system does not posses any colonists it is purely a military base, because of this the Darcknis System classified as a major system.

Watchers Moon is used by various Imperial Intelligence agencies as an observation post and surveillance base, keeping an eye on any potential signals coming from the Unknown Regions. The moon is also used by various Imperial Intelligence agencies as a training facility, to train intelligence operatives and conduct various “black ops”.

The moons population never exceeds fifty thousand personnel, because of the nature of the observation and intelligence work done on this moon, amongst other things. The existence of this base is not widely known with the Calon sector command, though Admiral Hammond does know of the bases existence and what its does (by order of the Emperor).

Ten planetary shield generators defend watchers Moon, there are no surface to space defences or an Imperial fleet presence as the various Imperial Intelligence agencies on the moon do not want to draw any attention to this system.

This system will be able to provide a large amount of intelligence information for not just the Calon sector, but also the entire Empire, Admiral Hammond now has access to all this intelligence information, something that not all other sector governors have access to.

I the long term this facility will be very useful for Admiral Hammond.

Small population systems

The remaining systems in the Calon sector have a population level of below one million and do not warrant a permanent Imperial garrison on the surface. These systems are monitored from orbit by a single Imperial cruiser or frigate that is assigned on rotation to keep an eye on the planet (and system) and to levy a ten percent flat tax rate on any goods entering or leaving the planet.

There are a few planets have managed to keep out of the Empires notice. These planets population level is very small, only a few thousand and their contact with the rest of the sector is minimal and if they are discovered by the Empire they tend to be left alone as the cost of putting a warship in orbit to collect taxis is considered too costly. These types of systems are only monitored infrequently by Imperial warships assigned to patrol that area of the sector, this usually means one visit every six months or so (if the Captain of the Imperial warship can be bothered).

In the long term patrols will be stepped up throughout the Calon Sector, these planets will then start to receive more frequent visits by Imperial vessels.

Tallis system

In addition, there is a single fully “independent” system that has self-rule and is not part of the Empire.

This is the Tallis system, with Tallis IV being the planet in the system that has been colonised. The population of Tallis IV is around 250 million and has its own limited “military” forces. The Imperial forces on patrol in that area of the Calon sector, do pay regular visits to the system, but do not interfere unless absolutely necessary as the population are fiercely independent (and well armed).

The population of Tallis IV is neither pro Rebel nor pro Imperial, they are simply strongly neutral and do not want to be bothered by anyone.

There is a small Imperial consulate in the Capital city of Tallis IV, with just of one hundred civilian Imperial diplomats and support staff. They are there to keep an eye on Tallis IV to make sure that the planet does not go over to the Rebels and also to try to convert the population to the Imperial way.

The Rebels who did try to set-up a base in this system were told to go away, and the Imperial offer to join the Empire was polity refused. Tallis IV does trade with the galaxy, and has a limited but growing industrial capability that produces a good income for the planet. Most of the trade is with the smaller systems that have very small population levels within the Calon Sector, mainly in components parts that those small colonies cannot produce themselves.

The small by growing Tallis IV shipyards should be able to start manufacturing their out corvette class warships within the next five years or so, this will add greatly to the income of Tallis IV and its defence capability.

Even though Tallis has turned down the offer to join the Empire, they do maintain very good trading relations with the Imperial within the Calon Sector and beyond, this had lead the Empire to leave them to the own devices as long as they trade with the Empire and do not set out of line.

The Tallis system military capability consists of 1 Dreadnought class heavy cruiser, 3 Carrack class light cruisers and 4 Crusader class corvettes, along with 98 Manta class starfighters. Most of these ships were purchased second hand with the exception of the Manta class starfighters these fighters where purchased new from the Tallaan Shipyards in the Tapani Sector.

This small “fleet” serves the Tallis system military well in guarding Tallis IV from pirates and other criminal types. The single Dreadnought very rarely leaves orbit around Tallis IV except for diplomatic or trade missions within the Calon Sector and sometimes beyond (even rarer). All the military personnel are volunteers this gives Tallis IV a very loyal and well trained and armed military force for such a small independent system.

To be continued

[whatisinaname]

Prelude to Aftermath – Part 5

The First Twelve Months

During the first twelve months, Admiral Hammond has managed to transform the Calon sectors military from a run down military force in to a steadily improving military machine to defend the Calon sector. The industrial output of the sector is rising at a very rapid rate and the main systems that did not have any planetary defences are now in the final stages of being fitted with their defences.

The attempt by the Pro Imperial colonists of the Carri System to assert there “authority” within the Calon Sector has failed, as they do not have direct access to the Emperor that Admiral Hammond does. The Imperial colonists political support on Coruscant will not go up against the Emperor (that would be fatal), leaving the Carri System just another system within the Calon Sector, with much less influence than before they tried to assert there authority.

Even without the Emperor’s support Hammond’s family connections could have achieved the same results, by simply contacting is uncle Grand Moff Kaine.

Admiral Hammond’s political clout is now well known within the Imperial court, but as Admiral Hammond is more concerned in bring the Calon Sector up to full operational capability, the other Moff’s and Grand Moff’s simply do not bother him as he is not bothering them and leave him to his “hobby”. They also do not want to go up against the Emperor who seems to be favouring Admiral Hammond at the moment or even Lord Vader who Hammond rescued.

A Rebel Base

While these improvements are being carried out, the normal security operations throughout the Calon sector are being stepped up. Leading to several small Rebel bases being found and certain information about the former Imperial Governor passing information and supplies to the Rebel, this information is now in Imperial hands, this leads Admiral Hammond to arrange a meeting with Grand Moff Kaine onboard his new flagship the Executor class Super Star Destroyer Reaper.

Onboard the Reaper, in Grand Moff Kaine private office, Grand Moff Kaine asks Admiral Hammond “Are you certain of this information Admiral?”

Admiral Hammond replies, “Yes sir I am, but I need a proper investigator as my sectors own investigation team is not yet fully assembled. I also think that time is of the essence and the longer we wait the harder it will to locate the source of the information and resources leaks within my sectors command.”

On reviewing the information on his data pad, Grand Moff Kaine says, “Very well I will relay this information with a request the a senior investigator be sent, you better be right about this Admiral, otherwise I don’t think that it would be very good for your career in the Imperial Navy, if you understand what I am saying?”

Admiral Hammond replies, “Yes sir I understand what you are saying and thank you for supporting me in this matter. If I am right this investigation should cut of one supply source for the so called rebellion.”

Even though Admiral Hammond could have asked the Emperor directly, Admiral Hammond had decided to go through the chain of command, as he was certain the information was valid and would produce results. This would also make it seem that Admiral Hammond answered to Grand Moff Kaine and it would keep Grand Moff Kaine under that impression as well.

Admiral Hammond knows that an ace like the Emperor’s authority should only be used sparingly, something that his family upbringing has taught him. This makes Hammond even more dangerious opponent to anyone who would stand against him.

Several Days Later

Admiral Hammond is waiting on the arrival of High Inquisitor Tremayne after his arrival onboard one of the new Imperial II-class Star Destroyer the Interrogator. On the shuttle landing pad there is minimum ceremonial presence, as Admiral Hammond has learned from Lord Vader that the Sith do not stand on ceremony. After the initial and very short greeting, Admiral Hammond leads Lord Tremayne to the first suspect the former governor of the Calon Sector who had been milking the sectors finances for his own gain.

Lord Tremayne enters the interrogation chamber and says, “You will tell me the names and location of the Rebels you sold Imperial equipment to.” The former governor simply shakes his head (bad idea) in an act of bravado, then Lord Tremayne goes to work on the former governor to “persuade” the former governor to talk to Lord Tremayne about his involvement and after just half an hour Lord Tremayne has “persuaded” the former governor to tell all that he knows to Lord Tremayne everything.

After the questioning of the former governor for some time, Lord Tremayne says to Admiral Hammond, “You where right to call for an Inquisitor”

Admiral Hammond replies, “Thank you Lord Tremayne, I will arrange for the detention of the people that the former Governor Hallsack has given you. I will also put my Victorious squadron on standby so once the main Rebel base in this sector is found we can move immediately. This will also be a good test of the new upgrades to the first five Imperial I class star destroyers.”

Lord Tremayne in a very calm and oddly sinister voice replies, “Very good Admiral, I await the next batch of prisoners to question.” This sends a slight shiver up Admiral Hammond’s spine.

Over the next few days, Lord Tremayne is kept busy extracting information from several dozen prisoners until finally he gets the information on the location of the Rebel base within the Calon sector. Lord Tremayne manages to extract the information out of the prisoners without leaving any external marks they only visible signs that the prisoners have been questioned by Lord Tremayne is a drained look on their faces and their bodies are weak from Lord Tremayne’s questioning of them.

The system were the Rebel base is located has no name. It is just referred to as system CS-11-279 and the planet were the Rebel base is located is on the fourth planet in the system, this system has currently not been surveyed yet by the steadily growing number of Imperial scout ships that are either being deployed to the Calon sector or are being constructed at the growing Calon III shipyards.

An Imperial task force has been gathering over the past few days, awaiting the location of the Rebel base, now that the bases location has been determined the Imperial task force leaps into hyperspace under the command of Admiral Hammond, with Lord Tremayne going along as an “observer”.

The Rebel’s are in for a very nasty shock.

The Destruction of a Rebel Base

The Imperial forces assigned are as follows, five enhanced Imperial I class Star Destroyers Victorious (flagship), Battle Hammer, Astute, Tiger and Sentinel along with Lord Tremayne’s Imperial II-class Star Destroyer the Interrogator. In addition there are two of the new Immobilizer 418 cruisers (Barricade and Obstacle) along with fifteen Dreadnought class heavy cruisers and nineteen Carrack-class light cruisers and last of all forty Rendili StarDrive Imperial Customs corvettes along with fifty support vessel of various classes and types, making a small but very powerful task force.

To make up this force Admiral Hammond, has had to temporarily take warships from other duties to deal with this rebel base, but this will not greatly weaken the Calon sectors defences as the forces that remain are sufficient to deal with any problems that might crop up in the short term.

Within a day the Imperial task force has arrived with the system (much to the supprose of the Rebels) and has taken up blockade positions in orbit around the fourth planet of system CS-11-279. Once a parameter has been established, Admiral Hammond orders a sensor scan of the planet. The sensor operator reports that there is a shield protecting a small area of the planets surface and it is strong enough to deflect any bombardment and sensor operator onboard Victorious also reports that their appears to be a KDY v-150 anti-orbital ion cannon on the planets surface as well at the same location defending the Rebel base.

Admiral Hammond orders the Imperial ships in that area to keep outside of the v-150’s range, but to maintain the blockade. He then orders General Marks to begin landing his troops on the surface of the planet, several hours laster once General Marks troops are ready the assault on the Rebel base can begin, General Marks is under strict orders to capture as many prisoners as possible for questioning by Lord Tremayne.

It takes an hour or so to transport the troops down to the planets surface along with the AT-AT and AT-ST’s and other support equipment (with the appropriate fighter escort) from the six star destroyers in orbit. Once this is done the Imperial troops form up in attack formation and begin the attack on the rebel base. With the AT-AT’s leading the assault and the AS-ST’s and other types of Imperial vehicles providing support, the Imperial stormtroopers and Imperial Army troops are ready to move to the front of the attack once the armour has broken though the Rebel’s defence lines.

With the AT-AT’s walkers leading the way supported by the AT-ST’s and then behind the walkers are the troop transports carrying Imperial Stormtroops and Imperial Army Troopers. As the Imperial troops are attacking the Rebel base the Rebels are trying to flee the system, the KDY v-150 anti-orbital ion cannon on the planets surface try’s to give covering fire, but the Imperial warships blockading the planet are doing so outside of the ion cannons effective engagement range.

All of the nine Rebel ships that try to flee the system are captured. The capturing Imperial warships carrying the newly modified TIE Interceptors destroy the limited starfighter escort, of four fighters per transport ship.

The Rebels defending the base put up a good fight but in the end, the superior numbers of Imperial forces breakthrough the Rebel lines and capture the Rebel base along with a large number of prisoners for Lord Tremayne to question.

In the aftermath of the battle of CS-11-279, the rebels have taken a serious blow and have lost all their equipment and personnel in the base, several ships that had tried to run the Imperial blockade are either captured or destroyed, leaving Admiral Hammond with another victory under his belt, Imperial losses are very light with no warships or fighter lost.

In the aftermath of the capture of CS-11-279 (planet 4), the procedures used to capture the Rebel base are hailed has a great military victory, even though the Rebel base was relatively small, but heavily defended. After the destruction of the first Death Star in the Yavin system Imperial forces need a moral boost and Admiral Hammond’s victory in this system is one of a few major Imperial victories up until the battle of the Hoth system.

Once the battle is confirmed as being over Lord Tremayne says to Admiral Hammond, “You have done well Admiral, the Emperor will be pleased.”

Admiral Hammond reply seems to catch Lord Tremayne slightly, “Thank you Lord Tremayne, I think that the Emperor will be pleased with both of us?” all Lord Tremayne says after stairing quietly for a few moments at Admiral Hammond says, “Indeed” and leaves the bridge of the Victorious to report of the mission’s success to the Emperor.

What neither Admiral Hammond or Lord Tremayne knows is this will be the beginning of a long term working relationship (even an odd sort of friendship) between the two of them that will last many decades and will see them work together on a number of projects (even after Endor).

Once the clean-up operation is finished the Imperial task force warship and support vessel are returned to their normal duties. Admiral Hammond orders that a single Dreadnought class heavy cruiser, two Carrack class light cruisers and three Rendili StarDrive Imperial Customs corvettes remain behind to make sure that the Rebels do not try to reoccupy this planet.

Within a few years this planet will be home to some useful allies for Admiral Hammond, but for now the system is out of bounds for non military traffic.

The Next Two Years

Over the next two years, Admiral Hammond’s command and the Victorious squadron will continue to achieve additional victories for the Empire making Admiral Hammond’s command a very elite military force within the Empires military machine.

In the last year before the battle of Endor, new equipment will help in the fight against an internal enemy within the Empire and bring even more rewards for Admiral Hammond and his sector. This will also increase his personnel power and authority within the Empire, but in the short term, he will not be able to reveal the true extent of his power or authority.

In the last year before the battle of Endor will see the Calon sectors military forces at full strength and the planetary defences fully established in the relevant systems, ready to deal with any potential problems that might come along.

To be continued

[whatisinaname]

Prelude to Aftermath – Part 6

New Acquisitions

Over the past two years since the battle of system CS-11-279, Rebel and Criminal activity has dropped to almost zero and the Rebels have lost their only large base of operations within the sector (and also this has had a limited knock on effect on the surrounding sectors as well), giving Admiral Hammond’s command a lot of time to establish itself fully within the sector.

Victorious squadron with its enhanced Imperial I class star destroyers variant making the Victorious squadron is one of the top five most combat capable squadron’s within the entire Imperial fleet. The Victorious squadron along with its commander Admiral Hammond is away from the Calon sector for several months at a time on suppression or seek and destroy missions for the Imperial fleet. The planetary governor Davvid Harrington of Calon III runs the sector while Admiral Hammond is out of the sector on combat missions he is a very competent administrator and can manage the day to day running of the sector with ease.

The Calon sectors production capability can provide almost all the needs of the sectors military, making the Calon sector almost self-sufficient within the Empire (just as the Emperor wanted).

The Calon sector amongst its many military production facilities based on Calon III is a TIE fighter production facility, producing the TIE Interceptors that have been modified with their own shield generators this has led to a staggering eight-five percent reduction in fighter losses giving the Calon sectors fighter forces a very high survival rating for the entire Imperial military. Thus giving the Imperial pilots a chance to learn from their mistakes, making the Calon sectors fighter forces very experienced indeed and even more deadly.

During the past two years, Admiral Hammond has been able to make a deal with the Corporate Sector Authority to replace the Calon sectors 100 odd old and obsolete Dreadnought class heavy cruisers with 200 odd brand new Loronar Strike-class medium cruisers. In addition to setting up production and maintenance facilities for these new warships in the Calon system ship yards and dry-docks (with the full approval of the Emperor).

The other advantage is in crew numbers, the Dreadnought class heavy cruisers have a crew size of over 16,000 (though some Dreadnought’s are not operating with full crew complements) while the Loronar Strike-class medium cruisers have a crew size of just 2,112 giving the Calon sector a surplus of navel personnel. This allows an increase in the number of support ships such as the Rendili StarDrive Imperial Customs corvette and the Vindicator class heavy cruiser without the need to ask for additional personnel from Imperial high command this also gives the Calon sector a reserve pool of military personnel to draw upon.

This deal between the Corporate Sector Authority and Admiral Hammond’s Calon sector command is good for the Corporate Sector Authority as it legally allows the CSA to expand its military forces and the Calon sector gets 200 odd new Loronar Strike class medium cruisers at a very low cost to both the Empire and the Calon sector. This also has the added benefit for Admiral Hammond, as he is able to make additional contacts with other companies within the Corporate Sector Authority to procure specialist parts and materials outside of the normal Imperial supply chain (again with the Emperors approval).

With most of these new ships being produced in the Calon sectors shipyards, while the rest of being imported from the Corporate Sector Authority or those companies that own planetary/system shipyards. The numbers of warships and support vessels is relatively small compared to what the Empire as a whole is ordering, but the order is significant for a sector the size of the Calon sector and does cause a lot of interest from the Imperial corporations trying to get more business.

Admiral Hammond has not sold all of the old Dreadnought class heavy cruisers, but has kept a few for use as test beds for new technology and upgrading techniques and for certain “special missions”. One of these Dreadnought class heavy cruisers the renamed Dauntless will be completely rebuilt with the latest available technology. These Dreadnoughts will become technological test beds for various types of technologies.

The Dauntless will take the next ten months to overhaul and upgrade, but once this is done the Dauntless externally will look the same as an existing Dreadnought class heavy cruiser, but internally the Dauntless will be a completely new warship.

The next issue that Admiral Hammond’s Calon sector command has to deal with would be the Imperial traitor Grand Admiral Demetrius Zaarin.

Grand Admiral Zaarin Incident

Grand Admiral Demetrius Zaarin is a brilliant strategist and a gifted scientist, Zaarin was appointed head of Imperial Starfighter Research and Development, and soon began work on a new model of TIE starfighter, the TIE Advanced. Once the TIE Advanced was tested and in production, this is soon followed by an even more capable starfighter, the TIE/D Defender. With such advanced technology and vast resources at his disposal, Zaarin was one of Emperor Palpatine’s most powerful vassals, of whom complete loyalty was expected.

Unfortunately, Grand Admiral Zaarin was not as loyal as Emperor Palpatine thought he was, Grand Admiral Zaarin was using his position to gain more power with the intent to overthrow Emperor Palpatine and proclaim himself Emperor.

Over the next ten months Grand Admiral Zaarin would waged a very effective campaign against the rest of the Empire, but in the long term the Empires resources are more vast than Grand Admiral Zaarin’s single command. Ultimately, Grand Admiral Zaarin would be defeated by Imperial forces lead by Admiral Thrawn (later Grand Admiral). These forces led by Admiral Thrawn would include the Victorious squadron led by Admiral Hammond would be instrumental in destroying the remains of Grand Admiral Zaarin’s command throughout the Empire.

After ten months of fighting the last of Grand Admiral Zaarin’s forces have been destroyed and the Empire is now safe. In the aftermath of the battle against Grand Admiral Zaarin, Admiral Thrawn is promoted to Grand Admiral and returns to his Unknown Regions command.

Admiral Hammond is given control of the remaining fighter production equipment and designs for manufacturing the advanced versions of the TIE fighter. Such as the TIE Defender and ordered to set-up a TIE Defender production facility on Calon III and in the long term to equip his Imperial class star destroyers with TIE Defenders to replace the TIE Fighter and Interceptors.

The other production facility that will be transferred to Admiral Hammond’s command is the Missileboat program with the one hundred Missileboats that had already been produced to fight Grand Admiral Zaarin. This will give the Calon sector the only production facility able to produce this advanced design of fighter.

The Missileboat (XM-1 Nova Wing) is an advanced Imperial starfighter designed by Grand Admiral Thrawn and supposedly built by Cygnus Spaceworks, but in reality, Imperial engineers were actually building the missileboat, and Cygnus Spaceworks name was merely used as a cover for the Empire to build its own starfighter.

The Missileboat was initially designed as a countermeasure against the rogue Grand Admiral Demetrius Zaarin and his supply of TIE Defenders. The Missileboat is based on the Alpha-class Xg-1 Star Wing, manufactured by Cygnus Spaceworks. The Missileboat relies primarily on missiles/torpedoes for dog fighting and assaults, a notable difference from other Imperial starfighters, which rely more heavily on laser cannons, though the Missileboat does have a single heavy laser cannon that more than makes up for the lack of multiple laser cannons found on other Imperial starfighters.

The Missileboat also includes an innovative propulsion feature known as the SubLight Acceleration Motor or SLAM for short. The SLAM is an overdrive system that allows the XM-1 Nova Wing to double its sublight speed. By drawing energy from the Missileboat’s laser cannon power reserves, SLAM provides a burst of acceleration (for up to a maximum of sixty seconds) from the ion engines to enhance the Nova Wing’s combat capabilities.

The one hundred Missleboats would be under the command of Imperial Navel Captain Maarek Stele, who commands Nova Wing. Nova Wing incorporates all one hundred missleboats making Nova Wing one of the most powerful starfighter wings within the Imperial or any other known fleet.

Captain Maarek Stele, on top of being commander of Nova Wing is also one of the Emperor’s Hands and has the ability to use the Dark Side of the Force. Lord Tremayne is currently teaching Captain Stele the ways of the Dark Side of the force on how to make the best use of his abilities of the Dark Side of the force.

Captain Stele force abilities have got to the point where he can construct his own lightsabre and is learning how to use his newly constructed lightsabre. His force abilities give him an edge is starfighter combat against none force users. This ability has allowed Captain Stele to build up a large and very impressive number of kills in a very short period of time.

These advanced fighter production facilities will be set-up in the Harzzt Mountains on Calon III and will be a severely restricted area. The production facilities will be set-up in the various cave complexes running though the Harzzt Mountains. These cave complexes will be expanded and joined together forming a large production and research facility for the advanced fighters such as the TIE Defender and the Missileboat.

Two Months before Endor

In the two months before the battle of the Endor system, Admiral Hammond’s command receives several other pieces of Imperial technological information and some unfinished prototypes as well. The Emperor seems to be using the Calon system and particularly Calon III as a limited storehouse for some of the Empires “smaller” military projects.

Most of these fighter production and research projects have not even begun production, only a few projects like the TIE Defender and the XM-1 Nova Wing Missileboat have seen limited production, with these projects the Emperor will allow Admiral Hammond’s command to use these projects to defend the Calon sector and especially Calon III. Now Admiral Hammond sees why the Emperor has given the Calon sector additional resources and combat capability over these past few years.

It will take several years to start up production of the XM-1 Nova Wing Missileboat, but in the short term the production facilities should be able to product enough spare parts to keep the current one hundred Missileboats operational. It will take only a year to start production of the TIE Defender as that will be the easier of the advanced fighters to set-up production, as quite a number of parts are the same as are used on other TIE fighter models.

One Month before Endor

Just one month before the Emperor is due to visit the Endor system to observe how the construction of the second Death Star is coming along. Admiral Hammond is summoned to Coruscant and a private meeting with the Emperor. In the meeting, the Emperor informs Admiral Hammond of certain events that will happen, also gives Admiral Hammond a box containing something that Admiral Hammond must only use if his command is trying to be taken over by another Imperial officer.

This is Admiral Hammond’s secrete promotion by the Emperor to the rank of Grand Admiral.

The Emperor also informs Admiral Hammond, that Lord Tremayne along with Lord Tremayne’s Imperial II-class Star Destroyer the Interrogator will be permanently assigned to the Calon sector until further notice. Lord Tremayne will nominally be under Admiral Hammond’s “limited command” and will be there as his right hand as needed, along with other duties that Lord Tremayne will have.

This will also allow Lord Tremayne to continue to teach Captain Maarek Stele the ways of the Dark side of the force, while at the same time being able to following the “commands” issued by Admiral Hammond.

The Last Thirty Days before Endor

During the last month before the battle of Endor Admiral Hammond’s Calon sector command starts a process of consolidation of the five other systems that have a large population these systems are Tala, Setia, Portan, Carri and Darcknis systems, with priority been given to competing these systems and planetary defences.

All nine Imperial class star destroyers have been converted/upgraded to Victorious standard also the Victory class star destroyers have also received a limited conversion/upgrade. With the Mark ones being upgraded with the Mark two’s combat capabilities, while the only external changes are to the star destroyers main bridge which will be made flush with star destroyers hull leaving only the top part of the bridge showing.

The two shield generators spheres mounted on short towers have been recessed into the star destroyers bridge so that only the top of the shield generators spheres would show now as domes, these shields would also have back-up generators just in case the main shields failed or are damaged/destroyed in combat.

Of the fifteen Victory class star destroyers all six mark two’s have been upgraded, with the three of the nine mark one’s having been upgraded with the remaining six either due to be upgraded or are in the process of being upgraded, this process to due to take another year to compete.

The remaining systems in the Calon sector are either uninhabitable or have a very low population that does not allow for a permanent Imperial presence on the planets surface. These planets usually have at least two or three Loronar Strike-class medium cruisers in orbit plus support vessels (usually Rendili StarDrive Imperial Customs corvettes) to maintain order (depending on population level) also to levy a ten percent tax on anything going in or leaving the planet. These commands are usually given to an Imperial Prefect, as an Imperial Governor would never command such a small population the Imperial Prefect is usually given the title of System Prefect.

Tallis System

The Tallis system is an “independent” system that has self-rule, with Tallis IV being the planet in the system that has been colonised. The population of Tallis IV is around 250 million and has its own limited “military” forces. The Imperial forces within that patrol area of the Calon sector do regular visits to the system, but do not interfere unless absolutely necessary as the population are fiercely independent.

The Tallis system military capability consists of 1 Dreadnought class heavy cruiser, 3 Carrack class light cruisers and 4 Crusader class corvettes, along with 98 Manta class starfighters. Most of these ships were purchased second hand with the exception of the Manta class starfighters these fighters where purchased new from the Tallaan Shipyards in the Tapani Sector.

This small “fleet” serves the Tallis system military well in guarding Tallis IV from pirates and other criminal types. The single Dreadnought very rarely leaves orbit around Tallis IV except for diplomatic or trade missions within the Calon Sector and sometimes beyond (even rarer). All the military personnel are volunteers this gives Tallis IV a very loyal and well trained and armed military force for such a small independent system.

With the recent build-up of the military forces in the Calon sector has provided a boom for the Tallis system’s economy, providing goods and services for the upgrading that is going on in the Calon sector.

When the Empire falls the Tallis system will remain staunchly independent, this will suit Admiral Hammond, as this independence will not allow the Rebels to gain a foothold in the Calon Sector from within this system.

The End of the Beginning!

With the death of Emperor at Endor, how will Admiral Hammond react, will he declare himself an Imperial Warlord or align himself with one of the many Imperial factions and how would the death of Emperor affect Calon sector?

The answer would change the galaxy forever.

The End of Prelude

To be continued

Next – The Beginning of Aftermath

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 1 – Post Endor, the First Few Months

In the first few weeks after the death of the Emperor onboard the Death Star II, the Empire is in a mixed state with some sectors quiet and others on the verge of civil war. The initial rebellion on Coruscant and some of the other Core world systems has been put down and all though the Core systems of the Empire there is a definite strong Imperial presence to ensure peace.

With the Core systems having the bulk of the Imperial military machine based there, these systems are easier to gain control over. Immediately following the Imperial defeat at the Battle of Endor, Grand Vizier Sate Pestage seizes control of the Empire. However, he lacks the charisma, force powers, and terrifying presence that both Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader used to keep the Empire together.

Sate Pestage only managed to hold the throne for a scant six months before the Imperial Ruling Council deposed Sate Pestage. The Imperial Ruling Council was acting on the manipulations of Imperial Intelligence Director Ysanne Isard and the Ruling Council's leadership of the Empire ended under brutal conditions, executed by Isard, but in later years this Imperial Ruling Council would be reformed.

At the same time various Imperial Warlords would set-up their own mini Empires, Admiral Harssk was the first Imperial to declare himself a warlord and set up his own mini-Empire, but he would not be the last. Others would include Admiral Teradoc, Admiral Zsinj, and General Delvardus, to name but a few.

As the warlords sep-up their own Empires Grand Moff Ardus Kaine who controlled the vast resources of the Oversector Outer command from his flagship the SSD Reaper. Grand Moff Ardus Kaine decided to set-up his own different “Empire” and this would be called the Pentastar Alignment.

Grand Moff Ardus Kaine, using his personal Executor class the SSD Reaper for some none-too-subtle intimidation as a venue to hold talks with representatives of multiple star systems and five major Imperial corporations. The talks were successful, and the Pentastar Alignment is born out of the remains of Oversector Outer.

The Alignment largely maintains an isolationist position, and sought to be on peaceful terms with all parties, this would lead to the New Republic reciprocating and largely ignoring the Alignment, although some pirates and mercenaries such as the Red Moons would continue to attack the Alignment on their own.

In the Calon sector Admiral Hammond would “join” the Pentastar Alignment, but as an independent entity and loaning out his warships on a case by base basis. Grand Moff Ardus Kaine accepted this (well in the short term) as the reputation of Victorious squadron is important and also having one of the top five elite Imperial warship squadrons is more important than gaining complete control of the Calon sector.

This “alliance” with Grand Moff Kaine is also useful politically against the other warlords that have popped up, as none of them wish to go up against the firepower possessed by the Pentastar Alignment, which has the firepower of several dozen sector groups available. This will assure Admiral Hammond’s political power remains undiminished with the various Imperial factions and will enable Admiral Hammond to keep these Imperial warlords at arms length.

Reality

As Admiral Hammond walks down the corridors of his base on Calon II, he thought of the past few months and of the various Imperial Warlords that had sprung up and of his nominal alignment with Grand Moff Ardus Kaine’s “Empire” the Pentastar Alignment. This alliance would last as long as necessary and then it would be terminated but for the moment it was a necessary “evil” and in the long run Grand Moff Ardus Kaine would pay for his treachery, even though Kaine is his uncle.

As he approached Lord Tremayne’s quarters he gave a signal to his two bodyguards to wait outside. Once inside Lord Tremayne’s quarters Admiral Hammond says, “Greetings Lord Tremayne”

Lord Tremayne looks at Admiral Hammond and replies, “Admiral Hammond”

Admiral Hammond says, “Can you sense the Emperors presence?”

Lord Tremayne replies, “Yes I can, the Emperors “sprit” should arrive shortly at Byss and then we will see if this new clone body will work for the Emperor.”

Admiral Hammond replies, “Indeed we will, even then the Emperor may need time to adjust to his new body” All Lord Tremayne does is nod in reply.

Admiral Hammond says, “In the meantime we will need to keep up this charade, including the “fact” that you are dead, also I will continue to be part of Grand Moff Ardus Kaine’s “Empire”, the oddly named Pentastar Alignment.”

Lord Tremayne replies, “Yes we will, I will remain in my quarters until I am needed, I will transfer control of the Interrogator to you.” With that the conversation is ended and Admiral Hammond leaves.

With command of the Imperial II-class Star Destroyer the Interrogator under his command, giving him the extra firepower of another Star Destroyer. The Interrogator will only receive a minor upgrade with the fitting of back-up shield generators.

During these first few months in the aftermath of the battle of Endor, there is very little activity from the Rebels, except for their military action against the Bakura and the failed invasion by the Ssi-Ruuk. Though several governments have allied themselves with the “New Republic” the newly formed Imperial Ruling Council, takes no action against these systems and governments as they breakaway from the Empire as the Imperial Ruling Council is far too busy infighting to dispatch any Imperial forces to put down these breakaway governments.

The Dauntless – First Operations

The Dreadnought class heavy cruiser Dauntless has been completely rebuilt internally, though her external appearance has changed very little. The internal changes include, a new modern power core, reduced crew from 16,000 to just 3,500. The new and much more powerful weapon systems and shields have been installed along with engines that give the Dauntless the speed and manoeuvrability of a light cruiser, the new sensors on the Dauntless are the most sensitive and powerful that could be fitted to a ship of the Dauntless size.

The other main improvement is in the hanger area, this has been modified to carry three squadrons of the XM-1 Missileboat of Captain Stele’s Nova Wing giving this heavy cruiser a considerable punch in starfighter terms. The Dauntless will be under the command of Captain Stele and personnel drawn from the support personnel of the ships that brought the Missileboat production facilities to Calon III, allowing secrecy to be maintained.

The Dauntless main function will be twofold, one to conduct hit and fade operations against the New Republic and secondly to bring the XM-1 Missileboat and their crews up to full operational capability. The Missileboat when dealing with Grand Admiral Zaarin had not been fully tested as the Missileboat had been rushed into service. These “live” target tests will help eliminate these bugs in the Missileboat, along with any bugs in the Dauntless as well.

The Dauntless can easily stand toe to toe with a Victory class star destroyer and would give an Imperial class star destroyer a run for its money (if needed), but the Dauntless will be used for hit and fade raids against the New Republic, rather than full fleet combat.

The First Raid

Main bridge, Dauntless “Captain, we are ready to attack the target, it is coming in to range now” says the Dauntless sensor operator.

Sitting in the command chair, Captain Stele replies, “Very well, get ready to power up the ships systems to full and order the three squadrons to get ready to attack.” There is a ripple of “yes sir’s” for the various pits as the crew began to prepare for battle.

The Dauntless had been in a powered down state behind a large asteroid for the past six hours waiting for the next New Republic patrol warship to show up and now that the ship had appeared and was moving towards the next jump point it was time for the Dauntless to attack.

The Dauntless along with a single squadron of Missileboats suddenly powers up and launches a surprise attack on the New Republic Nebulon-B escort frigate and its accompanying fighter escort. The commander of the New Republic Nebulon-B escort frigate is caught completely by surprise and has little time to do anything about the attacking warship.

Within a few minutes of the attack beginning the Nebulon-B escort frigate along with its twenty-four fighters is destroyed after a short but brutal attack by the Dauntless and twelve of the Dauntless thirty-six XM-1 Missileboats, leaving debris field behind with no clue on who attacked and destroyed the frigate.

After the attack the single squadron of Missileboats does not bother to return to the Dauntless hanger bay, the twelve Missileboats form up on the Dauntless and make a series of micro hyperspace jumps before returning to the Dauntless hanger bay. This allows for the minimum amount of time loitering around after the attack to retrieve the Missileboats and thus minimising the chance of discovery by the Rebels or anyone else.

Once clear and the after the Missileboats have docked Captain Stele says to his first officer, “Well that first raid went well. The missileboats performed very well indeed.”

The first officer replies with an evil smile on his face say’s, “Yes sir, we should find some more targets to “practice” on?”

Captain Stele laughs and replies, “I was thinking the same thing myself proceed to the next target area.”

First officer replies, “Aye sir, helm jump to hyperspace” the Dauntless the jumps into hyperspace towards there next target area.

In the aftermath of these attacks the military leadership of the New Republic puts these attacks down to a rouge Imperial warship or warships, probably an Imperial class star destroyer, thus with this attack (and future attacks) there would be no link back to the Calon sector and no reprisal by the New Republic’s fledgling but growing military.

Over the next few months the Dauntless carries out many similar raids on New Republic warships with no traces of which Imperial faction attacked the New Republic warships, though New Republic intelligence does suspect it to be one of several powerful Imperial Warlords or even the Imperial Ruling Council military forces, but never the Calon sectors warships.

The first stages of Admiral Hammond’s plan are working.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 2 – A Covert War

Over the next six months Admiral Hammond would use the military forces under his command to conduct a covert war against the New Republic, making the New Republic believe that other Imperials are attacking them (which they are), so that the New Republic does not see the Calon sector as a high threat and concentrate its forces against his sector.

The New Republic over these first few months is concentrating its forces against the Imperial forces in the mid and outer rim areas of the Empire rather that the more heavily defended core worlds. The Imperial Ruling Council during this phase of Rebel operations takes little or no action against these systems falling into Rebel hands (which is a bad mistake by the Imperial Ruling Council).

Using the Imperial II-class star destroyer the Interrogator that Lord Tremayne has temporarily transferred to Admiral Hammond’s command, in attacking Rebel forces overtly while other forces like the Dauntless attack the Rebels covertly. This tactic leads the Rebels to wrongly assume that the Imperial forces in the Calon sector will only mount “limited” attacks against them, unless attacked directly.

The remaining forces of the Calon sector will remain on the defensive for the long term, just in case the New Republic attacks or one of the Imperial Warlords decides to try and capture one of the systems in the Calon sectors.

This misconception by the New Republic leads the New Republic military to order the scaling back of military activity against the Calon sector as they think that Admiral Hammond wants to remain neutral. The Pentastar Alignment is also using a similar approach, the Alignment is largely maintaining an isolationist position, and sought to be on peaceful terms with all parties. This action leads to the New Republic reciprocating and largely ignoring the Alignment.

During these overt raids against the New Republic, by the Interrogator under the command of Captain Waleran (who was now one of the longest surviving Captains of the Interrogator) comes across another Imperial II class star destroyer in battle against a New Republic task force of fifteen capital warships ranging from corvette class to assault frigate class.

Seeing that the other Imperial class star destroyer is in peril Captain Waleran orders that the Interrogator join the battle against the New Republic task force. The commander of the New Republic task force, who until the arrival of a second Imperial II class star destroyer thought he would win this engagement against this lone star destroyer, with the arrival of a second star destroyer tipping the balance of the battle towards the star destroyers the New Republic task force commander decides to withdraw from the battle area as fast a possible.

In the aftermath of the battle Captain Waleran contacted the other star destroyer to find out if they needed any assistance to find that the Interrogator has managed to rescue the Imperial II-class star destroyer Empire, commanded by Admiral Feyet Kiez.

The Empire was the prototype of the Imperial II class star destroyer line, the star destroyer Empire is commanded by Admiral Feyet Kiez. Its crew is handpicked and said to be among the finest serving in the fleet. Empire has shielding and armaments superior to later “production” versions of the Imperial II class star destroyers.

After several hours of repairs Captain Waleran makes the suggestion that Admiral Kiez accompany the Interrogator back to Calon III where the Empire can be restocked and supplied, after thinking about this offer for a short while Admiral Kiez agrees to accompany the Interrogator back to Calon III. Within a few days both star destroyers have arrived at Calon III where Admiral Kiez finds very well equipped shipyards and repair and overhaul facilities, Admiral Kiez is very impressed with these facilities.

While the Empire is being and repaired and receiving a limited upgrade similar to the Interrogator’s upgrades, Admiral Kiez has a meeting with Admiral Hammond to discus the current situation with the various Imperial Warlords and the Imperial Ruling Council and also Admiral Kiez position.

Admiral Hammond’s Private Residence Calon III

After formal introductions, both Admiral Hammond and Admiral Kiez go to Admiral Hammond’s private office alone to discuss a possible alliance between them. Admiral Hammond starts by saying, “Admiral Kiez, the upgrading of the Empire is well underway and should be finished within a few weeks. Would you consider joining my command on a more permanent basis?”

Admiral Kiez replies, “It is a tempting offer Admiral as your command seems to be one of the more stable of this new fragmented Empire and your modification to my Star Destroyed by adding back-up shield generators is also helpful, along with re-supplying my ship.”

Admiral Hammond replies, “Thank you Admiral, I would also like to point out that I can supply you with upgraded TIE Interceptors that have been fitted with shield generators, this will reduce you fighter losses considerably.”

Admiral Kiez looks at Admiral Hammond and says, “Even more tempting an offer, but still any other Imperial faction can offer me this, what can you offer me as well to sweeten the pot?” Admiral Kiez is pushing Admiral Hammond, to see how far Admiral Hammond is willing to go.

Admiral Hammond smiles and says, “I will assign the Interrogator as part of your “Empire Squadron” also once they are out of dry-dock I will assign one of the upgraded Victory II class Star Destroyers to your squadron. If need be, from time to time additional warships, depending on the missions I will send you on, is that enough of a sweetener, Admiral?”

After thinking about Admiral Hammond’s offer in silence of several minutes Admiral Kiez says, “That is a very good offer and I will be happy to become part of the Calon sectors military forces.”

Admiral Hammond smiles and says, “Thank you Admiral, you won’t regret this decision. We will have a formal ceremony onboard your Star Destroyer in a few days.”

Admiral Kiez replies, “Agreed” and then stands up and salutes Admiral Hammond who also stands up and returns Admiral Kiez salute, then Admiral Kiez leaves. This decision is the long term will save Admiral Kiez’s life.

Once Admiral Kiez has left a panel on one of the far walls of Admiral Hammond’s private office slides open and Lord Tremayne enters.

Lord Tremayne says, “Do we really need him?”

Admiral Hammond replies, “No not really, but he will make a much better target for the Rebels than this sectors military forces, at least for the short term.”

Lord Tremayne says, “I don’t know Admiral, this may lead the Rebels here and carry out a more detailed investigation of the Calon sector.”

Admiral Hammond replies, “That is possible, but unlikely as the Rebels would not launch a full scale attack for two reasons, one the Pentastar Alignment would support our defence. That would be bad for the attacking Rebels force, two the Rebels are far to busy trying to consolidate their powerbase in the mid rim worlds at the moment to even bother with the Calon sector. Even though the Rebels do not know the full potential of the sectors true military power.”

Lord Tremayne says, “Very well continue with the Covert War, you can continue to keep hitting at the Rebels using hit and fade tactics over the next few years until the Emperor is ready to return.”

Admiral Hammond smiles replies, “Thank you Lord Tremayne that is what I was planning on doing anyway, as you well know.”

Lord Tremayne says, “Yes I do Admiral, now for the long term planning.” With that both sit down to discuss the long-term plans for the sector.

Over the remainder of the first year after the battle of Endor the Calon sector military forces continue to hit at the Rebels covertly. Using the Empire and the Interrogator with supporting warships as needed, to provide an overt striking capability along with Victorious squadron doing a great job of keeping the Rebels off balance within the sectors surrounding the Calon sector.

The first year after the “death” of the Emperor the Calon sector is stable and the production facilities on the surface of Calon III that will produce the TIE Defender are now starting to gear up towards full production.

The Alon V Incident

At the end of the first year the Rebels do mount a limited attack against one of the lightly protected worlds Alon V within the Calon sector. The attack achieves very little in damaging the forces protecting that world and none of the two Strike class cruisers and five Rendili StarDrive Imperial Customs corvettes is destroyed and only suffers minor damage. This attack by the New Republic military forces was not an authorised attack, it was ordered by a local command in charge of the New Republic navel forces that attacked Alon V hoping to make a name for himself.

This incident does allow Admiral Hammond to overtly retaliate against the Rebels, as this attack by this Rebel force breaks the unwritten understanding between the Rebels (New Republic) and Admiral Hammond’s command. Admiral Hammond therefore orders a large task force to be assembled to launch a counter attack against a nearby Rebel (New Republic) controlled world.

Lord Tremayne agrees with this attack as intelligence does show that that attack was not authorised by the New Republic military high command or the Provisional New Republic civilian government and also Lord Tremayne does not hold Admiral Hammond responsible for that attack by the New Republic, as the New Republic did not order the attack.

The New Republic will be unlikely to counter attack for two reasons. One there are not enough New Republic warships within that area and the New Republic would have to pull warships from other more vital mission. Two as the action was taken without authorisation and the New Republic has been making tentative peaceful overtures to Admiral Hammond (the reality is Admiral Hammond is “playing along” to buy more time) it is very unlikely that the New Republic will launch a counter attack.

The New Republic is about to be taught a very painful lesson, along with the population of Kettia IV.

To be continued

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 3 – Retaliation

The Gathering Storm

Within a week of Admiral Hammond giving the order, a task force of five upgraded Imperial I class star destroyers Victorious (flagship), Battle Hammer, Astute, Tiger and Sentinel along with both Imperial II-class Star Destroyers Empire and Interrogator, two Immobilizer 418 cruisers (Barricade and Obstacle). A single Vindicator class heavy cruiser along with nineteen Strike-class medium cruisers and twenty-three Carrack-class light cruiser and last of all thirty-six Rendili StarDrive Imperial Customs corvettes along with sixty support vessel of various classes and types, making a very powerful task force.

Both Victorious and Astute will be carrying a full wing of TIE Defenders into the battle, the rest of the warships will carry the modified TIE Interceptors fitted with shield generators along with several squadrons if TIE bombers. The TIE bombers are onboard a Vindicator class heavy cruiser, the Vindicator class are a cross between a heavy cruiser and a carrier as each cruiser can carry a full wing of starfighters (72 fighters or bombers) in its hanger bay, this has led to the cruiser being nicknamed a pocket star destroyer.

The assembling of such a large task force has come at a price of reducing the defences of some convoys and planetary and system defence forces. But this should only be for a short time (a few days at the most) and the remaining forces should be adequate to hold of any attacking force, until additional warships can arrive from nearby systems, but it is unlikely that any system within the Calon sector will be attacked.

In addition the four remaining upgraded Imperial I class star destroyers Pacifier, Imperial Storm, Warspite and Scorpion will remain on alert until the attack is finished and will conduct roving patrols of the main systems at random, all system defence forces will remain on an heightened state of alert as well.

As a cover for this large amount of activity within the sector, the news is leaked that this is a surprise exercise for the Calon sector military forces in light of the recent Rebel attack on one of the more sparsely populated systems.

During the same time period the New Republic’s high command has found out about the unauthorised attack and has placed that commander under arrest on the nearby New Republic controlled system of Kettia. This system is the main base of operations for against the nearby Imperial controlled sectors and houses several large dry-docks and shipyards and military bases on not only the planet of Kettia IV but also on both of the moons that orbit Kettia IV.

This is the system that Admiral Hammond is going to attack, but the New Republic military and intelligence services do not suspect anything so the military forces in the system are not on alert or have the system defences been reinforced in any way. The New Republic has the following warships in the Kettia system, two assault frigates, six escort frigates, one bulk cruiser (as a starfighter carrier), three Corellian gunships and eleven corvettes of various types.

Along with two Golan III space defence platforms protecting the shipyards, there are several hundred fighters of all types deployed either onboard the New Republic warships or on Kettia IV surface, this is considered a tough nut to conquer, but Admiral Hammond’s intention is not to conquer just to destroy the New Republics military facilities in the Kettia system, but not to attack the civilian population centres.

The Attack

Deep space 20 light years from the Kettia system, the assembled Imperial task force awaited the go ahead for the attack to commence from Admiral Hammond’s flagship Victorious. Once the order is given the entire task force leaps forward into hyperspace, and on the bridge of the Victorious, Admiral Hammond as the countdown signifying when the task force will come out of hyperspace.

When the countdown comes to zero the task force comes out of hyperspace and the lead Star Destroyers open fire on the two Golan III battle stations. The initial few minutes of the battle is firmly going Admiral Hammond’s way as the two battle stations have been unable to raise their shields and are now the focus of attention by the Battle Hammer and Empire, each focusing on one battle station.

The two Immobilizer cruisers (Barricade and Obstacle) have activated their GWP’s, thus preventing any Rebel ships from escaping. The remainder of the task force has started to engage the Rebel warships and fighters that are trying to defend Kettia IV, but this small number of Rebel warships has very little chance against such a powerful Imperial task force.

Within two hours of the space battle starting it is all over with all the Rebel warships and fighters destroyed along with the two Golan III battle stations. Once the last Rebel warship has been destroyed the Imperial task force takes up blockade positions in orbit around Kettia IV. The Vindicator class heavy cruiser then deploys her six squadrons of TIE bombers to begin bombing the bases that the Rebels have been set-up on the planets surface, while carefully avoiding any civilian targets.

During these bombing runs the TIE bombers destroy the detention area holding the commander of the New Republic forces that attacked the system within the Calon sector (though the attacking forces do not know this).

After several hours of bombarding the Rebel bases on the planets surface, they have been destroyed and the civilian leader of Kettia IV the Supreme Chancellor contacts the Victorious and says, “We surrender, please stop bombing us”

Admiral Hammond replies, “We are not bombarding you. We are bombing the Rebels you should have chosen neutrality instead of helping the Rebels, as another Imperial commander may have just decided to institute a Base Delta Zero and obliterate the planets surface, remember that for the future.”

The stunned Supreme Chancellor of Kettia IV replies, “Then you are not going to invade?”

Admiral Hammond replies, “No I am not going to invade your planet. In fact within the next hour or so I will be leaving. I would suggest you choose neutrality rather that supporting the Rebels, good day Supreme Chancellor.” Without waiting for a reply Admiral Hammond signs off.

After another hour or so the Imperial task force departs leaving behind the destruction of a New Republic base and the people of Kettia IV wondering whether or not is was a good idea inviting this so called New Republic to have a base in the Kettia system. Soon Kettia’s democratic system would go against the New Republic, but it would not favour the Empire much either.

Aftermath of the battle of Kettia

The Imperial losses are very light with no capital ships be lost and no TIE Defenders being lost in combat, the damaged warships will only need minor repairs, this will only take a few weeks to do. The attack has been seen a successful, Admiral Hammond as it has given his military forces a chance to test the upgrades to the star destroyers and the new TIE Defenders and new combat tactics in combat with little risk of retaliation by the New Republic.

The other Imperial Warlords view this attack as a minor event and most just ignore the attack the ones that take notice of this attack view it as a minor diversion and as of amusement value only.

In the aftermath of the battle of the Kettia system, the New Republic offering aid to the population of Kettia IV with some of the aid being accepted and some of the aid was being turned down. The New Republic’s political or military leadership (just as Admiral Hammond predicted) does not launch a counter attack against the Calon sector, as the true reason for Admiral Hammond attack against the Kettia system has not come out.

Within a few months of the attack the population of Kettia IV has voted to withdraw its support from the New Republic and move to a much more neutral stance (again just as Admiral Hammond predicted). This does not benefit the Calon sector directly, but this does deny the New Republic one base of operations for the surrounding sectors, so indirectly this does benefit the Calon sector and Admiral Hammond.

In addition several systems that where going to join the New Republic have now moved to a more neutral stance and some are even leaning towards several Imperial Warlords including the Calon sector for trade etc, in those terms this could be considered a small victory of the Empire and a considerable victory for the Imperial military forces of Calon sector.

The faction within the New Republic that is most annoyed at the New Republic militaries actions is the New Republic Diplomatic Corps as they thought that they were making headway with Admiral Hammond’s Calon sectors Imperial military forces on a proposed cease-fire. This is wrong, as Admiral Hammond is just playing for time, but the New Republics diplomatic Corps does not know this, thus giving Admiral Hammond an “ally” with the New Republics diplomatic Corps without them knowing about it!

In the aftermath of the attack, Admiral Hammond breaks of communications with the New Republics Diplomatic Corps, leaving them to try to restart negations. This should take the New Republics Diplomatic Corps several months if not years to regain the “trust” of Admiral Hammond. In the meantime, the Calon sector is declared of limits to the New Republics military forces until further notice, after several senior diplomats threatened to resign.

This will allow Admiral Hammond some amount of manipulation with the New Republics Diplomatic Corps within certain limits giving Admiral Hammond some leverage that all the current Imperial Warlords do not have access to. This also has advantages when dealing with the Imperial Warlords as Admiral Hammond can pass information to the New Republics Diplomatic Corps indirectly as and if necessary, on those Imperial Warlords that are a problem to him and have the New Republic deal with them.

In the mean time, Admiral Hammond can continue at as part of the covert war strategy the hit and fade tactics using the few modified Dreadnought class heavy cruisers under the command of Captain Stele.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 4 – Power Play

Admiral Hammond tactics have brought a lot more time for the Calon sector to carry out the orders left by the Emperor. It will be another year or three before Admiral Hammond will be summoned by the newly reborn Emperor to Byss and receive a prototype of one of the Empires most powerful new weapons that are currently under development.

Admiral Hammond has also been playing one warlord off against another. While “supporting” the Pentastar Alignment as each one of the “main” Imperial warlords are trying to jostle for power by trying to secure support for “small” sectors like the Calon sector, though the Calon sectors military firepower is more that a match for any one warlord (though none of the warlords know this). Admiral Hammond is proving that he is equally adept at playing the political game just as well as he is as playing the military game without letting on that he is good at either.

The newly “reborn” Emperor will brief Admiral Hammond on the next stage of operations and what Admiral Hammond’s part will be in these operations until then Admiral Hammond has a sector to run and a covert war to run against the so called New Republic and also keeping the various Imperial warlords and officials at bay.

The Next Three Years

As the New Republic continues to gain more systems including Coruscant the remnants of the Empire are steadily being pushed out of the Core sectors. Those Warlords who had sided with the Imperial Ruling Council now go their own way and begin forming the own mini Empires. Such as Prince-Admiral Delak Krennel as the leader of the Ciutric Hegemony and later on Ysanne Isard taking over the planet Thyferra with one Executor class super star destroyer, two Imperial II class star destroyers and a single Victory II class star destroyer.

Ysanne Isard would be quite quickly deposed, but it would take the New Republic a while to remove Prince-Admiral Krennel for his mini Empire (only after Thrawn’s death). There would be some very loose alliances between some of these Imperial warlords but these alliances would not last very long and none of the Imperial warlords trusts each other. Some Imperial warlords hate other Imperial warlords so much they begin attacking each other.

Through all this, the Calon sectors military forces began to expand very slowly at first and then as several of the smaller warlords where killed of their forces would split up between the various factions. During the first year very few Imperial military forces would come to the Calon sector, but as the next three years went by the numbers begin to slowly clime.

In the fourth year after the battle of Endor several major military forces would join the Calon sector command. These forces would include the remnants of the Imperial forces for the Kathol Sector after the battle of Kathol to acquire DarkStryder technology these forces would be gathered around the Imperial II class star destroyer Bastion which would also include one Victory I class star destroyer, one Interdictor-class heavy cruiser and several support vessels.

The second major acquisition would come from the Elrood sector at the end of the four year, these forces would include two Imperial I class star destroyers (Thunderflare and Stalker) and several support ships of various types carrying Imperial troops and their families. Most of these Imperial refugees would eventually settle on Setia II, the population on Setia II will grow from 122 million to 155 million in the next few months as more Imperial families settle on the planet.

This will lead to an increase in the planets defences with a least one upgraded Imperial class star destroyer and one upgraded Victory class star destroyer and several dozen other types of Imperial warships and their support vessels guarding the planet and the system.

With the arrival of the Thunderflare, Lord Tremayne will have a new Sith apprentice to train in the form of Captain Tanda Pryl (it is very rare to have a woman as a Captain of an Imperial class star destroyer) who will become a low level Dark Side Adept under Lord Tremayne guidance. Captain Pryl force strength is very low, so her abilities will be very limited (as will her training), she will be able to use a lightsabre and through the dark side of the force enable her to enhance her combat capabilities while commanding the Thunderflare, this will make the Thunderflare a very dangerous opponent in combat.

All three Imperial class star destroyers Bastion, Thunderflare and Stalker will be, repaired and at the same time upgraded to Victorious standard. Giving, these three star destroyers a considerable increase in firepower. This however will take at least two years to accomplish as production priority has been given to the production of additional Vindicator and Enforcer class heavy cruisers and until these are finished their will be a lag in production capacity over the short term.

Byss, Four Years after Endor

With a coded summons, Admiral Hammond and Lord Tremayne would travel to Byss onboard the Dauntless with Captain Stele commanding, the journey to Byss would be a short and uneventful trip. As the Dauntless approaches Byss Admiral Hammond has changed into his proper uniform, that of an Imperial Grand Admiral a rank that the Emperor had given Grand Admiral Hammond just one month before the battle of Endor in a secret ceremony.

Grand Admiral Hammond had been ordered to keep his promotion a secret until either the Emperor or Admiral Hammond needed the authority of a Grand Admiral then Admiral Hammond could revel his true authority within the Empire.

For Lord Tremayne this is a return to where he was turned to the Dark Side of the force, but this did not bother Lord Tremayne, for Captain Stele this would be his first and last visit to Byss before its destruction.

As the Dauntless enters orbit around Byss the secret throne world of Palpatine and the location of his towering Imperial Citadel, the Dauntless is given permission to park in orbit near the Imperial Citadel.

As all three of them walk towards the Emperor’s private audience chambers past several lines of Advisors and Dark Side Adepts. Who are also waiting to see the Emperor, several of these Advisors and Dark Side Adepts looked in horror to see that Zerik Hammond is a Grand Admiral and that Lord Tremayne had survived and had taken on his own apprentice. With several of these Advisors and Dark Side Adepts backing away from the three of them as the walked though the door of the Emperor’s private audience chamber and then they enter and the door closes behind them.

Emperor Palpatine Audience Chamber

Once inside the Emperor’s private audience chamber all three kneel before the reborn Emperor and the Emperor says, “Rise, my friends” all three rise and the Emperor goes onto say “you have all done very well in keeping the secrets that I have given you.” All three of them reply, “Thank you, Sire”

Emperor says, “I need you Grand Admiral Hammond to continue to develop the military machine of the Calon sector. Lord Tremayne I need you to continue train force sensitive in the ways of the Dark Side of the force, and you Captain Stele I need you to continue to learn the ways of the Dark side of the force and also to continue to obey Lord Tremayne and Grand Admiral Hammond.” All three just bow in acknowledgement.

Emperor goes in to say, “Grand Admiral Hammond I will be transferring to your command a prototype of a new weapon called World Devastator, this is the prototype of a new class of weapon system. The current production versions that start with Silencer 1 are well under way. Here is the technical information on the World Devastator.” Emperor then hands Grand Admiral Hammond a data pad containing the technical information on the World Devastator’s combat and production capabilities and orders transferring command to Grand Admiral Hammond.

The Emperor continues saying, “Everything is going as I have foreseen it” then the Emperor chuckles to himself.

The Emperor continues saying, “We have much to discuss before I announce my return I have decided to recall Grand Admiral Thrawn in the next few months to prepare the way for my return. Grand Admiral Thrawn will be instructed to act as if he is acting alone, Grand Admiral Thrawn will not know the full potential of the Calon sector, here is what I what you to do.”

Over the next few hours, Emperor Palpatine, briefs all three of them on the next stage of his plans, once this is done all three return to the Dauntless with the World Devastator following. Though the World Devastator will not return to the Calon sector the World Devastator will operate with the boarder area between the Calon sector and the unknown regions consuming several systems asteroid fields to allow the World Devastator to grow from its current size of just over 7.5 kilometres long to 30 kilometres.

The World Devastator is a unique weapon, the World Devastator is controlled by a central droid brain the sentient crewmembers are onboard to oversee production and handle navigation or weapons systems. The droid brain is responsible for creating the new weapons of war, and is programmed with a massive store of ship types and parameters, able to create a wide variety of vessels for any combat situation.

In addition, the factories can also focus on upgrading the World Devastator itself a portion of the raw materials created in the molecular furnace is set aside for advancements to the main body though until the World Devastator has achieved it 30 kilometres length the entire output will be used for growth over the next few years.

Once the World Devastator has achieved its 30 kilometres length it will then be able to produce in its internal main hanger a new class of star destroyer at the estimated production rate of one per month. Even when the World Devastator has grown to its 30 kilometres length and begun manufacturing it will remain concealed from the rest of the galaxy.

There is one other thing that separates the World Devastator prototype from its production models in that it does not have installed the master control system that allows the production versions of the World Devastators to be controlled remotely from Byss.

On the return to Calon III their would be no hint to the rest of the Imperial command of the Calon sector on where Admiral Hammond had been or that Lord Tremayne was alive, as far as everyone in the Calon sector and beyond was concerned it is business and usual.

In the next few months, Grand Admiral Thrawn would return from the unknown regions to assume command of the remnants of the Imperial military forces. This would lead to a meeting between Admiral Hammond and Grand Admiral Thrawn, but before this happens Admiral Hammond is able to secure a deal with a Confederacy for technology in return this Confederacy will be given a system to colonize in the Calon sector.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 5 – The Qektoth Confederation (Part I)

In the final few weeks before the arrival of Grand Admiral Thrawn, Admiral Hammond concludes a deal with the Qektoth Confederation.

The Qektoth Confederation is an organization founded during the Clone Wars by scientists who believed that technology was actively harming those who used it, and aimed to see the replacement of many modern technological devices with biological versions. By the time of the Galactic Civil War, however, the group had degenerated to the point of using terrorist tactics.

By the time of the FarStar and the Darkstryder incident, the Qektoth Confederation are being actively hunted in the Kathol sector and are looking for a new home and research base. This will come in the form of Admiral Hammond and the Calon sector, as Admiral Hammond would like to get hold of the Qektoth Confederations biological weaponry research for Admiral Hammond’s own command.

The main warship of the Qektoth Confederation is the Qektoth Attack Cruiser the Qektoth Attack Cruiser is a design that is put in service for the Qektoth Confederacy four years after the Battle of Endor. The first vessels in this line are the Scourge and The Heart of Flesh. While both vessels are designed concurrently, the Scourge is completed first, while the latter vessel was being perfected at a secret facility inside the Kathol Rift. Both of these vessels however, are destroyed in engagements against the New Republic Corvette FarStar. Many weeks after, at least three additional cruisers where completed along with several others under construction.

With each incarnation, improvements are made to the design. Due to the biological weaponry’s incredible energy requirements, these initial designs suffer from severely limited shield coverage. To partially offset this weakness, the Qektoth Attack Cruiser could only attack a single foe and only if it had surprise on its side. The second incarnation, The Heart of Flesh kept the same arms and featured increased shield arc coverage. Interestingly, the ship’s weapons are independent of the ships main reactor, and thus could not sustain ionization damage. Meanwhile, the third iteration vessels took the characteristics of the previous generation.

The bio-energy array is stored behind a circular hatchway in the ship’s nose and is only revealed when the Qektoth Attack Cruiser does combat. Once revealed, the weapon mounted on a platform, is a dark green tangled mass of sinew with beige ovals, effectively appearing similar to that of a biological version of a sensor array. When fired, tendrils of blue electricity jump from one system to another, eventually unleashing fierce streaks rough, forked lightning at its target. This frightening weapon along with the plasma cannons completely ignores shields.

The Qektoth Confederation is offered the safety of the Calon sector in the system designated CS-11-279 and the fourth planet in the system, where their used to be a Rebel base. The Qektoth Confederation accept this offer of sanctuary within the Calon sector as the New Republic are hunting for them in the Kathol and the Qektoth Confederation need a new base of operations.

The price the Qektoth Confederation pays for this Imperial protection is a copy of all their research into their biological weaponry developments the Qektoth Confederation does not have any real choice in the matter so they agree. Admiral Hammond only wants the biological weapons developments and none of their other work.

After an agreement is struck between the Calon sector (Admiral Hammond) and the Qektoth Confederation leader Trann Shoame, it will takes several months to transfer the Qektoth Confederations research equipment and personnel and their families to the newly renamed Qektoth system and to Qektoth prime (formally known as CS-11-279 system, planet four). It will take at least five years before the Qektoth Confederation can resume their research at their previous levels.

After the transfer is complete the total population of Qektoth prime stands at 1.5 million people gathered around the former Rebel base that is being rebuilt by the Qektoth Confederation as a combination of research base a new capital city. The Calon sector does not provide much in the way of material assistance, but the Qektoth Confederation does not what much assistance from Admiral Hammond’s command, to try and keep as independent as possible.

Admiral Hammond also wants to keep the knowledge that the Qektoth Confederation have relocated to the Calon sector secrete, as do the Qektoth Confederation themselves. This part of the deal both sides will rigorously adhere to as Admiral Hammond does not what the New Republic (or the other Imperial Warlords) to find out what he has done and the Qektoth Confederation wants time to fortify its new base of operations.

The Qektoth Confederation has a limited military force consisting of three Qektoth Attack Cruisers and about fifty Zebra Starfighters. The Qektoth Confederation can manufacture more Qektoth Attack Cruisers and the Zebra Starfighters but this will not be possible to start production for another eighteen months and then the first fourth generation Qektoth Attack Cruisers will take at least twelve months to manufacture.

Admiral Hammond thinks that the biological weaponry is well worth the risk, as a weapon that can ignore a ships shield without loss of strength would give a tremendous advantage to the Imperial military of the Calon sector. This technology will be fitted to one of the stored Dreadnought class heavy cruisers the Dominator will be fitted with the biological weapons technology alongside the warships normal weapons systems.

The Dominator will act in concert with the Dauntless and will be fitted to carry the Missileboat just like the Dauntless, giving increased firepower to Captain Stele’s small but growing command. Once the Dominator has been updated the Dauntless will receive a minor upgrade with the addition of the biological weapons technology. Once this is done these two ships will conduct a series of raids against the New Republic to “test” these new weapon systems against “live” targets. These upgrades to both warships will take nineteen months to complete.

Calon sectors Imperial Allies

On the Imperial front apart from Grand Moff Ardus Kaine “Empire” the Pentastar Alignment the Calon sector has no other major allies. So Admiral Hammond is concentrating his resources of individual Imperial controlled systems like the planet Brintooin that is located the Outer Rim Territories covered in plains, deserts, swamps, and a few mountains. After the Battle of Endor, Imperial Governor Thalkuss maintained nominal control of the planet; the true power behind the throne was native Colonel Zel Johans.

Colonel Zel Johans is the Commanding officer of the 112th Repulsorlift Armour Regiment known as Hell’s Hammers. He is a masterful tactician who was well respected by the troops under his command. Zel is also instrumental in the development of the repulsortank and its deployment tactics in the Imperial Army. Following the Battle of Endor he took the remnants of the Hell's Hammers into hiding on the planet Brintooin where he established a base of operations and has rebuilt the Hell’s Hammers into a very strong armoured battle group, Colonel Johans is known as “the Rancor” by the men that he commands.

Though Brintooin has a strong planetary defence including several Golan III orbital battle stations, Brintooin lacks any major Imperial warships that would be needed for offensive operations to transport Hell’s Hammers off world. This leaves Brintooin with a very strong military force but with little or no chance of using this force for offensive operations.

Brintooin has a strong ground based fighter/bomber force based around Brintooin’s major spaceports and planetary garrison bases. These garrison based fighter forces are piloted by Imperial army pilots rather that navy pilots as these fighter forces are dedicated to support ground troops.

This has led to representatives from Admiral Hammond contacting Imperial Governor Thalkuss and Colonel Johans in the hopes that Brintooin and the Hell’s Hammers will align with Admiral Hammond’s command, but so far this has met will little success as neither wishes to align themselves with one Imperial faction.

With the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn from the unknown regions all talks are suspended and after the first month Grand Admiral Thrawn will visit the Calon sector and Admiral Hammond, not knowing the Admiral Hammond is also a Grand Admiral, yet….

To be continued

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 6 – Thrawn

Thirty days after Grand Admiral Thrawn had returned from the unknown regions and had assumed command of the Imperial II class star destroyer Chimaera under the command of Captain Gilad Pellaeon. The Chimaera arrives on orbit around Calon III with Captain Pellaeon stating that it would be just as easy to host the meeting onboard the Chimaera, but Grand Admiral Thrawn dismisses the idea.

Grand Admiral Thrawn’s shuttles journey down to the planets surface is uneventful, as are the ceremonies in welcoming Grand Admiral Thrawn to Calon III (though there is no Imperial media coverage at Grand Admiral Thrawn’s request) as Grand Admiral Thrawn does not want it known that he has returned or that a Grand Admiral is now leading the Imperial forces.

The meeting between Grand Admiral Thrawn and Admiral Hammond is held in private between the two of them with no one else present in the room. Admiral Hammond starts by saying, “Grand Admiral Thrawn, I assume that you are here to request assistance in the fight against the rebels?”

Admiral Thrawn, his face not revealing his feelings replies, “Yes, Admiral Hammond that is why I am here, though I would not call it a “request” and I could make it an order Admiral.”

Admiral Hammond smiles at Admiral Thrawn and replies, “No Admiral Thrawn you cannot order me as you do not out rank me.”

Admiral Thrawn quietly but with a stern edge of command on his voice replies, “I believe that you are wrong Admiral Hammond, a Grand Admiral out ranks an Admiral, so you will do as I order.”

Admiral Hammond continues to smile and replies, “But I am not an Admiral, I am a Grand Admiral” and hands Grand Admiral Thrawn a small container and indicates for Grand Admiral Thrawn to open the box. Thrawn looks at Admiral Hammond and then opens the box to reveal a Grand Admiral’s baton, Thrawn then looks at Admiral Hammond with puzzlement.

Admiral Hammond simply smiles at Thrawn says, “I was promoted to Grand Admiral before Endor and ordered by the Emperor to keep this promotion secret unless I need the authority of the rank of Grand Admiral, also I know that the Emperor is alive, just as you do.”

Grand Admiral Thrawn says nothing for a short while, while at the same time looking intently at the Grand Admiral’s baton, and then says, “So there are two of us left then, will you be joining me at the front line in dealing with the Rebels?” Most other commanders would off demand more proof, but not Thrawn as Thrawn also has a Grand Admiral’s baton and would easily be able to spot a fake.

Admiral Hammond shakes his head and at the same time says, “No, I have other orders to fulfil, but I can offer you material support, but not personnel support.”

Admiral Thrawn says, “Very well then, let us discuss what assistance you can give me.” For the next few hours both Grand Admiral’s discuss the future supplies that Grand Admiral Thrawn will receive from the Calon sector, they will also discuss that matter of strategy to be used against the Rebels, the two Grand Admiral’s work on an outline strategy for the up coming campaign. Once the meeting is over Grand Admiral Thrawn leaves with an allocation of warships but no crews for them, but Grand Admiral Thrawn has a solution to that problem.

Grand Admiral Thrawn’s Campaign

Over the next few months, Grand Admiral Thrawn begins to reunite the remains of the Imperial military into a very effective fighting force. The Calon sector will provide a large number of Strike class medium cruisers from the 200 odd that the Calon sector has produced internally. That had also been ordered from the Corporate Sector Authority, these Strike class medium cruisers, are currently being replaced by the Enforcer and Vindicator classes of heavy cruisers.

The Enforcer and Vindicator classes of heavy cruisers are now replacing the Strike class medium cruisers of the Calon sector command. The Enforcers are built on the same 600 meter frame as the Immobilizer 418 cruiser and after Imperial naval architects have removed the massive GWP power generators from an Interdictor cruiser and discovered that by re-arranging the vessels power grids, they could significantly beef up the ship’s energy weapons, shields, and tractor beams. Even the engines experienced a bonus from this reconfiguration.

The end result is a very fast and manoeuvrable vessel that is well armed for a ship its size, the Enforcer class can only carry 24 fighters and does not have the heavier armament of the Vindicator, but this makes the Enforcer cheaper and quicker to produce than the Vindicator, this makes the Enforcer ideal as a patrol cruiser when used in groups.

The Vindicator class heavy cruiser is intended for use in situations in which Imperial class Star Destroyers are unavailable, and smaller ships (such as frigates) are not powerful enough, the Vindicator’s armament is stronger than that of the Enforcer and can carry a full wing of starfighters (72).

Externally the Enforcer and Vindicator class look the same and until they open fire or launch fighters, an opponent cannot tell the difference between the two (this is very useful in combat). The Vindicator class has more firepower and shielding allowing this class of warship to stand up to warships up to the level of Victory class star destroyer with a reasonable chance of success.

Grand Moff Kaine’s Pentastar Alignment, with Grand Moff Kaine providing some assistance to the Calon sector including the schematics to build the Enforcer, the Pentastar Alignment is using the Enforcer in very large numbers to patrol the Pentastar Alignments space and holdings. This has led Admiral Hammond to begin replacing the Loronar Strike class medium cruisers with the Enforcer’s as the crew numbers are almost identical but with more firepower per ship. With the addition of the production of a number of Vindicator’s class heavy cruisers giving the sector a considerable punch in defensive or offensive terms.

With the Loronar Strike class medium cruisers now becoming surplus, this has allowed Admiral Hammond to give these warships (minus crews) to Grand Admiral Thrawn for his campaign against the Rebels.

Over the next eighteen months Grand Admiral Thrawn’s campaign proves to be very successful against the Rebels, Grand Admiral Thrawn manages to retake several key systems including the major agricultural world of Ukio and the Republic base at Ord Pardon. Grand Admiral Thrawn has also managed to retrieve 178 Dreadnaughts of the lost Katana fleet greatly boosting his fleet numbers.

With the discovery of the planet Wayland, the site of Mount Tantiss, one of Emperor Palpatine’s secret storehouses, this give Grand Admiral Thrawn access to several of the Emperors secrets including Spaarti cloning cylinders and cloaking technology.

During this time Admiral Hammond is given access to both the Spaarti cylinders and cloaking technology to see if these technologies could be refined and improved and also a separate production facility can be set-up somewhere else, just in case Mount Tantiss is destroyed though only Grand Admiral Thrawn knows this.

After eighteen months of pushing the Rebels back Grand Admiral Thrawn finds out that the Rebels intend to attack Bilbringi. At the Battle of Bilbringi Grand Admiral Thrawn is murdered by his own Noghri bodyguard named Rukh, at this point Captain Pellaeon orders a retreat stating that the last Grand Admiral was dead (but the future would prove that Captain Pellaeon’s statement is very wrong).

In the aftermath of the Battle of Bilbringi, Captain Pellaeon takes much of Thrawn’s personal fleet along with the bulk of the 178 Katana Dreadnaughts to the edge of the Unknown Regions to rest and refit and to make a final stand against the Rebels, but the return of the Emperor would change all this for Captain Pellaeon.

Grand Admiral Thrawn’s offensive did show the remaining Imperial Warlords one thing in that the Rebels where vulnerable to attack, so the largest of the warlord buried their differences (for the time being) and reformed the Imperial Ruling Council and launch an attack against the Rebels. This attack proved to be very successful and within a few months Coruscant has fallen back under Imperial control again.

This would lead to the beginning of the Imperial Civil War as each Warlord wanted to be the new Emperor, but none of the other warlords would agree to giving up that much power to one of their enemies, but what none of these warlords knew is that the Emperor was alive and watching them squabble like children.

The unexpected death of Grand Admiral Thrawn and the Imperial civil war would force the Emperor to accelerate his plans for his return and the creation of a Shadow Empire under the command of Grand Admiral Hammond in the long term this would change the galaxy forever.

The death of Isard and Krennel

With the death of Grand Admiral Thrawn saw the supposedly dead Ysanne Isard returns, and helps Rogue Squadron defeat her clone that is using a warlord Prince-Admiral Delak Krennel to do her dirty work. Isard is killed by Iella Wessiri on the Lusankya, while Wedge Antilles kills the clone and warlord Prince-Admiral Delak Krennel.

The defeat of both Ysanne Isard and Prince-Admiral Delak Krennel brings a small bonus in the form of a TIE Defender production facility under the command of Colonel Broak Vessery with two operational TIE Defender squadron’s Interloper and Stranger.

With a bit of a very quick movement on Admiral Hammond’s part, the TIE Defender production facility is uprooted and moved to Brintooin, were the TIE Defender production facility will be set-up. On the condition the both Imperial Governor Thalkuss and Colonel Johans will provide support to Admiral Hammond’s command as needed.

Though both Governor Thalkuss and Colonel Johans are reluctant to do this, the thought of acquiring a TIE Defender production facility sways both of them to agree to ally themselves to Admiral Hammond’s Calon sector command. This action by Governor Thalkuss and Colonel Johans will save their lives when the newly reborn Emperor conducts a purge of the more traitorous Imperial warlords.

Even though it will take time to restart TIE Defender production the army pilots of Brintooin can use the flight simulators to do conversion training from their current TIE Fighters/Interceptors and initially their will only be the two squadron’s Interloper and Stranger available for defence operations of Brintooin along with the current TIE Fighters/Interceptors. This will also give Admiral Hammond an advanced training facility for his ground forces that will come in very useful in the future.

But when the Emperor returns the New Republic will be so occupied with trying to stop the re-born Emperor that they will take very little notice of what is going on at Brintooin or even in the Calon sector and beyond just as the Emperor has predicted.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 7 – Dark Empire and Shadow Empire

Dark Empire

During the height of the Imperial civil war the Emperor returned uniting the various Imperial factions and during this time the Emperor also initiated Operation Shadow Hand. Operation Shadow Hand or the “Shadow Hand Strategy” is the Imperial name for the section of the Galactic Civil War following in the wake of the Thrawn campaign.

Operation Shadow Hand applied to the collective military campaigns that the re-born Emperor Palpatine launched in an attempt to retake control of the Galaxy for the Galactic Empire. These are essentially “wave assaults” from Byss and the rest of the Deep Core. These “wave assaults” on former imperial controlled worlds would include production versions of the World Devastators as part of these “wave assaults” fleets attacking strong points of the New Republic.

As part of Operation Shadow Hand, Emperor Palpatine sends his agents to kill certain Imperial warlords that he considered traitors. Many Imperial warlords would be killed by the Emperors agents including Grand Moff Ardus Kaine, leaving the local commanders of the Pentastar Alignment to continue to run the day-to-day operations of the Alignment (which they will do until the Pentastar Alignment is merged into the Imperial Remnant).

While all this is going on the Calon sector is quiet, as Admiral Hammond is in the early stages of setting up his Shadow Empire command and uniting the various aspects of his new and expanded command. With the rest of the galaxy busy dealing with Palpatine’s return no one notices the Calon sector (or even cares).

Shadow Empire

The Shadow Empire command now consists of the Calon sector and Grand Admiral Thrawn’s Unknown Regions command, which is larger that anyone really knows. The Unknown Regions command in currently equivalent in explored space size to around 200 sectors and a newly explored sector is added every six months or so depending on the number of systems in that area of space being explored.

The Imperial military forces under Thrawn’s former command are not equivalent to 200 sector groups, with each explored sector has one system within it that has an Imperial base on a single habitable planet in that system. These Imperial bases are used by the Imperial forces in the sector to do a more detailed survey of that sector, the forces of each sector vary depending on the number of habitable planets in each sector, but each sector usually has a least two star destroyers (Imperial or Victory class) guarding the base, plus several dozen other types of warships and support vessels (mostly survey vessels).

There are only fifteen major Imperial military bases within the Unknown Regions command (now know as the Shadow Empire command), each of these major bases has a full shipyard and dry-dock facilities and the habitable planet(s) within these fifteen system are all equipped with planetary shield generators that have full planetary coverage.

Grand Admiral Thrawn’s deputy, Admiral Voss Parck who now answers to (Grand) Admiral Hammond as his new commander, Admiral Hammond has instructed Admiral Parck to continue Grand Admiral Thrawn’s work in exploring and mapping the Unknown Regions along with Baron Fel and the other senior military commanders of the Shadow Empire command.

Both Admiral Voss Parck and Baron Fel now know the truth about Admiral Hammond being a Grand Admiral, they are also told by Grand Admiral Thrawn as part of his instructions after meeting Admiral Hammond eighteen months ago that if anything happen to him that they were to seek orders from Admiral Hammond or the re-born Emperor.

One of Admiral Hammond’s first orders is that a system with at least one habitable planet will be allocated as his new base of operations. This will be called Shadow Base and once this base has been set-up a copy of information stored in the Hand of Thrawn which has a fully equipped command centre, library and data base of all the explored sectors of the Unknown Regions is to be sent to Shadow base as a back-up of this information.

Shadow Empire Command – Imperial Allies – Chiss Ascendancy

The main ally of the Shadow Empire command and Admiral Hammond is the Chiss. The Chiss are a tall, blue-skinned Near-Human looking civilization they are the most technologically advanced native race in the unknown regions. Due to the remote position of their home territory in the Chiss Ascendancy they remain largely an enigma to the rest of the galaxy, and contact with outsiders is very limited and usually fatal.

The Chiss Expansionary Defence Fleet is assigned to protect the Chiss Ascendancy controlled space. With the introduction of Imperial technology introduced by Grand Admiral Thrawn the Chiss Expansionary Defence Fleet is curtly going though a phase of expansion and upgrading their military forces.

The expansion and upgrading of the Chiss fleet includes the introduction of the Nssis-class Clawcraft is a starfighter, but in fact is a hybrid development of standard Imperial technology and Chiss technology.

The fuselage is based on the ubiquitous “ball cockpit” of the TIE series of Imperial starfighters. With a Sienar ion drive pod mounted on the rear, but stemming from the junction of cockpit and drive pod were two pair of curving wings which thrust out like an X-wing's strike-foils, and then extended forward in a claw-like grip around the cockpit at the tip of each wing is a Sienar L-s7.2 laser cannon.

With modest deflector shields and thicker hull armour, Clawcraft are slower at sublight speeds than their TIE starfighter progenitors, Clawcraft make up for their lower sublight speed by greater manoeuvrability. Each curved wing can make minor position adjustments and is paired with a mounted control jet to allow a Clawcraft's pilot to throw the ship into sharp turns and complex manoeuvres.

A unique hyperspace beacon system allows a Clawcraft to make lightspeed jumps without an on-board navigation computer, enabling it to function as a long-range craft while significantly reducing the weight, size and complexity of non-combat equipment carried. But the starfighter’s dependence on navigational data transmitted from a nexus of anchor points also restricted the area in which most Clawcraft could operate. For long-range deployment, ships of this class typically had to travel with specialist beacon ships

The Chiss are also developing their own Star Destroyers the Chiss Star Destroyer is a kilometre long capital ship. The Chiss Star Destroyer somewhat resembled the 900m Victory class Star Destroyer, but its grey hull is slightly longer and slimmer, giving it an aggressive, needle-shaped appearance.

One distinct difference from most Star Destroyers was that the type lacked any obvious command superstructure, apparently in an attempt to deny attackers easy and visible targets and apparently a copy of Admiral Hammond’s own modifications to his Imperial and Victory class star destroyers. For the most part the planes of the armoured hull are as blank as an expanse of duracrete, interrupted only by recessed weapons mountings.

Primary armament consisted of beam weapons, including both light and heavy mountings, and divided between conventional turbolasers and the distinctive Chiss designed energy/particle weapons along with Imperial designed weapon systems.

The hanger complex of a Chiss Star Destroyer can support up to 72 Nssis class Clawcraft starfighters and support and landing ships of various types, making the Chiss Star Destroyer a very powerful opponent even for the Shadow Commands new Imperial III class star destroyers.

There is also a network of other races within the explored part of the Unknown Regions that Thrawn has set-up, giving the newly formed Shadow Empire a considerable number of friendly systems and worlds.

Shadow Command Production

With the production facilities of a World Devastator to manufacture all the necessary parts for Shadow Base, including planetary shield generators and surface to space weapons, orbital battle stations, shipyards and dry-dock facilities etc. It is estimated that it will only take six months before Shadow Base defences and initial facilities are fully operational. Though none of the other military commanders of the Unknown Regions command know that Admiral Hammond has a World Devastator to manufacture these facilities, they assume that these resources have come from the deep core world around Byss and Admiral Hammond is quite happy for them to keep thinking this over the short term.

In the long term, Admiral Hammond intends to create a number of these Shadow bases within the unknown regions as well as upgrading the current fifteen major bases with upgraded defences and warship production and maintenance facilities. This will take at least a decade before this vision is realised and will require additional World Devastator’s to create additional Shadow bases and replace the existing Imperial I and II class star destroyers with the new Imperial III class star destroyers.

In the short term all Admiral Hammond can do is upgrade the existing fifteen major bases and use these fifteen bases to start a limited production of the military and exploration forces he needs to expand his Shadow Empire command.

With the New Republic fully occupied by the Emperors return, the New Republic takes very little notice of the Calon sector (just as Admiral Hammond’s long term planning has turned out) or any other sector that is not perceived as a threat.

Eight months later Shadow Base

With Shadow Base now fully operation and under the “temporary” command of Captain Stele, with eight modified Dreadnought class heavy cruisers each with thirty-six Missleboats as part of the Shadow Base’s core system defence forces. Shadow Base currently has only 750,000 troops and personnel to operate the planets defence systems and run the day-to-day operations.

As the battles between the Emperor and the New Republic go on, the Emperor has started to transfer a large number of carefully screened Imperial military personnel and Imperial scientists and Engineers to the Shadow Empire command. With Shadow Base set to gown in size over the next twelve months with the transfer of Missleboat production and production facilities to produce TIE Defender’s are also being set-up.

As the Shadow base receives more personnel, Admiral Hammond decides to promote Captain Stele to Rear Admiral to give him the proper military authority and rank for the growing Shadow base. Admiral Hammond transfers Admiral Feyet Kiez along with his flagship Empire and the Intimidator, Bastion, Thunderflare and Stalker to the Shadow base to further boost the Imperial navy’s military presence.

Admiral Kiez Empire squadron will become the core of the first Shadow Empires fleet with additional warships begin added as they come of the production lines. Once Admiral Kiez is fully established a second fleet will be formed and then when that fleet is fully established a third fleet will be formed and so on.

As part of the transfer, Admiral Hammond informs Admiral Kiez of the true nature of his command and his true rank a considerably stunned Admiral Kiez accepts his new command (Empire squadron) also accepts that (Grand) Admiral Hammond is his commander. The star destroyers of the Empire squadron will be recycled though the World Devastator and will be replaced with the new Imperial III class star destroyers fully equipped with the latest military equipment and weapon systems.

Over the next few months Admiral Hammond will from the Calon sector observe the battle between the Emperor and the New Republic and not interfere in that war as the Emperor has ordered.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 8 – Emperors End and the Growth of the Shadow Empire Command

Emperors End

Nearly two years after the Emperors return the New Republic is on it knees, although the New Republic had won a few battles, it is loosing the war against the newly reborn Empire and Emperor.

Having returned in yet another clone, Palpatine continues his campaign against the New Republic, armed with another deadly super weapon, the Galaxy Gun, and his second Eclipse class super star destroyer, the Eclipse II, Palpatine has forced many former New Republic worlds to submit to Imperial rule. But, despite his growing Empire, Palpatine clone body was again deteriorating and becoming frail and weak.

Even worse was to come, the Emperor began to succumb to genetic tampering done to his clone bodies by the treacherous Imperial Sovereign Protector Carnor Jax, via his own trusted doctor who had been turned by Carnor Jax to kill the Emperor so that Carnor Jax could become Emperor. He tried to clone other bodies so that he could resurrect himself, but Jax had succeeded in tainting even the genetic source material.

With his body wasting away rapidly, he went to the Sith world Korriban to consult the ancient spirits of his forebears. They advised that Emperor Palpatine needed to enter Leia’s newborn son, Anakin Solo, so that he could be reborn in a force sensitive body.

Palpatine has brought the Eclipse II to Onderon, where the Solos had relocated their children. While the New Republic military engaged the Imperials, a team of Jedi, led by Luke, sought out the Emperor. They did not find him aboard his ship since he had slipped down to Onderon to find Leia. During the battle, Lando Calrissian with a New Republic commando team had infiltrated the Eclipse II, using R2-D2 to sabotage the vehicle’s automated hyperdrive engines and set the coordinates to match the location of the Galaxy Gun, which was over Byss and then the commando team left the Eclipse II just before it jumped into hyperspace.

The flagship jumped into hyperspace, despite the efforts of the crew to regain control of the vessel with a course set for Byss. Above Byss, both super weapons collided with each other. The Galaxy Gun’s final missile was pulled into the planet’s gravity and explodes, destroying the re-born Emperors throne world and a large part of the rebuilt Imperial fleet that was in orbit.

Meanwhile Palpatine was trying to enter Leia’s newborn son, Anakin Solo, but was prevented by Empatojayos Brand, who threw himself in the way. The Jedi Knight bound the Emperor’s soul to his own departing life force, taking it with him, as he became one with the Force. Railing and cursing against the Skywalker family, Emperor Palpatine’s spirit was dragged into the depths of the Force. There he would experience disembodiment in darkness, perpetual madness as if to always live with an open wound, terror without respite.

Darth Sidious, considered by many to be the greatest Dark Lords of the Sith of all time, was finally dead (maybe, but never underestimate the Dark side of the force!).

The Growth of the Shadow Empire Command

Over the past two years, the Shadow Empire command has grown in capabilities, with the fifteen production facilities now running at full production capacity. Producing an upgraded version of the 600 meter long Enforcer class heavy cruiser called the Enforcer II, the upgrade for this heavy cruiser has been limited to fitting a faster class one hyperdrive to replace the slower class two.

The Enforcer II class heavy cruiser is starting to replace all of the classes of current frigates and heavy cruisers with one standard class of warship. This standardisation will help with maintenance and also will increase production of warships, as the shipyards now only need to concentrate on one or two types of warships. The Imperial I and II class star destroyers and are being replaced by the new Imperial III class star destroyer via the World Devastators.

The other class of warship that is proving very useful is the Modular Taskforce Cruiser is a support vessel class designed by Tagge Industries Shipyards Limited. These ships function as a generic framework on to which mission-specific modules can be mounted and reconfigured as necessary.

The basic design of the Modular Taskforce Cruiser is simple. In its baseline configuration, the ship consisted of a command section, a life-support system, and quarters for a skeleton crew and an engineering section. Since this is a support vessel, armament is light for a warship of its size of 1,150 meters in length.

On its own, the baseline configuration does little more than transport a small amount of cargo. The real purpose of this framework is to carry mission-specific modules, such as Hospital, Inquisition, Observation, Rescue, Survey, Starfighter Carrier and Troop Transport modules to name but a few.

The modules that are used the most in the Shadow Empire command are the Survey, Observation and Starfighter Carrier modules. The Survey module is the most used as the Shadow Empire command is manly concentrating of surveying systems within the unknown regions. The survey module is designed for rapid planetary and system exploration operations. It is capable of completely analyzing a planet, including surveying for natural resources and good colony sites, within a standard day.

The Modular Taskforce Cruiser in conjunction with the Survey module has allowed the feeing up of major warships such as star destroyers and heavy cruisers from survey to guarding the major and minor bases within the surveyed areas of the unknown regions Shadow Empire command.

The Modular Taskforce Cruiser with a Starfighter Carrier module can carry up to two full wings (144) starfighters (usually split 72 TIE Defenders and 72 Scimitar bombers) within its cavernous hanger bays. Though the Starfighter Carrier version never goes anywhere with an escort, at least two Enforcer II class heavy cruisers, usually more.

The older TIE fighters and TIE Interceptors are also steadily being replaced by the much more advanced TIE Defender with the Imperial III class star destroyers having priority on receiving the more advanced TIE Defenders first.

By the time of the Emperors death, there are three World Devastators fully operational and another two are still in there “growing” phase to the 30 kilometre mature size. These first three World Devastators are easily out producing the fifteen shipyards within the unknown regions. With half the older Imperial I and II classes of star destroyers having been replaced by the new Imperial III class star destroyers each with a full complement of TIE Defenders (72) and support craft and fitted with the latest weapons and equipment.

Imperial Factions

In the aftermath of the Emperors death, the Imperial Remnant temporarily recaptures Coruscant, but splinters into two main factions, and starts fighting with each other again. The New Republic would use this opportunity to strike at worlds that either the Emperor or Admiral Thrawn had captured, to free these worlds from Imperial oppression.

Over the next few months, the Imperial Remnant is quite quickly driven back by the New Republic military forces. The New Republic military forces bypass several of these Imperial fortress systems as the cost in lives and material would be just too high to take these systems such as the Brintooin system.

The Calon sector would be entirely bypassed altogether by the New Republic military forces as the New Republic military command did not want to provoke a response from Admiral Hammonds “neutral” command, as the Calon sectors “limited” Imperial military forces are being used for defensive purposes only and that the Calon sector had very strong links with several neutral governments.

As the dust settled after the New Republics offensive, the Imperial Remnant forces has been driven back and now only control thirty percent of the Empires former holdings, which are scattered all across the former Empire, in isolated holdings.

Admiral Daala (+7 years after Endor)

Seven years after the battle of Endor, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Kyp Durron escaped from Kessel and accidentally discovered the Maw Installation. Admiral Daala captures and interrogates them, learning for the first time about the destruction of the Death Stars and the deaths of Emperor Palpatine, Darth Vader, and Tarkin.

After a short but ultimately futile solo campaign against the New Republic, Admiral Daala decides to return to the splintered Empire in the last of her four Imperial class star destroyers the badly damaged Gorgon, in an attempt to reunite the various Imperial factions against the true enemy the New Republic.

After several months of trying to reunite the various Imperial warlords, Admiral Daala manages to lure the most powerful of the Imperial warlords to initially negotiate but this proves futile and Admiral Daala is forced to kill them. In doing so Admiral Daala has managed to unite most of the remaining Imperial warlord’s forces under her banner.

Following the warlords deaths, Admiral Daala takes command of their forces, consolidating fleets of Victory and Imperial class Star Destroyers, Skipray Blastboats, and even a single Super Star Destroyer the Knight Hammer taken from “Superior General” Delvardus. Additionally, Admiral Daala institutes societal reforms in the Imperial military, ending decades of oppression against women and nonhumans.

Using her newly formed fleet, Admiral Daala launches a devastating attack against the New Republic. Ultimately, this attack would prove to be futile and Admiral Daala after this failure and the loss of the Knight Hammer would hand command over to Vice Admiral Pellaeon and promote to the rank of Admiral and Supreme Commander of the Imperial Fleet, apparently resigning Imperial service for good.

Fleet Admiral Pellaeon

Six months after assuming command of the Imperial Remnants military forces, Admiral Pellaeon moved his forces into the Outer Rim and Mid Rim, where he joins with most of the existing Imperial fortress worlds and the remaining Warlords and Moffs. One of those territories he absorbs is the remains of the Pentastar Alignment, which controls the Super Star Destroyer Reaper, in the Reaper Admiral Pellaeon had found his new flagship.

With his fleet bolstered and a new, more vital power base, Pellaeon took the offensive, building a strong Imperial state in the Mid and Outer Rim territories, plus several isolated Imperial territories across the galaxy.

The Moffs of these Imperial sectors formed the Council of Moffs, a deliberative body that retains most decision-making authority in the new government. Pellaeon retains command of the military and is party to the Moffs decision-making process. He is technically subordinate to them, but his legal control over the military and personal popularity among the military and citizens gave him significant leverage over the Council of Moffs.

The Imperial Remnant is now a real power again the one command that Admiral Pellaeon could not convince to join him is Admiral Hammonds Calon sector command and the Imperial forces that had allied with Admiral Hammond.

But what Admiral Pellaeon does not know (or anyone else outside of the Shadow Empires senior commanders) is that Admiral Hammonds command is much larger than Admiral Pellaeon or anyone else could have known, also that Admiral Hammond is really a Grand Admiral and his command is a growing Imperial military force.

In the long term Admiral Pellaeon (and the New Republic) would discover this but not until Admiral Hammond is ready to reveal this to the rest of the galaxy. The Imperial Remnant would shrink to just eight sectors over the next few years.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 9 – The Rise of the Shadow Empire

Shadow Empire (+9 years after Endor)

With the death of the Emperor, the New Republic was concentrating so much on “freeing” systems from Imperial rule, that the New Republic was ignoring the Calon sector. The New Republic intelligence did get one or two reports from the fringe that there is a large military force in the unknown regions, but New Republic intelligence choose to dismiss these stories as just stories.

This suited Admiral Hammond, as the New Republic was not the Shadow Empires main enemy, all Admiral Hammond could hope that is that the Imperial Remnant could keep the New Republic occupied until the Shadow Empires military forces are at full strength.

After several years of work, the Shadow Empire is now producing new weapons, equipment and warships and crewing these warships with not only normal personnel but also the clones using the copies of the Spaarti cloning cylinders acquired from Grand Admiral Thrawn and the information on using Ysalamiri to cut off the clone’s connection to the Force during the “growth” period of cloning.

With a Spaarti cloning cylinder, a fully-grown adult Human could be grown in a staggeringly quick one standard year, anything sooner had the dangerous side effect off clone madness. However, Thrawn discovered that using Ysalamiri to cut off the clone’s connection to the Force would enable the creation of the clone in 21 standard days to create clones from Spaarti cloning cylinders is the fastest known form of cloning.

The numbers of Spaarti cloning cylinders in a shadow base would be limited to 100,000 per base. At the moment there is only one shadow base fully operational, but over the next few years the fifteen established bases will start to receive Spaarti cloning cylinders to set-up there own clone production lines.

In theory the shadow base could turn out 100,000 clones every 21 days, this timescale has been increased to 60 days to allow the clones slightly longer to mature, this does allow the production of better quality clones. Once at full production, with all sixteen main bases (x1 shadow base and x15 established bases) on the 60 day cycle should be able to produce 1.6 million troops/personnel at a time, once these sixteen main bases are running other new bases can be constructed as needed, the timescale for this is many decades.

The reason for the slowness in setting up the cloning facilities is although the Word Devastators can produce the mechanical parts for the Spaarti cloning cylinders they cannot produce the organic nutrient fluid for the clones to grow in. This is the main reason that the production of these cloning facilities is such a slow process the organic nutrient fluid must be produced using normal production facilities.

The production of new warships and other military equipment is an easy process as the World Devastators can build anything given enough raw materials. The nine Imperial class star destroyers of the Calon sector (Victorious, Battle Hammer, Astute, Tiger, Sentinel, Pacifier, Imperial Storm, Warspite and Scorpion) have be replaced by the new Imperial III class star destroyers, though externally they still look like the upgraded/modified Imperial I and II class star destroyers.

Given that the Shadow Empire command does not have either personnel or manufacturing problems, it has been decided by Admiral Hammond that the number of World Devastators will be limited to 30. Even this “small” number can easily out produce all of the normal production facilities in the Shadow Empire command and then some! With this in mind Admiral Hammond has ordered that a balanced military force be built, with no super star destroyers to be built in the short term until all 16 system defence forces are built up (x1 shadow base and x15 established bases).

Each of these sixteen defence fleets will be established around a core of thirty Imperial III class star destroyers with up to three thousand warships ranging from heavy cruisers down to corvettes and various support and supply vessels. These defence fleets will not only patrol the system they are designated to defend the surrounding systems and sector as well.

These sixteen defence fleets do not include in their numbers the various other warships including those that guard the various small bases in the two hundred odd explored sectors or those forces used to explore new sectors. These smaller defence forces are centred on a single Vindicator class heavy cruiser or an upgraded Victory class star destroyer.

Calon Sector

Even though the initial formation of the Shadow Empire Command has taken up much of Admiral Hammond’s he has not taken his “eye off the ball” in the running of the Calon sector. The day-to-day running of the Calon sector is done by the Imperial governor of Calon III Davvid Harrington has been doing a very good in the administration of the sector while Admiral Hammond has been occupied elsewhere.

The Calon sector is stable and their have only been a few minor incidents with the New Republic military. The Calon sectors military forces are now very well equipped (even though they do not know where Admiral Hammond is getting all this military equipment from).

The Calon sectors Imperial ally in the Brintooin system is now fully equipped with the planet Brintooin with a full planetary defence shield system, along with ten full wings of TIE Defenders that have been produced from the TIE Defender production facility that was brought with Colonel Vessery and set-up on Brintooin. Brintooins ten TIE Defender wings are considered a sufficient deterrent against the New Republic military forces along with Brintooin’s Golan III orbital battle stations and other defences.

This gives Brintooin a very strong defence force against any attack along with Major General Zel Johans’s armoured battlegroup the Hell’s Hammers and its support units. The New Republic has bypassed this system as the New Republic military command considers this system to dangerous to attack directly and is trying to isolate the system with not much luck (as the bulk of the New Republics military forces are concentrated against the Imperial Remnant) and supplies are still getting into the system very easily.

The Calon sector has a number of none Imperial and Imperial allies these include the reborn Qektoth Confederation.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 10 – The Qektoth Confederation (part II)

Over the past few years the Qektoth Confederation has now firmly settled into they’re new home. The science facilities are now fully operational, along with the housing for the scientist’s and engineers and other personnel’s families. The living conditions on Qektoth prime is of a very high standard, the education facilities are also of a very high standard as most of the population comes from am academic background, the population now stands at just over 2.1 million people and is growing at a steady pace.

The small but growing city on Qektoth prime based on what was a former Rebel base, but is now a thriving city, the city even has its own local planetary shield generator to protect the city and the surrounding area. It is expected that the population will hit three million within a few years the population growth comes from the Qektoth Confederation searching out like-minded scientists who are on the run from the New Republic for various “crimes” in unauthorised experimentation.

The scientists and their families that are rescued from the New Republics military and civil authorities and brought to Qektoth prime after they have been offered sanctuary by a covert member of Qektoth Confederation in exchanged for there assistance and any copies of any research that they had or where conducting. Sometimes the rescues are quite forceful as the New Republics military and civil authorities are determined to capture these rogue scientists or to keep them in prison.

One example is Dr Edda Gast, Dr Gast was the scientist behind the mutating and “humanizing” of alien species in an attempt to expand their minds allowing them to think and feel like Humans. Some of the main species that were used in Dr. Gast's experiments included Gamorreans such as Voort saBinring, Ewoks, and Talz.

Dr Gast who was imprisoned on a charges of smuggling Imperial credits and sedition, after serving over five years Dr Gast, is visited by a representative from the Qektoth Confederation managed to get in to see Dr Gast as her new lawyer. After a brief discussion, Dr Gast agreed that if the Qektoth Confederation could get her out of jail then she would turn over all her research records to the Confederation.

The representative from the Qektoth Confederation agreed to this and added that Dr Gast would be given a home on the Qektoth Confederation new home world of Qektoth prime and all the research facilities she would ever need if she wished to continue or create new research projects within certain boundaries laid down by the Qektoth Confederation.

Once the agreement had been made it was a simple matter for the agents of the Qektoth Confederation to bribe certain low level members of the New Republic administration to ensure that Dr Gast would be transferred to a different prison facility. This prison ship would then be hit enroot by the Qektoth Confederation warships and Dr Gast transferred and any remaining survivors would be killed.

Qektoth Confederation is proving itself to be very capable in getting what it needs one way or another, the prime weapon of the Qektoth Confederation is the latest incarnation of the Qektoth Attack Cruiser.

The Qektoth Attack Cruiser continues to be Qektoth Confederations main warship, the Qektoth Attack Cruiser has changed considerably over the past few years as new improved systems have become available. The main changes include the fitting of a more modern power core and an increase in size and mass of by about twenty percent leading to an increase in length from 105 meters to 135 meters.

The shield systems on the Qektoth Attack Cruiser are also now much stronger than before and the shields can now cover all arks, the bio weapons are also improving, each weapon now has its own independent bio power source thus freeing up the need to draw power from the ships main reactor. The cruisers main hyperdrive has been upgraded from a slow class three to a much faster class one, also the sub light engines have been upgraded making the cruiser very fast indeed, though this warship is called a cruiser, it is in fact a heavily armed corvette.

Qektoth Confederation – New Ventures

The Qektoth Confederation has also set-up a medical research company in the Corporate Sector Authority controlled space as a cover to purchase supplies for themselves covertly. The company Dodson Medical Research (named after Dr Alfred Dodson) is able to do medical research and sell licenses to manufacture medicines to major pharmaceutical and medical companies. This has given the Qektoth Confederation a considerable source of income, as the Corporate Sector Authority does not investigate companies operating within its sector all the Corporate Sector Authority cares about is getting its fees.

The majority of Dodson Medical Research personnel are none Qektoth Confederation personnel hired in to Dodson Medical Research, only the senior management and a few others are members of the Qektoth Confederation. This is also the base for searching out new scientific minds to see if the would join the Qektoth Confederation and using a medical research company to search for people with medical research backgrounds is the perfect cover.

Dodson Medical Research is also used covertly to help imprisoned Imperial scientists escape from custody, like Dr Edda Gast without leaving a trace to either Dodson Medical Research or the Qektoth Confederation as the perpetrators. The Corporate Sector Authority would not move against Dodson Medical Research unless it has overwhelming proof and as neither the New Republic nor the Imperial Remnant knows the real reason behind Dodson Medical Research, and then both are safe.

With this secure source of income via Dodson Medical Research, the Qektoth Confederation is also able to purchase a new design of starfighter to replace the old Zebra class starfighters. The excuse that Dodson Medical Research uses with the Corporate Sector Authority is that they need fighters to protect its medical research base on the moon they had purchased from the Corporate Sector Authority. The Corporate Sector Authority agreed to this as Dodson Medical Research is willing to pay the necessary fees to the Corporate Sector Authority and the Corporate Sector Authority does not consider a few squadrons of starfighters a threat.

The fighter Dodson Medical Research chooses is a modified version of the Kuat Drive Yards A-9 Vigilance interceptor, called the Vigilance II. The original design of the A-9 Vigilance is a short-range starfighter with simple cockpit controls make the A-9 an easy fighter to learn to fly. While faster than the TIE Interceptor, it has a weaker hull due to deliberate design choices made to reduce mass. Thanks to independent power generators, however, the weapons system is quite powerful for a starfighter of its size.

The A-9 is armed with two laser cannons, mounted in a structure on the ventral side of the fuselage. They are fire-linked and aimed forward in their standard configuration, but several modifications exists which allowed the gun to pivot 90 degrees down to perform strafing runs, as well as allowing the cannons to be independently targeted. These laser cannons are more powerful than those of a T-65 X-wing starfighter giving the A-9 a considerable punch for a starfighter of its size.

The Vigilance II differs in having better amour and the addition of shields and also comes equipped with a class two hyperdrive this has led to an increase in length from 7.4 meters to 11 meters. This increase in length has not lead to a loss in performance, but it has led to a substantial increase in the cost of each Vigilance II starfighter, but as Dodson Medical Research is well funded and can afford such costly modifications.

Dodson Medical Research has agreed with Kuat Drive Yards to not only purchase this modified starfighter but also to set-up a small production facility on its own moon in Corporate Sector Authority space. This will allow Dodson Medical Research to produce as many starfighters as it needs, both the Corporate Sector Authority and Kuat Drive Yards are quite happy with this as Dodson Medical Research is paying.

Though both the Corporate Sector Authority and Kuat Drive Yards do think that Dodson Medical Research is a bit mad paying for such expensive and heavily upgraded starfighter (of course what neither know is that the company is just a front for the Qektoth Confederation).

The Qektoth Confederation will take the Vigilance II and replace the two heavy laser cannons and replace them with there own more powerful bio energy weapons that also completely ignores an opponents shields, the normal electronic systems will be replaced by Qektoth Confederation bio systems which will make the Vigilance II immune to ion attack. This gives the Qektoth Confederation a very powerful starfighter for either defence or attack and in conjunction with the latest versions of the Qektoth Attack Cruisers that can take eight of these fighters in their small internal hangers.

Military forces of the Qektoth Confederation

The number of Qektoth Attack Cruisers is holding steady at twenty-three, as each older generation of Qektoth Attack Cruisers is replaced with the new generation the older Qektoth Attack Cruisers are recycled for there raw materials etc to be used to create the new incarnation of the cruiser. The number of Vigilance II starfighters also remains steady at 100 (this number does not include those “normal” starfighters operated by Dodson Medical Research).

Qektoth Confederation also maintains a number of long ranged shuttlecraft and small freighters, these ships are not fitted with the bio systems as they are used for covert missions into New Republic space and also for transferring materials and equipment from Dodson Medical Research in the Corporate Sector. All shipments from the Corporate Sector are made by indirect routes to ensure that the supply transports are not followed.

The Qektoth Confederation has stopped in there pirate attacks and are now concentrating on producing better medical and pharmaceutical equipment for Dodson Medical Research so that they can get the resources through buying them rather than stealing them, this new policy draws little or no attention to the Qektoth Confederation. This change in policy has led to a reduction in the risk of being discovered by the New Republic or anyone else outside of the Calon sector.

The few times that the Qektoth Confederation has attacked, is for supplies that it cannot easily be obtained by any other means without being discovered, when the Qektoth Confederation do launch attacks on space transport vessels (well away from the Calon sector), the attacking force (usually made up of three to four Qektoth Attack Cruisers) do not leave any survivors.

All of this activity is being monitored by Admiral Hammond’s intelligence service but no action is taken as the Qektoth Confederation continues to supply Admiral Hammond with the latest designs of their bio energy weapons.

The next target for Admiral Hammond will be an ex-Moff named Leonia Tavira and her Imperial II class star destroyer the Invidious.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 11 – Leonia Tavira and the Invidious

The Invidious is an Imperial II class star destroyer under the command of an ex-Moff named Leonia Tavira, she has managed acquire the Invidious though a short alliance with the former warlord High Admiral Teradoc. The crew of the Invidious are very loyal to Leonia Tavira, as she has helped keep them out of a New Republic prisoner of war camps over the past few years and also stopped them be killed by the reborn Emperor.

Using the Invidious as her mobile base of operations Leonia Tavira has set-up Invids a pirate group they draw their name from their flagship, the Imperial II class Star Destroyer Invidious. During several years the Invids attack the New Republic with the Invidious acting as flagship and fire support for the small but growing fleet under “Moff” Leonia Tavira command.

Admiral Hammond has tried several times to contact “Moff” Leonia Tavira but always with no success as Admiral Hammond thought that Leonia Tavira would be an excellent leader within the Shadow Empire Command. But this time the New Republic is hunting Leonia Tavira and the Invidious and the New Republic has tracked them to the planet Courkrus in the Khuiumin system.

Admiral Hammond has ordered that a task force consisting of the Imperial III class star destroyers Victorious, Astute, Tiger and Sentinel and the Immobiliser 418 cruisers Barricade to capture them in the hope that “Moff” Leonia Tavira will be persuaded to talk rather than be destroyed by the concentrated firepower of three Imperial III class star destroyers.

Admiral Hammond learned through various intelligence sources that the Invidious is based in orbit around the planet Courkrus in the Khuiumin system. Rather than confront the Invidious in the Khuiumin system Admiral Hammond positioned his task force to intercept the Invidious when the ship would flee the system on the arrival the New Republic task force that was on the way.

During the early stages of the battle, the Invidious was attacked by the corvette Backstab and Errant Venture. The Errant Venture was a formed Imperial II class star destroyer stripped of most of her armament and the decommissioned weapons where sold to the New Republic, which netted her new captain eighteen million credits, making the Errant Venture no match for a fully armed and equipped star destroyer.

Seeing that the Errant Venture and the corvette Backstab are badly outgunned, Corran Horn used a powerful mind trick to frighten Tavira into believing that a large New Republic fleet. Including the Executor class super star destroyer Lusankya and the Sun Crusher, was arriving in the vicinity, and believing these illusions (even though the Invidious sensors said there was only one star destroyer) she fled.

As the Invidious leaps into hyperspace Admiral Hammonds task force also leaps into hyperspace to an intercept point.

Meanwhile…….

After their escape from the New Republic fleet, Moff Tavira is able to breath a sigh of relief and the crew of the Invidious are just starting to stand down from battle stations while in hyperspace to a distant system that Moff Tavira had been preparing as a back-up base just in case her current base was compromised.

On the bridge of the Invidious the hyperspace view suddenly changes for a view of the stars and the Invidious is pulled out of hyperspace.

Moff Tavira says, “Report”

The Captain of the Invidious replies, “Sir, we have been pulled out of hyperspace by an interdictor cruiser, I am also counting three warships with profiles that almost match Imperial class star destroyers.”

Moff Tavira says, “Almost? Are they Rebel controlled star destroyers?”

The Captain replies, “No sir, they have Imperial markings, the IFF of the lead star destroyer reads as the ISD Victorious.”

A puzzled Moff Tavira says, “The ISD Victorious is Fleet Admiral Hammond’s flagship, what is he doing here?”

The Captain replies, “Sir we are being hailed by the Victorious, its Admiral Hammond himself!”

Moff Tavira looks at the Captain and then says, “Put the Admiral on.”

In front of Moff Tavira command chair a holographic image of Admiral Hammond and Admiral Hammond says, “Greetings Moff Tavira I have been trying to find you for some time, so that we can have a chat. I invite you over to my command ship.”

Moff Tavira replies, “And if I refuse?”

Admiral Hammond says, “Then I will inform the NewRepublic of your position and regrettably order my star destroyers to attack and destroy the Invidious. Though the loss of a star destroyer as powerful as the Invidious would be, this act by me would keep the New Republic from attacking the Calon sector so I would win either way, Your choice?”

Moff Tavira after thinking for a short time replies, “Very well I will come onboard the Victorious to hear what you have to say.”

Admiral Hammond says, “Thank you Moff Tavira, as a show of good faith I will order the Interdictors GWP’s to be switch off. I will expect you shortly.” And with that the holographic image of Admiral Hammond disappears.

The Captain of the Invidious says, “Sir the Interdictors GWP’s have been switched off.”

Moff Tavira says, “Very well, stay at battle stations and prepare my shuttle to go over to the Victorious.”

The Captain of the Invidious looks at Moff Tavira for a moment and then says, “Aye sir.” And turns to the officer in charge of the hanger in one of the crew pits and says, “Prepare Moff Tavira shuttle” the officer replies, “Aye sir”

After a few minutes a Lambda class shuttlecraft departed from the Invidious and headed and then landed in the Victorious main hanger bay. On landing Moff Tavira is greeted by the Captain of the Victorious who then escorts Moff Tavira to Victorious main conference room where Admiral Hammond is waiting.

Once the door to the conference room is closed Admiral Hammond says, “Welcome onboard the Victorious Moff Tavira. I have been trying to contact you for a long time. I have a deal for you that I would like you to accept.”

Moff Tavira replies, “I know you have, but I decided not to respond. What is this ‘deal’ that you are offering me?”

Admiral Hammond replies, “I would like you to work under my command covertly, by striking at the Rebels. I will provide you with a list of targets and I will provide you will intelligence, also I will provide you with one of the few remaining Interdictor star destroyers remaining the Dominator II.”

Moff Tavira replies, “An interesting offer Admiral, but how will I crew the Dominator II, as I assume that you will not be transferring personnel from your command to mine.”

Admiral Hammond replies, “That is correct I will not be transferring personnel from my command to yours, but you will be able to find all the personnel you will need on the prison worlds that the so called NewRepublic has set-up. Your star destroyers IFF can be modified to match that of the former Imperial class star destroyer called the Freedom and you should be able to approach well within weapons range before destroying any defence forces guarding the prison world. Here is the outline of the plan.” Admiral Hammond hands Moff Tavira a data pad containing the information.

After studying the information on the data pad Moff Tavira, “Very well I agree to your suggestion, I will act as a covert strike force for you.”

Admiral Hammond replies, “Good, let use discuss the details of the plan and the location where you can pickup the Dominator II. Also I have in mind where you could acquire another Imperial II class star destroyer.”

Over the next few hours the agreement is finalised between Admiral Hammond and Moff Tavira, this includes the location of the Dominator II for Moff Tavira to “discover”. Moff Tavira will not tell her crew that she is working for Admiral Hammond, only that they have come to some sort of confidential arrangement.

Once back on the Invidious, Moff Tavira orders that the Invidious makes a series of random hyperspace jumps to throw of any chance of pursuit and then Moff Tavira orders a course to be set for the location of the Interdictor star destroyer Dominator II.

The Interdictor star destroyer is a variant of the Imperial I class star destroyer equipped with gravity well projectors. To make room for the gravity well projectors, half of the turbolasers and ion cannons, as well as eight of the tractor beam projectors found on the original Imperial I class star destroyers, had to be removed. The Interdictor star destroyer’s reduced hangar can hold only four squadrons of TIE fighters and all the planetary assault equipment had to be removed.

Even with the reduced armament the Interdictor star destroyer is still a very powerful warship in its own right and is capable of holding it own against most types of warships, but in conjunction with an Imperial II class star destroyer, this combination is very hard to defeat without a lot of firepower.

Three months later……

After Moff Tavira has “discovered” the location of the Dominator II and using crew from the Invidious is able to provide a skeleton/caretaker crew to operate the warship, until Moff Tavira can liberate crew from a New Republic prison camp world.

Moff Tavira would conduct a spectacular prison break and also be able to “acquire” another warship from the New Republic in very short order.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 12 – Moff Leonia Tavira, Initial Operations

Invidious +9 years and four months after Endor

The Invidious along with the Dominator II are waiting in space between systems waiting for the order to jump into the nearby Cestus system in which Cestus V is used a Prisoner of War camp containing around 50,000 Imperial prisoners. Cestus V defence’s are relatively light and consists of several frigates and corvettes, it main defence relies on its small defence force holding out until reinforcements can come form the New Republic.

What Moff Tavira and the crew of the Invidious (disguised as the Freedom) are waiting for are the forces guarding Cestus V to send their regular daily signal and response from the nearest New Republic base. Once this is done the Freedom (Invidious) can jump into the system on some pretext and then once within point blank range can the simultaneously open fire and jam the communications.

Once the communications are jammed this will be the signal for the Dominator II will jump in and power up it GWP’s to prevent any warships from escaping and help the Invidious eliminate the New Republic warships guarding Cestus V. Moff Tavira expects the battle to be very short and furious.

At the appointed time Cestus V to sends there regular daily signal and receives a reply, the Freedom (Invidious) then jump into hyperspace towards Cestus V. After a few minutes in hyperspace the Freedom (Invidious) comes out of hyperspce near Cestus V and then sends the “Freedom’s” recognition signal. The flagship of the small force guarding Cestus V receives the recognition signal and acknowledges the signal, the “Freedom” then moves into close proximity to the group of New Republic warships.

Once within point blank range the Invidious simultaneously opens fire and raises shields and finally begins jamming on all frequencies. The small force of New Republic warships are taken completely by surprise, the Invidious first targets are the frigates, these three frigates are quickly dispatched, with no shields raised the heavy turbolaser batteries of the Invidious turns them into a debris field.

The next target for the Invidious fire, is the five corvettes, these five corvettes have been given time to power up their systems and begin to manoeuvre to jump to hyperspace to get to the nearest New Republic base for help. But just as the corvettes are manoeuvring, the Dominator II jumps out of hyperspace in there path, and powers up her GWP’s and weapon systems preventing the corvettes from leaving.

Trapped between an Imperial II class star destroyer and an Interdictor star destroyer, the remaining corvettes are quickly destroyed, even those corvettes that try to surrender are destroyed without mercy. Once this is done the Dominator II powers down her GWP’s and enters into orbit with the Invidious over the prison camp.

The prison camp on the planets surface has no New Republic guards or personnel as the Imperial military prisoners cannot get into space so they cannot escape. The prison camp gets regular visits in the form of supplies etc, which are heavily guarded, but the rest of the time the prisoners are left to their own devices.

Once in orbit Moff Tavira boards one of the shuttles going to the surface of the planet to inform the Imperial military prisoners that they are being freed. The flight from the Invidious to the planets surface only takes a few minutes as Moff Tavira approaches the surface she can see a crowd for former Imperials gathering around the three Sentinel class landing craft.

After a very brief conversation with the Imperial prisoners offering them freedom and a chance to hit at the Rebels once again, all of the Imperial prisoners agree to follow Moff Tavira, followed by a lot of cheering.

It takes several hours to transport all the former Imperial prisoners to both the Invidious and the Dominator II, once this is done both warships jump into hyperspace, these Imperial personnel will add to Moff Tavira small but growing new base of operations called Invidious Base.

Invidious Base

Invidious Base was a former mining base on a moon in the Pantar system in the Outer Rim Territories Moff Tavira had found the system by accident many years ago and had also found that the system had been abandoned for over two hundred years. With a search of the records indicated that the system had been lost, in the Old Republics bureaucracy (a common occurrence).

When Moff Tavira received rewards for her “services” to the Empire she would come to the Pantar system and the abandoned mining base on the moon to store her rewards and other possessions. Moff Tavira had even placed some droids on house keeping duties to maintain an area of the former mining base on very low power. Now Invidious Base would serve as her new base of operations and she now had all the personnel she needed to bring the base back up to full operations capability.

Six Months Later…..

Over the last six months since the raid against the New Republic Prison planet, Invidious Base and the two warships has been a hive of activity with all the major system on the base having been restored to full working order. The Dominator II was new also full operational with a full crew, the remaining Imperial personnel are being kept busy with various drills and maintenance routines.

Amongst the rescued where several former Imperial warship Captains, the most senior of these Captain Don Orison who would now command the Dominator II, with another Captain, Captain Paul Thompson would command Invidious Base, with the remaining Captains given other duties until more warships could be acquired for them to command.

The one thing that Moff Tavira insisted on is that a production facility be set-up to produce her own version of the TIE fighter called the Clutch. The Clutch, referred to as the tri-fighter, was an “Ugly” starfighter used by Moff Leonia Tavira and her gang of pirates, the Invids.

This had now changed now that Moff Tavira has a large number of proper Imperial engineers and technicians working for her they can produce new TIE Clutch’s rather that rebuilds from various second hand (and unreliable) parts. This new TIE Clutch will be built to a much higher standard than the original TIE Clutch’s and to the levels the Empire would expect a fighter within Imperial service for these second generation TIE Clutch’s.

The TIE Clutch consists of a TIE/ln starfighter ball cockpit and ion engines and three triangular fins set 120 degrees apart with one fin above the cockpit and two below, additional windows have been cut into the side of the ball cockpit to give the pilot a better field of vision. The TIE Clutches are similar in speed to X-wing fighters but more manoeuvrable, this is considered more important by Moff Tavira than straight line speed, as in a dog fight manoeuvrable is everthing.

Unlike Imperial TIE fighter series starfighters, the Clutch has basic shields, granting it better survivability, along with a reinforced hull. Weaponry consisted of two laser cannons mounted below the cockpit, similar to the TIE fighter. The lower two fins can also serve as landing gear, but normally the Clutch is launched from TIE racks.

The TIE Clutch is not a very powerful starfighter in terms of weapons capability, but it is capable of surviving battle that would destroy most other classes of “light” starfighters and for Moff Tavira Invidious commands starfighter pilots that is their primary concern.

A small production facility has been set-up inside Invidious Base in the former ore processing facilities, as this area is the largest space available for a production centre to produce the TIE Clutch and also is useful area for stripping down shuttlecraft etc that need more extensive maintenance than can be provided onboard a star destroyer. This area also has direct access to the landing/launch areas of Invidious Base, making any modifications needed minimal.

This production/workshop facility inside Invidious Base is not capable of high levels of mass production and can only turnout two or three TIE Clutches per week, but as the needs of Moff Tavira Invidious command is small, this production capability is ideal for her commands needs.

The Next Step…..

Intelligence provided by Admiral Hammond’s Intelligence (though no one but Moff Tavira knows this) has given Moff Tavira her next target, to capture the former Imperial II class star destroyer Direption, which is currently at a New Republic staging area within the Mid Rim territories, awaiting a transfer crew to pick her up to a New Republic base to receive a full crew complement.

Moff Tavira does not know how Admiral Hammond’s Intelligence services has got hold of this information or the pass codes to gain access to a New Republic staging area or even to gain access to the Direption and ship it out of the staging area. Moff Tavira does not ask stupid questions like that and she does not what to know anyway!

The Direption was an Imperial II class star destroyer that served under the Warlord Admiral Krennel’s fleet. It later surrendered to the New Republic, though very heavily damaged the warship was due to be repaired but with the re-born Emperor and later the unification of most of the remaining Imperial military forces under the command of Admiral Pellaeon these repairs kept being put off.

The plan is for several teams to pose as a skeleton crew coming to take the Direption to a New Republic world for a full crew. Admiral Hammond has provided Moff Tavira with the correct orders for the personnel she will send to acquire the Direption with luck they should be able to take the Direption without firing a shot.

A team of several hundred Imperial personnel are put together along with several long range shuttlecrafts to transport them with fake New Republic military markings and IFF’s. The Imperial personnel will be dressed in the relevant New Republic military uniforms and given the relevant fake ids.

Ten days later…..

The long-range shuttlecrafts come out of hyperspace into New Republic staging area, within the Mid Rim territories, once the codes (provided by Admiral Hammond) have been transmitted to the space flight controller and confirmed. The controller orders the current crew onboard the Direption to hand over control to the transfer crew and then to return to the orbital facilities for there next assignment.

The fake ids are only checked against the orders to take the Direption not against the central New Republic records as this would take too much time to do and as the staging area is expecting a transfer crew, this also does not arouse any doubts as transfer crews regularly come and go through the various New Republic staging areas.

Once the handover is complete the “transfer crew” then powers up the Direption and then asks the controller to allow the Direption to exit the New Republic staging area, after a few nail-biting minutes of waiting for a reply, the controller confirms the exit vector and the Direption jumps into hyperspace. The only reason there was a delay is the New Republic staging area is always very busy place, with various types of warships coming and going.

Moff Tavira has just gained her second Imperial II class star destroyer without firing a shot! This will also cause considerable embarrassment for the New Republic and lead to several changes within the New Republic that will do more harm than good.

In the aftermath of the theft of an Imperial II class star destroyer Direption, from a New Republic staging area. The New Republic military puts in place more stringent security measures to ensure that no New Republic can be taken from a staging area without proper verification of the transfer orders, this will of course slow the New Republic’s military to a crawl (which is what Admiral Hammond wanted to happen).

The New Republic is unknowingly dancing to Admiral Hammond’s tune.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 13 – Moff Tavira and the “Eidolon”

Invidious command, +9 years and ten months after Endor

Over the past six months Moff Tavira has been raiding the New Republic for supplies and equipment to maintain the two Imperial II class star destroyers and the single Interdictor class star destroyer. The supplies that Moff Tavira has acquired over the past six months are enough to keep her small squadron going for at least a decade or more. This has reduced the number of raids that Moff Tavira’s command needs to do thus ensuring that the New Republics military forces would be much less likely to find the Invidious’ forces and destroy them.

For the next three months Moff Tavira has decided to not do any raids and to give her crews a rest, as they deserved it after all the hard work they have put in over the past six months. Though the rest facilities on Invidious Base aren’t overwhelming, but they do allow her personnel to get the rest they need, there is even a series of gardens and entertainment facilities throughout the base.

While her crews enjoy their rest, Moff Tavira is considering acquiring her next warship the Eidolon. The Eidolon was a redesigned Strike class cruiser that boasted upgraded TIE launch racks that were able to launch several TIE/ln starfighters in a very short time.

Invidious command +10 years after Endor

Eidolon

Secretly manufactured by Kuat Drive Yards in the Seswenna Sector, the Eidolon disappeared on its maiden flight. Unbeknownst to the galaxy at large, the ship was nothing more than a ruse by Sate Pestage to hide his accumulated wealth on Tatooine, although the cruiser never went into full production, the hull and launch rack of the prototype was made and retrofitted into Eidolon Base.

Admiral Hammond has constructed a “new” Eidolon using a World Devastator, this “new” Eidolon would not look new, as it is deliberately being produced too look as if it has been in space for a very long time (over 15 years). The Eidolon will be left in a system for Moff Tavira so “discover”, which she duly does.

Moff Tavira squadron now consists of two Imperial II class star destroyers and the single Interdictor class star destroyer and a heavily modified Strike class cruiser Eidolon. Using this powerful force Moff Tavira continues her campaign against New Republic bases and convoys with some considerable success.

Moff Tavira Invidious squadron and a small but fully functional base of operations, Moff Tavira over the few years leads the New Republic on a merry chase, while causing as much damage a possible and also keeping much of the New Republic fleet looking for her rather than finishing of the remains of the Imperial Remnant.

With the Eidolon under her command Moff Tavira has also confused the New Republics intelligence services, as they (quite rightly) thought that the Eidolon was never built. This causes the New Republics intelligence services to go back over their estimates of the Imperial fleet’s warship numbers making the New Republics intelligence services waist a lot of time and effort searching for a warship that did not exist.

This division of the New Republics intelligence services from looking to closely into the Calon sector and beyond is Admiral Hammonds way of keeping the New Republic out of the Unknown Regions and the Shadow Empire commands territory and discovering what has been going on. But the New Republics intelligence services have been ordered by the New Republics leadership to stop looking into these “tales” from the Unknown Regions and to concentrate on finding Moff Tavira and her small but powerful group of warships, which they consider more important.

This action by Moff Tavira has also helped the Imperial Remnant by slowing the attacks against the Imperial Remnants eight remaining sectors and with the Black Fleet Crisis the Imperial Remnant will gain a lot for military firepower that it had lost over the past few years (but not territory).

Black Fleet Crisis – +13 years after Endor

The review by the New Republics intelligence services leads them to the Koornacht Cluster and a race known as Yevetha and the former Imperial Fleet Black Sword Command now under the control of the Yevetha and eventual war with the New Republic.

The war between the Yevetha and the New Republic would come as something of a surprise to Admiral Hammond as he had thought that the Black Sword Command had also been destroyed.

Imperial Fleet Black Sword Command consisted of five front line capital ships and thirty-nine others undergoing construction and repair. None smaller than a Victory class Star Destroyer and they included three Super Star Destroyers (x1 under construction and x2 ordered). At least 15 Type II orbital repair yards were built throughout Black Sword Command to provide localized maintenance and shipbuilding facilities, to this total were later added five additional Type II shipyards.

Six months after the battle of Endor the Yevetha rose up against the Empire and captured the Black Sword Command. Before Commander Jian Paret, could complete the execution of his orders, however, Yevethan revolutionaries led by Nil Spaar seized the Black-15 shipyard, the Super Star Destroyer Intimidator, and the eight other ships under construction there. They ruthlessly wiped out most of the garrison and civilian colony placed those Imperial citizens and military personnel that survived in a labour camp on Pa’aal, and began to work on mastering hyperdrive and turbolaser technology. Due to faulty intelligence, Imperial Intelligence believed the fleet had actually been destroyed at Cal-Seti.

Over the next decade, the Yevetha completed the Imperial warships they had captured, built many more to the same designs, and supplemented this fleet with modernized versions their own traditional Aramadia class thrustships.

When the New Republic military forces arrived at Yevetha home world they where confronted by a large number of Yevetha crewed Imperial warships and thrustships. But just before the battle was about to take place the fleet of around sixty Star Destroyers including the Intimidator crewed by the Yevetha and the remains of the surviving Black Sword captives in Camp Pa’aal, led by Major Sil Sorannan, had devised a plan to take back their fleet.

As the New Republic intervened and confronted the Yevethan fleet, the Yevetha had recalled the Imperials to assist them in supervising their Imperial warships systems and operating technologies that they still did not fully understand. At the climax of the Battle of N’zoth, Major Sorannan and his men executed a plan to simultaneously take control of every Imperial warship in Yevethan hands, echoing Nil Spaar’s own plot thirteen years earlier.

Using slave circuits to regain control of the of the Black Sword Fleet, Major Sorannan ordered the Imperial ships into hyperspace towards the Deep Core, completing their final order thirteen years after it had been issued. On finding the Deep Core void of any Imperial presence, the Black Sword Fleet moved to join the Imperial Remnant forces under the command of Fleet Admiral Pellaeon.

While en-route to Imperial Remnant, the captured Nil Spaar was ejected from the Intimidator in an escape pod, to die slowly in hyperspace for the crimes committed against the Imperial prisoners.

Imperial Remnant – +13 years after Endor

With the arrival of the Black Sword Fleet into Imperial Remnant controlled space the losses suffered over the past few years by Imperial Remnant navel forces have almost been completely been replaced, though it will take time to bring the ships back up to full operational readiness, especially the Executor class super star destroyer Intimidator.

The Intimidators extensive (and not entirely reliable) slave circuit system along with detention blocks that where converted into hatcheries for the “birth-casks” of Nil Spaar’s offspring. These facilities needed to be removed and brought back to there original function, it is estimated by the Imperial engineers that it will take at least five years to make the Intimidator fully functional again to Imperial standards.

The sixty odd Victory and Imperial class star destroyers will take a lot less time to be made functional again, so work will initially concentrate on the sixty Victory and Imperial class star destroyers first and then once these sixty star destroyers are operational, work will then commence in earnest on the Intimidator.

The battle between the Yevethan and the New Republic has brought the Imperial Remnant a lot of extra time to dig and fortify their eight remaining sectors. With the addition of the warships from the Black Sword Command to bolster there defence fleets and defensive lines. Making any possible attacks by the New Republic’s military forces a very costly affair, but this is unlikely as the New Republic’s fleet and military needs time to recover from the battle against the Yevethan.

The battle against the Yevethan has also caused the New Republic’s fleet to loose a large numbers of warships. That had either been destroyed or badly damaged, it will take time for the New Republic to repair/build new warships to replace these losses, until this is done the New Republic’s fleet will be on the defensive on the boarders with the Imperial Remnant controlled space.

Admiral Pellaeon has also ordered that no Imperial warship is to be provoked by the New Republic, this order is backed up by the council of eight remaining Moff’s also known as the Council of Moffs. This will give the Imperial Remnant time to do several things, firstly bring the sixty odd star destroyers of the Black Sword Fleet up to full operational level.

Secondly, to allow new technologies to finish development, including a new idea for cloaking technology, the Computerized Combat Predictor (CCP) is an information processing system under development by the Imperial Remnant. The Predictor is intended to collect battle data and used it to predict an enemy’s movements. It is hoped to be the solution that allowed a cloaked starship to fire its weapons accurately and give an advantage to the Imperial Remnant’s navy in space combat.

Thirdly, to allow the production of more advanced TIE designs to come into mainstream production, like the TIE Defender, which until now had been reserved for a few elite fighter wing and fighter groups like the 181st fighter group and not for widespread production or deployment. The 181st fighter group (x36 TIE Defenders) has been operating the TIE Defender for several years and have notched up a large number of kills under its current commander, Commander Turr Phennir.

Commander Phennir had been recommending that the TIE Defender enter full production for a while, but due to the considerable monetary cost of producing the TIE Defender (more than five times the cost of a standard TIE fighter) this has always been turned down until now. But with the arrival of the Black Sword Command Fleet and the need for the Imperial Remnant to produce more starfighters for the sixty star destroyers, it is decided to start mass production of the TIE Defender.

The 181st fighter group operates from it own dedicated star destroyer, the Imperial II class star destroyer Imperial. The Imperial was the first of the Imperial I class star destroyers off the production lines and over the past few decades has survived the rise and fall of the Empire. The Imperial and its crew are the best the Imperial navy has and with the addition of the 181st fighter group to supplement the Imperial’s of TIE wing (x72 fighters and bombers), gives Imperial an added edge in combat.

To supplement their depleted stocks of standard TIE fighters in the short term, other fighter designs are introduced into Imperial service, including fighters like the SoroSuub Preybird class heavy starfighter and ironically the Incom Corporation (who produce the New Republics X-wing starfighter) designed I-7 Howlrunner short range starfighter.

Over the next few years the Imperial Remnant under the leadership of Fleet Admiral Pellaeon leadership would stabilise around their eight remaining sectors, this period of stabilisation would cement Fleet Admiral Pellaeon control over the Imperial Remnant much to the annoyance of one of the Moff’s named Vilim Disra.

Invidious Base – During the Black Fleet Crisis

During the Black Fleet Crisis Moff Tavira is quite content to watch both the New Republic and the Yevetha slaughter each other, though Moff Tavira was surprised to here about the sudden appearance of the Black Fleet and very happy that the Black Fleet joined the Imperial Remnant rather than being captured by the New Republic.

During the year long odd conflict between the Yevetha and the New Republic Moff Tavira does not take this opportunity to attack the New Republic. This was partially due to the fact that her four warships crews needed some time to rest after nearly two of combat and that Admiral Hammond had asked Moff Tavira to, because if the Yevetha won they might decide to attack outside of the Koornacht Cluster, but as it turned out this was not necessary.

Shadow Empire Command

With the threat posed by the Yevetha removed by the New Republics victory, Grand Admiral Hammond had ordered the Shadow Empires fleets to a heightened state of alert. But as with Moff Tavira Invidious Squadron this has proved unnecessary and after the battle between the Yevetha and the New Republic was over, the Shadow Empires fleets are stood down.

The detection of another threat from elsewhere would cause Grand Admiral Hammond to order the Shadow Empires Imperial Intelligence (SEII) services that this new threat be observed for the time being to gain as much intelligence information as possible that would prove useful in the future.

The next incident would not be for several years and would be known as the Hand of Thrawn Incident also known as the Caamas Incident and it would bring the New Republic very close to discovering the Shadow Empire Command.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 14 – Caamas Incident/Hand of Thrawn

+15 Years after Endor

During a search though the ruins at the Mount Tantiss site several documents are uncovered including the Caamas Document. The Caamas Document was an Imperial file that implicated a group of Bothans in the orbital bombardment of Caamas, probably on Palpatine’s order.

In its original state, the document detailed the Bothan agents that lowered the planetary shield of Caamas that allowed the Imperial Starfleet to devastate the surface of the peaceful planet. When a data card copy of the Caamas Document is uncovered at Mount Tantiss, the New Republic falls into a massive political crisis.

Over the past few years the Imperial Remnant under the command of Admiral Pellaeon, now a Fleet Admiral decided to initiate another offensive campaign of expansion. It turns out to be a failure, in a series of battles, which included the dramatic conflicts at Champala and Anx Minor the Imperial Remnant is slowly but surely pushed back. By the time the major combat operations had ended, Pellaeon found himself at the head of an Imperial Remnant unlike that of only a few years prior.

From an expanse of space that had reached from the Mid Rim to Wild Space, the Remnant had been pushed into the Outer Rim and controlled a mere eight sectors. For its part, the Imperial fleet had suffered greatly, going from twenty-five thousand star destroyers at its peak to a mere two hundred odd Imperial class star destroyers. These matters were beginning to press on Pellaeon’s mind as he thought about the future of the Empire.

In a desperate last move Fleet Admiral Pellaeon order that his flagship be fitted with a prototype cloaking device and the prototype of the new Computerized Combat Predictor (CCP) is information processing system under development by the Imperial Remnant. The Predictor is intended to collect battle data and used it to predict an enemy’s movements. It is hoped to be the solution that allowed a cloaked starship to fire its weapons accurately and give an advantage to the Imperial Remnant’s navy in space combat.

During these tests involving the Imperial II class star destroyer Chimaera in a simulated battle. This test of the new CCP in conjunction with a cloaking device proves to be unsuccessful and leads to Fleet Admiral Pellaeon concluding that the only way for the Imperial Remnant to survive is to make peace with the New Republic, the only thing that Fleet Admiral Pellaeon needed to do is convince the council of Moff’s.

They are where those in the Moff council who disagreed with Fleet Admiral Pellaeon decision to as for peace with the New Republic including the treacherous Moff Disra along with a former member of the Emperor’s Royal Guard Major Grodin Tierce and the con-artist Flim (who looked like Grand Admiral Thrawn). These three tried to take over the Imperial Remnant using a combination of the Caamas Incident and the con artist Flim made up as Grand Admiral Thrawn, but Moff Disra plan failed.

Hand of Thrawn

Along with the Caamas Document was a document containing a file with the title called the Hand of Thrawn, when Princess Leia discovered this file she showed it to her brother Jedi Master Skywalker, who decided to try and find the Hand of Thrawn and also try and find an unaltered copy of the Caamas Document.

After searching both Jedi Master Skywalker and Mara Jade found the Hand of Thrawn on a planet in the Unknown Regions called Nirauan, the base was named after its five towers, which vaguely resembled an outstretched hand. It was chosen by Grand Admiral Thrawn as the centre of his efforts in the Unknown Regions to conquer territory for the Galactic Empire and defend it from threats from the galactic fringes or from outside the galaxy. It contained a fully equipped command centre, library, and a cloning facility, which Thrawn planned to use to clone him self if necessary.

Meanwhile in orbit Nirauan……

While Jedi Master Skywalker and Mara Jade are discussing the Hand of Thrawn and the implications for the Imperial Remnant, in orbit a cloaked a Dreadnought class heavy cruiser the Dauntless is monitoring the conversation. The Dauntless is fitted with a new advanced version of a cloaking device that allows the use of sensors at a very basic level this is something that engineers have been trying to achieve for a very long time.

The way that the Dauntless can use her sensors is by plugging the cloaking device into the sensor annalist computers. This gives the Dauntless a passive sensor capability, as the clocking device adsorbs light and bends in to achieve cloaking, Admiral Hammond simply (well not that simply) plugged the sensor system into the cloaking device to read the incoming light before it is reflected to achieve cloaking.

The Dauntless is also covered in Ysalamir.

The Ysalamir are a furry, lizard-like tree-dweller (on average, about 50cm/1.6ft in length) from Myrkr, most known for its ability to repel the Force by creating a Force-neutral bubble. This ability seems to have evolved in response to predation by the force sensitive Vornskrs. Several Ysalamiri together would expand their force neutral bubble by exponential distance, sometimes miles.

The presence of so many Ysalamir are making is making Admiral Stele on uncomfortable as he has been cut of from the Dark Side of the force while the Ysalamir are onboard the Dauntless, but this does serve a good purpose as neither Jedi Master Skywalker or Mara Jade will be able to detect the Dauntless using the force.

Sitting in the Dauntless command chair is Grand Admiral Hammond with Admiral Stele standing to his right watching the conversation about the Hand of Thrawn and the information about the 250 explored sectors in the Unknown Regions, though their search has not discovered the existence of the Shadow Empire Command only Thrawn’s original command.

Meanwhile back in the Hand of Thrawn base……

Eventually Mara Jade moves to another level while Jedi Master Skywalker remains behind to try and recover as much information as possible, though this is proving difficult as the data base is so vast R2-D2 could not possibly hold such a large amount of information.

When Mara Jade arrives at a lower level she is stunned. When she wakes up she finds herself confronted by Admiral Voss Parck and Baron Fel who try unsuccessfully to convince Mara Jade to join them in Thrawns command to explore the Unknown Regions (though their real reason is to get Mara Jade to join the Shadow Empire Command but Mara Jade does not know that) and fails.

After Mara Jade escapes and returns to Jedi Master Skywalker, Mara Jade used a beckon call to drive her ship, Jade’s Fire, into the compound, damaging the main hangar and all remaining ships. They also discover a Spaarti cloning cylinder with a clone of Grand Admiral Thrawn in an underground facility, but during a fire fight the Spaarti cloning cylinder is destroyed and so is the clone of Grand Admiral Thrawn.

Both Mara Jade and Jedi Master Skywalker manage to escape, but not before R2-D2 has managed to download an unaltered copy of the Caamas Document.

Meanwhile back on the Dauntless in orbit Nirauan….

After watching the spaceship with Mara Jade and Jedi Master Skywalker onboard go into hyperspace, Grand Admiral Hammond says, “Disengage the clocking device and retrieve the comm wires” To which the engineering officer replies, “Aye sir” the Dauntless shimmers out of her cloak.

Grand Admiral Hammond says, “Communications try and establish contact with either Admiral Parck or Baron Fel and signal the Admonitor move to this location” the communications officer replies, “Aye sir, signal sent to the Admonitor and trying to contact Hand of Thrawn base now.”

While the communications officer try’s to contact the base, Grand Admiral Hammond turns in his command chair to Admiral Stele and says, “Well that went better than expected, they only damaged the Hand of Thrawn and did not destroyed the base. I did not expect Mara Jade to ram her ship into the base and sever the communications link, but apart from that everything is still going as planned.”

Admiral Stele replies, “Yes sir, I also do not think that either Mara Jade or Jedi Master Skywalker will immediately inform the New Republic as this might cause the New Republic to attack this planet and reveal the location of the Hand of Thrawn to the Imperial Remnant.”

Grand Admiral Hammond says, “Agreed, based on their past performance the Jedi have been known to keep this sort of information to themselves. Everything is going as planned and the race we are tracking though the Unknown Regions should be ready to attack the New Republic within a few years.”

Admiral Stele replies, “I assume that we will not intervene unless attacked?”

Grand Admiral Hammond replies, “That is correct, unless ourselves or the Imperial Remnant is endangered by this race the Shadow Empire will not get involved.”

Admiral Stele replies, “If I may say so, that is a dangerous strategy Admiral.”

Before Grand Admiral Hammond can reply the communications officer says, “Sir, communications have been established with the Hand of Thrawn base, Admiral Parck is online” Grand Admiral Hammond replies, “Good, put him through.”

A holo image of Admiral Parck appears in front of Grand Admiral Hammond and he says, “Admiral Parck, report on the level of damage to the Hand of Thrawn”

Admiral Parck replies, “Admiral Hammond the initial assessment of the damage is that the main and back-up computers cores are fired along with the primary landing zone, a good thing that there is a back-up of this information on the shadow base.”

Grand Admiral Hammond replies, “Yes it is, what news on Casualties?”

Admiral Parck replies, “No dead, about fifty wounded, the fires are out. Admiral, do you know when the Admonitor will arrive to help?”

Grand Admiral Hammond looks off to one side at his tactical display and replies, “The Admonitor has just entered the system and should be in orbit shortly, looks like everything has gone to plan, well done Admiral.”

Admiral Parck replies, “Thank you sir, with your permission I would like to go back to helping with the emergency efforts?”

Grand Admiral Hammond replies, “Granted, we will talk later when you have more time, Dauntless out.”

Grand Admiral Hammond turns back to Admiral Stele and says “We will need to boost the defences of this base for the future, just in case. Have one of the World Devastators along with its escort group assigned to Nirauan, to equip this planet with a level one defence system and also have two legions of stromtroops hunt down and eliminate the local population, we can’t have them interfering again.”

Admiral Stele replies, “Aye sir” and notes down the orders.

Grand Admiral Hammond says, “Once the Hand of Thrawn base is secure, set course for the Sith Academy, I will need to have a word with Lord Tremayne.”

Admiral Stele replies, “Aye sir”

For now the secret of the Shadow Empire is safe and all the Jedi know about is the Hand of Thrawn and the only information Mara Jade and Jedi Master Skywalker managed to gain is an unaltered copy of the Caamas Document.

The next event, following the Hand of Thrawn/Caamas Incident, is a peace treaty between the Imperial Remnant and the New Republic. How will the treaty affect the Calon sector and Admiral Hammond, but also the Imperial Remnant?

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 15 – What Price Peace!

+16 Years after Endor

With the coup foiled, the plot to start a civil war within the New Republic is successfully halted when copies of the Caamas Document are discovered and brought to public’s attention. With these matters settled Admiral Pellaeon’s plans for peace can finally be realized. Onboard the bridge of Chimaera, more than two decades after its inception, the Galactic Civil War at last comes to end with the signing of a treaty of peace. The Imperial Remnant is no longer a rogue entity of a greater past, but a recognized state, politically equal to the New Republic.

The Pellaeon-Gavrisom Treaty is also known, as the Bastion Accords is a treaty of peace signed by the Imperial Remnant’s Supreme Commander, Fleet Admiral Gilad Pellaeon, and the New Republic’s Acting Chief of State, Ponc Gavrisom.

The treaty does not outline a surrender of any sort on the side of either the Imperial Remnant or the New Republic instead put forth terms that would leave what remained of the Galactic Empire intact but with an end of hostilities between the two rival parties. It additionally opened the Imperial Remnant to trade and commerce with the New Republic, and put forth limitations on smuggling for both governments to enforce. In addition, systems in either government group would be allowed to choose their alignment, satisfying Imperial loyal systems in New Republic space.

This peace treaty also agrees upon the release of all prisoners of war, this part of the peace treaty favours the Imperial Remnant more than the New Republic, as the New Republic hold more prisoners of war than the Imperial Remnant does. It takes over a year to transport all Imperial prisoners of war to Imperial Remnant controlled space, whereas it takes only three months to transport all New Republic prisoners of war.

None of the Imperial prisoners of war decides to stay in New Republic controlled space (understandable), this also brings with these Imperial prisoners of war the release of all their back salaries and income into the Imperial Remnants economy that had been frozen in Imperial controlled banks when they where made prisoners of war.

The Calon sector

The one partly that did not sign the Pellaeon-Gavrisom Treaty would be Admiral Hammond who represented the Calon sector. For the past decade an unofficial cease-fire between the New Republic and the Calon sector has been in effect, with the signing of the Pellaeon-Gavrisom Treaty. Admiral Hammond issued instructions that this cease-fire be made official until a more formal peace treaty could be ironed out at a future (unspecified) date.

Two months after the Pellaeon-Gavrisom Treaty was signed, a formal cease-fire agreement between the Calon sector and the New Republic was signed, this cease-fire agreement was not as comprehensive as the Pellaeon-Gavrisom Treaty, but it did bring the final Imperial forces “fighting” against the New Republic to an end.

The surrounding Neutral Systems Alliance (NSA) that had been formed several years previously after the Kettia IV incident, several dozen neutral systems had banded together for mutual defence and had formed a loose alliance with the Calon sector (also unknowingly with the Shadow Empire) under Admiral Hammond.

This had proved to be a good thing for both sides, for Admiral Hammond it provided a buffer against any possible New Republic attack as this would be an act of war against the Neutral Systems Alliance and the Neutral Systems Alliance gained from having the protection of an Imperial sector group force against Pirates and Raiders etc. This would also prove good for trade between these two groups.

With the formal cease-fire between the Calon sector and the New Republic in place, these ties between these two groups could and will become stronger. The former covert operations between the Corporate Sector Authority and the Calon sector would also become overt and up front, this would also help the Neutral Systems Alliance acquire new warships for their defence forces, as this no loner needs to be done covertly.

Trade between the Calon sector, Neutral Systems Alliance and the Corporate Sector Authority along with trade with the New Republic would start to grow at a slow but steady pace over the next few years.

The diplomats of the Calon sector and the New Republic would start the negations for a full peace treaty between the Calon sector and the New Republic. The negations would drag on, as the New Republic would consider the demands made by Admiral Hammond excessive. The New Republic would then put forward a counter offer, which would be rejected (after several months of waiting), then Admiral Hammond would propose a counter offer to the New Republic, which would be rejected, and so this process of proposal and counter proposal would go on.

With neither side willing to give away too much (though Admiral Hammond is using this to delay the process as much as possible), the New Republic is not that bothered as the cease-fire is holding. The New Republic’s military do not consider the Calon sector to be much of a threat (though if they know the truth, the New Republic’s political and military leadership would go nuts!)

Imperial Remnant

The Pellaeon-Gavrisom Treaty, brought peace to the Imperial Remnant it also brought limited trade, but not as much as Admiral Pellaeon had hoped. It did bring those deals that had to be done covertly (and costly) to a more overt (and cheaper) for the Imperial Remnant.

In the Imperial Remnant Admiral Pellaeon’s position was now more secure that ever as the threat by Moff Disra had been neutralised and the success of the Pellaeon-Gavrisom Treaty had secured the survival of the Empire. The Imperial Remnant could now start to concentrate on rebuilding it economic strength, but this would take several decades to achieve.

The Imperial Remnants military forces would go through a period of upgrading and replacing out of date equipment with new and improved equipment, this would include upgrading all Imperial I class star destroyers to Imperial II standard (including those Imperial I class star destroyers of the Black Fleet) and the Executor class super star destroyer Intimidator.

The former Imperial prisoners of war will also help with the dwindling numbers of Imperial personnel as the numbers of Imperial prisoners of war released by the New Republic would be in the hundreds of millions, including any family members that where also “trapped” in New Republic space and could not easily get to Imperial Remnants controlled space.

This not only helps the Imperial Remnant in military personnel but also civilian support personnel and their families, also this includes several businesses that where covertly supporting the Imperial Remnant like the Silviut Corporation, who built ships like the Svelte class shuttle and the Vibre class assault cruiser. Companies like the Silviut Corporation would move it’s manufacturing into Imperial Remnant controlled space bring with them their own design, engineering and production personnel.

The Svelte class Imperial shuttle was designed as a more aggressive replacement for the Imperial Remnant’s aging Lambda class shuttle in the years after Palpatine’s demise. The Silviut Corporation used its experience as a subcontractor to craft a superior vessel capable of both long-range transport and space combat support while inferior to a true starfighter it is manoeuvrable and well armed for a shuttle.

The Vibre class assault cruiser is a 100 meters long corvette type vessel specially equipped for commerce raiding and hit and fades missions. These vessels are armed with four turret mounted turbolasers and ion cannons. They are also equipped with sensor masks to allow them to approach enemy ships undetected before opening fire, unlike other vessels of this type, they are designed to capture enemy ships.

Both these types of ships represent the new more flexible approach by the Imperial Remnant leadership/commanders in procuring new equipment. In procuring new equipment rather than relying on traditional sources such as KDY and Santhe/Sienar Technologies, though these traditional companies where still used by the Imperial Remnant, but they had to fight very had to maintain their level of business with the Imperial Remnant.

The one other thing that the Imperial Remnant is now aware of is the Hand of Thrawn via Thrawn’s own Household Phalanx through Admiral Pellaeon’s link with Grand Admiral Thrawn, though the Thrawn’s Household Phalanx has not informed Admiral Pellaeon of the existence of the Shadow Empire Command existence.

New Republic

With the two treaties (cease fire with the Calon sector and Pellaeon-Gavrisom peace treaty with the Imperial Remnant) in place, the New Republic would enter a period of stability and considerable economic growth. The New Republic would primarily concentrate into two distinct areas,

The first area that the New Republic would concentrate on would be internal growth, rather than trying to expand the New Republic, the New Republic would concentrate on those systems that are formally part of the Old Republic, but during the Galactic Civil war these former systems had declared neutrality. On this front the New Republic is not meeting with much success as those systems that are now neutral, could currently do business with whomever they pleased and are not weighed down by the New Republic’s bureaucratic nature.

All of these neutral systems that do not want to be tied to either the New Republic or the Imperial Remnant as these systems have found it more favourable to sell to any government that has the money to purchase from them. The largest of these neutral governments is the Corporate Sector Authority and the Corporate Sector Authority was not about to come under the control of either the New Republic or the Imperial Remnant, as this would be bad for business.

The second area is for the New Republic to modernise their military, as the New Republic’s military forces are equipped with a mix of old military equipment dating from the time of the Old Republic. They also have captured military equipment from the Empire and some new military equipment procured over the past few years as the New Republic grew in size and economic strength.

The New Republic’s fleet was still undergoing its New Class Modernization Program (MCMP), this program is to design and build starships that increased the degree of standardization across internal features (like command consoles) and external features (like hull panels). The products of this early phase of the plan included vessels that were essentially upgrades to existing, but common, vessels.

These new warships included the Corona class frigate, Belarus class medium cruiser, Republic class Star Destroyer, and the MC90 Star Cruiser, which is the first Mon Calamari built warship for the New Republic that was built to a standard design. The project also developed two reconnaissance vessels, yielding the droid-controlled Ferret class and the larger, crewed Prowler class. As these ships were deployed, the New Republic phased out aging starships, particularly those that were converted from commercial or civilian service during the rebellion against the Empire over twenty years ago!

The New Republic’s Fifth Fleet is the first fleet to be comprised entirely of New Class vessels. Under the command of General Etahn A’baht, the Fifth Fleet demonstrated the power and flexibility of the New Class during the New Republic’s battles with the Yevetha.

The New Republic would concentrate on modernising these five mobile fleets first and then move onto the forces defending various strategic bases, planets and systems. This would give the New Republic powerful and highly mobile fleets, but week and poorly defended bases, planets and systems, which would have to depend on these one or more of these fleets arriving quickly to help repulse any attack. This would prove to be the biggest weakness of the New Republic military during their next conflict.

The firepower the New Republic has available pails into insignificance compared to the growing strength of the Shadow Empires military forces.

Over the next few years, both the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant would concentrate on peaceful coexistence. Within the Calon sector, everything appears to be quite and the negations on a peace treaty chug along at a slow pace, but no one in the New Republic is bothered about the pace.

Within the Shadow Empire Command there is a huge amount of growth within its 250 sectors (and growing) the population numbers a exploding at an exponential rate, but with plenty of room to expand this growth rate does not pose any problems for the Shadow Empire Command or Grand Admiral Hammond.

The next threat will engulf the entire galaxy in a devastating war against an extra galactic treat the Yuuzhan Vong.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 16 – Yuuzhan Vong Preparations and The Discovery

+20 Years after Endor

Preparations for War

On the distant world Rhommamool, the invaders, through Nom Anor, disguised as the leader of the Red Knights of Life, stirred up rebellion between Rhommamool and its neighbour Osarian to distract the New Republic from its more important attacks. Once war had been reached between the two worlds, Nom Anor faked his own death. This allowed him to move on, as well as escalating the conflict and diverting the Republic's attention from the true target.

On Belkadan on the edge of the galaxy, a team of scientists from ExGal-4 are charting the abyss for extra-galactic life. Finally they discovered an asteroid heading for the nearby Helska system. Yuuzhan Vong agent Yomin Carr began killing many of the ExGal-4 workers, save the few that went to Helska 4 to investigate the extragalactic object that had landed there. He also unleashed deadly toxins into the atmosphere, making it virtually uninhabitable, and killing all local wildlife.

The extra-galactic object, a Praetorite Vong worldship commanded by Prefect Da’Gara touched down on the icy and unknown planet Helska 4, where they unloaded a massive, tentacle creature known as a yammosk, or “war coordinator”.

Da’Gara’s worldship is also noticed by the “Dozen and Two Avengers”, a Republic starfighter squadron led by Kyp Durron. The Avengers and the ExGal team arrived in the Helska system, only to be ambushed by a group of coralskippers, killing all but Durron, Miko Reglia and Danni Quee. Kyp Durron managed to escape; Reglia, an Avenger, was captured, as was Danni Quee, an ExGal scientist. Reglia was tortured strenuously by the yammosk, but the Yuuzhan Vong spared Quee this, seeing her fit to die a honourable death.

While the initial attacks by the Yuuzhan Vong where going on they where being observed by reconnaissance stealth ships of the Shadow Empire Command, using the new clocking technology. These reconnaissance stealth ships are designed for stealth and speed and not for combat and they are very good at their job as Nom Anor is unaware of their surveillance operations.

Nom Anor has many informants and spies within the New Republic to keep him informed of any discoveries that the New Republic’s intelligence services makes. As the New Republic’s intelligence services are unaware of the existence of the Shadow Empire Command (or even the Hand of Thrawn), all that Nom Anor is aware of are the “myths and legends” surrounding the Unknown Regions as has ignored them (just as the New Republic has).

The Yuuzhan Vong used their yammosk to coordinate an attack on Sernpidal, using the ancient Yo’gand’s Core tactic to crash the planet's moon Dobido into the surface. They discovered that the Yuuzhan Vong had planted a gravity-manipulating dovin basal east of Sernpidal City to draw its smallest moon toward the planet. The mayor sacrificed himself to kill the creature but this was too late to stop the moon from plummeting from the sky.

Han, Chewbacca and Anakin managed to save many civilians, but while rescuing a small child, Anakin was knocked from the ship by some debris. Chewbacca rescued him and hauled him back into the ship before he was separated from the others. Anakin made the decision to fly away in order to save the others as the moon crashed down, killing Chewbacca.

Leia Organa Solo, unable to fully convince Chief of State Borsk Fey’lya of the threat the Yuuzhan Vong posed, was only able to amass one Star Destroyer. The Rejuvenator the Rejuvenator arrived with her small task force, consisting of a dozen of warships, including a number of smaller cruisers, six Ranger class gunships, cargo support, and even a crew transport for the attack on Helska 4.

The small Republic task force went forward and attacked the Helska system, and though Jacen Solo rescues Danni Quee during the fighting, the Rejuvenator is destroyed, and what few ships the small Republic task force had left had to retreat and regrouped, as all the remaining warships had suffered various forms of battle damage.

Once the New Republic realised the danger, the New Republic’s military forces began to mobilise slowly as Chief of State Borsk Fey’lya did not want an all out war against the Yuuzhan Vong. So Chief of State Borsk Fey’lya tried to negotiate with the Yuuzhan Vong, this strategy would prove to be ultimately futile for both Chief of State Borsk Fey’lya and the New Republic.

Over the next two years system after system fell to the Yuuzhan Vong fleets, but the Yuuzhan Vong did not attack any Imperial controlled system or world and deliberately went out of there way to avoid contact with any Imperil military forces from either the Imperial Remnant of the Imperial forces of the Calon sector and there allies. This would prove to be an effective strategy as both Imperial forces had peace treaties or cease fire agreements with the New Republic, but the New Republic did not have a defence agreement with these Imperials, so these Imperial forces would watch from the sidelines, which suited the Yuuzhan Vong.

+22 Years after Endor, Fall of Coruscant

After two years of combat the Yuuzhan Vong are finally ready to attack the Galactic capital of Coruscant. After a preliminary assault on Reecee, the Yuuzhan Vong is ready to make their move. The Yuuzhan Vong fleet emerged above Coruscant, with the defensive minefields around Coruscant very doing little damage. The attackers used refugee ships to bombard the planetary shield until it collapsed then attacked the planet’s surface.

The Republic commanders struggled against the onslaught, unwilling to fire on the refugee ships eventually General Garm Bel Iblis did so, causing conflict with the other commanders and weakening Coruscant’s defences. Chief of State Borsk Fey’lya realising what damage he had done confronted Tsavong Lah’s subordinate Commander Romm Zqar, detonating a bomb that killed himself, along with twenty-five thousand Yuuzhan Vong warriors, and destroyed much of the Imperial Palace including the records archive of the New Republic, thus denying this information to the Yuuzhan Vong.

Meanwhile on Wayland…….

The much-reduced New Republic archaeological unit on Wayland that had been going through for former Imperial base at Mount Tantiss for any information that might have survived its destruction, has been ordered to evacuate the planet as a Yuuzhan Vong fleet has been spotted heading towards Wayland. A young archaeologist name Matt Turner has made a discovery of over fifty data cards in the same location that the data cards holding the information on the Caamas Document and the Hand of Thrawn.

Unfortunately, the evacuation order had not given Matt Turner time to examine these data cards in his personnel data card reader. So instead of taking his personnel belongings he decided to take the data cards and his reader and only a small number of personnel items, this would prove to be the best decision of his life and the most shocking discovery of his life as well.

But for now Matt Turner and his backpack containing the fifty data cards are inside a Noghri scout ship headed away from Wayland, just making it to hyperspace before the arrival of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet. As the Noghri scout ship had made a hurried exit the Noghri scout ship had to go into hyperspace very close to the planets gravity well and this had caused damage to the Noghri scout ships primary and back-up hyperdrives.

The Noghri Captain of the scout ship says that the hyperdrives can be repaired but this will take time to do, probably several weeks maybe longer depending on the level of damage, the Noghri scout ship will be drifting in the space between systems until the hyperdrives can be repaired by the Noghri. As Matt Turner has no knowledge of how to repair a hyperdrive he starts to catalogue the data cards via is personnel data card reader over the next few weeks, while keeping out of the way of the Noghri.

The only time they are all together is during meals, it is during these meals that Matt Turner explains what an archaeologist does, at first the Noghri do not understand, but when Matt Turner that he is tracking the past. This is something the Noghri understand and they start to take a real interest in Matt Turner’s talks about the data cards that he is cataloguing.

Over the past few weeks Matt Turner has manage to catalogue twenty-nine of the fifty-three data cards, the twenty-nine catalogued data cards are all from the Old Republic, mostly speeches from Old Republic’s senate. As he loads data card number thirty Matt Turner notes that the surface of this data card does not contain any writing on the contents as the other twenty-nine data cards did.

As Matt Turner inserts the unmarked data card into the reader the first image to come on to the screen is an Imperial logo along with a date that indicates that this data card comes from three months prior to the battle of Endor. As Matt Turner turns to the next page with the usual warning that any unauthorized access to this information will be subject to the death penalty.

The next page contains a summery that after reading it makes Matt Turner start to shake with fear, the summary says they following.

+++++++++++++++++++++++TOP SECRET ++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++EYES ONLY+++++++++++++++++++++++++

FROM: EMPEROR PALPATINE
TO: FLEET ADMIRAL ZERIK HAMMOND

BY ORDER OF EMPEROR PALPATINE, ZERIK HAMMOND IS HERBY ORDERED TO SET-UP AND TO TAKE COMMAND OF THE SHADOW EMPIRE COMMAND, BASED IN AND CONSISTING OF THE FORCES OF THE CALON SECTOR ALONG WITH THE VARIOUS FORCES ATTACHED (SEE SEPARATE DATA CARD FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON SIZE AND DISPOSITION OF THESE FORCES).

ZERIK HAMMOND IS TO CONCEAL THE TRUE NATURE OF THIS COMMAND FROM ALL OTHER IMPERIAL AND NONE IMPERIAL FORCES, UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO REVEAL HIS COMMAND BY EMPEROR PALPATINE AND NO ONE ELSE. THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THIS ORDER IS IF THE SHADOW EMPIRE COMMAND IS ATTACKED, THEN ZERIK HAMMOND IS AUTHORISED TO USE ALL THE FORCES UNDER HIS COMMAND TO DEFEAT THE ATTACKING FORCE OR FORCES BY WHATEVER MEANS NECESSARY.

TO CARRY OUT THESE ORDERS ZERIK HAMMOND IS HEREBY PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF GRAND ADMIRAL WITH THE ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY OF OVERSECTOR COMMANDER, ALSO CALLED A PRIORITY SECTOR COMMANDER IN ACQUIRING WHATEVER RESOURCES ARE NEEDED TO SET-UP THE SHADOW EMPIRE COMMAND.

THE RANK OF GRAND ADMIRAL AND AUTHORITY WILL ONLY BE USED IF NECESSARY, ZERIK HAMMOND WILL USE THE RANK OF FLEET ADMIRAL AS HIS OVERT RANK, USING THE RANK AND AUTHORITY OF GRAND ADMIRAL COVERTLY.

ADDITIONALLY GRAND ADMIRAL ZERIK HAMMOND WILL BE ASSIGNED A SITH LORD TO ASSIST IN “OPERATIONS” WITHIN THE SHADOW EMPIRE COMMAND AND BEYOND WHEN NECESSARY, THIS SITH WILL BE LORD TREMAYNE AND LORD TREMAYNE WILL OBEY THE ORDERS OF GRAND ADMIRAL ZERIK HAMMOND AS IF THEY HAVE COME FROM EMPEROR PALPATINE.

LORD TREMAYNE, WILL SET-UP A SITH ACADEMY, TO FIND AND TRAIN BEINGS SKILLED IN THE WAYS OF THE FORCE AND TURN THEM TO THE DARK SIDE OF THE FORCE AND ALSO TRAIN THESE FORCE BEINGS IN HOW TO USE THE DARK SIDE OF FORCE USING SITH TRAINING TECHNIQUES, LORD TREMAYNE WILL HAVE TOTAL CONTROL OVER THE SITH ACADEMY ANSWERABLE ONLY TO EMPEROR PALPATINE AND GRAND ADMIRAL ZERIK HAMMOND.

FINALLY NO COPIES OF THIS DATA CARD ARE TO BE KEPT.

THE PENALTY FOR UNAUTHORISED READING OR UNAUTHORISED COPYING OF THIS DATA CARD IS DEATH.

BY ORDER
EMPEROR PALPATINE

ENDS…..

+++++++++++++++++++++++TOP SECRET++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++EYES ONLY+++++++++++++++++++++++++

As Matt Turner finishes reading the data card he is shaking with fear. As he thinks of the events since the battle of Endor everything that Zerik Hammond has done has been to keep the Calon sector safe from attack, it is like a curtain has been opened and Matt Turner can see the whole picture and this scares him.

What this data card does not reveal is that Grand Admiral Zerik Hammond has taken over Grand Admiral Thrawns Unknown Regions command and added Grand Admiral Thrawn’s command to his own Shadow Empire Command, also this data card does not reveal any of the events post Endor, but what it does reveal makes Matt Turner very frightened. As an Imperial Grand Admiral would be a useful ally against the Yuuzhan Vong right now.

After a few minutes calming himself down he goes to see the Noghri Captain of the scout ship and shows him the data card and asks that he is taken to see Princess Leia to show her the information as soon as the scout ship has been repaired. The Noghri Captain on reading the information on the data card agrees and says the Princess Leia is currently in the Bastion system trying to get the Imperial Remnant to rejoin the war against the Yuuzhan Vong.

Once Matt Turner has finished informing the Noghri Captain, he goes back to his quarters to see if any of the remaining data cards are the ones containing information on the disposition of the force/resources of the Shadow Empire Command, but this search proves to be futile as none of the other data cards contain this information.

But events will overtake this action while the Noghri scout ship is being repaired Fleet Admiral Pellaeon has agreed to help the New Republic against the Yuuzhan Vong, by launching an attack on the Yuuzhan Vong forces.

This action by Fleet Admiral Pellaeon will bring the Shadow Empire Command into battle against the Yuuzhan Vong and change the course of the war and the course of history.

To be continued

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 17 – Battle for Bastion

Prelude to the Battle for Bastion

With Admiral Pellaeon bringing the Imperial Remnant into the fight against the Yuuzhan Vong, during the mobilization of the Imperial Remnants military forces, Fleet Admiral Pellaeon received unexpected aid, the Empire of the Hand had intercepted the mobilization orders and General Baron Soontir Fel sent Force Spike, an elite wing of Nssis class “Clawcraft” fighters under his son, Colonel Jagged Fel, to aid Admiral Pellaeon.

But what Admiral Pellaeon did not know that this was only a very small fraction of the forces that are gathering in the Unknown Regions, with several very large battle fleets assembling to help the Imperial Remnants military forces, but this gathering of the Shadow Empires battle fleets would take time.

Grand Admiral Zerik Hammond has decided to take his own sectors command squadron with the Imperial III class star destroyers Victorious (command ship), Battle Hammer, Astute, Tiger, Sentinel, Pacifier, Imperial Storm, Warspite and Scorpion, along with the eleven upgraded Victory class star destroyers and Admiral Stele and his eight heavily modified and upgraded Dreadnought class heavy cruisers.

In the meantime until these forces are ready Fleet Admiral Pellaeon and the Imperial Remnant would be on there own.

Imperial Remnant, first strikes

When Fleet Admiral Pellaeon’s intelligence assets informed him of a seemingly rebuffed raid on Garqi, Fleet Admiral Pellaeon took the Chimaera along with the Red Harvest, and Force Spike to investigate. When Admiral Traest Kre’fey’s task force returned to extract the commando team under Colonel Corran Horn that it had inserted during the first raid, it came under heavy fire and was nearly forced to retreat. Fleet Admiral Pellaeon jumped his force in to aid the beleaguered New Republic forces, and his unexpected aid saved the operation.

As the war against the Yuuzhan Vong continued the Imperial Remnant’s military forces are giving a good account of themselves, but after several defeats the Council of Moff’s ordered Fleet Admiral Pellaeon to return to Imperial Remnant controlled space and not to help the New Republic.

The Imperial Remnant now begins to dig in along its eight sectors boarders, with each sectors, sector group fleet acting as a mobile reserve for its own sectors defence, but when the Yuuzhan Vong strike they will strike at the heart of the Imperial Remnant, at Bastion.

The battle of Bastion will change everything, forever.

Battle for Bastion

The Bastion system and the planet Bastion are strongly defended by orbital defences. Though most of the sectors defence fleet has been moved into a single unified force, to enable Bastions sector group to hit at any Yuuzhan Vong fleet attacking any system or planet in the Bastion sector, the Bastion sector group is currently chasing a false alarm spread by Yuuzhan Vong infiltrators.

In orbit around Bastion there are only two Imperial II class star destroyers, the Chimaera and the Superior along with a small number of other warships, Bastions main defences lies in its orbital battle stations and its surface to space weapon systems along with a strong planetary defence shield system.

The Yuuzhan Vong forces, under Commander B'shith Vorrik, appeared in the Bastion system, destroying most of the planetary defence systems in a surprise attack with ease and catching the Imperial Navy off guard, only the defences surrounding the Capital city on Bastion are left intact, as the capital city has its own secondary defence systems.

The Yuuzhan Vong fleet then comes into contact with the Chimaera and the Superior and the small number of other Imperial warships in the Bastion system. Commander Vorrik thought that the destruction of the Chimaera and the Superior would be easy, but while the Yuuzhan Vong fleet had been destroying the planetary defence systems, this had given time for the Chimaera and the Superior and there accompanying warships to go to battle stations.

Only the Chimaera and the Superior responded to the attack with suitable efficiency. Despite the overwhelming odds against the Chimaera and her accompanying warships the Imperial Navy warships are able to hold its own against a larger Yuuzhan Vong fleet. This is because the commander of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet would only commit a small number of warships of his fleet to the battle, as he did not want to commit his entire fleet to destroy just two warships and there support warships.

This action by the Yuuzhan Vong commander, would allow the Imperials to do several things, one it would allow the evacuation of the civilian population from the planet, two this would allow the Imperial Army to concentrate its ground forces in defending the capital city rather than the entire planet.

Meanwhile in Deep Space…….

In deep space near the boarder with the Unknown Regions, the Shadow Empires fleets are gathering at a slow but steady pace. Grand Admiral Hammond decides to take his own command squadron to Bastion, as a holding force until the rest of one of the fleets can join him.

The Victorious along with the Battle Hammer, Astute, Tiger, Sentinel, Pacifier, Imperial Storm, Warspite and Scorpion and the eleven upgraded Victory class star destroyers, Admiral Stele and his eight heavily modified and upgraded Dreadnought class heavy cruisers each with 36 Missileboats onboard, jump into hyperspace towards Bastion.

Bastion

The battle between the Chimaera and her small fleet of ships and the Yuuzhan Vong fleet is not going well, as several of the supporting warships have been destroyed, though most of the evacuation ships carrying the civilian population have managed to get away (Bastion has always had an evacuation plan, just in case).

On board the Chimaera is Princess Leia, who was on a diplomatic mission to the Imperial Remnant to try and get the Imperial Remnant back in the war against the Yuuzhan Vong, but the attack by the Yuuzhan Vong has now convinced the Council of Moff’s that the Yuuzhan Vong cannot be negotiated with and must be defeated.

As the battle between the Imperials and the Yuuzhan Vong space fleets goes on while the last few Imperial civilian vessels try to get away from Bastion with the last batches of refugees. A Noghri scout ship comes out of hyperspace very close to the planet and request to come onboard the Chimaera, explaining that they have vital information for Princess Leia the request is grated.

While Matt Turner and the Noghri from the scout ship, are on their way from the Chimaera hanger bay to the bridge. The sensor operator on the bridge of the Chimaera reports that there is hyperspace activity between the Yuuzhan Vong fleet and the edge of the Bastion system, but as yet he cannot identify what may have come out of hyperspace.

Admiral Pellaeon says, “Keep an eye on those readings it may be additional Yuuzhan Vong warships.”

The sensor operator replies, “Aye sir.”

Princess Leia says, “They may be New Republic warships, as I did manage to send out a call for help and it would have taken the New Republic this length of time to send ships, they maybe waiting for a signal?”

Admiral Pellaeon replies, “That is possible, communications open a channel to those ships that have come out of hyperspace.”

But before the communications officer can reply, Matt Turner who has just come onto the bridge says, “No you must not do that, I have important information, please read this before you make a decision on communicating with those ships.”

The communications officer looks up from his pit to Admiral Pellaeon, who says, “Hold that order for the moment.”

The communications officer replies, “Aye sir.”

Matt Turner says with much relief says, “Thank you.”

Admiral Pellaeon turns to face Matt Turner and says, “Now what is this information you have?”

Matt Turner takes a deep breath and says, “I believe that there is an Imperial Grand Admiral still alive, who dates from before the battle of Endor, with a large military force of unknown size and strength, known as the Shadow Empire Command.” Once Matt Turner has finish his statement, the bridge of the Chimaera becomes very quite as the enormity of this information sinks in.

Admiral Pellaeon is just about to respond when the communications officer says, “Incoming communication, Admiral”

Admiral Pellaeon turns and says, “From the Yuuzhan Vong?”

The communications officer replies, “No sir, it is a general broadcast from one those Imperial warships, the Imperial class star destroyer Victorious sir.”

Admiral Pellaeon says, “Put it on the main display.”

The main display on the bridge of the Chimaera changes from tactical readouts, to an image of an Imperial logo with the script around the edge saying SHADOW EMPIRE COMMAND.

Then a holographic image appears of a man in a Grand Admirals uniform sitting in the command chair on the bridge of an Imperial class star destroyer. The man says in an unnervingly calm voice, “I am Grand Admiral Zerik Hammond of the Galactic Empire, to all Yuuzhan Vong forces in the Bastion system you will stand down and prepare to be boarded, you have five minutes to comply or be destroyed, no further warnings will be issued.”

Once the transmission is finished, the Imperial logo returns, but this time with a countdown of the time the Yuuzhan Vong has left to surrender. As the seconds and then minutes go by the Yuuzhan Vong fleet re-orientates itself towards the small group of Imperial warships, while a smaller number of Yuuzhan Vong warships are keeping the Chimaera and her ships pinned against Bastion.

On the bridge of the Chimaera Admiral Pellaeon says, “That small number of warships does not stand a chance against that large number of Yuuzhan Vong warships”, but as those words are barely of his mouth the sensor operator says, “Admiral I am picking up a large number of warships coming out of hyperspace just behind those Imperial warships.”

Admiral Pellaeon says, “More Yuuzhan Vong warships?”

The sensor operator does not reply but goes very pale and his jaw drops, Admiral Pellaeon this time with more command in his voice says, “Are those Yuuzhan Vong warships, answer me, that is an order”

The sensor operator replies in a small voice, “No sir they are Imperial warships, hundreds of them, correction thousands” the sensor operator has gone very pale.

Admiral Pellaeon frowns and says, “Show me, put up the tactical display.”

The sensor operator replies, “Aye sir.”

The tactical display shows the warships still coming out of hyperspace, with fifty Imperial III class star destroyers along with 3,000 other warships and support vessels, Admiral Pellaeon is sitting in his command chair now with his mouth open, but what the still stunned sensor operator says next is even more stunning.

Sensor operator, now in a very excited state says, “Admiral, second group of Imperial warships coming out of hyperspace, with approximately the same numbers as the first group.”

On the now very overcrowded tactical display, is becoming even more overcrowded.

Sensor operator still in a very excited voice says, “Admiral, third group of Imperial warships coming out of hyperspace, with the same numbers as the first and second groups.”

Admiral Pellaeon is shocked and looking at the sensor operator says, “You have got to be kidding?” Admiral Pellaeon has not seen a gathering of this level of Imperial firepower since Endor. Looking at the positioning of the Imperial warships, Admiral Pellaeon sees that they are adopting an encirclement of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet with these three Imperial fleets, with the Interdictors keeping the Yuuzhan Vong fleet from fleeing into hyperspace.

The battle for Bastion has just turned in the Imperial Remnants favour, in a big way, although Admiral Pellaeon or Princess Leia do not yet realise that this is only a small proportion of the military forces available to the Shadow Empire Command, but they soon would see the full extent of firepower available to the Shadow Empire Command.

After several hours after the battle (or slaughter) was over and the entire Yuuzhan Vong fleet that had been sent to the Bastion system had been wiped out. The Yuuzhan Vong fleet was so out gunned and out matched they did not stand a chance against these three Imperial fleets. All those Yuuzhan Vong warships that tried to surrender are destroyed without mercy.

Several hours after the battle

Onboard the Chimaera Admiral Pellaeon has been reading the data card that Matt Turner had brought from Wayland in more detail. With an increasing sense of unease about the newly discovered information that Zerik Hammond is really a Grand Admiral, not a “normal” Fleet Admiral realising that Grand Admiral Zerik Hammond had been playing the entire galaxy just like Grand Admiral Thrawn had done all those years ago, possibly even better than Grand Admiral Thrawn!

The communications officer says, “Sir, transmission coming in from the Victorious.”

Admiral Pellaeon says, “Put it though” in front of Admiral Pellaeon is a holographic image of Grand Admiral Zerik Hammond.

Grand Admiral Hammond says, “Greetings Admiral Pellaeon, I assume that Princess Leia is on the bridge with you” after a short pause with no reply, Grand Admiral Hammond goes on to say “good, this will save me the bother of repeating myself. I am sending you a set of coordinates for a rendezvous in ten days time, to discuss how my command can help deal with the minor Yuuzhan Vong problem. You may each bring one warship to the rendezvous. Do both of you agree to come? I will also be leaving leave these three fleets to protect Imperial Remnant space until you can rebuild your own defences.”

Admiral Pellaeon replies, “As leader of the Imperial Remnant I agree to come and thank you for your help Grand Admiral.”

Then turns his chair to face Princess Leia and at the same time switching the holographic feed from him to Princess Leia.

Princess Leia says, “I agree as well”

Grand Admiral Hammond says, “Good I will see you both in ten days then, Hammond out.”

Admiral Pellaeon looking at Princess Leia, Admiral Pellaeon says, “Did he just say “minor problem”?” all Princess Leia can do in just nod in reply. If Grand Admiral Hammond thinks that the Yuuzhan Vong is a minor problem, Admiral Pellaeon wonders what a major problem would be, then he think to himself he would rather not know!

+++++++++++++

From the Book of Revelations

"The first horseman, I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest."

"The second horseman, then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword."

“The third horseman, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!’”

“The fourth horseman, I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth."

The Shadow Empire has entered the war!

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 18 – Rendezvous

Ten days later, both Admiral Pellaeon and Princess Leia (even though the New Republic leadership was against Princess Leia going in a single ship, they did eventually give way) along with several dozen New Republic and Imperial diplomats and officials onboard their two respective warships, Admiral Pellaeon onboard the Imperial II class star destroyer Right to Rule and Princess Leia along with Luke and Maria are onboard the Nebula class star destroyer Republic Fury.

As both ships jump together towards the coordinates given by Grand Admiral Hammond, both Admiral Pellaeon and Princess Leia are very nervous about the meeting with Grand Admiral Hammond and the possible size of the forces that he could and will bring to bear against the Yuuzhan Vong invaders.

Princess Leia is especially nervous as both Luke and Maria had told her about the Hand of Thrawn and she had been wondering whether or not this may have been the tip of a very large iceberg and how Grand Admiral Hammond had managed to keep this under wraps for so many years right under the New Republics nose.

Princess Leia could also see why Admiral Hammond was stringing out the negations with the New Republic diplomats over the years. Leia and certain senior members of the New Republic’s leadership are feeling more than a bit stupid in not spotting this sooner. Though both Leia and the New Republic where so busy dealing with other problems and the setting up the New Republic, they paid very little attention to one sector (Calon sector), not realising that this was the tip of something much larger.

Rendezvous, deep space…..

When the two star destroyers come out of hyperspace at the rendezvous coordinates. On both bridges they are stunted to see the largest fleet ever assembled with hundreds of Imperial III class star destroyers and thousands of other classes warships and support vessels, including Tagge Industries Modular Taskforce Cruisers, Enforcer and Vindicator heavy cruiser all the way down to corvettes and patrol vessels to name but a few types.

For several minutes there is silence on both the Right to Rule and the Republic Fury’s bridges, which is broken first by the sensor operator on the Right to Rule saying, “Admiral we have fighters coming towards us, though I am unable to identify the type?”

Admiral Pellaeon replies, “Show me”

The sensor operator says, “Aye sir” the holographic displays show two groups of 36 fighters coming towards the Right to Rule and the Republic Fury, then focusing in on one of the incoming fighter for Admiral Pellaeon to examine, Admiral Pellaeon’s eye’s narrow and he says, “They are XM-1 Missileboats, the prototypes, production machinery and all the engineers and pilots disappeared before Endor location unknown, but now we know where they went.”

The sensor operator says, “XM-1 Missileboats sir, I have heard roomers that they are supposed to be unstoppable in the right hands”

Admiral Pellaeon replies, “That is correct, last commander of the XM-1 Missileboats was a Maarek Stele possibly even better than Baron Fel, but that was well before Endor.”

The communications officer interrupts by saying, “Communications coming in from the lead fighter.”

Admiral Pellaeon replies, “Put it through”

On the speakers comes though a voice that says the following, “This Admiral Maarek Stele of Nova Group to the Right to Rule, I have orders from Grand Admiral Hammond to escort you to the Victorious II.”

Admiral Pellaeon replies, “This is Admiral Pellaeon to Admiral Stele acknowledged Nova Group lead.” Admiral Pellaeon thinks to himself that at least now we know where the Missileboats and Maarek Stele went!

As the XM-1 Missileboats form an escort around the Right to Rule and second group of Missileboats are forming around the Republic Fury, as they head deeper into the Imperial warships that have gathered. As both warships approach the centre of the fleet they come into range of the four command ships, these warships are the Eclipse class super star destroyers.

On both star destroyer bridges, Admiral Pellaeon and Princess Leia are looking out of the bridge windows in amazement at the amount of firepower that the Shadow Empire Command has deployed. But what neither of them know is that the warships here are just the fleets attached to each of the four command ships and do not represent all of the firepower of Shadow Empire Command.

Command ships

The Eclipse class super star destroyers are the most powerful warships ever built by the Empire (so far!!), the original two Eclipse class super star destroyers where the Emperors command ships (Eclipse I and II) which where destroyed during the Dark Empire period.

Perhaps the most deadly weapon carried by Eclipse class ships is a keel-mounted superlaser that was as powerful as one of the component beams used in the Death Star's superlaser. An Eclipse class’s superlaser easily has enough power to destroy an Imperial class star destroyer or even Executor class super star destroyers with ease.

Destroying other ships however, doesn't show the extent of the Eclipse class’s superlaser’s power. These weapons are capable of slashing through any planetary shields to crack open a planet’s crust and sear entire continental landmasses with a single blast. The massive superlaser is however more widely used to destroy enemy capital ships and space stations during combat, as the superlaser does not need to fire at one hundred percent to destroy other warships, thus giving the Eclipse class multiple shots, limited only by how quickly the crew can aim and fire at the next target.

The latest versions of the Eclipse class has benefited from the most significant weaponry-improvements of the last few decades. These behemoths are armed with hundreds of heavy laser, turbolaser mountings and heavy Ion cannons. In addition to its firepower, the Eclipse classes armour and shields are so powerful that it can easily ram enemy ships of Imperial class star destroyer size without any risk of taking any structural damage.

The current four Eclipse class vessels, each carries 600 TIE Defenders and 96 Scimitar Assault Bombers, divided into 58 squadrons, for ground assault, they carry 150,000 Imperial soldiers, 100 AT-ATs, and five prefabricated bases along with all the associated support equipment. The hangars are located at the sides of the vessel, with the fore and aft launch bays closely spaced underneath this area, towards the middle of the ship.

Each Eclipse class super star destroyer, is easily a fleet unto itself and the Shadow Empire has at least four of these warships currently operational, these are the Victorious II is a grey-hulled command ship of Grand Admiral Hammond. The Executor II is a red-hulled command ship of Lord Tremayne, the Admonitor is a white-hulled command ship of a clone of Grand Admiral Thrawn and finally the Virulence is a black-hulled command ship of General Sev Tans commander of “special projects” within the Shadow Empire Command.

Approach and Arrival

As both the Right to Rule and the Republic Fury approach the Victorious II though the protective screen of warships and fighters surrounding all four Eclipse class super star destroyers, on the bridge of the New Republic warship Fury, Princess Leia along with her brother Jedi Master Skywalker and Mara Jade-Skywalker.

When Princess Leia turns to see what everyone else on the bridge is doing, Leia notices that Mara seems to be gazing at the floor with a far away look on her face, Leia asks, “Is everything ok, you look a bit far away.”

Mara looks at Leia as if she has woken from a deep sleep and says, “I am remembering something that the Emperor once told me.”

Leia says, “What was that?”

Mara still looking out of the view port replies, “It was just after Yavin IV and Luke had just destroyed the first Death Star, Lord Vader had just been rescued by Hammond and had been promoted to the rank of Fleet Admiral, by Vader. The Emperor said to me that the future of the Empire would be in Hammond’s hands. I had thought at the time he meant the next generation of Imperial officers, but what he really meant was this” Waving her hands towards the assembled Imperial warships.

A shocked Leia looking at Mara says, “You mean that the Emperor had already chosen him to command this. That means that the Emperor must have been planning this for years before the battle of Yavin IV, just waiting for the right person to command this Shadow Empire Command.”

Mara replies, “Yes it does, the Emperor was always one for planning well ahead, sometimes decades.”

Pausing for a moment, Mara goes onto say, “I met Zerik Hammond several times at various parties and gatherings on Coruscant, though he did not know me as the Emperors Hand, I always thought that he was extremely smart and cunning and of course he comes from a very rich and influential family from the Old Republic and then the Empire. He always reminded me of Thrawn in many ways.”

All Leia can do is look at Mara and thinks to herself that another Grand Admiral with similar abilities to Thrawn, she almost felt sorry of the Yuuzhan Vong, also that news has also made Leia very nervous of there meeting with Grand Admiral Hammond.

Leia then asks out loud, “I wonder why he waited until now to intervene?”

Mara replies, “I don’t know and that is what is worrying me more than anything else. A Grand Admiral usually does not “hang around” for several years or even decades unless there is a very good reason and I am wondering what that reason is? Especially after you told me that he thought the Yuuzhan Vong was a “minor problem”, I wonder what a major problem would be or is?”

Before Leia can reply the Captain of the Republic Fury informs them that it is time to go to the shuttle bay as they are at the coordinates to shuttle over to the Victorious II. Once the shuttlecraft has cleared the hanger bay the XM-1 Missileboats move to form an honour guard for the shuttlecraft, off in the distance the Imperial shuttlecraft if getting a similar treatment.

It only takes a few minutes to travel the short distance between the Republic Fury and Victorious II, on the approach to the Victorious II massive main hanger bay, Leia can see row after row of Imperial Army, Navy and Stormtroopers to make up an honour guard to greet both shuttles. At the end of the honour guard Leia can also see several dozen members of the Imperial Royal Guard along with several Imperial officers waiting to greet them but no Grand Admiral.

After landing both parties from the two shuttlecrafts disembark to be met by an Imperial officer in the uniform of an Imperial Fleet Captain, the Captain says, “Welcome onboard the Victorious II, I am Captain Torn Matcliff, Captain of the Victorious II, Grand Admiral Hammond has asked me to escort you to the briefing room.”

Captain Matcliff polity nods towards the New Republic diplomatic party, but when facing Admiral Pellaeon, Captain Matcliff formally salutes Admiral Pellaeon who returns Captain Matcliff’s salute, their is still a noticeable distrust by Imperial personnel towards the New Republic, Princess Leia and her party of New Republic diplomats will have there work cut out in that area.

Main meeting/briefing room - Victorious II

After a surprisingly short journey by turbolift, both parties arrive at the meeting/briefing room. As they enter on one side of the table is a row of Ysalamiri on one side of the table where Grand Admiral Hammond is standing he says “Welcome onboard the Victorious II, you will have to excuse the Ysalamiri, but I would like to keep my thoughts to myself when there are Jedi around. The Ysalamiri’s force-neutral bubble should only extend to halfway across the table, please be seated, while be wait for the others to join us.”

Admiral Pellaeon just salutes along with the other military members of his staff and then begins to find their seats at the table. Princess Leia is the first one to speak she says, “Thank you for your invitation Grand Admiral Hammond, but the Ysalamiri are unnecessary as we would never read you mind.”

Grand Admiral Hammond smiles and replies, “That is your opinion, not mine, the Ysalamiri are saying.” This causes both Leia and Luke to exchange quick glances and all Luke does is shrug is shoulders and Princess Leia says, “Understood, no offence was meant” and goes to her assigned place at the table.

Grand Admiral Hammond continues to smile seemingly unaffected by Leia’s request and replies, “None taken”

The next person to enter the room, with two stormtroopers fitted with Ysalamiri carrying frames, Grand Admiral Hammond says, “May I introduce General Sev Tans commander of Imperial ground forces within the Shadow Empire Command, amongst other duties.”

There are the usual exchange of pleasantries between the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant parties and General Sev Tans, and then General Tans take his chair (second vacant to Grand Admiral Hammonds left) on the other side of the table.

Grand Admiral Hammond says, “One member will not be able to be here in person, but he will be here by holographic transmission.” The activating his communications consol in front of him he says, “Put him though” with a muffled aye sir coming though.

To Grand Admiral Hammonds right the holographic image of Lord Tremayne spears causing a deep intake of breathe from both the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant parties. Grand Admiral Hammond says, “I believe that you all know Lord Tremayne so there is no real need for full introductions.”

Princess Leia trying to regain some initiative says, “The Yuuzhan Vong has vastly superior technology, also their tactics are also superior to ours and the Imperial Remnant, though we have managed to win a few battles, but the war goes on.”

Before Grand Admiral Hammond can reply a familiarly claim voice behind Princess Leia says, “The Yuuzhan Vong can quite easily be defeated and their so called technology is not that impressive.”

Both the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant parties turn in there seats to see a blue skinned alien walking though the door with two stormtroopers fitted with Ysalamiri carrying frames.

Grand Admiral Hammond says, “I believe that you know my deputy military commander of the Shadow Empire Command, Grand Admiral Thrawn.” There are a large number of very sharp intakes of breath and the Princess Leia’s two Noghri bodyguards are staring at Grand Admiral Thrawn with killer looks in their eyes.

Grand Admiral Hammond then says, “Princess Leia, I think that you will need to control your two Noghri bodyguards before they do something that everyone in this room will regret.”

Princess Leia turns in her chair to her two bodyguards and says, “You will not harm Grand Admiral Thrawn I want your word of honour on this.” After a few second both Noghri bodyguards just nod, by this time Grand Admiral Thrawn has take the vacant chair on Grand Admiral Hammond’s left.

Grand Admiral Hammond says, “Good, Now that we are all here we can begin.”

Thirty hours later…..

Both the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant parties had left, now knowing the new realty in the galaxy. During the negotiations Mara has remained silent after Grand Admiral Hammond had looked at her directly in the eyes and had given her a knowing nod (the implication be that Hammond knows that Mara is the Emperors Hand). This nod sent a chill down Mara’s spine and she would not say a word throughout the entire negations.

Once both ships have jumped into hyperspace, Grand Admiral Hammond says, “Admiral Thrawn, General Tans are both your forces ready to commence the attack against the Yuuzhan Vong?”

Grand Admiral Thrawn says, “We can go within the hour, Admiral”

Grand Admiral Hammond says, “Good then proceed, dismissed gentlemen”

Both Grand Admiral Thrawn and General Tans gets up and leaves, once they are gone Grand Admiral Hammond says to Lord Tremayne, “I think that we are going to need some more “test subjects” for our allies in the Qektoth Confederation to help speed up there analysis on the Yuuzhan Vong and there organic technology.”

Lord Tremayne replies, “Agreed, I will send Dark Adept Captain Tanda Pryl, with her Imperial III class star destroyer Thunderflare to get some more “test subjects” for the Qektoth Confederation. I will also assign several Dark Adepts to the planetary assault force it will be useful practice for them.”

Grand Admiral Hammond replies, “Agreed it will be useful practice for them against some live targets, proceed” and ends the communication.

Within an hour both Grand Admiral Thrawn and General Tans fleets have set course for their first major battle against the Yuuzhan Vong. Along the way they will pick up several other fleets to add to their own command fleets, Grand Admiral Thrawn will head for Coruscant, while General Tans will head for his target.

The Yuuzhan Vong has awakened a sleeping giant that will show no mercy at all.

But all is not what it seems the Shadow Empire has committed the bulk of its military forces to engage the Yuuzhan Vong, leaving behind only a skeleton defence under the command of Admiral Servalan on the headquarters planet of the Shadow Empire. Grand Admiral Hammond is taking what he considers a calculated risk in engaging the Yuuzhan Vong, he is confident of victory, but wars have been lost even with the level of firepower that the Shadow Empire can bring to bear against the Yuuzhan Vong.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 19 – The Battle for Coruscant (part 1)

In deep space, a short jump away from the Coruscant system, Grand Admiral Thrawn’s fleets are fully assembled for their attack against Coruscant, without waiting for the New Republic or the Imperial Remnants military forces to join he own fleets. Grand Admiral Thrawn knew that the small number of warships that both sides would send would be too small in numbers to affect the battles outcome.

Grand Admiral Thrawn’s fleets consists of the following warships, Grand Admiral Thrawn’s flagships the Eclipse class super star destroyer Admonitor, 100 Imperial III class star destroyers, 10 Interdictor class heavy cruisers, 1,500 heavy cruisers of the Enforcer and Vindicator classes, and 2,000 other classes of lesser warships and support vessels.

Along with Grand Admiral Thrawn’s command fleet there are also three other fleets, the first two are “standard” fleets consisting of fifty Imperial III class star destroyers along with 2,950 other warships and support vessels. The third fleet is a planetary assault fleet with over 1.5 million ground troops and all there assault and support equipment, this planetary assault fleet will be assigned the task of retaking Coruscant from the Yuuzhan Vong, the assault fleet will be supported by Grand Admiral Thrawn’s command fleet and the two “standard” fleets.

Eclipse class super star destroyer Admonitor

Sitting in his command chair onboard the Admonitor, Grand Admiral Thrawn says to the Captain of the Admonitor, “Is my flagship and fleets ready?”

The Captain of the Admonitor replies, “Your flagship and fleets are ready for your orders Grand Admiral.”

Grand Admiral Thrawn says, “Very well Captain you may begin the count.”

The Captain of the Admonitor replies, “Aye sir. Communications you heard the order begin the count.”

The communications officer replies, “Aye sir” and sends the go signal to the fleets to begin their countdowns to jump into hyperspace towards Coruscant. Grand Admiral Thrawn’s own fleet begins to move towards the star that is the Coruscant system the other three fleets at their locations will be doing the same.

As the countdown reaches zero Grand Admiral Thrawn’s fleet in a ripple of ships jumps into hyperspace, with a second countdown until the warships a due to come out of hyperspace.

Meanwhile in orbit around Coruscant…..

In orbit around Coruscant the commander of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet defending Coruscant from any potential attack is reviewing the start of the terraforming of Coruscant that was underway over a large section of Coruscant, now called Yuuzhan’tar after their original homeworld.

When one of his aides informs him that there is a large fleet of warships coming out of hyperspace, the Yuuzhan Vong commander tells his aide to put the fleet of warships on the main display, as he watches the growing number of warships come out of hyperspace his jaw drops and for what seems like a long time more and more warships and support vessels come out of hyperspace.

The Empire has arrived with a vengeance, and then some!

Meanwhile onboard the Admonitor……

The Captain of the Admonitor says, “Sir, all warships accounted for”

Grand Admiral Thrawn replies, “Good Captain, have all warships begin deployment and also have them deploy the first stage of starfighters”

The Captain of the Admonitor says, “Yes sir sending signal now” the warships of Grand Admiral Thrawn’s fleet begin to deploy a quarter of their starfighters in defensive formation.

The Captain of the Admonitor says, “Sir, all first stage starfighters have been deployed. The Yuuzhan Vong fleet is also deploying fighters and also moving their warships into attack positions.”

Grand Admiral Thrawn replies, “Good Captain, just as I have predicated. At this point the commander of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet would expect use to close and engage their fleet, but fortunately we have another option. Commence power up of the Admonitor’s superlaser.”

The Captain of the Admonitor with a large grin on his face says, “Aye sir, Gunnery officer commence superlaser power up to hot standby.”

The Gunnery officer replies, “Yes sir, commencing power up power up sequence, estimating 60 seconds to full power.”

The Captain of the Admonitor says, “Commence target identification and prioritisation of enemy warships and begin a plotting a firing solution on to the nearest Yuuzhan Vong capital warships.”

The Gunnery officer replies, “Aye sir, commencing target identification and prioritisation and locking on to the nearest Yuuzhan Vong capital warships.” As the seconds ticked away, Grand Admiral Thrawn notes with some satisfaction that there are fifty targets in range of the Admonitor’s superlaser. Once the 60-second power up is complete the Gunnery officer says, “Captain the superlaser is fully charged and ready to fire, we have established a firing solution on the nearest fifty enemy warships, awaiting your orders to fire.”

The Captain of the Admonitor turns to Grand Admiral Thrawn and says, “Admiral we are ready to commence firing, awaiting your order, Sir.”

Grand Admiral Thrawn looks a the Captain and says, “You may fire at will Captain”

The Captain of the Admonitor says, “Aye sir” and turns back to the gunnery officer and says, “Guns, you may fire at will at the first fifty targets.” With most of the bridge crew straining to see what is about to happen from there crew pits.

The gunnery officer says into his com link to the gunnery crew of the superlaser, “You may commence primary ignition and fire at will at the first fifty targets.” A confirmation reply comes over the com link, which is just an “Aye sir, commencing primary ignition and firing now.”

From the bow of the Admonitor shoots a green energy beam that connects with the first Yuuzhan Vong warship that punches through the warship like it is not there, the Yuuzhan Vong warship a second or two later detonates leaving an expanding debris field. The superlaser of the Admonitor is not firing at full power, to destroy a warship the Admonitors superlaser only needs to fire at between five and ten percent of full power (depending of the size of the enemy warship) allowing not only multiple shots, but also allow time for the superlaser to recharge between shots.

The Admonitor then fires again and again, achieving the same results as the first shot. While the Admonitor is firing its superlaser the rest of Grand Admiral Thrawn’s fleet has been moving slowly away from the Admonitor to give the Admonitor room to fire and to see if the Yuuzhan Vong will fall into Thrawn’s trap.

The Yuuzhan Vong commander on his flagship orders that all the Yuuzhan Vong fighters are to engage the enemy command ship, in the hope that the enemy commander will have to divert power from the superlaser to shields. As the Yuuzhan Vong fighters break formation and head towards the Admonitor the Imperial fighters begin to move to intercept the Yuuzhan Vong fighters, but the Imperial fighters are too small in number to stop all the Yuuzhan Vong fighters.

Onboard the Admonitor the gunnery officer has reported that the first fifty Yuuzhan Vong warships have been destroyed to that Grand Admiral Thrawn says, “Good power down the superlaser divert power to shields and normal weapons, let us see if the Yuuzhan Vong commander will do what I think he will do.”

The gunnery officer replies, “Aye sir, switching power now”

Grand Admiral Thrawn says, “Captain signal that two other fleets to begin there fifteen minute count, by then the Yuuzhan Vong warships should be completely stripped of there fighter cover and standby to launch second wave of fighters in fifteen minutes.”

The Captain of the Admonitor says, “Aye sir, signal sent and acknowledged, countdown has commenced.” For the next fifteen minutes the Admonitor is the focus of a concentrated Yuuzhan Vong fighter attack as the Yuuzhan Vong fighters are able to break through the “weak” Imperial fighter screen.

As the Yuuzhan Vong fighter attack the Admonitor with no success, some of the Yuuzhan Vong fighters even ram the Admonitor’s shields, again with no success as the Admonitor’s shields are strong enough to allow the Admonitor to ram another capital warship without any possibility of damage to the Admonitor.

As the final few seconds are gone the two other fleets jump into the Coruscant system at different points completely surrounding the Yuuzhan Vong fleet, that has be now sent its entire fighter force to engage the Admonitor and her fighter escort. As soon as the two other Imperial fleets have come out of hyperspace the second and much larger wave of fighters is launched from the Admonitor and the other warships of Grand Admiral Thrawn’s own fleet that had been hanging back so far.

With the bulk of the Yuuzhan Vong fighters is now being engaged by a larger force of Imperial fighters (TIE Defenders), the Yuuzhan Vong fighter pilots are now fighting for there lives and desperately trying to disengage from Grand Admiral Thrawn’s force of fighters to return to there own fleets defence.

As the fighter battle is going on the Interdictor cruisers from all three Imperial fleet’s power up their gravity well projectors to prevent the Yuuzhan Vong fleet from fleeing into hyperspace.

The Yuuzhan Vong fighters are now being whittled down in numbers at an alarming rate, as they are outnumbered eight to one by the TIE Defenders. Within two hours ninety percent of the Yuuzhan Vong fighters have been destroyed by the TIE Defenders, the remaining ten percent have managed to return to the Yuuzhan Vong fleet, though the pilots are thoroughly exhausted and need time to rest and recover.

Grand Admiral Thrawn though has other ideas about allowing the Yuuzhan Vong to catch there breath, Grand Admiral Thrawn orders the third wave of fighters to be launched and like the first wave the second wave is to be recovered for rest and rearming/repair.

Once this is done Grand Admiral Thrawn orders that the three Imperial fleets begin to close on the much-depleted Yuuzhan Vong fleet and engage and destroy the all Yuuzhan Vong warships and any remaining fighters.

After another thirty hours of combat the remaining Yuuzhan Vong warships of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet have been destroyed and the three Imperial fleets now control the Coruscant system. All that remains to do is eliminate the Yuuzhan Vong ground forces on the planet.

Once the space in and around Coruscant has been secured Grand Admiral Thrawn gives the order for the fourth fleet to enter the system, this fourth fleet is not equipped for space combat, but instead is designed to carry out planetary assault missions.

Imperial planetary assault fleet

The Imperial planetary assault fleet contains a large number of troop transports and support ships carrying everything that an Imperial army would need to assault a planet. The planetary assault force is the equivalent to an old Imperial Sector Army, with the firepower of Assault Fleet capable of deploying four full surface Armies against any resistance or hostility in the sector 774,576 combat troops in a total muster of 1,180,379 personnel.

The Imperial planetary assault fleet also has its own desiccated Scimitar assault bombers and TIE Defenders, dedicated just for the support of the ground troops, so the ground command does not need to ask for help from the other three fleets.

This force does not include the Imperial troops that are also on the three other Imperial fleets under Grand Admiral Thrawn’s current command, this total force easy exceeds three million Imperial troops and support personnel.

Also following the Imperial planetary assault fleet is two World Devastators (Numbers 8 and 11) to assist in clearing up the considerable debris field in orbit around Coruscant to clear a path for the troop transports.

Coruscant - Yuuzhan Vong area

The ground command of the Yuuzhan Vong has concentrated his entire military force on that area of Coruscant’s surface that has been terraformed by Yuuzhan Vong technology. This area also contains the Yuuzhan Vong of a local area planetary defence shield generator, the Yuuzhan Vong ground commander is confident that he can hold out until additional Yuuzhan Vong warships arrive to break the siege.

What the Yuuzhan Vong ground commander does not know is that there will be no reinforcements coming and that his troops will on there own against the Imperial army.

New Republic

On hearing of the Imperial attack against Coruscant the New Republic decides to send a fleet of two hundred fifty warships along with 300,000 New Republic ground troops to help the Empire capture back Coruscant from the Yuuzhan Vong.

When the New Republic fleet arrives they are met be several thousand Imperial warships spread throughout the Coruscant system along with two World Devastators and an Imperial assault fleet beginning the first stages of landing troops on Coruscant surface.

How will the New Republic be able to “help” the Imperials and how will Grand Admiral Thrawn deal with the New Republic’s offer of “help” with recapturing Coruscant?

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 20 – The Battle for Coruscant (part 2)

Initial Landings

With wave after wave of Imperial landing barges on there way down to the planets surface with both TIE Defenders and Scimitar assault bombers providing cover for the Imperial landing barges and bombing the various landing zones respectively, so that when the first waves touchdown.

They can safely deploy their troops and armour to secure the area around the landing zones for the next waves, around the area of land that the Yuuzhan Vong have grouped around for there defence of Coruscant (Yuuzhan’tar) to make sure that the Yuuzhan Vong do not try to break out, thus trapping the Yuuzhan Vong.

As the initial landing zones are being secured, TIE Defenders and Scimitar assault bombers fly overhead providing cover to the initial Imperial landing forces, though this cover proves to be unneeded as the Yuuzhan Vong are to busy digging in along the front line (they have no fighter cover left). The Yuuzhan Vong ground forces are busy building deeper lines of defence within the area they control on the surface of Coruscant, this area is the size of roughly twenty-five square kilometres and circular in shape.

The Yuuzhan Vong have made a tactical error by grouping his troops into one area, by doing this the Imperial troops are not scatted all over Coruscant trying to engage the Yuuzhan Vong. Rather they can entrap the Yuuzhan Vong on one area of the planet and concentrate the Imperial forces onto that one area, making it much more easier to destroy the Yuuzhan Vong.

Meanwhile….

In the space around Coruscant a New Republic fleet has arrived with 300,000 New Republic ground troops to help the Imperial ground troops retake Coruscant, though these New Republic ground troops are not really needed, Grand Admiral Thrawn welcomes the New Republic forces and assigns them to the third landing zone on the planets surface.

The New Republics troops and all there support equipment, including armour and artillery will take eights hours to ship down to the surface of Coruscant and then another four hours fir the Imperial forces to link the landing zones together to completely encircle the Yuuzhan Vong troops. Once this is done then the ground attack can begin.

All the Yuuzhan Vong troops can do for the next sixteen hours is watch as more and more Imperial and New Republic troops continue to land around them. The Yuuzhan Vong commander now knows that none of his troops will survive the Imperial (and New Republic) attacks against them, as his forces are outnumbered. The Yuuzhan Vong has only 750,000 troops (and other support personnel) to protect there hold on Coruscant and this is not enough to stop nearly two million plus Imperial along with the 300,000 New Republic troops.

The best the Yuuzhan Vong commander can hope to do is slow the attacking force down and hope to inflict large number of casualties on both the Shadow Empire and the New Republic as possible. What the Yuuzhan Vong commander does not know (and the New Republic) is that the Shadow Empire has an almost unlimited supply of troops (via cloning) and military equipment (via World Devastators).

As the hours go by, the Imperial fleets move into a higher orbit to give both the World Devastators and the planetary assault fleet better access and clear space, to allow the World Devastators clean up the remains of the battle and also to allow the troops to speed up the landings on Coruscant.

Onboard the New Republic flagship

General Erics watched as his fleet comes out of hyperspace around hi flagship he is greeted by a very large and impressive combined Imperial fleet. Once the initial formalities are over General Eric’s fleet is given instructions to begin landing their troops in what the Imperials called the third landing zone.

General Eric’s then spent the next few hours watching not only his own troops land on the surface of Coruscant, but also the Imperial troops. It has already dawned on General Eric’s that this Shadow Empire does not really need the New Republic’s help and that the Shadow Empire could quite easily wipe out the Yuuzhan Vong force on Coruscant by them selves.

The Shadow Empire is merely being polite to the New Republic, though General Erics does not know why the Shadow Empire is doing this. For the moment he does not care, as he will take help for any quarter to defeat the Yuuzhan Vong and worry about the consequences later, this view is also held be the New Republic council.

11 hours into the landings

As the troop landings are nearing there completion a single Imperial III class star destroyer comes out of hyperspace, this is the Thunderflare with Sith Dark Adept Captain Tanda Pryl and the fifty Sith Dark Adepts that will be joining the ground forces. In an added twist Grand Admiral Thrawn orders that the Dark Adepts be concentrated in the third landing zone where the New Republic troops are concentrated.

Grand Admiral Thrawn then informs General Eric’s that he has assigned some “special personnel” to help with the attack and that a Captain Pryl from the Thunderflare will be coming down as a liaison officer with these “special personnel”. What General Erics assumes that these “special personnel” are Imperial Special Forces and he indicates to Grand Admiral Thrawn that he will meet Captain Pryl personally.

30 minutes later main landing area (within the third landing zone)

Standing at the main landing complex within the third landing zone is General Eric’s and his aides along with Lieutenant General Calls commander of the 82nd Imperial Corps assigning to support General Eric’s New Republic army.

At the landing zone, General Eric’s can see three Sentinel class shuttles approaching with several squadrons of TIE Defenders acting as escort, he also notices that the space around these shuttles are flying through has been cleared of all other traffic.

Once the shuttles have landed General Eric’s starts to move forwards as the ramps of the shuttles go down, General Eric’s sees coming out of the middle shuttle a woman in an Imperial navies Captains uniform, then he sees hanging from her right hip a lightsaber, this causes General Eric’s to stop.

Captain Pryl approaches General Eric’s and salutes and say, “Sir Captain Pryl reporting as ordered.”

General Eric’s manages to recover quickly and returns Captain Pryl’s salute and says, “Welcome Captain Pryl” and then says, “Forgive me for asking, but are you a Jedi, as I did not think that any Jedi that are part of the Empire?”

Captain Pryl smiles and almost laughs and replies, “No General I am not a Jedi I am a Sith. I have come and brought with in fifty other Sith, we have come to help defeat the Yuuzhan Vong and not only stand by our fellow Imperials but also our New Republic allies.” Out of the other two shuttles comes a total of fifty Sith Adepts all carrying or wearing lightsabres.

Some of the Sith are dresses in ornate robes, but one is dressed in shorts, t-shirt and a flight jacket and carrying a back pack, what makes this Sith stand out from all the others is that he is wearing no shoes and is not as well dressed as the other Sith are. This other thing that General Erics is that most of these Sith seem to be either teenagers or in there early twenties, with the exception of Captain Pryl.

General Eric’s after a short pause nods and replies, “Then you are all welcome, allow me to show you the battle plan for this sector.”

Captain Pryl replies, “Thank you General, Lead the way.” With Captain Pryl along with the fifty Sith Adepts go to the briefing area, to be briefed on the current plan of attack, though they already know the plan via Captain Pryl, and are simply humouring General Eric’s. As General Eric’s with Captain Pryl he makes a mental note to inform the New Republic of his “discovery” of the Sith, but first they have a ground battle to win against the Yuuzhan Vong.

Once the briefing is over, General Eric’s sends a coded message to the new headquarters on the planet Mon Calamari and having elected Cal Omas to replace Fey’lya, who also created the High Council. Which will coordinate the Jedi’s role in the war after Fey’lya failure to use all necessary methods to beat the Yuuzhan Vong, Cal Omas was determined not to make the same mistakes.

Mon Calamari, temporary headquarters, New Republic

Cal Omas on receiving the information that there are a large number of Sith participating in the re-capture of Coruscant. Cal Omas is not surprised at the Sith, though his is surprised at the number of Sith that are participating in the re-capture of Coruscant and he duly informs Jedi Master Skywalker about the Sith, who is also surprised at the number of Sith.

Jedi Master Skywalker decides to send a number of Jedi Knights to Coruscant to “assist” (keep an eye on) the Sith during the ground battle for Coruscant. Jedi Master Skywalker will give the leadership of this mission to Kam Solusar, a former Dark Jedi who Luke had turned back to the light during the re-born Emperor’s return. Jedi Knight Solusar will take three other Jedi with him to Coruscant as the Jedi’s numbers have been reduced during the past two years of war against the Yuuzhan Vong.

Jedi Knight Solusar will arrive after the ground battle has begun and will see first hand the capabilities of the Sith and also how the Sith have adapted there lightsabres to the Yuuzhan Vong bio armour and weapons.

Meanwhile back on Coruscant…..

On Coruscant the attack against the now encircled Yuuzhan Vong has begun, as General Erics watches from the command headquarters of the 82 Imperial Corps as from the rear the Imperial artillery opens fire with concussion missiles and begin to impact on the Yuuzhan Vong lines with a deadly and growing series of explosions.

As the artillery fire continues, the forward Imperial Armour and Infantry units begin to slowly move forwards, in the lead are the new SD55 war droids. These SD55 war droids are a development of the old SD 9, 10 and X-1 Viper war droids that where originally manufactured by Balmorran Arms.

The SD55 war droid is humanoid shaped, though it dwarfs even a human with a height of 2.5 meters. The SD55’s are equipped with laser-reflective armour, advanced servomotors, powerful targeting sensors, and prototype advanced self-healing metal, and point-of-impact shield generators, along with an armament of two twin heavy blaster cannons in each “arm” and a miniature concussion missile launcher in each forearms, giving each SD55 war droid’s considerable firepower on the battlefield.

By using these SD55 war droids at the front of the attacking forces, both Grand Admiral Hammond and Thrawn have calculated that the Yuuzhan Vong who are religious zealots, who view mechanical technology as blasphemy, their own technological innovations are genetically engineered and purely organic.

As the SD55 war droids approach the Yuuzhan Vong front line, the Yuuzhan Vong soldiers seeing the SD55 war droids approaching from the safety of there fortifications. Just as Grand Admiral’s Hammond and Thrawn had predicted the Yuuzhan Vong rise up out of there, fortifications and try to charge the SD55 war droids, screaming at the SD55 war droids about how impure the SD55’s are.

The SD55 war droids then begin to engage the Yuuzhan Vong soldiers with their two twin heavy blaster cannons. Mowing down wave after wave of Yuuzhan Vong soldiers with devastating fire, along with the heavy firepower support of the Imperial armour (in the form of Imperial tanks and AT-AT’s) following and the Imperial Infantry just behind the SD55 war droids, adding there firepower to the already considerable firepower pounding the Yuuzhan Vong.

As the hours go by the numbers of Yuuzhan Vong soldiers coming out of their defensive positions is reduced. As the commander of the Yuuzhan Vong forces has now ordered his troops to hold there positions and not be goaded into attacking the SD55 war droids, but by the time the order had been issued there, Yuuzhan Vong losses along the front had reached 175,000 in just a few hours.

The first line of defence has also been breached in many places along the front lines, forcing the Yuuzhan Vong troops back to their next defence line. The Imperial and New Republic troops are now in the process of flushing out the holdouts in the bunkers with grenades and a lot of close quarter combat. During this phase the Sith are in the thick of the fighting in clearing out the bunkers and strong points, the Sith had the advantage of knowledge of the Yuuzhan Vong organic technology gained from studies done by one of the Shadow Empires allies.

This study has allowed the Sith to modify their lightsabers that are now more effective against the Yuuzhan Vong bio-engineered weaponry and armour, such as the amphistaff and Vonduun crab armour held a natural and limited resistance to the lightsaber however, weaknesses are soon found in the armour and staff.

Most of these modifications (well all) have been done and led by one Sith, the son of Admiral Maarek Stele, Jav Stele, he had at the age of 10 built his first lightsaber and by the age of 13 he was almost as good at lightsaber combat as Lord Tremayne. He has been leading the research in finding ways to combat the Yuuzhan Vong bio-engineered weaponry and armour that are (where) resistant to lightersabers.

At the age of 12 he was assigned to the Qektoth Confederation to study the Yuuzhan Vong biotechnology. It had taken him eighteen months of research to come up with the modifications to restore the lightsabers cutting capability and defensive beam reflecting capability. During this research Jav Stele would personally kill several hundred Yuuzhan Vong to test the effectiveness of the lightsaber modifications.

Now at sixteen years old Jav Stele is in the lead attacking the Yuuzhan Vong. With his own crimson red bladed lightsaber, he has also inherited his father’s good looks (along with the ability to pilot starfighters) and wears outfits that show of his well toned and extremely fit body, usually T-shirts and shorts and sometimes a flight jacket with the insignia of his father fighter group. Though he is not a smart dresser and looks more like a space bum, he also very rarely wears shoes, Jav Stele is also an adenine junky and loves to push himself to the edge (and beyond) during combat and anything else that gives him a thrill or a buzz, he is also very strong in the Dark side of the force.

After clearing out the first line of Yuuzhan Vong defence Jav Stele shuts down his lightsaber while breathing heavily and with an evil smile on his face says, “That was fun, can we do that again!” His younger sister the 13-year-old Saleena Stele nearby replies, “Yes you can Jav as there are still several hundred thousand Yuuzhan Vong out there.”

The other Sith Adepts around them just start to laugh, seeing that Jav is sweating heavily after several hours of almost continues combat, like the other Sith Adepts around them. Jav Stele then removes his t-shirt and starts to wipe the sweat from his head and body while making his way back to the Sith camp with the other Sith Adepts to rest and prepare for the next days attack on the next defence lines.

Behind them the Imperial troops are now securing their new forward positions for the night and the SD55 war droids and being switch to sentry mode, to protect the new parameter.

How will the first meeting between the Sith returning from battle and the Jedi go?

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 21 – The Battle for Coruscant (part 3)

Meanwhile….

At the Sith camp Jedi Knight Solusar and the three other Jedi have arrived just after the finish of the first assault, Jedi Knight Solusar is introducing himself to Sith Adept Captain Tanda Pryl, as the other Sith Adepts approach. The first few moments there is a tense standoff between the returning fifty Sith Adepts and the Jedi, only to broken by Jav saying, “Well you Jedi always seem to turn up late for parties like this”.

To that remark the other Sith Adepts start to laugh and move off, all Captain Pryl does is shake her head, and Jedi Knight Solusar simply shrugs his shoulders, while thinking to himself that first meeting went better than expected.

Jav walks off now only wearing a pair of shorts and still using his t-shirt as a towel, to wash-up before the evening meal. When he has finished he is now back wearing shorts and a t-shirt and walking around the camp cracking bad jokes and generally making a nuisance of himself at headquarters of the Imperial commander of the 82 Imperial Corps Lieutenant General Calls does nothing to stop Jav’s behaviour.

When General Erics asks Lieutenant General Calls why he does nothing to stop this activity, Lieutenant General Calls reply is quite simple, he says that he does not want to be killed, because the quickest way to be killed is to annoy a Sith and he wants to live. This news to General Erics confirms that the Imperial military seem to be subordinate to the Sith (though General Erics is wrong in his conclusion).

Later as the Sith Adepts and Jedi start having there evening meals around the camp, again Jev is the first to say, “Have you Jedi figured out how to beat the Yuuzhan Vong’s bio-engineered weaponry and armour that are resistant to lightsabers?”

Jedi Knight Solusar replies, “No not completely, though our lightsabers are more effect than they were two years ago, why do you ask?”

Jev replies, “I have managed to modify my lightsaber to defeat the Yuuzhan Vong’s bio-engineered weaponry and armour, would you like to have a copy of the instructions of the modifications?”

Jedi Knight Solusar looks at the sixteen-year-old Jav with open mouth Stele and says, “Yes that information would be useful, thank you. Did you do these modifications by yourself?” What Solusar does not know is that Jev has been given instructions to give this information to the Jedi by Lord Tremayne, to make the point to the Jedi of how skilled the Sith are compared to the Jedi, this point is not lost on Jedi Knight Solusar.

Jev passes the data file containing the information to Jedi Knight Solusar and replies, “Yes I did all the modifications myself when I was thirteen years old.”

Jedi Knight Solusar replies, “You are extremely skilled for one so young”

Jev smiles and says, “Yes I know, that is what Lord Tremayne keeps telling me” With that the rest of the meal is finished in silence, as Solusar has a lot to think about, especially the skills of a thirteen year old making such modifications to a lightsaber.

The next day…..

As the sun begins to rise over the preparations for the next stage of the attack are beginning, this second attack will be the final attack against the Yuuzhan Vong and this attack will be short and very bloody.

As the initial artillery fore opens up as yesterday, also as yesterday the SD55 war droids are taking the lead trying to provoke the Yuuzhan Vong soldiers from coming out of there defences, but this time the Yuuzhan Vong soldiers are not going to fall for that trick twice.

But this time Grand Admiral Thrawn has a surprise for the Yuuzhan Vong and this should shorten the battle considerably.

Meanwhile in orbit….

The Eclipse class super star destroyer Admonitor has been moving into a geo stationary orbit above the Yuuzhan Vong shielded area of Coruscant, with the Admonitor’s nose (and superlaser) pointed towards the Yuuzhan Vong shielded area. The Admonitor had been waiting until the two World Devastators had finished clearing the space around Coruscant of all the battle debris before moving into position, to give the Admonitor clear space and a clear shot.

Once in the Admonitor is in geo stationary orbit and in the right position to fire her superlaser, at this point Grand Admiral Thrawn says, “Begin power up sequence for the superlaser and set the system for planetary assault mode.”

The gunnery officer replies, “Aye sir, commencing power up sequence and planetary assault mode, the superlaser should be ready to fire within one minute.”

Grand Admiral Thrawn replies, “Good commander, we will wait until the ground assault has begun and then you will target the Yuuzhan Vong shield generator and you will fire on my command.”

The gunnery officer replies, “Aye sir, await your order Admiral.”

As Grand Admiral Thrawn watches the commencement of the second wave of the ground assault, after watching the early stages of the assault for several minutes he says, “Commander you may fire when ready”

The gunnery officer replies, “Aye sir, firing now” the superlaser beam shoots out of the emitter easily punching though the shield protecting that area of Coruscant and not only vaporising the shield emitter but also every Yuuzhan Vong within a kilometre and killing all the senior Yuuzhan Vong commanders in one go.

On the ground the Imperial and momentary stunned New Republic troops launch an all out assault on the much reduced and commander less Yuuzhan Vong. This all out assault is now support by Scimitar assault bombers blasting the Yuuzhan Vong with bombs and missiles in wave after wave of bombers supporting the all out assault, now that the Yuuzhan Vong shield generator has been destroyed.

Within a few hours the Yuuzhan Vong have been wiped out and Coruscant ahs now been recaptured, with only a few thousand Yuuzhan Vong prisoners of war out of 750,000 Yuuzhan Vong left. Imperial causalities are just over 350,000 dead or wounded and the New Republics losses are 22,000 dead or wounded.

Of the few thousand prisoners of war some are handed over to the New Republic, but the rest are sent to the Qektoth Confederation for study and questioning (the New Republics not informed of this part). The dead Yuuzhan Vong are the lucky ones, for the Yuuzhan Vong who have become Imperial prisoners it will mean a very slow and lingering death.

The ones in the New Republics custody will survive because the Shadow Empire wants to remain allies with the New Republic and is allowing them to look after some of the prisoners of war is a good idea and it will keep the New Republic occupied keeping an eye on the prisoners of war and out of Imperials way.

This is a vital first victory, but will the Shadow Empire return Coruscant to the New Republic or keep it?

Imperial Response

Not long after the destruction of the Yuuzhan Vong stronghold on Coruscant two of the four Imperial fleets began to depart for their next mission, leaving “only” Grand Admiral Thrawn’s command fleet and the planetary assault fleet. The departure of two of the four Imperial fleets takes about an hour or so before the final ships to jump into hyperspace, once these two fleets are gone Grand Admiral Thrawn’s fleet re-orientates itself to cover the Coruscant system and the planetary assault fleet.

While this is going on the troops on the surface start to be brought back up to there troop ships in orbit, also there AT-AT’s and armour is also starting to be packed up for shipment back to the military transport ships in orbit.

The New Republic warships also begin to reline themselves for system defence, the New Republic troops on the surface begin to start to dig into the surface of Coruscant to prepare there own defences just in case of a Yuuzhan Vong counter attack (though this will not happen).

At the base camp for the 82 Imperial Corps that General Eric’s is using to liaise with the Imperial command. An Imperial Lieutenant says, “General Eric’s, sir, Grand Admiral Thrawn on the comm for you.”

A nervous General Eric’s replies, “Put Grand Admiral Thrawn through”

The Lieutenant says, “Aye sir, connecting”

In front of General Eric’s is a holographic image of the head and shoulders of Grand Admiral Thrawn, General Eric’s bows and says, “Greetings Grand Admiral Thrawn, what can I do for you?”

Grand Admiral Thrawn replies, “Greetings General Erics, as you are probably aware I have sent two of the four Imperial fleets off on other assignments. The two World Devastators will also be leaving as shall I and my fleet along with the assault fleet by leaving in a few days I shall be turning the command of the Coruscant system back to you and the New Republic.”

This is something that General Eric’s had not been expecting, but trying not to show any surprise replies, “Understood sir, my troops and fleet are in the process of setting up defences at the moment, we should be fully established within a few days.”

Grand Admiral Thrawn replies, “Good General, my fleet will standby until you have establish your defence parameter, it is highly unlikely that the Yuuzhan Vong will launch a counter attack as the other Imperial fleets will be keeping them very busy for the foreseeable future.”

General Eric’s replies, “Yes sir and thank you for your help with the Yuuzhan Vong, Grand Admiral.”

Grand Admiral Thrawn replies, “Your welcome General, I will await your signal informing me that you have established your defence parameter, Thrawn out.” General Eric’s will report this development to the New Republic council that the Shadow Empire does not seem of what to take back the old Imperial Centre. Once he has done that, General Eric’s will continue to deploy his troops around key areas of Coruscant.

The news that the Shadow Empire does not what to keep Coruscant is greeted with relief by the New Republic council furthermore once Coruscant has been secured the New Republic can begin to ship refugees back to Coruscant to start the rebuilding process. This will greatly ease the refugee problem on other worlds by moving the Coruscant refugees back home, as not all of the surface building on Coruscant have been destroyed.

Though the question that no one can answer is why the Shadow Empire would do this, after all it is easily powerful enough to destroy both the Yuuzhan Vong and the remains of the New Republic, though most of the New Republic council is just grateful that the Yuuzhan Vong has been beaten in the first battle.

Once the final Imperials have left within the next week or two, Coruscant will be back fully under the control of the New Republic.

What will the remaining sole Sith on the surface to, namely one Jav Stele do now?

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 22 – A Sith onboard the Admonitor

Several days later….

Most of the Sith have departed Coruscant within a day of the fighting ending, onboard the Thunderflare to there next assignment, but Jav Stele decides to stay at the location where the camp of the 82nd Imperial Corps used to be located. During these few days Jav Stele sleeps rough out in the open and try’s to locate and Yuuzhan Vong stragglers to kill, but after a few days finding none he decides to move on.

The Jedi under Jedi Knight Solusar, stay with the New Republic troops to help with security until more permanent forces can be arranged. During these few days there is little contact between the Jedi and Jav Stele, both sides seem to be staying out of each other’s way to avoid any problems.

Going back to the former Imperial landing zone that is busy with New Republic troops and personnel, Jav Stele rummages though his back pack and pulls out an Imperial issues comm link and says into it, “This Jav Stele to the Admonitor do you receive?”

After a few moments a voice on the comm link replies, “This is the Admonitor we receive you, what do you want?” Not the politest reply Jav thought, he may do something about that when he gets to the Admonitor, or not!

Jav Stele replies, “Send a shuttle down to pick me up and prepare quarters for me onboard the Admonitor and inform Grand Admiral Thrawn that I will be staying onboard the Admonitor for a while, understood?”

There is another short pause that causes Jav Stele think of the hurried conversation on the bridge of the Admonitor. The person on the other end of the comm links says, “Jav Stele your request is acknowledged shuttle is on its way down, Admonitor out.” Around the conversation between Jav Stele and the Admonitor has not gone unnoticed, but none of the New Republics ground crew says anything.

After waiting for a few minutes an Imperial Lambda class shuttle approaches the landing zone, once the shuttle has landed Jav goes up the ramp before the two stormtrooper guards can exit, once onboard Jav says to the pilot, “You can return to the Admonitor now.”

The pilot of the shuttle replies, “Aye sir” and the Lambda class shuttle lifts off in to the sky of Coruscant and towards the white shape of Admonitor. With Jav Stele wondering how Grand Admiral Thrawn will deal with his unexpected presence onboard his command ship, it should be fun to find out.

Admonitor, Landing bay 19

Looking over the shuttle pilots shoulder Jav Stele could see a lone Imperial lieutenant waiting for with two stormtrooper guards, but no Grand Admiral Thrawn. Jav Stele smiled to himself on what Thrawn had done. Thrawn has sent a lieutenant to escort him to his quarters, sending a clear message from Thrawn that he was not going to be ordered around by Jav Stele.

Once the shuttle had landed, Jav walked down the shuttlecrafts ramp dressed only in shorts a t-shirt and a flying jacket, carrying a backpack over his left shoulder. The Imperial lieutenant who apparently was expecting someone more intimidating than a sixteen year old bare footed boy, but then the Imperial lieutenant sees the lightsabre hanging from Jav right hip and the Imperial lieutenant says, “Welcome onboard the Admonitor sir, I have been ordered to escort you to your quarters” all Jav does is nod in reply.

A few minutes later they are outside the quarters that have been assigned to Jav Stele, the Imperial lieutenant waiting nervously to be dismissed, then with a wave of his hand Jav Stele dismissed the Imperial lieutenant and goes into his quarters. As Jav Stele enters he notices that there is little or no furniture in his quarters (just the way he likes it), he wonders if Thrawn knew he was coming onboard, but he quickly rejects that idea and assumes that the large number of guest quarters onboard the Admonitor are fitted out in different styles (overestimating Thrawn again).

After the entrance area, there is a meeting area then off to his right there is a sleeping area, then to his left there is food preparation area and off from that there is the secure holo communications room. Moving into the sleeping area and then into the shower area he showers and at the same time washes his clothes, then retires to rest for a few hours until his cloths have dried.

Sith Flashback

While lying on the hard floor of his sleeping area, Jav Stele thinks back to just after his fifth birthday, his father had taken him onboard the Dauntless with an offer to stay with his farther for a while. Jav had only a small backpack with him at the time and the few cloths that his was wearing, he said yes to his farther and that was the start of his lessons and an unusual education.

Jav Stele already knew that he had come sort of ability, but he did not know that it was an ability with the force, let alone the dark side of the force, but he was continuously used this raw force ability to get into a lot of trouble and was punished by his father for getting into trouble. The punishment was usually a sever beating that made Jav Stele angry and this enhanced his ability with the dark side of the force, the more he got into trouble the more his was beaten and the more his raw force powers would grow.

For the next few years as Jav Stele would use the Dauntless as one big play area, but also have a very fast education in piloting and gambling along with about learning the facts of life and a lot of bad language and bad habits picked up from his father’s fighter group pilots. The crew of the Dauntless, for which his father regally punished him, Jav did not mind the beatings as this allowed his raw powers to grow.

Jav Stele would usually just slept anywhere on the ship in any corner that he found as time went by he would find sleeping in a normal bed would be very uncomfortable and he would prefer to sleep on a hard surface. He was also becoming very tough and resilient, he was by his seventh birthday extremely fit and strong, not only physically, but also in the Dark side of the force, which allowed his to perform amazing acrobatic feats for his own amusement.

Just after his eighth birthday his father took him to the Sith Academy to learn to control the raw power of the Dark side of the force that Jav Stele had been using for his own personal amusement. Jav Stele was so eager to go to the Sith Academy he had urged his father to make the Dauntless go faster in hyperspace (much to his father’s amusement).

Sith Academy

At the Sith Academy the level of abuse increased, as the older students would abuse the newer students, both physically and sexually (to increase their hatred and anger and force them further to the dark side of the force). This is where Jav Stele first had his first real adrenalin surge this was boosted by the raw power of the Dark side of the force. After that he would engage in fights with the other students at the drop of a hat, so that he could get more adrenalin surges and feed the growing power of the Dark side of the force within him. As with everything he did, he would dive straight in and immerse himself fully and willingly.

Between his eighth and tenth birthdays, Jav Stele would learn to control the Dark side of the force and understand what it means to be a Sith. He would also increase his sex drive considerably during his training and allow other Sith students to abuse him as this gives him an adrenalin surge, he is also able to control the pain others did to him and also inflict pain at an equal or greater level.

Jav Stele achieved his first kill at the age of nine (part of Sith training), using his bare hands to kill a restrained prisoner that had been brought to the Sith Academy for the students to practice on, his first kill lead to a need to kill more and more, this killing surge would be encouraged by the Sith Instructors. Over the next few months many other prisoners would be brought to the Sith Academy for the students to kill, but Jav Stele would surpass his classmates by killing the most in a variety of hand-to-hand methods and rather than kill them quickly he would take his time, savouring the moment and enjoying the kill.

At the age of ten he had constructed his first lightsabre, this action had surprised the Sith instructors, as all Sith usually construct their first lightsabre either when they are thirteen or fourteen and not at ten.

Between his tenth and twelfth birthdays he would learn how to use a lightsbaer in conjunction with that Dark Side of the Force. With his own natural speed and agility this was now being considerably enhanced, by the Dark Side of the Force giving him considerable skill with a lightsabre. Jav Stele during this time was also constructing new and improved lightsabres, by cannibalising previous lightsabres that he had built.

Just after his twelfth birthday Lord Tremayne arrived and took him to the Qektoth Confederation to study the Yuuzhan Vong biotechnology along with instructions to develop an improved lightsabre to defeat the Yuuzhan Vong biotechnology. After eighteen months of research Jav Stele had managed to produce a better lightsabre, along with instructions for the other Sith on how to either produce a new and better lightsabre or upgrade there own lightsabres. During this process Jav Stele killed several hundred Yuuzhan Vong that had been covertly captured by the Shadow Empire Command.

Though he did not know it, Lord Tremayne was using Jav Stele and his skill with lightsabre construction to help the Shadow Empire Command prepare of the war that was coming between them and the Yuuzhan Vong. Lord Tremayne could have done the modifications himself but as he was busy elsewhere, he would use the best cadet from the Sith Academy to do the work for him.

During these eighteen months Jav Stele would be left on his own with little help from Lord Tremayne, with only the occasional visits by Lord Tremayne to personally check on the progress of the work and deliver replacement Yuuzhan Vong test subjects for Jav Stele experiments. Lord Tremayne would also tutor Jav Stele in lightsabre technique, allowing Jav Stele to vastly improve his own sabre technique and skill.

During these eighteen months Jav would meet Dr Edda Gast one of the Qektoth Confederations leading scientists who is one of the leading experts on the Yuuzhan Vong and there bio technology. During the first month they would become lovers, even though Dr Gast is many decades his senior, Dr Gast would treat Jav Stele gently, something that Jav Stele was not used to and this would unnerve him at first, but also turn him on.

Dr Gast would spend days at a time in Jav Stele’s quarters and Dr Gast would discover to her pleasure how strong Jav Stele’s sex drive is. Dr Gast would also push Jav Stele in practicing on the Yuuzhan Vong subjects and inflicting as much pain as possible during these sessions, which Jav was very happy to do for her.

Once this work was completed, Lord Tremayne informed Jav Stele that he was free to pursue his own interests, as the Yuuzhan Vong had not yet attacked any Imperials, only the New Republic. Jav would also leave behind his lover Dr Gast and what she had taught him about biology, as both of them had been in this for the lust and mutual love of inflicting pain on others. This would not be the last time that their paths would cross.

For the next eighteen months Jav Stele wondered around the Shadow Empire, finding the seediest parts and indulging his widest and darkest fantasies and desires. He paid for these needs by selling himself as either a killer or his body (which ever gave him the greater thrill), to pay for his adventures within the criminal underworld of the Shadow Empire.

Jav is “Smart, Mad, Bad and Dangerous to know” a very lethal combination!

Present Day

Now at sixteen years old Jav lies naked in his sleeping area in his quarters onboard the Admonitor, resting for the next few hours while his cloths dried. While lying he would use the Dark side of the force to sense what was going on around him in the command area of the Admonitor and feel the emotions of the command crew as they went about there duties (but not Thrawn).

In the ranks of the Sith he is greatly feared and admired by most other Sith, when Lord Tremayne offered him a Sith title, he surprised Lord Tremayne (and the other senior Sith) by turning it down and simply calling himself “Jav Stele Sith” and nothing more, to which Lord Tremayne responded by granting his request.

Jav Stele is also very wealthy due to various trust funds set-up by his late mother for him, though he has never touched the wealth, he is worth several billion credits (and growing rapidly with interest), Jav Stele prefers to earn a living in a more “fun” manor!

Three hours later…..

Jav Stele had been lying in the darkness for three hours resting, now fully rested, he would eat in his quarters, and then he would put on shorts and a t-shirt. Looking around his quarters onboard the Admonitor at his small number of personnel possessions a few pairs of shorts, t-shirts or various styles and a flight jacket from his father’s fighter group and a lightsabre crafting tool kit.

Then Jav Stele puts on his belt and attaches his lightsabre to the belt on the right side, he thinks to himself that by now word of his arrival should have spread throughout the ship and it is time he made his presence known on the bridge of the Admonitor, by taking a stroll around the command area of the main bridge, that should be fun.

Once out of his quarters, Jav Stele heads towards the turbolift and then to the bridge, the bridge is currently on nightshift and the Admonitor’s third officer is in command of the bridge during the nightshift. As he walks around the bridge bare footed, peering into the crew pits, the crew of the Admonitor would avoid his gaze, as word had got around that a Sith was onboard and none of the command crew wished to make Jav Stele angry, all knew the fatal consequences of making a Sith angry.

Jav does pause at the communications pit on the bridge and looks at the communications officer who is now heavily sweating, as he was the one who was rude to Jav over the communicator. Jav holds the stare of about a minute (for the fun of it) then continues his walk around the bridge. As he moves away from the communications pit he hears a sigh of relief from the communications officer.

If this was anyone else other than a Sith, dressed the way his was, they would have been escorted of the bridge and into the ships brig, but no one on the Admonitor’s bridge would dare comment on the way Jav Stele dressed or acted as this would also prove fatal.

As Jav Stele makes his way to the forward observation area, as he does so he can feel the eyes of the crew looking at his back for their various pits as he passed by them with fear, he has also noted that the nightshift would end in one hour and be replaced with the next bridge crew and probably Grand Admiral Thrawn.

After half an hour of standing at the forward observation area on the bridge looking out across the expanse of the white armoured hulled that is the Admonitor, he suddenly feels a change to the bridge crews mood, one of respect, fear and admiration, Grand Admiral Thrawn has arrived on the bridge, early, Jav Stele thought to himself, so much for trying to predict a Grand Admiral!

Departure

As Grand Admiral Thrawn sits in his command seat on the bridge, Jav Stele turns around and heads towards Grand Admiral Thrawn’s command chair in the centre of the bridge who is looking at him, with his glowing red eyes, Jav Stele knew that Thrawn could read most people like an open book, just like Grand Admiral Hammond could. So hiding anything from either Grand Admiral was just plain daft, both Grand Admiral’s knew of his abilities and his darker desires and needs, so he did not bother to try and hid them from either Grand Admiral’s.

A short distance from Grand Admiral Thrawn’s command chair Jav Stele stopped made a small bow to Grand Admiral Thrawn (he did not kneel before anyone, except Lord Tremayne) and says, “Grand Admiral Thrawn, thank you for letting me stay onboard the Admonitor”

Grand Admiral Thrawn replies, “Jav Stele, you are welcome onboard the Admonitor. I am sure that you will prove yourself useful in the coming campaigns” With that the formalities are over and Jav Stele goes back to the forward observation area on the bridge, while Thrawn begins his shift on the bridge.

Once the New Republic confirms that they have secured Coruscant and additional New Republic start coming into the Coruscant, Grand Admiral Thrawn command fleet leaves, along with the remain ships of the Imperial assault fleet.

How will the Yuuzhan Vong deal with this new force in the Galaxy and how will they respond to the appearance of the Shadow Empire and its military forces.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 23 – War – The first five months

Over the next five months the Yuuzhan Vong is pushed steadily back, loosing half the territory that they had captured over the previous two years from the New Republic. In some systems that have no strategic value, the Yuuzhan Vong have withdrawn without a fight to consolidate their holdings on more valuable systems and to preserve and consolidate the bulk of there remaining fleets and military forces.

The Yuuzhan Vong have been adapting their strategy in dealing with the threat posed by the appearance of the Shadow Empire, each system is more harder than the previous system to retake as both the Shadow Empire and the New Republic go deeper into those systems that the Yuuzhan Vong have managed to fortify.

Nom Anor has also tried to send several dozen infiltrators into the Shadow Empire Command controlled territory, but all had failed to report back (they had all been captured and tortured for information). In the end this strategy of infiltration into the Shadow Empire Command had been abandoned by Nom Anor as it was costing too many lives and resources for no gain at all.

During these first five months the Admonitor is in the thick of the fighting, as is Jav Stele during planetary invasions, welding his lightsabre with great skill and daring, also he would occasionally lead Imperial troops into battle (but only when he could not get away with commanding!)

The military strength of the Shadow Empire Command during this time is not what it seems to either the New Republic or the Imperial Remnant. Though destroyed Imperial warships are replaced the numbers of Imperial warships does not increase, this causes some surprise within the New Republic, though New Republic intelligence peculates (wrongly) that the Shadow Empire Command is holding the bulk of it fleet in reserve in the unknown regions.

Shadow Empire Command - Imperial Fleets OOB
(Five months after the Battle of Coruscant)

Forces committed to the fight against the Yuuzhan Vong

Command fleets x4, each command fleet is headed by a single Eclipse class super star destroyer, along with two standard fleets each consisting of fifty Imperial III class star destroyers along with 1,750 other warships and support vessels. Though these command fleets can be of any size, small or large in ship numbers, currently these standard fleets that are attached to the command ships are smaller than a normal standard fleet.

Standard fleets x10, each standard fleet consists of fifty Imperial III class star destroyers along with 2,500 other warships and support vessels, these fleets make up the backbone of the Shadow Empire commands battle fleets. Currently there are three of these ten fleets helping to guard the Imperial Remnant controlled space.

Assault fleets x3, each assault fleet consist of 3,000 troop transports and escort vessel, no star destroyers are assigned to assault fleets, all the escort vessels are no large than heavy cruisers (600 meters in length). Assault fleets are similar to the old Imperial Sector Army, with the firepower of a single Assault Fleet capable of deploying four full surface Armies against any resistance or hostility in the sector 774,576 combat troops in a total muster of 1,180,379 personnel, along with all their armour and support equipment. Assault Fleets also carry a large number of the new SD55 war droids (usually several million).

Assault fleets are assembled as needed, they are not a standing formation, most of the three assaults fleets have been divided up into smaller assault groups to attack less defended worlds where a large assault fleet is not needed.

Word Devastators x4, only four Word Devastators out of a total of thirty have been committed to the fight against the Yuuzhan Vong. These four Word Devastators are being used as mobile production facilities for the Shadow Empire military forces, constructing replacement military equipment and material. Two are currently assigned to the Imperial Remnant and the other two are assigned to clean up the various battles and produce replacement equipment.

Shadow Empire defence forces

Military forces not committed to the fight against the Yuuzhan Vong

In the fight against the Yuuzhan Vong the Shadow Empire command has committed the bulk of it offensive fleet forces, leaving behind enough forces for defensive operations and a very limited offensive forces remaining (both the Yuuzhan Vong and the New Republic do not know this).

Primary system (sector) defence forces x16, with the bulk of the Shadow Empires battle fleets are currently deployed to deal with the Yuuzhan Vong, the defences of the 16 Primary systems has been reduced to only six Imperial III class star destroyers and 100 other warships and support vessels. This smaller force is supported by each systems powerful orbital battlestations and planetary defence shield, giving each system a very strong defensive capability against any potential attack force, but has a very limited offensive punch.

These primary system defence forces are used to defend the 16 main systems within the Shadow Empire Command that hold the primary production and population centres. They are also used to defend the sector that the primary systems are based in. The Imperial populations in these systems numbers in the billions and used to be based in the Byass system before the system was destroyed, and then transported to the Shadow Empire to begin populating the 16 primary systems.

Explored sector forces x300+, these explored sectors forces are the smallest sector forces in terms of military strength. The forces area based around a single system with their assigned sector, this system acts as base of operations for more detailed exploration of the sector. The command ship for the forces assigned is usually a Victory class star destroyer or more usually a Vindicator class heavy cruiser. The sector base system is strongly defended by orbital battlestations and the planet is equipped with full planetary shields.

Most of the Imperial navies forces assigned to an Explored sector forces, are of the Modular Taskforce Cruiser Survey Module, the survey module is designed for rapid planetary and system exploration operations. It is capable of completely analyzing a planet, including surveying for natural resources and good colony sites, within a standard day.

These systems are the headquarters for the explored sector forces are miniature versions of the primary systems, these headquarters are used as bases of operations for a more detailed survey of the system within these sectors, for resources and any potential allies or enemies. The Imperial population on these planets only numbers in the millions.

Word Devastators x26, the remaining twenty-six Word Devastators have been left behind in the Unknown Regions (Shadow Empire Command) are being used to boost the numbers of warships that are being produced, so that the Shadow Empire Command will have additional warships and eventually fleets available, but this process will take time (years) to complete.

Though with the current run of success the Shadow Empire Command may not need these additional forces, but this could change suddenly!

Meanwhile…..

Back on the front line, the New Republic is having trouble finding enough troops to protect the systems that have been liberated like Thyferra, Bilbringi, Ord Mantell, Yag’Dhul, Kessel, Tholatin, Bimmisaari and many more. As the Imperial fleets and military forces are starting to outpace the New Republic’s ability to secure these and many other system that had been freed in the past five months.

New Republic has been reforming three fleets, around the following three New Republic military commanders Admiral Traest Kre’fey, General Garm Bel Iblis and General Wedge Antilles, these fleet will be known as Groups 1, 2 and 3, these three groups being the remains of the New Republic five fleets prior to the Yuuzhan Vong invasion.

Each of these Groups has a total of 1,600 warships of all types along with about 300 support vessels of all types and classes, making each of these fleets a combination of all the remaining capital warships that the New Republic could spare from defending newly recaptured systems. This is a much-reduced force from the New Republics five fleets at the start of the war with the Yuuzhan Vong.

Mon Calamari, temporary headquarters, New Republic

The New Republic’s leadership made a request to the Shadow Empire to slow up until each system had been properly secured, the head of the New Republic government Cal Omas contacts Grand Admiral Hammond to discuss the possibility of pausing the attacks against systems that are still controlled by the Yuuzhan Vong.

In a holographic conference between Cal Omas and Grand Admiral Hammond on the Yuuzhan Vong until the New Republic can catch its breath.

President Cal Omas is the first to speak and says, “Grand Admiral Hammond thank you for having this discussion at short notice. I need to discuss the possibility of a pause in offensive action against the Yuuzhan Vong.”

Grand Admiral Hammond replies, “President Omas, it is possible to pause the attacks against the Yuuzhan Vong, but I must point out that every day that goes by the Yuuzhan Vong will be able to fortify their positions making the job of retaking these systems much harder to achieve.”

Cal Omas responds by saying, “I understand that Grand Admiral Hammond, but the New Republic needs time to secure the systems that have been recaptured from the Yuuzhan Vong otherwise these systems maybe left open to being recaptured by the Yuuzhan Vong. Will the Shadow Empire Command pause its operations to help the New Republic?”

For several seconds Grand Admiral Hammond says nothing for a short while, making Cal Omas more than a bit nervous. Then he says, “Very well I will order a halt to offensive operations, but be warned it will be much more harder to take back the remaining systems that the Yuuzhan Vong control at the moment, as the more time they will have to reinforce there positions.”

Cal Omas replies, “I understand Grand Admiral Hammond, this is what my military advisors have told me, but we will need to secure these system that we have recaptured from the Yuuzhan Vong and I am informed that this will take several months. I have also been informed that the New Republic fleet needs time to rest and refit, so we can deal with both problems at the same time. This does not mean stopping all offensive action against the Yuuzhan Vong, it just means not retaking any systems for the next few months.”

Grand Admiral Hammond says, “I know we can keep hitting them Mr President and the Imperial fleet will do so. If there is nothing else I will begin issuing the orders suspending the campaign retaking systems.” After a short pause he says “good, then we both have orders to issue, good day” with that the communication is ended.

Over the next few days the offensive action against the Yuuzhan Vong begins to slow up as both the Imperial and New Republic fleets begin to realign themselves along the new front line. Over the next few months the war would claim down while both sides catch their breath, though the Yuuzhan Vong will still continue to be attacked.

Alpha Red

Alpha Red is a clandestine experimental research group within the New Republic Intelligence Service. A task force within Alpha Blue, Alpha Red reported directly to Admiral Dif Scaur, the Director of New Republic Intelligence, and was tasked with researching the extragalactic biology of the Yuuzhan Vong, determining weaknesses in their systems and developing methods to exploit those weaknesses.

The crowning achievement of Alpha Red’s research is a biological weapon codenamed “Alpha Red”. The airborne pathogen proved in their laboratory tests to target local a unique genetic strand amongst all Vong related creatures, and destroy it, thus killing the Yuuzhan Vong and destroying any Yuuzhan Vong technology.

Alpha Blue scientist Joi Eicroth leads the team and its staff included a group of Chiss bio-technicians that worked alongside Intelligence scientists. The Chiss bio-technicians where secretly reporting back to both the Chiss and the Shadow Empire Command on there experiments. This information is passed onto the Qektoth Confederation for various “enhancements” these “enhancements” are unknown to most, except those within the senior echelons of the Shadow Empire Command and the Qektoth Confederation.

Once the news of the project “Alpha Red” came to light the New Republic Security Council allowed its continued development. The use of the pathogen is restricted by the New Republic Security Council and held as a last resort option. Alpha Red was presumed to be shutdown by the New Republic Security Council (it was) once the Shadow Empire entered the war against the Yuuzhan Vong.

But what the New Republic Security Council does not know is that the Shadow Empire and the Qektoth Confederation is continuing the work and the Qektoth Confederation has made great progress in refining the pathogen, by testing it on live subjects (captured Yuuzhan Vong and there technology).

Prototype – Dark Shadow

The Dark Shadow is based on the design of the Enforcer/Vindicator classes of heavy cruisers, but after that the differences end. The Dark Shadow is 600 meters long it combines the latest technologies from the Shadow Empire and the latest biological weaponry. At he heart of the Dark Shadow is a very powerful control computer, modelled after those used on the World Devastators. With one major difference, the Devastators required a crew the Dark Shadow is the crew. There is a human command crew onboard the Dark Shadow, but the crew only numbers 700 and is used to direct the Dark Shadows automated systems.

With this technology the Dark Shadow can repair itself during battle its outer hull is made of the same prototype advanced self-healing metal, and a point-of-impact shield generators (though on a larger scale) that equip the SD-55 war droids. The Dark Shadow is also equipped with the new second-generation cloaking device that allows the use of sensors (something the all previous cloaking devices did not allow), the Dauntless and her sister Dreadnought class heavy cruisers that are part of Admiral Steles heavy cruiser command are still fitted with the first generation cloaking technology.

It is a stealthy ship even without the cloaking device. It carries a sensor mask and a baffled drives. It has excellent passive sensors (for use when cloaked). Its memory banks include all of the Imperial Order of Battle, personnel files, and all Intelligence data about enemy organisations and personnel. It is believed to be carrying a full set of BOSS records, and can shift its transceivers to match almost any other ships profile (similar to its own) to fool any potential enemy.

It carries a miniature ore reprocessing equipment to purify natural ores, and fuel scoops and solar converters. Even without this equipment, the Dark Shadow carries enough fuel and spare parts to remain in hyperspace for ten years possibly much longer. It also contains an automated assembly line capable of building whatever the Dark Shadow needs in terms of spare parts.

The biggest problem with the Dark Shadow is that the World Devastators cannot produce this kind of warship as World Devastators cannot produce the organic parts for the Dark Shadow. Therefore for the time being only the Dark Shadow will be the only one of its class, as it takes two years to produce a single Dark Shadow warship so mass production is also out.

Recently the Dark Shadow has been out fitted with a missile launching facility in its main hanger bay, for using the Shadow Empire/Qektoth Confederation version of Alpha Red, called Project Blue (due to the blue colour of the biological agent in its liquid form).

Project Blue is much more deadly than the original Alpha Red, and will prove very useful of the next few months during this “pause” in the fighting and the Yuuzhan Vong will die in there millions, during these “field trials”.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 24 – Project Blue

Project Blue has seen a series of unique modifications to the original New Republic intelligence backed Alpha Red biological agent, giving Project Blue a unique capability to not only kill the Yuuzhan Vong but also breaks down the molecular structure of the dead or dying Yuuzhan Vong, turning them into ash and leaving no trace. The Yuuzhan Vong biotechnology also breaks down into ash, but where there is a power source, the breaking down of the organic control system causes the power source to overload and explode.

This biological agent works against Yuuzhan Vong spacecraft, as long as the biological agent can be released inside a Yuuzhan Vong spacecraft the biological agent will eat the spacecraft from the inside until the biological agent has reached the power core and then the power core does the rest.

In a planets atmosphere the biological agent itself has a short lifespan of just 100 hours, then the biological agent dies out, leaving no trace off itself behind, unlike the Alpha Red version that would remain active for many years after deployment into a planet.

Now Project Blue is ready to be tested on a planetary scale and the pause in the fighting will provide a useful opportunity to test Project Blue against Yuuzhan Vong held worlds.

Meeting point deep space

In the void between systems the four command ships of the Shadow Empire Command are meeting to discuss the progress of the war and the use of Project Blue on a planetary scale. Those present in the meeting are Grand Admiral Hammond, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Lord Tremayne and General Tans.

After the discussion on the pause requested by the New Republic Grand Admiral Hammond says, “We will need someone to command the Dark Shadow, as the current crew of 750 is made up of engineers with very little combat experience.”

Grand Admiral Thrawn responds by saying, “I agree, I have a few name this I could suggest” passing the list of Imperial navy officer names onto Grand Admiral Hammond.

The next to respond is Lord Tremayne he says, “I also agree and I also have a few names to suggest for who would be good to command the Dark Shadow” Lord Tremayne also passes his list of Sith names to Grand Admiral Hammond.

General Tans is the last to speak and he says, “I have no names to suggest as this is a navy matter and not an army matter, so I defer the choice to the Imperial Navy.”

Grand Admiral Hammond replies, “Thank you for your suggestion, but I too have a name I would like to put forward” then he looks at Grand Admiral Thrawn and to Lord Tremayne and finally General Tans with a small smile on his face.

For a few moments there is silence in the room then Grand Admiral Thrawn who has been studding Grand Admiral Hammond’s face. Then the penny drops and he says, “That would not been a good person to command the Dark Shadow, he is totally irresponsible, though his is good in combat, he is not mature enough to command a warship of this type.”

After Grand Admiral Thrawn has finished the penny has also dropped for Lord Tremayne and he says, “I must agree with Grand Admiral Thrawn, he would be totally inappropriate for this command and the mission.”

General Tans who has been trying to keep up with the three of them and failing says, “Whom are we taking about?”

Grand Admiral Hammond who is still smiling replies, “Jav Stele”

General Tans says, “Ah, now I understand, but I think that he would be a good choice for this mission as he has had close contact with the top scientists in the Qektoth Confederation and also has a lot more knowledge of the Yuuzhan Vong bio technology than any other Imperial commander, outside of this room.”

Grand Admiral Hammond says, “I think that he is the best choice, as these other commanders are good, but Jav is a Sith he also has considerable experience with Yuuzhan Vong bio technology as General Tans has pointed out. When he has to, he can command quite brilliantly and his ability to lead from the front inspires troops that are under his command. During the past five months Jav has led troops from the Admonitor in attacks, has he not Thrawn?”

Grand Admiral Thrawn with a thoughtful and far away voice replies, “Indeed he has, but he still is reckless and needs to learn to control himself much more, but for this mission I suppose their would not harm in allowing Jav to command the Dark Shadow and the deployment of Project Blue against various Yuuzhan Vong held worlds.”

Grand Admiral Hammond turns to Lord Tremayne who has remained silent and says, “Lord Tremayne, what is your option on this matter?”

Lord Tremayne in a very quite and clam voice says, “Jev will command the Dark Shadow. But I would personally still have not chosen him for this mission, he is still to wild, but I will agree with you that he will be allowed to command the Dark Shadow and the deployment of Project Blue against various Yuuzhan Vong held worlds.”

Grand Admiral Hammond replies, “Thank you Lord Tremayne for agreeing with me on this appointment, I understand your reservations, but I think that Jav will do a very good job. If there is nothing else then this meeting is adjourned.”

With the end of the meeting onboard the Victorious II the commanders return to their command ships. When Thrawn returns to the Admonitor he summons Jav to his quarters, after a few minutes Jav arrives.

Once inside Thrawn’s quarters Jav bows towards Thrawn and says, “You summoned me Grand Admiral?”

Thrawn replies, “Yes Jav, I have orders for you. You are to report to Grand Admiral Hammond onboard the Victorious II he is waiting to give you your new assignment personally.”

Jav blinks at Thrawn and says, “Understood”

Thrawn says, “Good Jav, you had better hurry you would not like to keep Grand Admiral Hammond waiting, a shuttlecraft is waiting for you, dismissed.”

Jav bows and leaves, running back to his quarters he quickly packs up his stuff and heads for the turbolift and then to the shuttle bay. Once the shuttlecraft is clear of the Admonitor, the Admonitor immediately jumps into hyperspace, leaving just the shuttlecraft and the Victorious II at the meeting point.

The shuttlecraft with Jav onboard then heads towards the Victorious II and lands in on the Victorious II hanger bays. Once this is complete the Victorious II also jumps into hyperspace, making Jav feel uneasy about the up coming meeting with Grand Admiral Hammond and what Grand Admiral Hammond wanted him to do as whatever this assignment is it seems to be urgent.

Once onboard the Victorious II Jav is escorted to Grand Admiral Hammond’s private offices just off from the main bridge. Guarding the bridge and Grand Admiral Hammond is a detachment of Imperial Sovereign Protectors these Protectors are the next level up from the Royal Guard. The difference between the Royal Guard and the Sovereign Protectors is that the Protectors have the ability to use the Dark Side of the Force giving the Sovereign Protectors a clear advantage of the Royal Guard.

The Protectors would be no match for Jav Stele as his abilities with the Dark Side of the Force far exceed the Sovereign Protectors limited force abilities.

Grand Admiral Hammond’s private offices - Victorious II

Once inside, Grand Admiral Hammond says, “Guards leave us” the two Sovereign Protectors leave the room. Jav thinks that this is very unusual.

Grand Admiral Hammond then says, “Welcome onboard the Victorious II Jav, come and have a seat” indicating to the chair.

Jav replies while sitting down, “Thank you Grand Admiral Hammond”

Grand Admiral Hammond says, “I presume that you are wondering why I have summoned you here to give you an assignment personally Jav?”

Jav replies, “Yes I am”

Grand Admiral Hammond says, “As you know I don’t normally give assignment to a Sith, that is a job for Lord Tremayne, but this is an exception to this rule. I would like to take command of a prototype warship called the Dark Shadow” At the same time handing Jav a data pad containing the specifications of the Dark Shadow. “This warship will be equipped with the prototype of Project Blue biological agent I think that you are familiar with Project Blue? I would need you to use the Dark Shadow in conjunction with missiles loaded with Project Blue biological agent, to launch a series of attacks against Yuuzhan Vong controlled worlds to test Project Blue?”

Jav while still studying the data pad replies, “Yes I am familiar with Project Blue during my time with the Qektoth Confederation while I was developing an improved lightsabre.”

Grand Admiral Hammond says, “Good, you also understand Yuuzhan Vong combat tactics, as Grand Admiral Thrawn has indicated to me, you also have led troops with distinction you are more than capable of carrying out this mission, if you accept that is?”

Jav looked at Hammond, who was looking at him, Jav thought that he would never want to command a warship like his father, but this warship was unique and the most advanced so far produced. This was getting him very excited and was causing am adrenalin rush, without really thinking he replies, “Yes I will accept, thank you Grand Admiral Hammond”

Grand Admiral Hammond replies, “Good, I thought that you would say that, because we are on our war to rendezvous with the Dark Shadow at the moment.” Jev smiled to himself and thinks to himself that Grand Admiral Hammond had known his answer before he had entered the room, again he reminds himself to never underestimate a Grand Admiral he still has much to learn.

Grand Admiral Hammond continues, “Jav some temporary quarters have been assigned to you on the Victorious II, until we reach the rendezvous coordinates. We should be there in two days. Do you have any questions?”

Jav looked up from reading the data pad at Grand Admiral Hammond and replies, “No not at the moment” though he did have a lot of questions, like why him, there where a large number of Imperial navy officers that could do the job just as well, also there are a large number of Sith, including his father.

Grand Admiral Hammond who has been looking intensely at Jav says, “I chose you for this assignment Jav, because of your unique talents, I do know that there are many others within the Shadow Empire Command who could do this, but you would not use the Dark Shadow or Project Blue to gain permanent control of either, do you understand?”

Jav replies, “I think so Sir”

Grand Admiral Hammond says, “Good, then you are dismissed, Jav, you have two days to familiarise yourself with the Dark Shadow systems and combat capabilities.” Jav sands up and leaves, putting the Data Pad into his backpack. On his way to his quarters he ponders what Grand Admiral Hammond had said to him and wondered if he was being used as part of a bigger game being played out between the leadership of the Shadow Empire or was he really just the right person for this assignment.

Two days later……

After two days in hyperspace the Victorious II reverts to normal space at the rendezvous with the Dark Shadow that is currently running a false IFF as a modified Vindicator class heavy cruiser Centurion that is being used as a research and development warship.

Once Jav has left the Victorious II the Victorious II then jumps back into hyperspace leaving the Centurion on its own with the incoming shuttlecraft containing Jav Stele. Approaching the Centurion Jav has his first look at the heavy cruiser and it looks just like a Vindicator class heavy cruiser without a main bridge. The main bridge is buried deep within the Centurions hull for added protection.

To look at the Centurion no one could guess at the level of firepower that the Centurion possess, especially the latest versions of the heavily modified and upgraded versions of the Qektoth Confederation’s bio energy weapons that have been installed. But to look at the outside of the warship all you could see is a heavy cruiser nothing more.

As the shuttlecraft lands in the Centurions main hanger bay Jav can see in the Centurions main hanger bay has several different types of starfighters but with a common theme they are all piloted by droids. The most common is the Shadow Droid starfighter these deadly machines are more cyborg than droid as they are implanted with the cloned brains of Imperial fighter ace pilots and are able to manipulate the dark side of the Force. Shadow Droids where first devised on the resurrected Emperor Palpatine’s throne world of Byss fifteen years ago, they have “evolved” since then.

Once the shuttlecraft has landed Jav exits the shuttlecraft and is greeted by the Captain of the Centurion (Dark Shadow) Captain of Engineers Roger Cirri who has been commanding the Centurion for the past few years. Captain Cirri is 59 years old and has been the lead Captain testing new warships including the Imperial III and the Eclipse class for the Emperor (before his death) and was transferred to Grand Admiral Hammonds command 15 years ago.

Now he commands the Dark Shadow and is about to be under the command of a “boy”, though he has worked with the Sith before and knows what to say and do, also he knows what not to say and do. Captain Cirri is uncertain on how to deal with Jav Stele as he has been sent by Grand Admiral Hammond himself to command the Dark Shadow.

Walking down the ramp of the shuttlecraft is a sixteen year old “boy” wearing nothing more that shorts, t-shit and a flight jacket and carrying a backpack. When Jav is directly in front of him Captain Cirri says, “Welcome onboard the Dark Shadow, the Dark Shadow is currently using the covert identity of the heavy cruiser Centurion, may I escort you to your quarters?”

Jav replies, “Thanks for the welcome, you may escort me to my quarters, also tell the bridge that they can jump into hyperspace to the coordinates for the first target.”

Captain Cirri with no surprise at this order says, “Yes I will” and speaks into his comlink to the bridge and the Centurion jumps into hyperspace. From the hanger bay it is a short journey to Jav’s quarters, where Captain Cirri leaves Jav to settle in. Jav’s quarters onboard the Centurion are much smaller that the Admonitor, they felt more comfortable than the Admonitor as they are more spartan (just to Jav’s liking).

After settling in to his quarters, Jav takes the short journey to the bridge, once on the bridge of the Centurion Jav notices how cramped the bridge is compared to other types of warships he has been on. The bridge of the Centurion also has no viewing windows as the bridge is buried deep inside the Centurion’s hull.

Once on the bridge Jav settles into his command chair and says to Captain Cirri, “Captain, report on the ships status and time to the first planet to be attacked.”

Captain Cirri replies, “Aye sir”, and the briefing begins’ as in a few days the Centurion will be attacking is first world with the Project Blue biological agent.

The Yuuzhan Vong is in for an unpleasant surprise, as are the New Republic when they find out what the Shadow Empire Command is about to do.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 25 – Biological Attack

First strike

The Centurion is sitting in deep space several light years from there first target, in the Centurion’s hanger bay the Shadow Droid fighters are being loaded with Concussion missiles loaded with Project Blue biological agent, each Concussion missile is to be used against the Yuuzhan Vong warships and fighters in orbit.

The modified Concussion missiles are fitted with darts in the nose of each missile, these darts are designed to penetrate the skin of a Yuuzhan Vong warship or fighter and inject the Project Blue biological agent into the Yuuzhan Vong warship or fighter to destroy them.

The second weapon being loaded with the Project Blue biological agent is an orbital bomb designed to be dropped from high orbit into a planets atmosphere and then release the biological agent into the planets upper atmosphere at the same time across the whole planet using multiple bombs, thus ensuing that the whole planet is infected in one go.

The system that the Centurion is going to attack first is a small outpost on the new boarder with the Yuuzhan Vong, the single habitable planet in the system only contains a few thousand Yuuzhan Vong and two frigate sized vessels, with around thirty odd fighters in orbit, an easy target for a first attack.

Onboard the Centurion, Jav Stele is informed that the final preparations are now complete, Jav says, “Very well, commence countdown for the attack, also we will attack from an none cloaked mode, just in case there is a problem, we don’t want to reveal the full capabilities of the vessel to soon.”

Captain Cirri replies, “Aye sir” and then says to the bridge crew, “Begin countdown for the attack, from my mark three minutes” then pauses to wait unit the bridge crew is set then says, “mark” and the countdown begins.

As the minutes and then seconds counted down, when the counter the Centurion leaped forward into hyperspace with all systems fully powered for battle. It would only be a short journey in hyperspace to the system, once the Centurion drops out of hyperspace the Centurion immediately begins to jam any possible Yuuzhan Vong calls for assistance, while at the same time launching the first squadron of twelve Shadow Droid starfighters.

The two Yuuzhan Vong frigates in orbit immediately detect the Centurion and begin powering up there own weapon and shield systems and also start launching there own startfighters against the incoming starfighters.

As the two groups of startfighters get within weapons range the Shadow Droids launch there modified Concussion missiles at the incoming Yuuzhan Vong starfighter, two missiles are assigned to each enemy starfighter, as the missiles approach the Yuuzhan Vong starfighters the Yuuzhan Vong starfighters begin evasive manoeuvres, but the missiles keep on closing.

Once the missiles area in range the missiles detonate showering the Yuuzhan Vong starfighters with dozens of darts each dart contains the biological agent, all the Yuuzhan Vong starfighters have been hit with the darts and have been injected with the Project Blue biological agent. Once this is confirmed the Shadow Droids break of the engagement with the Yuuzhan Vong starfighters, much to the confusion of the Yuuzhan Vong pilots.

This confusion only lasts less than a minute as the Project Blue biological agent is working fast on the Yuuzhan Vong starfighters as the Project Blue biological agent is beginning to erode the control systems of the Yuuzhan Vong starfighters. Within a few minutes after that the Yuuzhan Vong starfighters begin to explode as the control systems to the starfighters power systems are destroyed and the starfighters power systems overload, destroying the starfighter.

Once the last Yuuzhan Vong starfighter has blown up the Shadow Droids head towards the two Yuuzhan Vong frigates in orbit, the frigates now see the danger and open fire with every weapon that they can bring to bear on the approaching Shadow Droids. On seeing that the Shadow Droids are under heavy fire, Jav Stele orders that the Centurion closes to weapons range to see if they can draw some of the fire from the two frigates that will allow the Shadow Droids to close to missile range and launch.

As the Centurion closes with the two frigates and begins to open fire at maximum range with its weapons, the two Yuuzhan Vong frigates begin to engage the Centurion by shifting fire from keeping the Shadow Droids out of missile range to attacking the Centurion. This allows the Shadow Droids to launch a salvo of missiles against the two frigates, causing the frigates to be infected with the Project Blue biological agent.

Once this has been achieved both the Centurion withdraw out of weapons range of the two frigates, the Shadow Droids are recalled to the Centurions hanger once outside of the frigates weapons range. As with the Yuuzhan Vong starfighters it does not take long before the two frigates systems start to fail and then as with the Yuuzhan Vong starfighters the two frigates power cores explode destroying the frigates.

Onboard the Centurions bridge Jav says, “I think that was a successful test of the anti ship missiles, now for the planet”

Captain Cirri replies, “Yes the biological agent does seem very effective” then he says to the helmsman “lay in a course for the planet and keep clear of the complex on the surface just in case they have surface to space weapons”

The helmsman replies “Aye sir, setting course now” the Centurion head toward the planet, while in the Centurions main hanger bay the “bombs” are being prepared to be launched. The Yuuzhan Vong base on the planets surface has put up a locale shield protecting the base from bombardment, but this is not going to happen to the base.

As the Centurion enters orbit, Jav Stele sitting in the command chair on the bridge says, “deploy the bombs” Captain Cirri replies, “Aye sir, deploying bombs now” out of the Centurions main hanger bay, exits twenty-four bombs, these bombs are not the un-powered free fall bombs, these are much more sophisticated than that.

The bombs are miniature short range “space craft” that enter the planets atmosphere and then once within the atmosphere are slowed to a hover at between 10,000 and 15,000 meters above the planets surface, depending on the planets atmospheric conditions. Then the bombs begin to release the biological agent, as the biological agent is released at the same time all over the planet from twenty-four points, this will give complete coverage for the whole planet.

Once the biological agent has been released the bomb self-destructs leaving no trace of the bomb. After one hour the biological agent starts work on the Yuuzhan Vong base and begins to consume the base and the Yuuzhan Vong troops. After another two hours the biological agent has reached the bases power control systems, once these systems have been eaten by the biological agent the power core explodes, destroying the base and only leaving a telltale mushroom cloud.

Onboard the Centurion the crew have been watching the destruction caused by the biological agent with a morbid curiosity and most with smiles on their faces as the first mission has been a success so far.

As the Centurion continues to orbit the planet taking additional readings via micro probes sent to the planets atmosphere, a series of smaller secondary explosions take place from several areas over the planets surface. These appear to be automated sensor positions that the Yuuzhan Vong had deployed, to give a complete picture of the planet, just in case of any enemy landing on the planets surface.

Watching events from the bridge Jav says, “The biological agent seems to be working as predicted, we will now cloak and observe to make sure that the biological agent disperses within the one hundred hour time line, just in case any enemy ships arrive before the 100 hours are up.”

Captain Cirri replies, “Aye sir, engaging the cloaking device” as the order is given the Centurion shimmers and vanishes from sight. Over the next ninety hours the Centurions crew monitors the biological agent to make sure that it does not mutate or does anything else that it should not do. After the one hundred hour time comes to an end the biological agent begins to rapidly breakdown, just as predicted.

Once the reading has been confirmed the Centurion jumps into hyperspace leaving behind several thousand dead Yuuzhan Vong with no race of the biological agent, only a smouldering creator where the Yuuzhan Vong once was.

Several days later

After one of their outpost having failed to make several regular reports, the Yuuzhan Vong send a strong task force to investigate what has happened. The Yuuzhan Vong task force finds that there outpost has been completely destroyed and that there are not survivors and there is nothing left of the outpost but a smouldering hole.

The commander of the task force orders that the system be abandoned, once the investigation has drawn a blank and he also recommends that all other Yuuzhan Vong watch out for surprise enemy attacks. But even as the commander of the task force of this task force is filing his report the Centurion is already attacking its next target.

Second strike and beyond

The Centurion is making a similar attack against another Yuuzhan Vong outpost along the boarder, using the same tactics as the first strike and with the same results as the first attack. The second Yuuzhan Vong outpost has now been wiped out along with the small number of Yuuzhan Vong warships in orbit.

Over the next month the Centurion hits more and more Yuuzhan Vong outposts along the new boarder, wiping them out, as they do so the Yuuzhan Vong are more alert as the Centurion finds out halfway through the month as the warships defending each Yuuzhan Vong outposts is on a higher state of alert. As the numbers and type of Yuuzhan Vong protecting each Yuuzhan Vong outpost is no match for the Centurion, they are destroyed, but each battle is taking slightly longer than the last.

Thirty Days Later

At the end of the first month the Centurion has to break of her attack run as the Centurion has expended its stock of project blue biological agent and needs time to restock and rest for the next few weeks. The main problem with the Project Blue biological agent is that the biological agent needs to be specially stored and transported, if this is not done correctly the biological agent if exposed to an atmosphere etc will after one hundred hours begin to disperse.

In thirty days the Centurion has managed to eliminate six Yuuzhan Vong outpost systems, though this is only a small number the Yuuzhan Vong have increased there patrol activity along there boarder out of all proportion to the number of outpost systems that have been eliminated, drawing the Yuuzhan Vong forces from protecting more key systems. In this way Project Blue and the Centurion will pay dividends when the offensive restarts.

The next problem with Project Blue is the transportation, as this cannot be done directly from the Qektoth Confederation as the New Republic would pick-up on any special shipments coming directly from the Calon sector. So the shipments have to be made indirectly and this will take more time to deliver replacement Project Blue biological agent to the Centurion, in the meantime the Centurion has been temporally reassigned.

Coruscant several days later

The Centurion during these next few weeks is ordered to form up as part of Grand Admiral Hammonds escort group that is now in orbit over Coruscant for discussions with not only the leadership of the New Republic but also the Imperial Remnant on the future direction and course of the war. This also means as Jav is the most senior Sith present he will have to escort Grand Admiral Hammond to all the meetings and functions in the newly rebuilt Senate building formally known as the Imperial Palace, something that Jav was not looking forward to.

As the Centurion comes out of hyperspace, running with its sensor shields up to disguise its true nature. On the tactical display Jav could see a large number of warships present in the Centurion system including a single Executor class the SSD Guardian formally part of the Empire but now part of the New Republics fleet and under the command of General Wedge Antilles who seems to have been assigned to part of the defence fleet guarding Coruscant.

The Centurion is given its orbital assignment near the Victorious II and then once the Centurion is settled into position Jav will be going down to Coruscant for the duration of the newly constructed Senate building along with Grand Admiral Hammond and other Imperial diplomats and officials.

The next few weeks with either are very boring for Jav (and the Shadow Empire) or very interesting, only time will tell.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 26 – Coruscant

On arriving as the landing area on the Senate building, Jav is escorted to the Imperial diplomatic wing of the Senate building, guarded by Imperial personnel (as a curtsey by the New Republic government), the other Imperial government occupying the Imperial diplomatic wing is that of the Imperial Remnant.

His quarters are the leading edge of luxury and have been extensively out fitted (much to Jav distaste), the view from the meeting area in his quarters is a panoramic view of part of Coruscant, with nearby buildings either being repaired or rebuilt. Once Jav has settled in he reports to Grand Admiral Hammond’s office via comm link that he has arrived, the aide to Grand Admiral Hammond thanks Jav Stele and logs the information.

Jav then leaves his quarters and begins to wonder around the Imperial diplomatic wing of the Senate building, to get his bearings and to make his presence felt. As he walks along the corridors Imperial diplomatic personnel from both the Shadow Empire Command and the Imperial Remnant move out of his way (not wanting to anger a Sith).

Once Jav has toured the Imperial diplomatic wing of the Senate building over the past few hours, Jav decides to have a look around the rest of the Senate building. Jav leaves the Imperial diplomatic wing of the Senate building and begins to move around the rest of the open area of New Republics Senate building.

The New Republics security forces that are guarding the rest of the Senate building do nothing to hinder him. As the New Republic guards at the entrance to the Imperial diplomatic wing have alerted there colleagues to the presence of Jav Stele and what he is, thus Jav is able to wonder around the open areas without any problems (much to his amusement).

As Jav is wondering around he senses that he is being followed by a Jedi, who seems to be trying to keep out of sight while following Jav (and failing) as Jav has sensed the Jedi presence. After leading the Jedi around the Senate building for several hours (for his own amusement), Jav returned to the Imperial diplomatic wing, where the Jedi could not follow and back to his quarters.

Main Senate meeting room

Those attending the meeting are for the Shadow Empire Grand Admiral Hammond, Jav Stele along with several diplomats, for the Imperial Remnant are Admiral Pellaeon and also several diplomats, for the New Republic are New Republic President Cal Omas, General Wedge Antilles, Jedi Knight Kyp Durron along with various New Republic officials and diplomats.

This meeting is designed to see about the future military operations against the Yuuzhan Vong and also how to regain control of those systems that are still under Yuuzhan Vong occupation.

During the initial introductions while Jav was meeting Kyp Durron. Jav says to Kyp Durron, “I know you where following me yesterday, do you know that you are not very good at following people, maybe you need more practice” and leaves Kyp Durron standing not knowing what to say in reply and Jav walks away with an evil grin on his face.

Once everyone have taken there seats, with Jav Stele sitting to the right of Grand Admiral Hammond, this has not gone unnoticed by either the Imperial Remnant or the New Republic, in the Jav Stele is sitting in for Lord Tremayne, thus showing the other powers how high up in the Sith ranking Jav Stele is.

The meeting get underway with the usual diplomatic niceties between the three powers. Once this is done General Antilles begins a brief summery of the New Republics fleet deployments and the rate that new warships are being built now that the core systems are back under New Republic control, General Antilles also reports that several systems on the new boarder have been abandoned and the facilities have been destroyed.

As General Antilles is reporting on those systems that the Yuuzhan Vong has “withdrawn” from, these systems are the ones that Jav Stele, using the Centurion attacked with Project Blue. The New Republic revealing this information will lead the Grand Admiral Hammond to correctly ascertain that the New Republic is unaware of what has really happened.

After another hour General Antilles has finished his briefing in the New Republics fleet deployments, and then Admiral Pellaeon starts his briefing in the readiness of the Imperial Remnants military forces. During this briefing, Admiral Pellaeon states that the Imperial Remnants military forces should be able to restart offensive operations as the two World Devastators that had been sent to clean up after the Yuuzhan Vong, have boosted the Imperial Remnants production capabilities and allowed that Imperial Remnants military forces to rebuild at a much quicker rate that originally anticipated.

Admiral Pellaeon also states during his briefing (much to the relief of the New Republic) that the Shadow Empire Command will only replace existing equipment with the same level of technology that is available to the Imperial Remnant and not give the Imperial Remnant more advanced technology. The Shadow Empire Command will however produce new equipment for the Imperial Remnant such as TIE Defenders etc as the Imperial Remnant has access to this level of technology and simply does not have the production capacity to produce enough on its own.

Admiral Pellaeon ends by stating the without the intervention of the Shadow Empire Command the Imperial Remnants military forces would be is a far worse condition and it would be many years if not decades until they could have recovered. Admiral Pellaeon finishes by stating that the Imperial Remnant should be able to deploy a fleet equivalent to an old Imperial sector group within the next month.

Then Grand Admiral Hammond starts his briefing on the Shadow Empire Command, something that the New Republic is looking forward to as the New Republic hopes to learn of the strength to the Shadow Empire Command as a whole, not just the forces deployed against the Yuuzhan Vong.

Unfortunately the New Republic is in for a disappointment as the first thing that Grand Admiral Hammond states is that he will only be discussing the forces currently deployed against the Yuuzhan Vong and not the Shadow Empire as a whole. This initial statement by Grand Admiral Hammond causes some murmuring amongst the New Republic contingent at the meeting, especially one member, the senior Bothan Senator Sorlorsk Fey’lya a relative of the former New Republic President Borsk Fey'lya.

Senator Sorlorsk Fey’lya interrupts Grand Admiral Hammond just after he has announced that he will only be discussing the forces sent to aid in the fight against the Yuuzhan Vong, he says, “Grand Admiral why will you not inform this body of the true strength of your command?”

Grand Admiral Hammond looking straight at Senator Sorlorsk Fey’lya replies in a very claim voice, “Senator Sorlorsk Fey’lya I do not have to answer that question and I will not. The structure and disposition of the Shadow Empire Command is classified and you Senator do not have the authority to change that order.”

Senator Sorlorsk Fey'lya not to be out done continues by saying, “Grand Admiral can you tell me who does have the authority?”

Grand Admiral Hammond still looking at the Senator says, “Only the Emperor has the authority to issue order to me that order Senator.”

Senator Sorlorsk Fey’lya replies, “The Emperor dead, your pet Sith” pointing to Jav “Speaks for Emperor, as in the old days, as Lord Vader spoke for the Emperor, so the Sith should be able to issue that order to you”

Next to Grand Admiral Hammond Jav Stele stirs slightly and says in a very chilling voice to Senator Sorlorsk Fey’lya, “you had better watch your tone Senator, we maybe allies, but that does not mean that you can demand information in such a tone.”

Senator Sorlorsk Fey’lya with some venom in his voice replies, “Be silent boy, when I want your opinion I will.....” suddenly Senator Sorlorsk Fey’lya begins to choke and Jav says, “Do not underestimate the Dark Side of the Force Senator, in the grand scheme of things Senator you are nothing.”

President Cal Omas who has been watching the events with increasing horror and what Senator Sorlorsk Fey’lya has been saying and his increasingly hostile tone says, “Please release the Senator, we are allies after all”

For several moments Grand Admiral Hammond lets the moments hang then says, “Very Mr President, Jav release the Senator”

Jav looks a Grand Admiral Hammond and says, “As you wish” and releases Senator Sorlorsk Fey’lya from the force choke that he had the Senator in, though the Senator was never in any danger as Jav was allowing enough air through, but the Senator did not know.

President Cal Omas says, “thank you both” nodding to both Grand Admiral Hammond and Jav Stele “I think we will need a break and I suggest that we reconvene tomorrow after everyone has calmed down, then Grand Admiral Hammond can deliver his report, are there and objections” holding gavel for a second then slamming it down says “Good meeting adjourned”

Jav returns to his quarters after being complement by Grand Admiral Hammond on the way he handled Senator Sorlorsk Fey’lya. When Jav was at the guard post at the entrance to the Imperial diplomatic wing of the Senate building he issues instructions to the guard commander.

Two hours later.....

At the entrance to the Imperial diplomatic wing is Jedi Knight Kyp Durron, who asks the Imperial lieutenant at the guard post, “Could I see Jav Stele, please?”

The Imperial lieutenant replies, “Name?”

Kyp Durron says his name to the lieutenant and to Kyp Durron surprise the Imperial lieutenant says, “Your name is on the day list of visitors, Jav Stele is expecting you” turning to one of the guards the lieutenant says, “guard, escort Jedi Knight Kyp Durron to Jav Stele’s quarters” the guard replies, “Yes sir”

As Kyp Durron following the guard down the corridors of the Imperial diplomatic wing, the Imperial personnel give Kyp Durron some strange looks and some even move out of the way (presumably thinking he is a Sith!).

Outside Jav Stele’s quarters there are two members of the Imperial Royal guard, as Kyp Durron moves towards them they move out of the way and the door to Jav Stele’s quarters opens.

Inside Jav’s quarters Kyp Durron moves into the main part of the quarters to find Jav doing a single handed hand stand with various bit of furniture into that air at the same time seeing Kyp Durron says, “Hi, I have been expecting you, after all you where the one following me around earlier, weren’t you?”

A Kyp Durron slightly surprised replies, “So you knew about me following you I suspected that you knew. You also knew that I would come to see you after what you did to Senator Sorlorsk Fey’lya, I suppose that you had a vision of me coming here?”

Jav still in the same position replies, “No I did not have a vision, Grand Admiral Hammond told me that you would be coming to see me, you should never underestimate either Grand Admiral Hammond or Grand Admiral Thrawn or even the Dark Side of the force.”

With that Jav lowers the furniture to the ground and drops himself smoothly to the ground as well and says, “I was also curious about the Jedi as I had very little contact with the Jedi, beyond the battle for Coruscant, this is.”

Kyp Durron who is still trying to take it all in says, “Do you what to become a Jedi then?”

Jav laughs and says, “No I am committed to the Sith order and nothing will change that, all I am interested in is if the Jedi have anything useful to teach me?”

Kyp Durron responds, “I meant no offence. The Jedi have set-up a small training area in the Senate building, would you like to come and see the Jedi students training, though the training area is very limited at the moment and most of the Jedi are of at the front line at the moment, presumably like the Sith are?”

Jav smiles broadly and says, “I would love to come, all this diplomacy is very boring and yes most of the Sith are at the front line, but not all”

With that they both head off to the Jedi training area in the Senate building.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 27 – Jedi and Sith

After leading Jav to the Jedi Training area within the Senate building, Kyp Durron shows Jav the lightsaber sparing area and the training versions of the lightsabers, the training lightsaber is used by Jedi trainees to practice lightsaber combat while non-lethal, contact with the blade could cause bruising and even minor burns. This type of lightsaber was often used in conjunction with the basic Shii-Cho style of lightsaber combat.

Jav picks up one of the training lightsabers and begins to play with the training sabre to get the “feel” of the sabre once Jav has the feel of the training lightsaber he says to Kyp Durron with a laugh, “Do you want to fight a Sith, Kyp?”

Kyp Durron smiles and says, “Sure, why not” and uses the force to pick up one of the training lightsabers, as this begins to happen several of the Jedi and trainee Jedi come into the training area to watch the duel. As both Kyp and Jav begin to circle each other, with sabres ignited, then suddenly Jav launches a short but swift attack against Kyp, who is able to defend himself against that attack.

As both force users continue to circle each other, with the occasional probing attack that is easily defended against by either Kyp or Jav as this goes on the intensity of the duel increases until the probing attacks become one long duel with neither willing to back down.

Kyp does notice at the sabre battle goes on the Jav does not appear to exerting himself physically or with the force, as if to prolong the battle. During the fighting Jav Looks straight at Kyp and just nods at Kyp as if Jav knows what Kyp is thinking. Kyp transferring some of his concentration says to Jav, “I feel that you are not exerting yourself or that you are using the force to the full”

Jav grins at Kyp while they circle each other, Jav replies, “You are right, I am not exerting or using my full potential with the Dark Side of the force, otherwise this fight would be over to quickly and that would be no fun at all”

Kyp replies, “Don’t hold back on my account” the words are barely out of Kyp’s mouth, when Jav launches a full strength attack on Kyp, who retreats under the force of the attack, Jav’s training sabre moves at a blinding speed and Kyp is having trouble dealing with the concentrated attack of Jav Stele.

As Kyp try’s to hold Jav back, this is looking increasing unlikely even though Kyp is using all his abilities with his lightsaber, but is unable to hold of Jav. Then suddenly his own training lightsaber fly’s from his hand, when Jav manages to touch the top of Kyp’s hand causing Kyp to instinctively open his hand releasing the training lightsaber.

Once Jav has both lightsabers the duel is over and Jav has beaten Kyp, Kyp says, “You fight very well with a lightsaber Jav for one so young”

Jav repiles, “Thanks Kyp, you are good and I found this fun to do. I have been using a lightsaber since I was ten” and with a laugh he goes on to say, “after so much time I ought to be good by now.” Around them the other Jedi trainees applaud the well-fought duel Jav in response gives a small bow.

Once the training lightsabers are put back Kyp shows Jav the rest of the small Jedi training facility, the tour does not take long. Once this tour is done Jav returns to his quarters in the Imperial diplomatic wing, leaving Kyp to report on the Sith’s obvious abilities with the lightsaber and the Dark Side of the force. This report does not go down very well with Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, who is now worrying how many Sith there are within the Unknown Regions (Shadow Empire Command) and does he have enough Jedi to deal with any Sith “problems” that might crop up?

The next day, main Senate meeting room

The meeting that had been interrupted by the confrontation between Jav Stele and Senator Sorlorsk Fey’lya, now that the meeting has resumed, with the same people in attendance. Senator Sorlorsk Fey’lya now sitting quietly with a scowl on his face, the opposite can be said of Jav Stele who is smiling. Now that the meeting has resumed, Grand Admiral Hammond can brief his fellow “allies” on the forces that the Shadow Empire Command has committed to the fight against the Yuuzhan Vong, but not on the true size of the Shadow Empire Command as a whole.

Grand Admiral Hammond states that the Shadow Empire Command has committed a total of fourteen of its fleets against the Yuuzhan Vong along with three assault fleets. These three assault fleets have now been split up into various sub fleets and spread amongst the fourteen Imperial fleets to various degrees, depending on the strength of the forces that would be defending either a system with several planets or systems with a single occupied planet.

Grand Admiral Hammond goes onto says that of these fourteen Imperial fleets three are currently guarding the Imperial Remnant, but this will soon be reduced to one fleet as the Imperial Remnants military forces have almost finished rebuilding/repairing themselves after the Yuuzhan Vong attack on there space. The two World Devastators that have been accompanying the various Imperial fleets have been used to clear up the debris in the aftermath of any space battles.

The other two World Devastators that are currently being used to help rebuild the Imperial Remnants military forces. This work is almost complete, once it is these two World Devastators will join the current two on the front lines to assist in clearing up operations and add to the mobile production capability of not only the Imperial fleets, but also that of their New Republic allies.

Once Grand Admiral Hammond has finished his briefing he asks if there area any questions, the first to speak is General Wedge Antilles who says, “Grand Admiral Hammond, thank you for your briefing, I do have a question. The forces that the Shadow Empire Command have gathered he are more that enough to deal with the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, so why are you bothering to help us, as you don’t really need either the New Republics or the Imperial Remnants support, in military terms, do you?”

Grand Admiral Hammond chuckles and says to General Antilles, “I was wondering when someone would ask that question.” Pausing for a moment then continues “it is true that the Shadow Empire Command could deal with the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, as you are aware that the forces deployed here are not all of the forces that the Shadow Empire Command could deploy into battle.”

Grand Admiral Hammond pauses again “but as I have stated before my orders are to preserve the Shadow Empire by whatever means necessary and if I where to deploy all my forces against the Yuuzhan Vong I would neglecting those orders. Therefore I need allies at the moment to defeat the Yuuzhan Vong just as the New Republic needs the Shadow Empire to defeat the Yuuzhan Vong, do you understand General Antilles?”

General Antilles replies, “Yes I do, thank you for the answer Grand Admiral Hammond”

President Cal Omas who has been sitting quietly listening to the conversation between General Antilles and Grand Admiral Hammond says, “I have a question about the Sith, Grand Admiral?”

Grand Admiral Hammond looks straight at President Cal Omas and for several moments says nothing (for effect) then says, “Ask your question, you may or may not get an answer Mr President.”

President Cal Omas who is now looking slightly nervously at Jav says, “Do the Sith answer to you or do they answer to Lord Tremayne?”

Grand Admiral Hammond replies, “the simple answer that I can give you is that the Sith answer to both myself and Lord Tremayne, that is as much as I can tell you”

President Cal Omas replies, “thank you” and the goes onto say, “Now I believe we have a briefing from Jedi Knight Kyp Durron what has some information to pass on from the Jedi order.”

Kyp Durron says, “Thank you Mr President. Information has been received by the Jedi order concerning Zonama Sekot, the legendary “rogue planet”. Before the Yuuzhan Vong attack the Jedi order had uncovered evidence of the planets existence, but this could not be perused as the advance of the Yuuzhan Vong had occupied the planet where this information is.”

Kyp Durron goes on to say, “Recently with the victories over the Yuuzhan Vong the Jedi order has been able to restart its investigations. These investigations have reviled the following. During the time of the old Galactic Republic, Zonama Sekot was rumoured to be home to the fastest ships in the galaxy. Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, travelled there to find fellow Jedi Vergere and to purchase one of the planet's living ships. Anakin bonded with a record twelve seed-partners Obi-Wan bonded with an additional three. Wilhuff Tarkin, then a Republic commander, declared war on the living world and attacked it. Zonama Sekot unveiled its hyperdrive system and escaped into hyperspace to an unknown location.”

Grand Admiral Hammond is the first to respond and says, “Fascinating, do you have the location of the planet then?”

Kyp Durron replies, “Yes, but not the exact location, but we do know where to start looking”

Grand Admiral Hammond asks, “Where would that be?”

Kyp Durron replies, “This is the bit you are not going to like Grand Admiral, it is in the Unknown Regions, to be precise the far side of the Unknown Regions”

Grand Admiral Hammond replies, “You are right I don’t like the answer, but I do have a question. How is this planet relevant to the current conflict against the Yuuzhan Vong?”

Kyp Durron replies, “Recent evidence uncovered by the Jedi Order” Kyp Durron pulls out a small data disk and plugs it into the main holographic display in the centre of the table. This display’s the hyperspace jump, along with its exit vector, showing that the far edge of the Unknown Regions could be its only destination, along with Biological readouts indicating that Zonama Sekot is of Yuuzhan Vong origin.

Grand Admiral Hammond replies, “This is very strong evidence, but I cannot allow a large task force to enter the Unknown Regions”

Admiral Pellaeon interrupts and says before anyone can speak, “Perhaps the Imperial Remnant could send a single ship into the unknown regions with a joint team of observers onboard, a frigate class perhaps?”

Grand Admiral Hammond thinks for a while and then says, “Very well, I will allow one ship and I will choose who from my command goes onboard that ship”

Admiral Pellaeon replies, “Agreed, Grand Admiral”

President Cal Omas reluctantly says, “I also agree, thank you” nodding towards Admiral Pellaeon, who returns the nod.

The rest of the meeting decides that the attack against the Yuuzhan Vong occupied territories would continue, with a timetable for the attack being set for five weeks time.

Later….

After the meeting in Grand Admiral Hammond’s quarters within the Imperial diplomatic wing of the New Senate Building, Grand Admiral Hammond is finishing briefing Jav Stele on his new orders concerning the expedition to find Zonama Sekot and that Jav Stele will be going along and the representative of the Shadow Empire.

Grand Admiral Hammond finishes the briefing by saying “You understand what your orders are for this mission Jav?”

Jav Stele replies, “Yes I do, Grand Admiral”

Grand Admiral Hammond replies, “Good then you had better be on your way”

Jav leaves to pack and then to the Centurion and with the Centurion to the rendezvous point within the Imperial Remnant.

The war against the Yuuzhan Vong would continue while the expedition to find Zonama Sekot would explore the far side of the Unknown Regions.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 28 – Offensive Operations

After several days in hyperspace the Centurion comes out of hyperspace at the edge of the Yaga system near the planet of Yaga Minor. The planet of Yaga Minor is one of the last strongholds of the Imperial Remnant. It features a major cluster of shipyards that proved instrumental in Grand Admiral Thrawn's campaign against the New Republic (before his “death”), and is also the site of an important Ubiqtorate Intelligence base.

At the time of the signing of the Pellaeon-Gavrisom Treaty, Yaga Minor was the last shipyard under Imperial control. Yaga Minor governed by Moff Kurlen Flennic and ally of Admiral Pellaeon.

The Yaga system is therefore very heavily guarded by the Imperial Remnant military forces and there are a large number of Imperial warships assigned to the Yaga system, along with numerous orbital battle stations, the planet of Yaga Minor is equipped with a full planetary defence shield system.

Once in the Yaga system the Centurion is given a parking position next to the frigate that will be taking the expedition into the Unknown Regions. The frigate assigned to the mission is the Widowmaker is a Nebulon-B type frigate of the Imperial Remnant Navy, captained by Arien Yage, also onboard the Widowmaker would be Jedi Master Skywalker and Mara Jade-Skywalker along with Jagged Fel and the pilots of his Twin Suns Fighter Squadron.

The Twin Suns Fighters Squadron is made up of the following pilots, Jagged Fel (leader), Jaina Solo, Kyp Durron, Zindra Daine, Voort saBinring, Sharr Latt, Tilath Keer, Beelyath and Tesar Sebatyne. With most of the pilots of the Twin Suns Fighters Squadron being Jedi Knights, leaving Jav Stele at a perceived disadvantage, being the only Sith onboard and the only representative of the Shadow Empire Command.

Once Jav Stele is onboard the Widowmaker the Centurion jumps back into hyperspace, but this will not be the last the Widowmaker sees of the Centurion, as the Centurions Captain has orders to follow the Widowmaker under cloak at a discreet distance until called for by Jav Stele or if the Widowmaker comes under attack by the Yuuzhan Vong.

A potential attack by the Yuuzhan Vong is highly likely as the New Republic leaks like a sieve and the Yuuzhan Vong are bound to try and stop the mission of the Widowmaker.

Once the introductions area made with Jav Stele and Jagged Fel both knowing each other through Jav Stele’s brief visit to the Chiss Ascendancy. Where Jav Stele was introduced to the Chiss Ascendancy leadership as a Sith and what authority Jav Stele has within the Shadow Empire Command and his standing within the Sith order (something that Jagged Fel will not discuss with anyone onboard the Widowmaker).

As soon as everyone is onboard the Widowmaker, the ship jumps into hyperspace to the boarder area between the Unknown Regions and the Outer Rim Territories, once at the edge of the Unknown Regions. Jav Stele gives the coordinates for the next hyperspace jump by the Widowmaker to make sure that the Widowmaker does not jump into one of the systems defended by the Shadow Empire. As soon as the Widowmaker is in hyperspace Jav Stele goes to his small quarters to settle in, as it will take several days to reach the next jump point.

Two days later….

With at least another five days in hyperspace the joint crew of the Widowmaker has been trying to coordinate themselves even though they come from former opposing powers, this seems to be going very well. With Jav Stele talking a lot but not saying anything, all Jav would talk about is lightsaber construction and starfighter piloting, much to the annoyance of Mara Jade-Skywalker who for the first couple of days had been trying to get information out of Jav Stele, only to find he was using this to try and seduce her!

This does not go down well with Mara Jade-Skywalker who confronts Jav Stele about the attempt to seduce her, all Jav Stele does is shrug his shoulders and says, “well it was worth a try” and walks off leaving Mara Jade-Skywalker even more annoyed at Jav Stele, but with recourse Mara Jade-Skywalker drops the matter.

Five days later…..

As the Widowmaker comes out at the first hyperspace jump point in the Unknown Regions finding nothing within sensor range the Widowmaker jumps to the next hyperspace waypoint, in there journey to the out edge of the Unknown Regions.

This routine is kept up for the next few weeks, as the Widowmaker has to make several jumps in order to avoid the military bases of the Shadow Empire Command. After five weeks of this the crew of the Widowmaker have settled in and are used to the new routine, but as the Widowmaker comes out of hyperspace the alarms go of notifying the bridge crew that there are other spacecraft in the vicinity.

Captain Yage who is on the bridge says, “Sensor operator, report”

The sensor operator replies, “Aye sir, there are eleven large ships at the edge of our sensor range, they appear to be” the sensor operator pausing for a moment to double check and continues “eleven World Devastators along with around one hundred other warships and support vessel”

Captain Yage punches the ships intercom button and says, “Jav Stele to the bridge please” after finishing he switches off the intercom.

As the bridge crew wait for Jav Stele’s arrival, they all watch on the bridges main view screen as the Widowmaker continues to close with the eleven 30 kilometre long World Devastators. The Captain of the Widowmaker can only look in envy at the power of the Shadow Empire Command, wishing that the Imperial Remnant had access to such resources and firepower.

Once Jav is on the bridge he glances at the tactical display and says, “Why do you need me, aren’t you broadcasting the IFF signal I gave you?”

Captain Yage replies, “Yes we are but I thought that the World Devastators may need some special clearance?”

Jav laughs and says, “No, they don’t as long as I am onboard this ship and as long as you keep broadcasting this IFF and do not deviate from this course then you will be safe, understand?”

Captain Yage replies, “Yes sir, I understand, sorry to bother you”

Jav again laughs and says, “No problem, do not worry I will not kill you, as I an no Lord Vader” turning to Jedi Master Skywalker with a silly grin on his face and continues “I would worry about this Jedi Master more than me”

Captain Yage frowns and says, “Why?”

Jav still looking at Jedi Master Skywalker replies, “Did you not think to tell the New Republic about you find in the Unknown Regions a few years ago?”

Captain Yage frowns more and says, “What find?”

Jav now on the verge of a fit of laughter says, “Why the Hand of Thrawn base” and then bursts out into a fit of laughter at Jedi Master Skywalker’s expression and obvious discomfort.

Everyone on the bridge is now looking at Jedi Master Skywalker who says, “We felt it was better that no one discovered that Thrawn had a base of operations in the Unknown Regions”

Jav who has now managed to stop laughing says, “Oh it gets better than that, Jedi Master Skywalker and Mara Jade-Skywalker discovered the true extent of the Empires control over the Unknown Regions all those years ago” again looking Jedi Master Skywalker Jav says “do you what to tell everyone or shall I”

Jedi Master Skywalker takes a deep breath and says, “We discovered that the Shadow Empire extended to around 250 sectors in size, but at the time we though that it was an area of space that Thrawn had explored we had no knowledge of the Shadow Empire at that time. At the time we did not want the Imperial Remnant getting hold of this information, as we did not yet have a peace treaty with the Imperial Remnant. I think that it was the right decision at the time and I will stand by it.”

From the corner of the bridge the senior New Republic diplomat Caven Son says, “Well I do not think that was the right decision. Especially keeping this information from the New Republic, when we get back I will be informing the New Republic security council about this” then facing Jav he goes on to say “I think know why you did this, I doubt it will work.”

Jav who is still smiling says, “I know it won’t but it was worth it for a good laugh” at the fighter operations area of the bridge comes another laugh, this time from Jagged Fel, who can’t contain himself anymore.

Jaina Solo who is next to Jagged Fel says to him, “You knew?”

Jagged Fel replies, “Sure I knew, the Chriss have been allies with the Shadow Empire for a long time, sorry about that. But you don’t have the automatic right to know everything that I know, you people from the New Republic automatically assume that for some odd reason, like small children, very demanding” all Jaina Solo does in nod in agreement.

After that conversation everyone leaves that is not involved in bridge operations leaves, once the Widowmaker has cleared the World Devastators, it jumps into hyperspace to continue on it journey to the edge of the Unknown Regions. On his way back to his quarters Jedi Master Skywalker thinks that the New Republic council will have more than a few questions to ask him, also he suspects that the New Republic will be keeping a much closer eye on the Jedi after this war is over.

That is was Jedi Master Skywalker suspects that Jav has gained from doing what he has just done.

Meanwhile back on the front line ……

The combined fleets of the New Republic, Imperial Remnant and the Shadow Empire have resumed there attacks against the worlds still held by the Yuuzhan Vong, unfortunately the attacks are going much more slowly than the previous attack as the pause has allowed the Yuuzhan Vong to dig into key system and worlds.

It is taking much longer to literally blast the Yuuzhan Vong out of these positions than previous attacks as the Yuuzhan Vong have been given a long time to dig in a prepare there defences against the evitable attack.

As the attacks progress at a very slow pace, the only attacks to proceed slightly faster are those four fleets that each have a single Eclipse class super spare destroyer attached, as the firepower of the Eclipse class can easily turn the tide of a battle and can dominate any space battle with ease.

Eclipse class also proves very useful in punching though the planetary shields and destroying the shield generators, thus allowing troops to assault the planet, where there is no Eclipse class the bombardment to being down the pantry shields takes much longer, weeks or even months in some cases before the troops can start landing on a planet.

As the weeks and then months drag on the fighting would get much more intense as the combined fleets of the New Republic, Imperial Remnant and the Shadow Empire penetrate deeper into Yuuzhan Vong controlled space. As each planet is liberated the joint fleets find that any member of the population of that planet that does not conform to the Yuuzhan Vong “religion” is killed.

The death toll from these systems are already in the billions, the New Republic, Imperial Remnant and the Shadow Empire expect that number to climb as they retake more systems and planets over the next few months and what appears to be years of campaigning left before these final systems will be freed from Yuuzhan Vong occupation.

Six months later…..

After six months of searching the area between the edge of the Unknown Regions and the void between the Galaxies the Widowmaker has so far found no sign of the planet Zonama Sekot most of the crew now think that the planet of Zonama Sekot is just a legend and this search is a waist of time. But they are under orders from their respective governments to complete a thorough search of this area of space and it will take another six months to complete the search.

What no one onboard knows is that a large fleet of three hundred Yuuzhan Vong is following the Widowmaker at a very discreet distance. The Yuuzhan Vong had found out about the Widowmaker’s mission and had ordered a fleet to be detached to follow the Widowmaker and to seize Zonama Sekot by force for use by the Yuuzhan Vong.

What neither the Yuuzhan Vong or most of the crew of the Widowmaker is that the Centurion (under cloak) is following the Widowmaker (in a different course) as well and the only Jav Stele knows this and can summon the Centurion at any time.

Five and a half months later…..

As the Widowmaker is coming to one of the last batch of systems to search before they will turn for home, as the Widowmaker enters the system, the sensor operator reports that there are a large number of asteroids in the system. Making it impossible to do micro hyperspace jumps inside this system, so the system and any planets with this system will have to be scanned at sub light speeds (which will take longer).

The sensor operator also states that there is only one clear root into and out of the dense asteroids field surrounding this systems sun. After several hours slowly making there way though the clear path the Widowmaker enters the system, to find a single planet orbiting the sun and from the initial readout it appears to be Zonama Sekot.

Onboard the Widowmaker the news that they have found is greeted with astonishment and joy and a lot of cheering. Once the cheering has ceased, Captain Yage orders the Widowmaker into a very high orbit around Zonama Sekot, while at the same time broadcasting messages of peace and friendship.

Once the Widowmaker is in orbit, there is a message broadcast from Zonama Sekot welcoming the Widowmaker and inviting a delegation to come down to the planets surface.

A contact team is quickly chosen, but oddly Jav Stele does not want to go down to the planet, so he is left of the team, much to the relief of the Jedi and members of the New Republic. Once the shuttles have left and successfully landed on the planet the Widowmaker waits to see what will happen with this first contact, but this will be short lived, as unexpected visitors turn up.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 29 – Holding the Yuuzhan Vong!

As the landing team continued with their long negations with Zonama Sekot, the Widowmaker is maintaining her very high orbit around Zonama Sekot, waiting for a response, but events will overtake the negations with Zonama Sekot.

After an hour or so the sensor operator says, “Sir I am picking up multiple contacts at long range, they appear to be approaching the gap in the asteroid belt that we passed though, estimated time to the belt is just over one hour at there current speed.”

Captain Yage says, “Can you identify them?”

Sensor operator says, “Just coming into rage now, dam, they are Yuuzhan Vong warships, multiple types, around three hundred in number.”

Captain Yage says “All hands to battle stations” and the alarms go of throughout the Widowmaker.

On communication with the contact team on the planets surface, it is decided that the team will stay on the planets surface to help with defence, while the Widowmaker try’s to go for help.

On the bridge Jav Stele has been looking at the display intently and gripping his own comm link and then says, “You will not need to go for help Captain Yage” and without waiting for a reply Jav activates his comm link and says, “This is Jav to Centurion I need you now, over”

Over the comm link the reply is “Confirmed, disengage cloaking device” near the Widowmaker the Centurion shimmers out of her cloak. With a very stunned Captain Yage looking with an open mouth at Jav Stele.

Jav says, “Captain Cirri, send a shuttle for me and put the ship on battle stations”

Over the comm link Captain Cirri, “Aye sir”, turning to Captain Yage Jav says, “I have a way to send as message to the Shadow Empire, trust me” as soon as Jav has finished a shuttlecraft is seen leaving the Centurion’s hanger bay.

Jav Stele leaves the bridge, to first go to his quarters to pick up stuff and then onto the shuttle bay, by the time Jav Stele has arrived they shuttlecraft has also arrived, Jav Stele the boards the shuttlecraft for the short journey to the Centurion.

Centurion’s bridge several minutes later…

Once on the bridge Jav says, “Ship, do you still have contact with central?”

Over the bridge speaker the Centurion’s main computer replies, “Yes, I have access I can send and received tactical information, with no interference.”

Jav says, “I want you to punch through a message to the strategy computer in Shadow Base Command Headquarters. I want you to tell it that there’s a Yuuzhan Vong battle fleet estimated at three hundred warships strong about to capture Zonama Sekot. Give it these coordinates. Tell it that the information comes from Jav Stele on the Centurion. Can you do that?”

Centurion’s main computer in what sounds like a very disgruntled tone replies, “I would remind you that I am not a communicator.”

Jav says, “Your carrier beam is the fastest way to contact Admiral Servalan.”

Centurion’s main computer replies, “That is not the purpose for which it was developed.”

Jav now getting slightly annoyed at the Centurions AI says, “Just do it, that is an order”

Centurion’s main computer replies, “I have passed the message, as you requested. The Shadow Base Command Headquarters strategy computer is now registering the information.”

Captain Cirri says, “So now what, it will be some time before reinforcements arrive.”

Jav smiles and replies, “Now we try to hold them off” pointing at the tactical display.

Shocked Captain Cirri now looking at Jav Stele says, “To fight off that fleet until the reinforcements get here?”

Jav replies, “That’s is what I said”

Captain Cirri says, “Why do we need to? With capabilities of this warship we could easily break out and come back for Zonama Sekot with the reinforcements”

Jav with an evil grin replies, “Why not?”

The sensor operator says, “Sir, They are under way, a small group of the Yuuzhan Vong battle fleet is moving towards the gap in the asteroid field.”

Jav says, “Well that settles it. We must coordinate with the Widowmaker.”

Captain Cirri says, “Ship, put the lead small group of Yuuzhan Vong warships on visual.”

Centurion’s main computer responds, “Confirmed.” The display shows a small group of Yuuzhan Vong warships approaching the gap in the asteroid field.

Jav looks at Captain Cirri and says, “Well?”

Captain Cirri takes a deep breath and says, “Ship, battle computers to calculate intercept course and strike ranges.”

Centurion’s main computer responds, “Confirmed.”

Captain Cirri says, “Put up the shields, clear the weapon systems for firing, all Shadow Droid fighters to hot standby.”

Centurion’s main computer responds, “Confirmed, shields are up, the weapon systems are fully charged for firing, all Shadow Droid fighters are on hot standby.”

Captain Cirri says, “Helm alter course, to intercept, communications, inform the Widowmaker to form up on us” there are several “aye sirs” from the bridge crew.

The Centurion and the Widowmaker form up and begin to move towards the lead elements of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet.

One minute to strike range…

Captain Cirri says, “We can't hold all of them.”

Jav says, “They can’t all come through that gap at once.”

The Centurion and the Widowmaker approaches the lead elements of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet coming through the hole in the dense asteroid field.

Jav says, “Stand by to fire.”

Captain Cirri says, “Jav I have to say that this is really stupid!”

Jav flashes another evil grin at Captain Cirri and says, “When did that ever stop us?” then pauses and says, “All forward batteries… Open Fire!”

A blaze of green energy bolts shoot from the Centurion’s forward weapons batteries towards the lead Yuuzhan Vong warships, the battle for Zonama Sekot has begun.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 30 – The Last Reserves

Meanwhile along way away…

Deep with the system that holds the Headquarters’ of the Shadow Empire, a tactical display is blipping continuously until an operator comes to see what the problem is, after looking at the readouts, the operator takes a copy of the information that had appeared on the display straight to Rear Admiral Durkim’s office.

A short while later…

Shadow Empire Command Headquarters’ - Command Base of the Supreme Commander of Imperial reserve forces of the Shadow Empire Admiral Servalan.

In her office Rear Admiral Durkim who enters and hands Admiral Servalan a report interrupts Admiral Servalan in a briefing about the ongoing war against the Yuuzhan Vong. Knowing that Admiral Durkim would not enter a meeting unless it is important, Admiral Servalan takes the report from Admiral Durkim without saying anything and reads the report.

After reading the report Admiral Servalan says, “When did this information come in?”

Rear Admiral Durkim replies, “It showed up on the strategy readouts a few minutes ago.”

After looking at the report again and seeing the enormity of the request, Servalan says, “All right, Durkim. Red One reserve fleet mobilization, to these coordinates.”

A surprised Durkim replies, “You believe it?”

Servalan responds by saying, “All available fighting warships to make maximum speed. Patch this office into the fleet coordination suite in the command bunker.” Then in a much stronger voice of command says “Well, get on with it!” with that order Durkim rushes out of Servalan’s office and shortly afterwards alarms start sounding throughout Shadow Base and beyond the base the planet is also going on alert, followed by the rest of the worlds colonised by the Empire in the Unknown Regions. Servalan then follows and turns towards the turbolift that will take her to the command complex deep underground.

Jav Stele’s ship, the Centurion is the only warship curtly fitted with the advanced carrier beam, which allows the Centurion’s main computer to send and receive tactical information at nearly instantaneous speed from the Shadow Empire Command Headquarters’. Thus allowing the Centurion to receive and send data without being jammed, as the advanced carrier beam is outside of the normal communications frequencies currently being used by anyone.

A short time later in the underground bunker complex, Admiral Servalan has moved herself into her secure command suite that resemble the command bridge of an Imperial class star destroyer but on a much larger scale and buried deep underground.

On the main display the following readouts on warship dispositions are starting scroll across the display…

++++++++++++

Flagship Galileo reports eighth reserve group under way, estimate coordinates achievable in four hours thirty-seven minutes.

Heavy Cruiser Beagle now estimating rendezvous coordinates in three hours and seventeen minutes.

Flotillas fourteen and sixteen confirm coordinates achievable in four hours and eight minutes.

++++++++++++

Durkim, who has arrived in the command bunker and has also been, looking at the readouts, turns to Servalan and says, “But what happens in the meantime?” Servalan has no answer to give the tension in the command bunker is intense and is rising, as the readouts continue flow in about the deployment underway.

With the bulk of the Shadow Empires Fleets engaged against the bulk of Yuuzhan Vong, the Shadow Empires remaining military is only enough for defensive operations and Admiral Servalan is taking a very big risk, by deploying what little reserves the Shadow Empire has left against this Yuuzhan Vong fleet.

The only defences that the systems have left are there orbital battle stations and starfighters along with any warships that are under repair or being upgraded. If however unlikely someone where to attack one of the main of survey bases within the explored territory of the Unknown Regions, then there would be very little in the way of reinforcements that could be sent.

Now the warships are on their way, these warships will need time, something that the do not have, the readouts on the warships ETA continue to flow across the main display…

++++++++++++

Flotillas seventeen, twenty-six and thirty-nine estimates six hours and six minutes until arrival at coordinates.

Star Destroyer Newton reports coordinates achievable in three hours and seven minutes.

Escort groups eleven and forty-two reports that coordinates are achievable in four hours and seventeen minutes.

Invidious group under way, estimate achievable coordinates in five hours fifty-one minutes.

++++++++++++

Meanwhile at the edge of the Unknown Regions things are hotting up…

The Heavy Cruiser Centurion is moving into position along with the Frigate Widowmaker to defend Zonama Sekot from attack by the Yuuzhan Vong who have arrived at the hole in the dense asteroid field and are coming through.

The Centurion along with the Widowmaker are making short work of the lead Yuuzhan Vong warships, but the Yuuzhan Vong warships are now starting to return fire against the Centurion and the Widowmaker. The Centurion being the more powerful of the two warships is better able to defend herself, both the Centurion and the Widowmaker are able to concentrate the shields in the forward arc and use their combined starfighter strength to shield them from Yuuzhan Vong fighters.

While both the Centurion and the Widowmaker are taking light damage the Centurion is better equipped to deal with the damage as the Centurion is equipped with a new automated repair system, controlled be the Centurion’s central computer.

The Centurion can repair itself when damaged. During such critical repair times, Centurion’s main computer can prioritise the survival of the Centurion over the well being of the crew (unless overridden), going so far as to deactivate life support in order to reroute power to repair devices. The auto-repair systems themselves would even attack anyone trying to keep them from doing their work.

The Widowmaker is equipped with normal lasers and turbolaser cannons, the Centurion is equipped with the latest Bio energy weapons from the Qektoth Confederation, the Bio energy weapons when fired, tendrils of blue electricity jump from one system to another, eventually unleashing fierce streaks rough, forked lightning at its target. This frightening weapon along with the plasma cannons completely ignores shields.

Though to someone who does not know how the Bio energy weapon this looks completely random, but this is not. As the Bio energy weapon slam into the lead ships of the Yuuzhan Vong warships, the Bio energy weapons discharge does much more damage per shot that a normal turbolaser cannon could do.

The first wave of Yuuzhan Vong warships are thirty corvette type vessels, these types of warship are no match for either the Centurion or the Widowmaker, it takes both warships working on conjunction took only forty-three minutes to dispatch this first wave, thus destroying ten percent of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet.

The commander of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet will not make the same mistake twice. The next wave of six Yuuzhan Vong are the cruiser analogue is a designation used by the New Republic to define a type this class capital ships used by the Yuuzhan Vong, these “cruiser analogues” and around 1,200 meters in length, roughly comparable to a star destroyer.

The Centurion’s main computer reports that the auto repair systems is currently working a five percent of capacity, as there is little damage for the auto repair systems to repair at the moment, but once the Yuuzhan Vong “cruiser analogues” come into firing range that will change.

The Yuuzhan Vong starfighters are still being held at bay by the Shadow Droid starfighters and a mix of X-wing and TIE Defender starfighters, the Shadow Droid starfighters are toting up considerable number of kills that are far exceeding the conventional starfighters.

Meanwhile…

Back at Shadow Empires Command Headquarters’ Admiral Servalan and Rear Admiral Durkim are watching the main display as the last of the reserves are deployed to the coordinates given by Jav Stele.

++++++++++++

World Devastators twenty-eight, twenty-nine and thirty estimate achievable coordinates in seven hours thirty-one minutes.

All reserve warships now deployed, total number of warships deployed nine hundred six of all classes.

Will continue to update ETA of reserve fleet as more information becomes available

++++++++++++

Admiral Servalan uses her command station to plot the routes of the warships deployed, on the main display, the information showing the deployment is changed to one of an overview of the Unknown Regions, showing the estimated positions of either individual Imperial warships or groups of warships headed towards the coordinates that Jav Stele had sent.

The nearest Imperial warship(s) are still over two hours from the coordinates.

A secondary display shows the feed coming in from the Centurion’s main computer and the initial success achieved by the Centurion and the Widowmaker, but this is short lived as the Yuuzhan Vong are deploying a much stronger force in the second wave. Centurion’s main computer is relaying this information via its carrier beam, thus Admiral Servalan can see what is happening but can do nothing to help.

A display on Rear Admiral Durkim console blips and he says, “Admiral Servalan, the courier ship is departing now for Grand Admiral Hammond coordinates”

Admiral Servalan replies, “Good, how long until the courier ship arrives at Grand Admiral Hammond’s coordinates?”

Rear Admiral Durkim replies, “Eighteen hours, Admiral”

Admiral Servalan replies, “So now it is a waiting game, to see if the Centurion and the Widowmaker can hold the Yuuzhan Vong until the reinforcements arrive” Rear Admiral Durkim nods in agreement.

Will the Centurion and the Widowmaker be able to hold the Yuuzhan Vong for long enough, or not?

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 31 – In the Firing Line

Onboard the Centurion Jav Stele was looking at the tactical display as the “cruiser analogues” where approaching firing range, Jav says, “Ship. Target the nearest enemy warship and concentrate all fire on that warship first”

Centurion’s main computer replies, “Confirmed”

As the first enemy warship comes within range Jav says, “Open fire”

Centurion’s main computer replies, “Confirmed, all forward batteries are firing” from the forward batteries comes a hail of fire from the bio energy weapons with unleashing fierce streaks rough, forked lightning at the bio energy weapons target.

The first Yuuzhan Vong “cruiser analogues” hull begins to crack open under the weight of fire from the Centurion, added to this fire is the turbo laser cannons fire from the Widowmaker. The return fire from the Yuuzhan Vong “cruiser analogues” impacts against the Centurion’s and Widowmaker’s shields, some of the fire penetrating through and damaging the armour of the warships hulls.

As before the Centurion is better able to withstand the return fire from the Yuuzhan Vong “cruiser analogues” than the Widowmaker is able to do. The Centurion’s auto repair system goes into action as soon as there is damage to repair, but the firepower of the Yuuzhan Vong “cruiser analogues” is greater than the corvettes of the first wave and even the Centurion is having problems dealing with the second wave of Yuuzhan Vong warships, but is still managing to hold the Yuuzhan Vong warships from coming through the gap in the asteroid field.

As the minutes tick by the damage to the Widowmaker is intense and the Widowmaker is forced to pull back, outside of the weapons range of the Yuuzhan Vong warships. To allow time to make some hasty repairs and re-enter combat, this will leave the Centurion on her own for the next few minutes, the Centurion will take the brunt of fire from the remaining four Yuuzhan Vong warships of the second wave.

Onboard the Yuuzhan Vong

Nom Anor has been watching the unfolding battle with interest, especially this Shadow Empire warship that seems to be able to repair itself and also seems to be able to fire through the Yuuzhan Vong shields with no lessening in the firepower of this Shadow Empire warship.

Nom Anor expresses interest if at all possible to capture this Shadow Empire warship for analysis so that all new Yuuzhan Vong warships could be made immune to the weapons systems of the Shadow Empire warship. The commander the Yuuzhan Vong fleet in reply states that he will try to capture this warship, but it may not be possible to capture this warship and this warship maybe destroyed in battle.

Both the commander of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet and Nom Anor know that these two warships are simply buying time for reinforcements to arrive and once that happens that battle will swing in favour of the combined New Republic, Imperial Remnant and Shadow Empire.

But what neither the commander of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet or Nom Anor knows is how long they have until the nearest Imperial warships arrive to support these two warships.

Shadow Empires Command Headquarters

It has been over two hours since the Centurion and the Widowmaker engaged the Yuuzhan Vong fleet and so far both warships have managed to withstand several attacks but the Yuuzhan Vong fleet, but with each attack both the Centurion and the Widowmaker are weakened and the Yuuzhan Vong fleet numbers will eventually overwhelm these two warships.

Looking at the ETA’s of the warships heading towards the coordinates Admiral Servalan can see that the closest is the Heavy Cruiser Beagle (only forty-one minutes away), the next nearest is at least an hour or so behind the Beagle, with the rest of the reserve fleet up to several hours behind that.

With the courier ship still over twelve hours to Grand Admiral Hammonds position inside New Republic territory. This is the main reason why Admiral Servalan has not send a signal to Grand Admiral Hammonds flagship, as any signal on the power levels needed would give the location of the headquarters of the Shadow Empire away and Admiral Servalan has standing orders not to give away the location under any circumstances.

Back at the battle for Zonama Sekot

The Widowmaker has returned to the battle after making some very hasty repairs, the Centurion are still heavily engaged against the three remaining Yuuzhan Vong “cruiser analogues”. With the Widowmaker along side the weight of fire from the Yuuzhan Vong “cruiser analogues” is now split between the two warships lessening the damage that each warship is receiving.

The return of the Widowmaker to the battle has helped the Centurion’s auto repair system to hold the damage being revived at a level that the auto repair systems can manage, but only just.

On the bridge of the Centurion, the Centurion’s main computer reports the following, “Auto repair systems are now at ninety-eight percent efficiency and holding, warning, if the level of damage increases the auto repair systems will not be able to deal with this level of damage. Therefore it is recommended that the crew ready themselves to abandon ship.”

Captain Cirri responds, “Understood”

On the bridges main display the three remaining Yuuzhan Vong “cruiser analogues” can been seen to be withdrawing, once out of weapons range, both crews breath a sigh of relief, but this is short lived.

Centurion’s main computer reports, “Information, Yuuzhan Vong strategy is now confirmed. Battle computers indicate full Yuuzhan Vong counterattack is underway.” On the bridges main display the bridge crew watch as all the remaining Yuuzhan Vong begin to move towards that gap in the asteroid field.

Once within weapons range the Centurion lurches under the intense bombardment from the Yuuzhan Vong warships.

Centurion’s main computer reports, “Information, Damage to the navigation computers is beyond the present capacity of the auto-repair systems. Damage control estimates breakdown is now beyond the capacity of auto-repair systems in all areas. Serious malfunction in life support would indicate evacuation by escape pod a priority one requirement.”

With that Jav hit the ship wide broadcast button on hit command chair and says, “This Jav Stele to all crewmembers, abandon ship, I say again abandon ship” followed by the abandon ship alarm.

Jav says, “Ship, innate anti intruder measures, once the crew have abandon ship. I will maintain contact through emergency communications channel.”

Centurion’s main computer reports, “Confirmed”

With that Jav enters that command escape pod and is fired from the Centurion.

As Jav looks out of the escape pods small window he can see the Centurion drifting through the gap in the asteroid field towards Zonama Sekot, the Yuuzhan Vong have stopped firing on the Centurion and now seem to be concentrating their fore on the Widowmaker.

Shadow Empires Command Headquarters

With the sudden ending of the feed from the Centurion, Admiral Servalan and Rear Admiral Durkim exchange worried looks, seeing that the Heavy Cruiser Beagle is only three minutes away from the coordinates. Though neither Admiral Servalan nor Rear Admiral Durkim thinks a single Heavy Cruiser will not make much of a difference against the 260 odd remaining Yuuzhan Vong warships.

The Heavy Cruiser Beagle begins to engage the Yuuzhan Vong warships again reliving the pressure on the Widowmaker this again allows the Widowmaker to make some hasty repairs and also pick-up the escape pods from the Centurion.

The Battle for Zonama Sekot has just entered a new stage.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 32 – The Battle for Zonama Sekot

Almost four hours into the Battle for Zonama Sekot, the Yuuzhan Vong fleet though having taken casualties still have the upper hand, the only two remaining warships are the heavy cruiser Beagle and the heavily damaged frigate Widowmaker are fighting a losing battle against the Yuuzhan Vong fleet.

So far the Battle for Zonama Sekot has not been going the Yuuzhan Vong way and this is about to get much worse for the Yuuzhan Vong fleet. As just before the four-hour mark is up, an Imperial III class star destroyer jumps out of hyperspace, this is the Newton, followed several minutes later by three flotillas of light warships.

These flotillas are mainly made up of corvettes and other warships of similar classes and size, these flotillas are designed for patrol and not for heavy combat, but they can offer support to the star destroyer Newton. The arrival of the star destroyer Newton is now giving the Beagle considerable support in keeping the corvette classes of Yuuzhan Vong warships at bay, while the Newton can concentrate on the bigger Yuuzhan Vong warships.

As the minutes go by the star destroyer Newton along with the three flotillas are able to add their firepower against the Yuuzhan Vong fleet. Nom Anor who is onboard the Yuuzhan Vong flagship and has been watching the battle unfold, now seeing the battle is turning against the Yuuzhan Vong, Nom Anor suggests to the commander of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet that he go for help from main Yuuzhan Vong force.

The commander Yuuzhan Vong fleet, who is busy dealing with the battle agrees (mainly to just get rid of Nom Anor), with the commanders agreement Nom Anor takes a smaller, but longer ranged Yuuzhan Vong warship and sets course to return to the main Yuuzhan Vong fleets.

Once Nom Anor has departed, the number of reinforcements arriving from the Shadow Empire begins to grow rapidly and the commander Yuuzhan Vong fleet sees that the Yuuzhan Vong fleet under his command is going to loose that battle for Battle for Zonama Sekot. So just over two hours after Nom Anor had departed, the remaining Yuuzhan Vong warships withdraw.

The Battle for Zonama Sekot is over.

In the aftermath of the Battle for Zonama Sekot, Jav Stele breathes a sigh of relief that the decision he made to call for back up was the right one and that it worked. Once Jav is certain he removes a small black box that is a hybrid communicator that uses the same frequencies as the Centurion does, but is designed for short range only.

Jav says to the box, “I want a status report on the Centurion.”

The box replies, “The Centurion has sustained considerable damage, but is now operating at fifty-four percent of normal capacity. This is increasing rapidly as the auto-repair systems complete their functions.”

Jav says to the box, “Can you give me a direct voice link with the Centurion’s main computer?”

The box replies “Wait.”

After several seconds, Jav says impatiently to the box, “Come on, come on!”

The box replies, “Communicators have locked on. Your transmission may begin.”

Jav says, “Ship, this is Jav. When will the life support system be operational?”

Centurion’s main computer responds, “Repairs will be complete in two hours and thirty-four minutes.”

Jav says, “How long until the Centurion’s flight control systems are operational and when will you be able to stabilise yourself?”

Centurion’s main computer responds, “Eight hours is the estimated time”

Jav says, “Try and improve on that.”

Centurion’s main computer responds, “Confirmed”

Jav says, “That's about all. Keep feeding reports through Box.”

Centurion’s main computer responds, “Confirmed” and re-attaches the box to his belt, with the captain of the Widowmaker who had overheard the conversation and is looking at Jav.

Captain Yage then says, “The Centurion is still functional?”

Jav replies, “Yep”

A confused Captain Yage says, “But how, without a dry dock?”

Jav replies, “The Centurion is an advanced class of warship, with some optional extras added. Beyond that I can’t tell you any more.”

Captain Yage says, “Understood” and goes back to work prioritizing repairs to the Widowmaker. Captain Yage thinks to himself, this is something that he will be informing Admiral Pellaeon about, when they get back to Imperial Remnant space.

In the space around the system that Zonama Sekot occupies there is a growing number of Imperial warships from the Shadow Empire coming out of hyperspace, the last warships to come out of hyperspace are three World Devastators, thus give a considerable boost in firepower in the unlikely event that the Yuuzhan Vong would return.

The total number of Imperial warships in the system is now just over 900, with several of the warships that arrived first needed repairs, but with the arrival of the three World Devastators spare parts for the damaged warships is no longer a problem and the repairs will be completed within the next few days.

Nine hours after the battle…

Once the Centurion’s auto-repair systems have stabilised her, the crew re-board the Centurion to take control and to assist in and speed up the repair process. An hour after the Centurion has been re-boarded by her crew the Centurion’s special carrier beam has been repaired and the flow of information between the Centurion and Shadow Base Headquarters has been restored (much to the relief of Admiral Servalan).

Once Admiral Servalan had been informed that the battle for Zonama Sekot was over and the Imperial forces had won, Admiral Servalan dispatches a second courier ship to inform Grand Admiral Hammond of the current changing events.

The first courier ship would arrive in the next few hours at Grand Admiral Hammond’s current estimated location. Again, Admiral Servalan is unwilling to punch a signal through, as this would reveal the location of the headquarters of the Shadow Empire and Admiral Servalan has orders to not reveal the location under any circumstances, unless the headquarters comes under direct attack.

Twenty hours after the battle…

With the first courier ship arriving at Grand Admiral Hammond’s flagship, causing Grand Admiral Hammond to put contingency planning into place without letting either the New Republic or the Imperial Remnant know the real reason. Grand Admiral Hammond uses a reshuffle of the Imperial fleets, especially the one in Imperial Remnant to start to form a fleet to send to the aid of Admiral Servalan.

A few hours after the first courier ship had arrived an second courier ship arrives, informing Grand Admiral Hammond of the Imperial victory over the Yuuzhan Vong fleet, thus allowing Grand Admiral Hammond to cancel the fleet reshuffle and return to the business at hand.

Back at Zonama Sekot…

The attack by the Yuuzhan Vong fleet has convinced Zonama Sekot the living planet needs to help this “alliance” of powers stop the Yuuzhan Vong from being annulated along with the large number of the subjugated populations of the planets still occupied by the Yuuzhan Vong forces.

The war with the Yuuzhan Vong is now entering its final phase.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

Aftermath – Part 33 – Endgame!

With Zonama Sekot help it is hopped to end the war quickly, Zonama Sekot using its hyperspace ability moves from its location on the outer edge of the Unknown Regions to the Coruscant for initial discussions on how to approach the Yuuzhan Vong without being destroyed. The Shadow Empires navel forces do not accompany Zonama Sekot back to Coruscant, only the Widowmaker and the Centurion will accompany to Coruscant.

The discovery of this system that has a very dense and externally mineral rich asteroid field will prove extremely useful for the Shadow Empire in the long term. Once Zonama Sekot has left for Coruscant and the bulk of the reserve Shadow Empires fleet has returned to their normal duties, the three remaining World Devastators begin the process of consuming the vast asteroid field, with initially constructing more World Devastators. It is estimated that it will take several hundred years to consume the entire asteroid field, even using the World Devastators!

The plan that Zonama Sekot is relatively straight forward as Zonama Sekot was the seed of the original Yuuzhan Vong home world, Yuuzhan'tar, which had been destroyed during one of the Yuuzhan Vong civil wars. With this comes with certain abilities over Yuuzhan Vong technology, which will prove very useful in dealing with the Yuuzhan Vong technology, but only for a short period of time.

Zonama Sekot intends to confront all Yuuzhan Vong with what Zonama Sekot really is, in the hope that this will be the undoing of the current hard line leadership of the Yuuzhan Vong and get the Yuuzhan Vong to surrender (hopefully without firing a shot!)

However things do not go quite as planned, as Yuuzhan Vong operatives managed to seal one of Zonama Sekot’s organic starships. Furthermore, the Shaper Nen Yim discovered that Sekotan technology was extremely similar to Yuuzhan Vong technology and that her people have gone terribly astray.

A plot by Nom Anor to destroy the living world was luckily foiled, by agents for the Shadow Empire and Nom Anor and his associates simply disappeared.

Zonama Sekot revealed itself to be the seed of the long-dead original Yuuzhan Vong homeworld. One of the terms of surrender the Alliance placed before the Yuuzhan Vong is that they are to help rebuild Coruscant. The Alliance moved its temporary capital to Denon, but would revert it back to Coruscant after the rebuilding was complete.

After the cease-fire, the remaining Yuuzhan Vong is recalled from across the galaxy to Zonama. Zonama, with its Yuuzhan Vong, disappeared back into the Unknown Regions where its new inhabitants could live in peace and renew their relationship with Sekot. They planned to abolish their caste system and eliminated the posts of Warmaster and Supreme Overlord, although Choka seemed to remain their de facto leader. A few dozen shapers remained behind on Coruscant to assist in the rebuilding, but some scattered Yuuzhan Vong forces in outlying portions of the galaxy refused Choka's call to surrender, continuing to fight for at least several more months.

Many Bothans, however, are unforgiving for the death of Fey’lya, and refused to end their state of ar’krai genocide against the Yuuzhan Vong, sending ships into the Unknown Regions to hunt for Zonama. Something that Grand Admiral Hammond did not approve of and would lead to a series of short but brutal engagements between the Bothans forces and the Shadow Empires forces, over the next few decades.

The Yuuzhan Vong war is over.

With the signing of the Yuuzhan Vong surrender document by all sides, the New Republic goes back to reforming itself after the war against the Yuuzhan Vong. With an attempt to form a Galactic Alliance with the Shadow Empire and the Imperial Remnant, but this fails and neither the Shadow Empire nor the Imperial Remnant what to be permanent allies with the New Republic.

The Shadow Empire’s fleets withdraw back to their territory within the Unknown Regions, as soon as the conflict is over leaving no troops or personnel behind in the immediate aftermath of the conflict with the Yuuzhan Vong.

On the positive side the Shadow Empire signs a peace accord with the New Republic, bringing to an end any potential conflict between the New Republic and the Shadow Empire, but with the signing of this document. The New Republic is forced to recognise the Unknown Regions as the territory of the Shadow Empire, along with the Calon sector and other regions controlled or allied with the Shadow Empire.

This peace deal between the Shadow Empire and the New Republic allows the formal setting up of diplomatic relations between the two powers, with the Calon sectors capital of Calon III. With not only the New Republic setting up a embassy on Calon III but also embassy’s from other powers as well, including the Imperial Remnant, Corporate Sector Authority are amongst those governments that set-up embassy’s on Calon III.

Some governments who try to join the Shadow Empire are politely refused, much to the shock of the New Republic and other governments, who thought that the Shadow Empire would try to expand outside of the Unknown Regions. The reasons behind this move by the Shadow Empire would not become clear for many decades.

For now the Galaxy is at peace.

What would the future bring?

The End of Aftermath

To be continued.

Next – The Shadow Empire

[whatisinaname]

The Shadow Empire – Part 1

With the end of the war against the Yuuzhan Vong and the withdrawal of the Shadow Empires military forces back to the Unknown Regions, something that the New Republic thought that the Shadow Empire would not do. The setting of diplomatic relations with the other governments within the Galaxy, these governments having embassy’s on Calon III, though several governments thought that they may have embassies in the Unknown Regions, but these governments are disappointed.

With the recognition by the New Republic of the Shadow Empires boarders, including the whole of the Unknown Regions is a major success for the Shadow Empire. The reason that this territory is recognised is that the New Republic did not want another war, especially against the Shadow Empire.

If the government of the New Republic had known that the fleets deployed by the Shadow Empire are that bulk of the Shadow Empire’s forces then things may have turned out differently, but the New Republic did not know this.

Even though the Shadow Empire had sixteen reinforced sectors (this does not include the Hand of Thrawn base, this is considered an explored sector), guarded by each own sector group (fleet). These forces are not enough to control the vast territory of the Unknown Regions, which is what the all the other explored sectors within the Unknown Regions have only a very small token military force. Even with the Shadow Empire’s production facilities, it would take many decades to build enough warships and clone enough troops to totally control all of the Unknown Regions.

That is why Grand Admiral Thrawn set-up a network of alliances with the local governments within the Unknown Regions, as this was the quickest way of avoiding the need for vast amounts of resources (that the old Empire or the Shadow Empire did/does not have available) to be used to conquer these worlds where sentient life exists. Grand Admiral Thrawn’s model of engagement through negotiations rather than conflict proved to be the correct way to go in the Unknown Regions.

The one initial diplomatic row that is ongoing is the ongoing issue of the protection afforded to the Qektoth Confederation and the system given to the Qektoth Confederation by Grand Admiral Hammond in the Calon sector. On learning of the survival of the Qektoth Confederation, the newly installed New Republic embassy on Calon III, would request (rather than demand) the extradition of most of the leadership of the Qektoth Confederation for crimes against the New Republic.

On receiving the request for extradition, Sector Moff Davvid Harrington the former planetary governor of Calon III, is acting as a buffer between Grand Admiral Hammond and the various ambassadors. Moff Harrington points out to the New Republics ambassador that there is no extradition treaty between the Shadow Empire and the New Republic, so the request of extradition is turned down.

The one thing that the New Republic or any other government knows is that the Qektoth Confederation has a corporation inside the Corporate Sector Authority that is not only providing a steady stream of income, but also a stead stream of resources so that the Qektoth Confederation can continue with it bio research. Dodson Medical Research is viewed by the Corporate Sector Authority as one of the new and successful corporations that have come from the Civil and Yuuzhan Vong wars over the past few decades.

Most of these new independent companies have chosen to set-up inside the Corporate Sector Authority sector, thus allowing these companies to sell to almost anyone. Some of these companies like Dodson Medical Research are a front for governments and other organisations some of these companies, unlike Dodson Medical Research are known to the Corporate Sector Authority and are watched as arms length, the Corporate Sector Authority only intervenes when these companies threaten the CSA, until they do the CSA will not interfere.

This action has caused some governments like the New Republic to try to make the Corporate Sector Authority to act against these known “front companies”, but as these known “front companies” have broken no laws within the Corporate Sector Authority no action has or will be taken.

Some of these “front companies” that are part of the Imperial Remnant have come out into the open, such as the companies producing the Preybird class heavy starfighter and the Silviut Corporation who how produce a large number of Imperial Remnant small to mid ranged spacecraft, such as the Vibre class corvette. With companies like these coming out into the open the costs allocated for keeping secrete their dealings with the Imperial Remnant are no longer necessary, thus helping the Imperial Remnants finances and rebuilding programmes.

The New Republic needs the production facilities of the Corporate Sector Authority to help rebuild the New Republic, so for the time being all the New Republic does is polity complain to the Corporate Sector Authority and nothing more, the Corporate Sector Authority in response to the New Republic’s complaints is to polity ignore the complaints.

The Qektoth system and their homeworld of Qektoth prime is well defended by the Qektoth Confederations limited military forces. With the Qektoth Attack Cruiser still be the prim warships of the Qektoth Confederation and the modified version of the Vigilance II is still the Qektoth Confederations main starfighter, the Qektoth Confederation does have samples of other types of starfighters, mostly none Imperial versions, the only Imperial versions that the Qektoth Confederation have are the TIE fighter and Interceptor.

The Qektoth Confederation bio energy weapons are the primary area of research as Grand Admiral Hammond favours these weapons, though they have only been fitted to a limited number of Imperial warships with the Shadow Empire, as the time it takes to manufacture these bio energy weapons is much longer than conventional energy weapons.

The Qektoth Confederation are also researching into other areas as well, one of the most notable is Project Blue biological weapon, this biological weapon saw limited used against the Yuuzhan Vong, but due to its difficulty to transport, the Project Blue biological weapon could not be used effetely enemas. This biological weapon is still being research by the Qektoth Confederation, just in case the Yuuzhan Vong should go on the warpath again.

The Qektoth Confederation are also continuing to research there own projects such as continuing to enhance their own spacecraft with the latest biological technology that is being fitted to the Qektoth Attack Cruisers and the modified version of the Vigilance II starfighter. This level of biological technology is above what the Shadow Empire requires and the Shadow Empire is not very keen of this level of biological technology inside a spacecraft.

The only warship that the Shadow Empire has built from scratch with a combination of Qektoth Confederation biological technology and the latest technology from the Shadow Empire is the Centurion (also known as the Dark Shadow), under the command of Jav Stele.

Within a year, the Shadow Empire will be forced to act against the Killiks and the re-emergence of the Dark Nest, by dealing with the Dark Nest problem in the most brutal manner, with the biggest gain from the Dark Nest Crisis would be the Chiss.

The New Republic

In the aftermath of the war against the Yuuzhan Vong, the New Republic has to rebuild itself after a long and very destructive war. The priorities for the New Republic are to rebuild the housing for there people and also rebuild the New Republic’s military, especially the New Republic’s fleets.

In the immediate aftermath of the war the New Republic is down from five fleets to just three, with one of these fleets allocated to defend Coruscant, with the other two fleets as their only reserve force, those warships that had to be abandoned during the war are now being salvaged and repaired. Also new warships are coming of the production lines, but these warships are being allocated to planetary defence rather then the New Republic’s fleet, the New Republic has learned not to focus all its resources into just five fleets.

All worlds that are part of the New Republic will receive a defence force to protect not only that world but also the system as well. The needs of these system defence forces varies from system to system, but all of these system defence forces are based around a single battle cruiser type vessel that will be the command ship for that systems military forces. The rest of the system defence force is made up of a balanced number of warships and support vessels, the numbers of warships and support vessels are based upon the population in that system and if that system contains “vital” production facilities for the New Republic.

As the New Republic regained control of systems that had been captured during the war against the Yuuzhan Vong these freed systems began the process of rebuilding, so some systems that had been freed over two years ago have nearly finished rebuilding, whereas some systems have only been rebuilding for a few months.

The New Republic will need many years to rebuild its fleets to attain the level of military strength it had before against the Yuuzhan Vong, but events over the next few years mean that the New Republic’s military strength will show little growth.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

The Shadow Empire – Part 2

Dark Nest Crisis

The hidden Dark Nest of a race called the Killiks, in the Unknown Regions starts the Dark Nest Crisis. When it begins subtly influencing the rest of the Colony to begin encroaching on Chiss space (bad move, as this would trigger a response from the Shadow Empire), even though the Killiks are not running out of room in there own space.

Their motives, of course, are to provoke a war between the Killiks and the Chiss, thus providing motive for the Killiks to expand through the rest of the galaxy and bring all of the sentient beings under the influence of the hive mind, which would give Lomi Plo ultimate power.

The Dark Nest manages to steal, the New Republic Victory class star destroyer Admiral Ackbar and would lead to the Swarm War. While the New Republic is investigating the loss of the Victory class star destroyer Admiral Ackbar, an attempt by the Dark Nest to set-up a base of operations inside the Utegetu Nebula, Lomi then convinced the Killiks to build fifteen nest ships massive vessels capable of carrying virtually all of the nests inside of them.

This so called fleet is a met by a combined battle group consisting of Imperial/Chiss warships led by Moff Leonia Tavira. The Invidious battle group in a very short a devastating battle destroys the Dark Nests fleet, thus eliminating the threat from the Dark Nest over the short term, but in the long term this would lead to the Swarm War as the Dark Nest would return, less than a year after the Dark Nest crises.

After the elimination of the most of the Dark Nest in the Utegetu Nebula, the battle group under Moff Leonia Tavira blockades the Utegetu Nebula to make sure that any remaining members of the Dark Nest do not leave the Utegetu Nebula. The Shadow Empire informs the New Republic of what has happened and the destruction of their Victory class star destroyer Admiral Ackbar and the small threat posed by the Dark Nest has been eliminated by a Moff Leonia Tavira combined battle group of Imperial/Chiss warships.

The Shadow Empire denies all requests for further information on the Dark Nest by various the governments. Within a year the Dark Nest would again rear its head and the Shadow Empire along with their Chiss would deal once and for all with the Dark Nest/ Killiks threat, but for now the rebuilding process continues for the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant, the Shadow Empire continues to expand it own military at slow but steady pace.

This lack of information from the Shadow Empire will cause both the Imperial Remnant and the New Republic problems, when the Dark Nest rises again, but for now peace has been restored.

The Boarder Zone

In the boarder area between the Shadow Empire (Unknown Regions) and the New Republic, the Shadow Empire has deployed a large number of five ship squadrons consisting of one Interdictor cruiser, three Enforcer cruisers and one Vindicator class heavy cruiser (as flagship) to patrol the boarder and make sure that no one crosses into Shadow Empire territory.

This operation is mostly unsuccessful, but the New Republic does manage to get a few spy ships into the Unknown Regions. But this proves to be ultimately futile, as the New Republic doesn’t know were the bases of the Shadow Empire are located within the vastness of the Unknown Regions, it is like looking for one needle in a very large pile of needles.

After the first twelve months the New Republic withdraws its spy ships, this is partly due to the Dark Nest crises and the theft of the New Republic Victory class Star Destroyer Admiral Ackbar, as all the New Republic’s efforts are focused on retrieving this warship and finding the Dark Nest base of operations. After the Dark Nest base is destroyed by Moff Leonia Tavira battle group, the New Republic decides not to resume its spy missions within the Unknown Regions and concentrate its resources on rebuilding the New Republic.

Imperial Remnant

With the end of the conflict against the Yuuzhan Vong the Imperial Remnants military forces withdraw back to their space. The main benefit of fighting against the Yuuzhan Vong has been help from the Shadow Empire in building and rebuilding the Imperial Remnants infrastructure during the war against the Yuuzhan Vong.

Though the Shadow Empire helped building and rebuilding the Imperial Remnants infrastructure, the Shadow Empire did not provide any technology transfer to the Imperial Remnant only help in building and rebuilding existing technology that the Imperial Remnant has access to.

With the return of the military forces from the conflict against the Yuuzhan Vong, Admiral Pellaeon’s position as supreme command of the Imperial Remnants military forces is now secured. The Imperial Remnants military forces are now more loyal to Admiral Pellaeon than at the start of the war against the Yuuzhan Vong. This action by the Imperial Remnants military forces towards Admiral Pellaeon annoys the Council of Moff’s, but in the short term, there is nothing that the Council of Moff’s can do about this.

One of the final befits of the victory over the Yuuzhan Vong is the lack of need to purchase military equipment through Imperial Remnant “front companies”, this action has helped the Imperial Remnants finances and resources to be diverted from the more expensive covert purchasing of military equipment of the more cost effective overt procurement program. This is allowing the overt purchase of such military items as the Preybird class heavy starfighters and the Vibre class corvettes.

In the use of overt procurement the Imperial Remnant is also able to speed up its military and civil rebuilding program without the need to rely on the Shadow Empire’s assistance, thus freeing the Imperial Remnant from “owing” the Shadow Empire or needing to rely on the Shadow Empire for help too much (or at all). Even though Grand Admiral Thrawn is part of the Shadow Empire, Admiral Pellaeon wants the Imperial Remnant to remain as independent as possible from outside interference.

Admiral Daala

Just before the start of the Yuuzhan Vong war, Admiral Daala resurfaced in the Deep Core looking to establish yet another fleet. With forces swelled by Imperials returning from imprisonment under the Yevetha, she united the squabbling factions under warlords including Foga Brill and Moff Tethys and prepared to strike once more at the New Republic.

The forces of the Imperial Remnant were preparing for a grand campaign, with Admiral Pellaeon moving coreward from the Outer Rim, and Daala and the new Deep Core warlords moving out from the Deep Core (thought their would be no coordination between these two Imperial groups). Even if Daala’s campaign were launched, the campaign would have been unfocused as each warlord would head his own attacks against the New Republic (under Daala’s “command”). Because of the unfocused nature of this campaign, Daala would not have much success against the New Republic, so the idea is abandoned by Daala and shortly afterwards by the Deep Core warlords as well, as they did not have any competent commanders other than Daala to lead their fleets, so they had no real choice in the matter.

With the arrival of the Yuuzhan Vong the Admiral Pellaeon drops this idea of a grand campaign as well.

Though many believed Daala was dead, New Republic Intelligence was right in their worst-case scenario assumption that she had survived. Daala had fled the Deep Core and returned to the Maw (for a short while). In the Deep Core Daala was building up a small but growing fleet, named the Maw Irregular fleet, which are armed with a variety of weapons designed by the new Maw scientists themselves, including the deadly Metal Crystal Phase Shifter (MCPS) the MCPS is a superweapon that is capable of altering the molecular structure of metallic substances.

The Metal Crystal Phase Shifter (MCPS) is deigned to penetrate the shields of a starship and damage its hull once encountering the area of the phase shifter’s effect, the metal within the target’s hull would be turned into powder and thus be weakened greatly during the attack. While the MCPS does not dramatically turn an entire ship’s hull into powder, it does create many tiny cracks and weak spots throughout the hull, which is sufficient to make the vessel lose critical structural integrity and collapse on itself.

This weapon is small enough to be fitted to most types of warships, all of the warships of Daala’s Maw Irregular fleet area fitted with the MCPS. This along with other research projects, which Daala had copied from the original Maw research facility, would give Daala a technological advantage in combat, something Daala had proved during the Yuuzhan Vong War.

During the Yuuzhan Vong War, Daala’s Maw Irregular fleet helped out planets in need of aid, although word of this never spread to the New Republic’s ears, as these planets saw no need in informing anyone of who is helping them. This has given Admiral Daala a supply base of various systems and planets for her military forces based in both the Deep Core and the rebuilt Maw Instillation.

Those planets that have received aid from Admiral Daala are part of a larger number of planets that have declared neutrality in the aftermath of the Yuuzhan Vong War, thus allowing these planets that Admiral Daala helped to continue to trade and supply Admiral Daala’s Maw Irregular fleet in return for protection. This arrangement is good for both sides, as Admiral Daala is able to get the supplies she needs and her forces get combat missions against any forces attacking these planets, thus giving Admiral Daala’s military force valuable combat experience without much risk.

Leaving the New Republic wondering how these planets (under Daala’s protection) had managed to acquire a large and powerful and very well armed strike force and are able to conceal this strike force without the New Republic or anyone else finding out. This force led by Admiral Daala has diverted the New Republic (along with several other powers) attention from the Shadow Empire to finding out about this strike force, as this strike force is mainly operating within the New Republic’s boarders.

Even the Shadow Empire nor the Imperial Remnant knows that Admiral Daala is still alive (for the moment that is) and they are equally surprised how these few planets have managed to acquire such a large and powerful and very well armed strike force.

Just over a year after the Dark Nest crises, the Dark Nest has again gained dominance over the Killiks and is rearing is head again, this time the Dark Nest will concentrate against Chiss controlled space in the Unknown Regions, to obliterate their old enemy.

The Swarm War is about to begin.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

The Shadow Empire – Part 3

Admiral Daala’s Forces

The forces possessed by Admiral Daala are very unusual for an Imperial Commander, as the bulk of Admiral Daala’s fleet consists of very different types of warships. Admiral Daala flagship is the heavily upgraded Imperial II class Star Destroyer Chimaera, formally Admiral Gilad Pellaeon’s flagships, though how Admiral Daala, acquired the Chimaera no one is quite sure.

What happens is that some warships like the Imperial II class Star Destroyer Chimaera have been stolen, by pretending that these warships have been destroyed in battle, but this type of action does not happen very often as it attracts too much attention.

Amongst the other warships is her position are at least 1 Venator class star destroyer, 1 Victory II class star destroyer (upgraded), 1 Acclamator class assault ship (upgraded), 2 Republic class cruisers (salvaged, repaired and upgraded), several Assassin class corvettes, 2 Crusader class corvettes and several Scimitar class frigates. The numbers of warships as part of the Maw Irregular fleet is growing at a slow but steady rate, as either new warships’ are purchased covertly (most through the Corporate Sector Authority) or warships salvaged from the battle sites that took place between the Yuuzhan Vong and the Shadow Empire, New Republic and the Imperial Remnant.

The Maw installation is now being wound up by Admiral Daala as it has served its purpose, these research facilities are now being moved back into the Deep Core, were Admiral Daala has her bases of operations.

Admiral Daala has several bases scatted through the Deep Core, the Deep Core is hidden within the densely packed mass of stars at the very heart of the galaxy, is a small region that hid unusual worlds. The Deep Core is home to the galaxy’s oldest stars, at its centre is a black hole surrounded by antimatter and dense star clusters. Due to the gravitational pull of the vast number of stars, local space-time was severely warped, making hyperspace travel difficult at best. The region was thought to be inaccessible until Emperor Palpatine found several safe hyperspace lanes into the region. The area remains an Imperial stronghold even after the Battle of Endor and the fall of Emperor Palpatine.

The world in the Deep Core that is Admiral Daala’s base of operations is located in a system that has only one narrow hyperspace route in and out. Halfway along this route Admiral Daala has based several Golan III battle stations, along with several GWP’s, to pull any unauthorised ships out of hyperspace and then the Golan III battle stations would destroy them. Fortunately no one knows the location of Admiral Daala’s base of operations so the Golan III battle stations/GWP combinations have never needed to be used.

Admiral Daala’s main weapon is information, during the Yuuzhan Vong war, Admiral Daala’s remained quite, with the exception of defending those planets under Admiral Daala’s protection. During the four year long war against the Yuuzhan Vong, Admiral Daala was building up her small but very successful intelligence organisation to warn Admiral Daala of any potential threat against her forces.

The upshot of this is that Admiral Daala knows more about the Shadow Empire than any other power, though Admiral Daala does not know everything about the Shadow Empire she does know enough to know that the Shadow Empire is not nearly as powerful as the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant seem to believe.

In the upcoming Swarm war Admiral Daala’s will take no action beyond protecting those systems that provide assistance to Admiral Daala’s Maw Irregular fleet.

The Swarm War

The Swarm War is a the brief, but devastating, between the New Republic, the Chiss Ascendancy and the Shadow Empire, and the Colony, which consisted of Killiks and their Joiner allies. A continuation of the Dark Nest Crisis, although the New Republic attempted to ally with the Chiss, elements of the Jedi sided with the Killiks, thus the Chiss believed the New Republic was aiding the Colony, and for all intents and purposes it was a three-way war, a completely free-fire zone.

Attempts to prevent war are ruined when Jedi Knight Jacen Solo attacked a military supply depot of the Chiss Expansionary Defence Force in an attempt to lure them into a pre-emptive strike against the Killik. The Killiks responded by attacking the Shadow Empire forces blockading the Utegetu Nebula. Following the defeat of the Killik forces in this region, the Shadow Empire declared open war against the Killik colonies.

The Killiks had quickly gained allies for the coming conflict. In addition to the many Joiners that had fallen under their influence during the Yuuzhan Vong invasion (including Zekk and Jaina Solo), many members of the galaxies various insectoid races (among them the Fefze, the Vratix, the Yam'rii, the Verpine, and the Geonosians) fell under their influence and became addicted to the Dark Nest’s black membrosia.

Gold membrosia is a powerful alcoholic beverage made by the Killiks, insectoid races especially favour this beverage. The Gorog formed there own version called black membrosia, which was much more powerful and more addictive. After a year of black market sales, it had ruined the economy of the Roche asteroids. Sien Sovv was killed when a pilot drunk on black membrosia crashed into him.

Many of them became Joiners as well, doing so much faster than the average humanoid.

During the Swarm War there are two major fronts, one within the Unknown Regions, involving the Shadow Empire and Chiss Ascendancy that would be engaged in fighting the Killiks in there home systems. The second would involve the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant dealing with the small proportion of the Killiks and those insectoid races that had come under the Killiks influence.

The Shadow Empire deployed a single fleet, the first fleet that consists of 30 Imperial III class star destroyers and 2,500 other warships and support vessels, the Chiss Ascendancy deployed the bulk of the Chiss Expansionary Defence Force, that consists of 20 Chiss star destroyers and 1,000 odd other warships and support vessels.

In agreement with the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant, it is agreed that each force will deal with its own area of space, this time their will be not Shadow Empire controlling all the four powers fleets. As the combined fleets of the Shadow Empire and the Chiss Expansionary Defence Force start their obliteration of the planets controlled by the Killiks, neither the Shadow Empire nor the Chiss Expansionary Defence Force will land troops onto the surface of a Killiks controlled planet.

Rather they will use the Imperial Base Delta Zero command, Base Delta Zero is the naval code used by the Empire to order the complete surface destruction of a planetary target, eliminating all life and industry. It denoted the most severe of several levels of destruction that could be directed against a centre of resistance, and involved laying waste to an entire planet by orbital bombardment, either reducing the upper crust of a planet to molten slag or atomizing the planet’s topsoil.

A Base Delta Zero fleet bombardment is regarded as one of the most devastating operations that the Imperial military was capable of, and unlike other Imperial military codes, the designation was not subject to change, so that there was never any confusion when it was issued. Due to its effects, BDZs are considered a last resort

The reason both the Shadow Empire and the Chiss Ascendancy choose to use BDZ is to send a message that neither power in the Unknown Regions will stand for any attacks against either power, from within the Unknown Regions or from outside the Unknown Regions.

It takes the combined fleets of the Shadow Empire and the Chiss Ascendancy several months to eliminate all life on the world occupied by the Killiks, the result is that the Killiks population is reduced by 98 percent (of an original population of several billion) and scatted throughout the galaxy. This also helps the fight by the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant as this eliminates the source of the Dark Nest’s black membrosia.

With the destruction of the Dark Nest and the Killiks population, the New Republic is very muted in its criticism of both the Shadow Empire and the Chiss Ascendancy. As the current leadership of the New Republic understands why they eliminated the Killiks population, there are some in the New Republic who want a stronger response, but they are less than one percent and no one is listening to them.

It will take the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant many months after the elimination of the Killiks to bring the various insectoid races that had fallen under the influence of the Dark Nest’s black membrosia, to be weaned of this and to come to their senses. Once this happens peace is restored very quickly and the rebuilding of the various systems and worlds damaged during the Swarm War can begin.

During the war, Supreme Commander Gilad Pellaeon leads the forces of the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant. Having replaced Sullustan Sien Sovv, who was killed by the Killiks in an accident some weeks prior and the New Jedi Order by Grand Master Luke Skywalker. Thus the Imperial Remnant had control over both its own fleets and the New Republic for the duration of this brief war.

Once the war is over Admiral Pellaeon returns control of the New Republic’s military forces back to the New Republic, and returns to Imperial Remnant space with his own Imperial fleets.

During the Swarm War the Imperial Remnant starts to introduce a new class of star destroyer, the Turbulent class star destroyer is a new type of star destroyer built by the Imperial Remnant, because of its smaller size than the Imperial class star destroyer, it is sometimes referred to as a “pocket star destroyer”.

The Turbulent class star destroyer is smaller and more manoeuvrable variant of star destroyer and is designed with two hangars opening at the stern of the vessel. The ship’s bridge was situated in a tower on top of the main superstructure. It has a large holo-display built into its bridge design and there is a day cabin available to the flag officer near the bridge. An emergency docking bay is located astern of the tower.

The class has many maintenance tunnels running throughout the upper portion of the vessel. This makes maintenance easier, but also provided a means of escape in case the ship is boarded. Another design focus is an extensive use of bulkheads throughout the interior.

The first batch of this new class of star destroyer arrived to late to be involved in the Swarm War, but in the aftermath of the Swarm War Admiral Pellaeon would use one of the first batch would become his new flagship, the Bloodfin.

This would also lead within six years to another devastating civil war within the New Republic called the Second Galactic Civil War, as the civil war raged, after running for several years would eventually drag in the Imperial Remnant and also later drag in the Shadow Empire, via Grand Admiral Thrawn’s link to his former progeny Admiral Pellaeon.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

The Shadow Empire – Part 4

The Second Galactic Civil War

Following the conclusion of the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, the New Republic rewards Corellia by the removal of the office of Governor-General. The five brother worlds of the Corellia system are united through a single system government that is not answerable to the New Republic, but a member of the New Republic, with each planet electing its own Head of State and the system led by Prime Minister Aidel Saxan.

While much of the galaxy had been ravaged by the war, Corellia emerged relatively unscathed. Placing it in a position to increase its already impressive economic power and offer reconstruction loans to less fortunate planets (at a very completive rate), much like the Corporate Sector Authority, but with CSA is not part of the New Republic, therefore is not bound by the New Republic rules or laws, unlike the Corellia system.

As Corellia prospered, it forgave wartime criminals like Thrackan Sal-Solo, who is subsequently elected the system’s Minister of War and Head of State of Corellia, and began to chafe under the New Republic.

In the decade following the defeat of the Yuuzhan Vong, Corellia’s desire for independence grew and spread, tapping the natural haughty pride of Corellia. Corellia began to delay its conscription contributions and tax payments to the Alliance, while making use of New Republic’s infrastructure and trade benefits. It also stood against the defence limits imposed by the New Republic, but made no public challenge. Slowly, other industrialized planets like Commenor, Fondor, and Bespin developed similarly overt rebellious streaks.

In secret, Corellia began building a fleet comparable to a planetary assault force, supplied by planets like Adumar that produced weapons in violation of New Republic laws. Meanwhile, Corellian scientists worked to bring Centerpoint Station online, hoping to once again use it as leverage. As tensions grew, Corellia’s soft rebellion led to the imprisonment of key Corellians like Wedge Antilles, whom New Republic Intelligence perceived as a potential threat.

The New Republic’s accountants had located records of Corellia’s secret fleet, while Jedi Knight Jacen Solo and his apprentice Ben Skywalker had discovered the Adumari arms manufacturer producing concussion missiles and proton torpedoes in violation of Order NR-B11333B.

Despite cordial political relations with Prime Minister Saxan, the New Republic chose to bring the rebellious actions of Corellia, and its followers, to heel with a show of military force. Admiral Matric Klauskin is placed at the head of elements of the New Republic’s Second Fleet, including several Jedi teams who would carry out a plan to neutralize the Corellian government and military, including Centerpoint Station. In addition, Wedge Antilles had managed to break out of his New Republic Intelligence compound and is installed as the link between Sal-Solo and Saxan.

As the Dodonna, a Galactic class battle carrier, Klauskin’s flagship, arrives in the space above Corellia, five Jedi operations Slashrat, Purella, Tauntaun, Womp Rat and Mynock are put into action. As the Jedi taskforces heads for the surface, Klauskin, who is haunted by the ghostly voice of his dead wife, is confronted with a well-prepared Corellian warfleet, including Nebulon B frigates and Strident class Star Defenders.

As Admiral Klauskin struggles against the Corellian fleet until he hits upon what he thinks is a stroke of genius, Klauskin orders all New Republic forces to prepare to withdraw. As Syal Antilles unknowingly engages her father, her tactics allow VibroSword Squadron to disable a Nebulon B frigate before returning to Klauskin’s fleet. The New Republic’s forces, including Mon Calamari cruiser Blue Diver micro-jumps to Tralus, the system’s fifth inhabited world, and two hours later, Rendilir, Tralus’s capital city, is securely under New Republic control. The New Republic has saved face, disabled the Centerpoint Station and gained a foothold in the Corellian system.

Imperials Watching

Meanwhile, while all the initial stages of the opening of the Second Galactic Civil War is going on in the Corellia system, this opening phase is being watched with great interest by the Imperial Remnant, Admiral Daala’s Deep Core Imperials and the Shadow Empire.

The New Republic’s Embassies in the Imperial Remnant (Bastion) and the Shadow Empire (Calon III) have not yet requested assistants from either Imperial government. Both Imperial governments suspect that a request for assistants will come, both Imperial leaderships are now wondering whether or not to help the New Republic (when the request comes), or to leave the New Republic to tear itself to pieces.

Meanwhile, in the Corellia system

As the New Republic and Corellia’s relationship is strained by the Corellia’s growing need for independence, the leaders of both parties decided to have peace talks. The New Republic chose to reopen negotiations in a neutral setting in the Kuat system. Following an assault on the delegates, which claims the life of Prime Minister Saxan, the talks failed, Lumiya is the main person behind the attacks.

Battle of Tralus

The Battle of Tralus is the opening engagement of the Second Galactic Civil War. Wedge Antilles, after hearing a life-wasting plan to retake Tralus made up by Thrackan Sal-Solo, presents him another plan Operation Noble Savage. The New Republic has set up a base in a Tralus museum of arts, below this base is a shield protecting the building.

At the edge of the shield sphere, there is a half-constructed building which has enough open area for a fighter to fly through it. This building also provides a gap in the New Republic’s shields. Wedge’s plan is for two of the new YT-5100 Shriek bombers to fly through the building and destroying the building, removing the New Republic’s beachhead on Tralus completely. The plan passed and so Han Solo is secretly picked to fly one of the bombers, and Wedge flying the other.

At this stage Jacen Solo begins his descent to the Dark Side. The next day, with the New Republic’s fleet along with the flagship Dodonna in orbit above Tralus, the Corellians have dispatched squadrons of fighters to Tralus to distract the New Republic ships. During the chaos, Wedge and Han Solo dive to the surface in the Shriek bombers and fly with much difficulty through the structure, eventually reaching the interior of the shield. Together, they destroy the museum and the shield generator the remaining Corellian fighters covered their escape. After this, the New Republic fleet withdraws from the system.

The Dark Side

After the assassination of Aidel Saxan, Jacen and Ben attempted to trace her assassins. They went to Lorrd and met up with Jacen’s former apprentice Nelani Dinn. It is on Lorrd, that people who claimed to be under the influence of a Force Ghost contact them, this ghost is revealed to be Brisha Syo, the Dark Lady Lumiya.

Lumiya takes the three Jedi back to her asteroid home and tells them that it was the lair of a Sith Lord called Darth Vectivus. The four of them go down to the caverns to confront Vectivus, where Lumiya separates them. Ben and Nelani battle Force ghosts while Jacen and Lumiya confronted Vectivus.

Lumiya tells Jacen that she has been trained by Vergere to finish Jacen’s training after she has died. She turns Jacen to the dark side but Nelani attacks first. Lumiya and Nelani fight a brief duel, but Jacen intervens, and kills Nelani. Jacen, now in the service of the Sith, covers up Lumiya's existence by wiping Ben's memory.

Deep within the Shadow Empire a mediating Lord Tremayne picks up on this strong use of the Dark Side of the force and on the implications of a powerful rouge Sith roaming the galaxy, this will not do at all.

Using the force Lord Tremayne activates the comm link and says, “Summon the senior Sith” the reply is a simple “Yes, my lord” Lord Tremayne needs to deal with this potential problem quickly.

In the weeks following the Battle of Tralus, Jacen Solo successfully lobbies Cal Omas and the Senate into the creation of a new organization meant to counter the increasing threat of terrorists sympathizing with Corellia. This comes following the bombing of the Elite Hotel in Galactic City, which is discovered to be connected to the Corellian terrorists, the bombing left hundreds dead and many wounded.

After Mara Jade Skywalker turns down the job, Omas asks Jacen if he would be willing to lead the new paramilitary organization on Coruscant. Jacen agrees and achieves the rank of Colonel in the New Republic. Bringing in Coruscant Security Force operators, ex-NRI agents, and members of the Special Forces, the New Republic Guard, or NRG, uses extremely effective and public methods of cracking down on Corellian insurgents.

Much to the dismay of Luke Skywalker and the Jedi Council, high-profile images of Jacen and Ben Skywalker leading the New Republic Guard on their raids began to usher in contentions that the New Republic is transforming into the Empire once again and that yet another member of the Skywalker bloodline is at the helm.

Under the tutelage of Captain Lon Shevu, Ben Skywalker finds the Guard as a place of refuge. His enthusiasm for learning and making a difference in “adult” situations, this is adding yet more tension between the young Jedi and his parents.

When Jacen convinces Omas in proceeding with the internment of Corellians on Coruscant, the New Republic’s Guard’s 967 Commando detachment and becomes known as “stormies” among both its members and the populace. This move adds more fuel to the fire, spurning on riots and leading to moves of secession by dozens of worlds. Worst of all, Han Solo, enraged that his son is leading the effort in interning thousands and possibly millions of Corellians, realized that he no longer recognized the boy he had raised.

The New Republic Guard has become Jacen Solo’s “fist”, mirroring his grandfather, Darth Vader and the 501st Legion (aka “Vader’s Fist”). With the NRG at his complete disposal, Jacen leads the Blockade of Corellia, taking the first open strike against Corellia.

This sudden change in power is worrying both the Imperial Remnant and the Shadow Empire, the Shadow Empire is now gathering a force of Sith to combat Jacen Solo, but the Sith in the Shadow Empire are scattered all over the Unknown Regions and it will take time to gather this force together.

In the meantime Grand Admiral Thrawn moves his flagship to the boarder area of the Unknown Regions, just in case the conflict should spread towards the Shadow Empire, the Eclipse class super star destroyer Admonitor, and taking no other warships or support vessels (Eclipse class does not need escort ships!) Grand Admiral Thrawn starts a waiting game to see how events will unfold.

Onboard the Admonitor Grand Admiral Thrawn has the very latest equipment for every possible contingency including a large number of ysalamiri force repelling creatures throughout the Admonitor give almost complete coverage against any force type attacks, especially mind control against the crew of the Admonitor.

Once at the boarder, the Admonitor maintains station, while Grand Admiral Thrawn monitors the intelligence reports coming in about what is happening in the New Republic.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

The Shadow Empire – Part 5

Concurrent to the events on Coruscant (NRG etc), Han and Leia Solo are confronted by Dur Gejjen a member of Corellia’s Democratic Alliance, who secretly wants Thrackan Sal-Solo removed from office permanently. Gejjen brings up the idea of killing Sal-Solo, something the Solos need time to consider.

Not fully confident that the Solos would accomplish their task, Gejjen also hires Boba Fett to kill Sal-Solo. Fett and the Mandalorians are already hired by Thrackan to protect Corellia from the New Republic blockade. However, Boba agrees to Gejjen’s contract over that of the contract from Thrackan.

Before arriving at Sal-Solo’s office, Boba (along with his granddaughter Mirta Gev) confronts Han Solo. Solo, which already had a bounty placed on his head (along with his family) by Sal-Solo, is being targeted by Fett’s estranged daughter, Ailyn Vel. Fett sees this as an opportunity to reunite with the daughter he hadn’t seen since she was an infant. Han informs Fett that Jacen has already captured Ailyn (who was hiding with Corellian insurgents on Coruscant). Solo and Fett then makes a deal, if Han could be allowed to kill his cousin, he would convince Jacen to free Ailyn (it was later revealed that Jacen killed Ailyn during interrogation).

Boba, Mirta, and Han (disguised in Mandalorian armour) arrive at Sal-Solo’s office. Boba briefly discussed his deal with Sal-Solo before Han reveals his identity and attempts to kill the Corellian president. Sal-Solo reveals that he lured Ailyn to Coruscant intentionally. He meant for her to be caught and hide the threat of the other bounty hunters Sal-Solo hired to kill the Solo family. In a fit of rage, Mirta shots Sal-Solo in the forehead. Fett then shots him in the chest to ensure he is dead. Han, needing some sort of revenge, slowly put a final blaster bolt into his cousin’s lifeless body.

Following Sal-Solo’s assassination (which is blamed on the New Republic), Gejjen assumes control of the Corellian government. Under Gejjen’s leadership, the Corellian government continues to decline talks with the New Republic. Chief of State Omas then officially declares a state of war between the New Republic and Corellia.

As the crisis escalated, Jacen is forced more and more to rely on Coruscant’s World Brain to help him track down terrorists. However, the Brain fled from him and he pursues it into Coruscant’s depths. He doesn’t realize that the former Killik Night Herald Alema Rar is also following him. She desires to kill Jacen in revenge for what his family had done to her.

Jacen eventually finds the World Brain and attempts to bring it back into the fold. However, Alema attempts to kill Jacen with a poisoned dart but Lumiya alerts Jacen and the dart kills the World Brain instead.

Jacen, angered by his friend’s death, orders the death of many Bothans on Coruscant, which will drive Bothawui to join Corellia against the New Republic. Meanwhile, Alema continues to shadow him and Lumiya.

Alema eventually reveals herself to Lumiya when Jedi Tresina Lobi was about to reveal herself to the Jedi. Together, Alema and Lumiya killed Lobi and Alema pledged herself to Lumiya's service.

When news of Lobi’s death reaches the Jedi Council, Luke believes that it was the work of Lumiya. Together with Mara, he follows the trail from Lobi’s body to Lumiya at the Roqoo Depot. There they battle Lumiya and Alema separately. Mara defeats Alema and discovers that she is carrying a bomb vest. Disarming it, she goes after Luke, who she finds at the mercy of Lumiya. Mara shots Lumiya down from behind and she and Luke leave the building before it explodes, leaving Lumiya and Alema supposedly dead.

Coup attempt at Hapes

The Corellian leadership plans on drawing the Hapes Consortium into the war on their side by assassinating its Queen Mother, Tenel Ka Djo, and her child, Allana. The Corellians allies themselves with disgruntled Hapan nobles who operates under the name of the Heritage Council and sent the new Corellian Dreadnaughts warships to assist the forces of these Hapan rebels. In the end both parts of the plan fail, as the Hapan rebels and their Corellian allies are defeated in the Battle of Hapes and the Queen Mother and her daughter survive the assassination attempts. Apparently most of the Hapans allied with the Five Worlds are captured or killed.

The Corellian attempt against the Hapes Consortium, leads the Hapes Consortium to declare war on the Corellian’s and alley themselves with the New Republic against the Corellian’s. The Corellian attempt at assassinating the Hapes Consortium Queen Mother has backfired in a big way against the Corellian’s.

The Bigger Picture

No one in either the New Republic or the Imperial Remnant is seeing the bigger picture of the forces that NRG under the leadership of Jacen Solo who is descending into the Dark Side of the force at a very rapid pace. The forces of the NRC are also growing, with some of the forces blockading the Corellian system and the rest forming up around the Core Worlds, centred on Coruscant.

From the boarder area between the New Republic and the Shadow Empire, Grand Admiral Thrawn has been monitoring these events and sees the growing threat posed by the NRG that is now almost as powerful the New Republic’s three fleets.

The NRG’s relatively successful blockade of the Corellian system has allowed Jacen Solo to continue to expand the military forces under his control and with the recent attack against the Hapes Consortium has only lead to this processes be sped up in the event of an all out attack against the New Republic.

Counter strike and Escalation

The blockade of Corellia by the New Republic is still underway. However, the Bothans, furious over the murder of so many Bothans on Coruscant and suspecting that the New Republic is almost certainly behind it, had begun assembling a battle fleet. The New Republic knew of this and had taken precautions to make sure the fleet would not be able to leave Bothan Space without the New Republic knowing of it. However, the sabotage of the New Republic observers led by Admiral Matric Klauskin under the influence of Lumiya permitted the Bothans to jump to the Corellian system, where they helped Corellia to break the blockade. The New Republic fleet is forced to retreat, attempting to damage Centerpoint Station beyond repair before they leave.

The war has now expanded beyond the Corellian system with the Bothans allied with the Corellian’s against the New Republic the civil war is now taking shape.

The Mission

As the war escalates Ben, who had been separated from Jacen when Luke feared that Jacen would take Ben with him to the dark side is sent a message via Seha Dorvald who is working with Jacen. He is told to track down the Amulet of Kalara on the Almanian moon of Drewwa. He did this, but is discovered that a man on Faskus had already stolen it and taken to Ziost.

Ben discovered a dying Faskus on the planet as agents led by Byalfin Dyur who are sent by the Dark Lady Lumiya have attacked Ben. Who was actually testing whether Ben is ready to become Jacen’s apprentice. Ben, along with an R2 unit called Shaker rescued Fauskus’s daughter Kiara and took her with him where they discovered a Sith Meditation Sphere and used it to escape the planet, killing Dyur in the process.

Ben returned Kiara and Shaker to Drewwa and returned the ship to Jacen and gave him both the ship and the amulet. However, his ordeals had shaken his trust in his cousin while Lumiya believed that Ben would never be able to become Jacen’s apprentice.

The Confederation

Shortly after the breaking of the blockade, Commenor and Bothawui joined Corellia, and the Confederation was formed. Other planets soon followed including Fondor, Bespin, and Adumar prominent among them. For several weeks, the New Republic and Confederation are locked in a state of standoff, with both sides concentrating more on preparing for an inevitable war rather than a direct assault; instead making sporadic and minor raids against each other.

New Republic Intelligence received word that the Confederation is planning a meeting on Gilatter VIII to elect a new Supreme Commander. In response to this newfound information, Jacen Solo lays out a four-step plan to ambush the Confederation and end the supposed meeting. The New Republic attempt to sabotage that meeting ended in the Battle of Gilatter VIII, when the meeting turned out to be a Confederation trap, the election having been held the day before. The battle ended in a draw, and both sides retired to make more preparations for war.

The individual fleets reorganized themselves to become the united Confederation Fleet with former Imperial General Turr Phennir hired as Supreme Commander of the Confederation military.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

The Shadow Empire – Part 6

While the Battle of Gilatter raged about the planet of Gilatter VIII, Jacen and Lumiya who have travelled to Gilatter VIII, are attacked by Luke, Mara, Han and Leia. In the ensuing fight, Mara fights off the Corellians while Lumiya again is teamed up with Alema to fight off the other three.

The duels end with Leia forcing Alema to flee and Lumiya offering peace with Luke before leaving. With the duel over, Lumiya and Alema goes to collect the Sith ship from Ben, who had collected it on Ziost, while the others escape a freighter collision.

Escalation and Political Crisis

After the events of Gilatter VIII, the war continued to escalate, with additional worlds seceding from the New Republic, including Beris and Las Lagon. While such losses are minor in terms of overall effect, it represented a continuing worsening of the conflict, as well another step closer to full scale galactic civil war.

As actions intensify in Bothan Space, as the New Republic fleet units engage a Bothan flotilla during the Battle of Bothawui. At the same time, numerous worlds across the galaxy began to pursue old vendettas with rival worlds forcing the New Republic government to further spread their limited fleets to keep the peace. Increasingly a minority voice for peace in the upper echelons of the government, Cal Omas struggled to hold the majority of the New Republic together.

In an effort to lull Coruscant into a false sense of peace, in order to buy time for a massive Confederation strike on the galactic capital, Dur Gejjen approached Cal Omas for secret peace talks. Omas, eager at the chance to end the war and preserve the Alliance, went to the neutral world of Vulpter to have direct talks. Due to the tapping of high-level New Republic leaders by the New Republic Guard, Jacen is able to dispatch several NRG units to the site of the meeting.

During the meeting, Omas is lured by the possibility of the Confederation calling for a cease-fire and returning into the folds of the New Republic. Gejjen’s only demand was the removal of Jacen and Cha Niathal, either politically (Omas’s preference) or permanently (Gejjen’s). The meeting is bugged, allowing Jacen the story he needed to arrest Cal Omas and remove him from office. Furthermore, Ben Skywalker assassinates Dur Gejjen on the orders of Jacen, which takes a heavy toll on the Confederation.

New Republic Military Coup

After successfully manipulating galactic law to allow him powers not seen since the end of the Old Republic, Jacen Solo moves to gain control of the New Republic. Using the footage of Omas seemingly agreeing to enemy demands for the sake of peace, Jacen and Admiral Niathal staged a bloodless and quiet coup. Placing Omas under house arrest, the duo became a duumvirate, ruling the New Republic as co-Chiefs of State. While Admiral Niathal genuinely believed that the military coup was only for the duration of the war, Jacen began laying the plans for his eventual rule of the entire galaxy as Sith Lord.

Though in the short term things are going well for Jacen Solo, the Imperial Remnant is becoming increasingly uneasy about the civil war within the New Republic. The Imperial Remnant’s military forces have been on a war footing ever since the attack against the Hapes Consortium just in case either side tried anything like that against the Imperial Remnant.

Darth Caedus

Now that he is Co-Chief of State of the New Republic, Jacen Solo is ready for his ascension to Dark Lord of the Sith. However, he first had to make his sacrifice to show his commitment.

Ben Skywalker, distraught over his assassination of Dur Gejjen, confided in his mother Mara about Jacen and Lumiya. After failing to kill Lumiya on Hesperidium, Mara pursued her to Kavan, but met Jacen instead and they engaged in a vicious duel. Mara is able to bring down Jacen and is about to kill him when he used a Force illusion of Ben to distract her before he stabbed her with a poison dart and killing her.

Having made his sacrifice, Jacen is now ready to become a true Sith. Lumiya realized this and went off to fulfil her part of the plan and buy Jacen some time. She went to Luke and claimed that she had killed Mara. Luke pursued her to Terephon and shot her down before duelling and decapitating her. With Lumiya’s death, Jacen is ready to become the self proclaimed Darth Caedus, Dark Lord of the Sith.

This duel has not gone unnoticed by Lord Tremayne as the disturbance in the Dark Side of the force is so great with Jacen Solo becoming the self proclaimed Darth Caedus, Dark Lord of the Sith, Lord Tremayne is not about to have the decades of hard work undone by this rouge Sith.

As soon as the Sith of the Shadow Empire have gathered, Lord Tremayne will deal with this so called Sith Lord.

War in a Stalemate

With the failure of the peace talks, the war continues and spreads across the galaxy with seemingly having a life of its own. The Confederation begins a push towards the Galactic Core. Reinforced by a Commenorian and Hutt fleets, the Confederation lays siege to Balmorra. Jacen Solo, now Darth Caedus, led the New Republic’s Fourth Fleet in a counterattack. Though Balmorra is lost, the Confederation takes heavy losses and are prevented from reinforcing their own fleet at the Battle of Kuat, the battle lasts nearly a week.

Darth Caedus leads the attack on the Confederation Fleet from the Star destroyer Anakin Solo. Caedus is depending on the Jedi to quickly end the battle, and had already sent a large NRG force to hold the Jedi Academy on Ossus hostage.

Luke Skywalker, still grieving over the death of his wife, leads the Jedi force, but after he finds out Jacen had used Ben to assassinate Cal Omas, breaks off and jumps to Kashyyyk. Were his fugitive sister and her husband are trying to convince the Rock Council to aid the Jedi, and are eventually able to sway the Wookiees to their side, depriving both the New Republic and the Confederation of a sizable fleet. Unable to quickly end the battle at Kuat, Caedus decided to attack Kashyyyk and make it an example to other rebellious star systems.

Suicide with a Difference!

Having become Darth Caedus after killing Mara Jade Skywalker, Jacen is determined to turn the young Ben Skywalker to the Dark side of the Force. During a brief conversation with Ben during the Battle of Kuat, Caedus revealed a faked conversation strung together from words taken from recorded meetings with Cal Omas, which ordered Mara Jade’s assassination.

While not totally convinced that the former Chief of State is responsible for his mother’s death, Ben sneaks into Omas’s Coruscant home, prepared to kill him. Omas, however, is already waiting. In a standard similar to that of his predecessor, Borsk Fey’lya, he had rigged a proton bomb that would be triggered by the cessation of his heartbeat. Learning the truth from Omas, Ben tried to convince the ex-Chief to fake his own death. Omas refused, and impaled himself on Ben’s lightsaber. Ben escapes before the bomb explodes, but, having learnt the identity of his mother’s murderer, he is prepared to kill Caedus.

Treachery

In order to keep the Jedi Order on the side of the New Republic, Jacen has a NRG battalion installed on Ossus for the Jedi’s “protection” since the Jedi Masters had left for Mara Jade’s funeral on Coruscant. This battalion is commanded by Major Salle Serpa, an officer on the brink of insanity and willing to murder the occupants in the Academy to keep order. Only Jedi Masters Kam Solusar and Tionne Solusar are left to guard the children along with a handful of Jedi Knights.

However, Jaina Solo, Jagged Fel and Zekk had hunted Alema Rar to Ossus, believing that she had killed Mara. Although Alema escaped, the three of them stayed to help protect the children. Following the Jedi withdrawal from the Battle of Kuat, Serpa made his move on the Academy.

Serpa used coma gas to take out the two Jedi Masters quickly while they took the children hostage. However, Ben Skywalker warns Jaina and Jaina alerts the other Jedi masters. However, NRG troops have already killed many of the Jedi in the Academy and Tionne is wounded by Serpa and captured. Serpa then used Tionne as bait, shooting off her arm and leg in front of the children and the other Jedi.

Kam Solusar could take no more and along with two other Jedi Knights but they are shot down by snipers’, the two Knights are killed and Kam Solusar is injured. Jaina and Fel manages’ to kill the snipers and Jaina confronts Serpa who then attempts to shoot her. However, Zekk arrives and disarms Serpa, twice, and then he is taken captive. The Jedi are then forced to abandon Ossus in fear of reprisals.

While this was going on Jacen Solo as Darth Caedus is on course for the Kashyyyk to punish the Wookiees for their treachery.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

The Shadow Empire – Part 7

Devastation at Kashyyyk

Determined to punish Kashyyyk and claim its fleet for the New Republic, Caedus led the New Republic‘s Fifth Fleet to the planet and proceeds to burn its forests with the Star Destroyer Anakin Solo’s long-range turbolasers. A squadron of interceptors began to attack the Anakin, at which point, Ben Skywalker marched onto the bridge and attempts to kill Caedus. A Jedi shadow bomb strikes the bridge, killing much of the bridge crew and causing Ben to miss Jacen with his lightsaber and accidentally bisect Commander Twizzl, and to be captured by Jacen.

Caedus takes Ben to a torture chamber in the depths of the ship and locks him in an Embrace of Pain, a Yuuzhan Vong torture device. Meanwhile, a large Confederation and Bothan fleet enters the system and engages the New Republic’s forces. Luke Skywalker boards the Anakin Solo and engages Caedus in a lightsaber duel. At the same time, the Hapan Royal Navy arrives, led by Caedus’s lover Tenel Ka. Instead of helping the New Republic, the Hapans joins the Jedi, Wookiee, and Confederation forces in attacking the New Republic’s Fifth Fleet. Onboard the Anakin Solo, Luke bests Caedus in a duel, and Ben is determined to finish him off, but Caedus manages escapes and is badly wounded. The New Republic’s Fifth Fleet only escapes by exploiting a hole in the Bothan lines, which had been created by Alema Rar, manipulating the Bothans from a Sith Meditation Sphere.

The Formation of the Jedi Coalition (later called The Coalition)

The Battle of Kashyyyk is a major blow to the New Republic. The New Jedi Order and Hapes Consortium secede from the New Republic removing twenty percent of the New Republic’s fleet strength in one go.

The New Republic’s forces attack Commenor to contain its forces, not to occupy the world. During the battle, an element of the New Republic’s Third Fleet launches a cloaked asteroid at Commenor. This results in the Commenorians releasing the affliceria virus on Coruscant, which infects many civilian and military personnel.

After Tenel Ka turns against him, Caedus feels heartbroken and betrayed. He admits that he would kill Tenel Ka and anyone else who stood between him and Allana, his daughter. He also plans to get the Hapes Consortium back into the New Republic by taking Allana away from Tenel Ka. He kidnaps her, leaving a message that he would kill Allana unless the Hapes Consortium once again gave the New Republic military support.

Death to Darth Caedus

Following the Devastation of Kashyyyk, Luke Skywalker decides that it is time to have his nephew Jacen Solo removed. Acting on a plan formulated by Kyp Durron, a team of Jedi led by Kyle Katarn travelled to Coruscant to confront Jacen. The team was made up of Katarn, Valin Horn son of Jedi Master Corran Horn, Thann Mithric, Kolir Hu'lya and Seha Dorvald who was once a spy of Jacen’s.

Although the team managed to confront Jacen, the mission was a disaster. Jacen, now with the powers of a Sith Lord manages to be quite a match for the Jedi team and the arrival of a squad of NRG troopers tipped the odds in his favour. Jacen stabs Katarn in the chest, taking him out of the fight and while Seha and Horn drags him to safety, Jacen decapitates Mitric. The rest of the Jedi team escape with Katarn and although it seems that the mission has failed, it is only a distraction so that Seha could plant a tracking device on the Sith Lord allowing the Jedi to track his movements.

The Destruction of the New Republic’s Second Fleet

Shortly after the attempt on his life, Jacen met with Cha Niathal who told him that Five Worlds Prime Minister Sadras Koyan wanted to defect to the New Republic and she wanted to open negotiations with him. Jacen was sent with a small force to open space between Corellia and Coruscant where he met a small group of ships commanded by Captain Hoclaw.

The debate goes on, with Hoclaw unwilling to give too much away. The New Republic forces become suspicious when they discovered that there is only a skeleton crew onboard the Corellian ships. Following the arrival of Leia Organa Solo, Jacen took Allana up in his fighter into space. A Corellian force arrived and Jacen ordered the New Republic Second fleet under Admiral Tarla Limpan to engage them.

However, this is all a part of the Corellian trap, as the Corellian leadership ordered Centerpoint Station to be fired. The blast destroyed much of the New Republic’s Second Fleet, killing Limpan, but Jacen and the Anakin Solo escaped. This move also backfired on the Corellians and led to an embargo of the Corellian system on the orders of Turr Phennir, commander of the Confederation forces.

Grand Admiral Thrawn Engages

With the potential use of the Centerpoint Station, Grand Admiral Thrawn orders the Admonitor into hyperspace with a course for the Corellian system. The course set is as an indirect course as Grand Admiral Thrawn does not want to tip either side that the Admonitor is on her way to the Corellian system, this will take more time than a direct route.

The Admonitor’s white-hulled command ship of Grand Admiral Thrawn jumps into hyperspace, without any escort ships full prepared for battle, the war is about to take a new direction.

The Destruction of Centerpoint Station

Following the destruction of the New Republic’s Second Fleet, Jacen travels to Centerpoint station at the head of a task force to capture the station for use against the Confederation. Seeing that the Centerpoint station would tip the balance of power greatly in favour of anyone who possesses its enormous destructive power, Grand Master Luke Skywalker and the New Jedi Order will also carry out a raid upon the station in order to finally destroy it.

Jedi Master Kyp Durron leads the raid, with Toval Seyah, a New Republic scientist and former spy who had worked on the station. Seyah is able to modify Centerpoint’s galactic data in such a way that all coordinates in the galaxy are altered to become those of the station, the Jedi team then withdraw from the station.

During the pitched battle between Confederation and New Republic forces, a technician named Rikel who had lost his wife on the galactic capital of Coruscant to the New Republic Guard is left in charge of the station’s firing station. He sets the coordinates to target Coruscant, but before he can fire the Admonitor comes out of hyperspace.

The Admonitor’s white-hulled command ship of Grand Admiral Thrawn, seemed to hang motionless in space and the fighting between the Confederation and New Republic forces also seemed to pause for a time as everyone from both sides views the massive battleship.

Then from the bow of the Admonitor a green beam shoots, the Admonitor’s own super laser opens fire on the Centerpoint station destroying the station with a single full powered shot, wiping all traces of the enigmatic structure from the system, killing all on board, and destroying countless vessels in its blast radius.

Out side of the blast radius, but within the blast wave, the blast wave washes over the Admonitor’s the shields become “visible”, but unlike the other warships within blast wave, the Admonitor is unmoved by the blast wave.

Once the station has been destroyed the Admonitor jumps back into hyperspace leaving the two fleets to their own devices. The potential threat of the Centerpoint station to the Shadow Empire has been neutralised, none of the opposing sides in the Civil war want to go to war against the Shadow Empire, so they are left to make diplomatic noises, but no more than that.

But that does not mean they can’t try to gain an alliance with another Imperial faction.

Enter the Imperial Remnant

Shortly after the breaking of the Blockade of Corellia, the planet Fondor had declared itself independent of the New Republic and begins supplying ships to the Confederation. Recognizing the need to bring Fondor and its extensive shipyards back into the New Republic’s fold, Caedus began planning the invasion of Fondor.

Short of ships and needing new allies, Caedus sends Tahiri Veila to the Imperial Remnant to negotiate an alliance with Admiral Gilad Pellaeon. Knowing that Pellaeon would never accept an alliance with him, Caedus offered the planets Bilbringi and Borleias to the Moff Council headed by Grand Moff Quille, Pellaeon’s chief rival. Bilbringi possesses extensive ship building facilities, and Borleias is a major financial centre. Though Pellaeon possesses considerable sway among the Moffs, the Council agreed to join Caedus in the fight, though not all the Moffs are convinced, the majority do support Grand Moff Quille.

Apparently, Caedus has neglected to tell the two planets that he would be selling them out to the Imperial Remnant. This information is enough for Admiral Niathal to begin planning to defect to the Resistance.

What neither Grand Moff Quille nor Caedus is aware of is that Admiral Pellaeon had opened up talks with Admiral Natasi Daala’s Maw forces in forming an alliance against the ever bitter civil war that is raging within the New Republic after Admiral Daala has reviled that she was still alive to Admiral Pellaeon. Admiral Daala also reveals that she has a large and well-armed strike force under he command, as well as several worlds supplying her with resources in return for her protection, though Daala does not reveal the number of warships or the names of the worlds that are supporting her.

While Caedus was sealing the pact with Grand Moff Quille, Admiral Pellaeon, meanwhile, recalled Admiral Natasi Daala to the Imperial Remnant space to help in his fight against Caedus and to show the Moff Council that they are not alone against any potential enemy.

These actions will cause a death and force the Shadow Empire into the Civil War, something that Grand Admiral Hammond had been trying to avoid, while just trying to eliminate this rouge Sith, without getting involved in the Civil War.

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

The Shadow Empire – Part 8

Murder most foul

The New Republic launches an attack on Fondor. When the New Republic’s fleet arrives, Caedus discovers that the minelayers he had sent to plant a huge minefield around Fondor had disappeared. There is also no sign of the minefield, nor any sign of the enemy fleet. It later transpires that Niathal had told Luke Skywalker of Caedus’s plan, and the minelayers had been destroyed the moment they had exited hyperspace.

After ordering the planet’s surrender, to which the Fondorians refuses, Caedus advances on the planet. At that point, the entire Fondor defence fleet, having been hidden inside their shipyards, opened fire. Caedus forced his way through and ordered the bombardment of its capital city.

Admiral Niathal signalled the planet to surrender, which it does, but Caedus continues to bombard the planet. Niathal relieves Caedus of his command because of this, but Caedus did not recognize her authority and continues. A large portion of the New Republic fleet sides with Caedus, but Pellaeon decides to support Niathal and orders his ships to protect them.

Attempted Coup Onboard the Bloodfin

As the battle begins to turn against Caedus, Pellaeon retires to his cabin to talk with Daala. However, Tahiri Veila who attempts to convince Pellaeon to join Darth Caedus against the Confederation follows Pellaeon to his cabin. Pellaeon refuses, so Tahiri shoots Pellaeon and the Moffs led by Quille watch as Pellaeon dies. As Pellaeon lies dying, he learns of the Moffs’ treachery and whispered Quille’s name to Daala before ordering her to attack Caedus fleet as his last dying order.

However, the coup does not go well for the Moffs, they try to convinced the Imperial fleet to side with Caedus, this fails (as the Imperial military is more loyal to Pellaeon than the Moff’s) and only ten percent of the Imperial Remnants fleet would join Caedus, the crew of the Bloodfin rebel, trapping the Moffs. Daala attacks Caedus’s fleet and the Mandalorians she hired under Boba Fett kill Quille and the most of the other Moffs before forcing Caedus and Veila to flee the ship. They retrieve Pellaeon’s body and take it to Corellia for his funeral.

With the help of the Jedi Coalition, the combined Maw Irregular Fleet and the Imperial Fleet led by a very angry Admiral Daala, and a team of Mandalorians led by Boba Fett and Jaina Solo, Niathal’s forces are able to drive Caedus off. Niathal later occupies Fondor and uses it as the capital of her faction of the New Republic.

A Murderer Revealed

During this time, Ben resolves to prove that his cousin Jacen had murdered Mara. Travelling with Lon Shevu to Kavan he sees his mother’s ghost which tells him to look for some lost hair. After carrying out an investigation into Jacen’s StealthX, Ben discovers a strand of Mara’s hair, which matches with one Luke still has in his possession.

This, together with Jacen’s confession to Shevu, this is more than enough to convince the Jedi that Jacen had killed Mara. This discovery makes Luke more determined that Jacen should be removed as a threat, but Luke is not the only one out for blood.

With the murder of Admiral Pellaeon, the Imperial Remnant under Admiral Daala command starts a purge of those Imperial officers and officials that had tried to join Caedus during the attempted coup to overthrow Admiral Pellaeon. Over the next few months Admiral Daala would use the combined forces of the of her own Imperial Maw Fleet along with the ninety percent of the Imperial Remnant’s military forces to brutally eliminate those traitors still within Remnant space, though most manage to flee and join Caedus forces.

Admiral Daala would receive help from Grand Admiral Thrawn and the Admonitor in dealing with these rouge Imperials, something that surprised Admiral Daala, but Admiral Daala did not refuse the firepower of the Admonitor.

Grand Admiral Thrawn’s reason’s for helping Admiral Daala have nothing to do with revenge, but in keeping the Imperial Remnant in one piece and also to make sure that the Imperial Remnant is not absorbed into the New Republic or any other faction in this civil war.

The Final Moves

The ten percent of the Imperial Remnants fleet, having allied with Caedus, attacks the Verpine in the Roche asteroids in an attempt to gain their advanced technology and turn the tide of the war. The Mandalorians, under an agreement with the Verpine, rushed to their aid with the help of Jaina Solo. The rouge Imperials use a nanovirus to wipe out the Verpine soldier caste and leave the workforce for New Republic service. However, the Mandalorians and the Verpine defeat this first Imperial force and destroy its flagship the new Super Star Destroyer called Dominion but the Imperials mange to take control of the planet anyway. The remains of the Moff Council land on Nickel One, later joined by Darth Caedus, who had supposedly travelled there to protect them.

Later the Coalition responded to the attack on Roche by counter-attacking at Nickel One. Later they are joined by a Confederation fleet and by forces from the New Republic-in-exile under Cha Niathal. However, Admiral Nek Bwua'tu is able to out manoeuvre them, causing them heavy casualties and bringing victory to the New Republic.

Meanwhile, Jaina Solo lands on Nickel One, intending to kill Caedus. Joined by a group of Mandalorian commandos, including Boba Fett’s granddaughter, Mirta Gev, Jaina makes her way through the asteroid’s tunnels, unnoticed by Caedus. Who has his attention focused on the presence of Luke Skywalker in the battle above, after the Mandalorians attempt to assassinate the remains of the Moff Council, however Caedus enters the fray killing all the Mandalorians except for Mirta. Jaina and her brother engaged in a duel, which results in Caedus losing his arm. The duel ends when Jaina is forced to retreat with the rest of the Coalition.

At the same time, Admiral Atoko and the remains of the New Republic’s Fifth Fleet attack Mandalore in an attempt to take the Mandalorians out of the war. He releases a second strain of the nanovirus that wipes out many of the old clones and their descendents.

Shadow Empire Sith

Lord Tremayne has now assembled several hundred Sith to deal with “Sith Lord Darth Caedus”, the Sith that Lord Tremayne have very mixed abilities and powers, but combined will be more than a match for “Sith Lord Darth Caedus”, now all they need are the coordinates of “Sith Lord Darth Caedus”.

This information will be provided by Grand Admiral Thrawn, who has “allied” himself with Admiral Daala’s combined Imperial forces, who intern have allied themselves against Darth Caedus New Republic forces.

The Final Battle

The New Republic, along with the remaining forces that had defected from the Imperial Remnant attack’s the Coalition forces at Shedu Maad in what would prove to be a decisive turning point in the war. Before the battle, the remaining members of the Moff Council had finished the nanovirus they had developed from Isolder’s DNA and released it on board the Dragon Queen, Tenel Ka’s flagship.

The resulting outbreak kills most of the crew, since most of the people staffing the Dragon Queen are all related to Isolder in some way. As far the public knew, the Hapan Chume’da Allana also succumbed to the nanovirus, but this is a ploy developed by Tenel Ka. The Queen Mother and Allana both remained unharmed, possibly due to an unexpected warning Tenel Ka received through the Force from Darth Caedus.

As the battle raged, Ben Skywalker confronts Tahiri Veila on Shedu Maad and persuades her to surrender to him. Meanwhile, Jaina Solo boards the Anakin Solo to duel her brother.

At this point in the battle Grand Admiral Thrawn arrives along with Admiral Daala’s combined Imperial forces to finish off the remaining traitors. Once Grand Admiral Thrawn had deduced that Darth Caedus is onboard the Anakin Solo, he orders that the Anakin Solo be disabled and informs Lord Tremayne of the location.

Lord Tremayne’s Sith forces then jump into the battle onboard Lord Tremayne flagship and board the Anakin Solo shortly after Jaina Solo has boarded the Anakin Solo.

The resulting duel between Caedus’s and Jaina Solo leads to Jaina Solo being injured, just as Caedus’s is about to finish of his sister. When Lord Tremayne enters with his own Sith, in the short duel that ensures Caedus’s is killed by Lord Tremayne, the Sith then go through the rest of the Anakin Solo fining all records of Sith artefacts etc and after taking copies of the information, they then delete or destroy the information onboard the Anakin Solo.

Once this is done Lord Tremayne and his Sith withdraw from the Anakin Solo leaving behind the injured Jaina Solo, Jaina Solo was severely injured in the fight and spends several weeks recovering in a medical facility.

The battle ends once it is proved that Caedus’s is dead.

The war is now over, what will the peace bring?

To be continued.

[whatisinaname]

The Shadow Empire – Part 9

Victory

The Coalition is victorious, with help from the combined Imperial forces and both the Confederation and New Republic forces surrender. With the war over the Coalition along with the surrender, the Confederation and the New Republic will reform back into the New Republic. An attempt to form a Galactic Alliance fails as neither set of Imperials are keen on this idea, so this idea is dropped by the recently reformed New Republic.

The systems that had broken away during the civil war will all rejoin the reformed New Republic over the next few years and a new government will be elected, whose powers will be limited so this can never happen again, so that no one leader can wield such powers.

The Jedi under Grand Master Skywalker will withdraw from the New Republic’s government and become the enforces of the peace within the New Republic and not its rulers, with no seat in government to influence government decisions, so that no Jedi will be tempted by the power of government again and go over to the Dark Side of the force.

The damage done by the civil war will take many years to repair, especially the damage done to Kashyyyk, that will take even long as the trees that where destroyed will take many decades to grow back.

The New Republic’s military will continue its pre civil war program to fortify all systems and worlds that are part of the New Republic. The New Republic’s fleets will be limited to four, with one of these fleets permanently deployed to Coruscant, to defend the capital and the surrounding systems.

The other three fleets will be positioned throughout the New Republic at key points, thus enabling these fleets, in whole or in part, to respond quickly to any potential threat, to any system or world that are part of the New Republic.

The New Republic will maintain embassies on both Bastion and Calon III, over the next few years the New Republic will try to unite into one Galtic Alliance, but this will prove to be futile, in the long term the New Republic will give up on this idea.

The Jedi will become what they where in the Old Republic, protectors of the peace in the New Republic. The Jedi will not involve themselves in either the Empire or the Shadow Empire, without the permission of either government and will deal only with keeping the peace in the New Republic.

Imperial Remnant

The Imperial Remnant is renamed The Empire (also called as the New Empire by some) and will combine both Admiral Daala’s Maw Imperials and Imperial Remnant into one power. The Empire now controls both the Imperial Remnant’s eight sectors along with the Deep Core of Admiral Daala’s Maw Imperials along with a few scattered holdings within the New Republic this will considerably increases the size of the new Empire without the need to attack anyone.

Admiral Natasi Daala is named the new supreme command of the Empires military forces, with Baron Fel becoming the new Grand Moff and head of the civil government after moving from the Shadow Empire, to the new Empire, with the approval of Grand Admiral Hammond.

Though Baron Fel has moved from the Shadow Empire to the Empire, Baron Fel has sworn an oath not to reveal any information about the Shadow Empire. The same oath has been taken by all of Baron Fel’s family that has also followed him to the Empire it would prove fatal if this oath was ever broken to all of Baron Fel’s family.

The New Empire will spend the next few years consolidating its holdings along with rebuilding the damage from the attempted coup by the Moff Council to take full control of the Imperial Remnant. The main benefit of the new Empire is the consolidation of the Maw fleet within the Imperial fleet, along with the research from the Maw scientists and all of there technologies, including the Metal Crystal Phase Shifter (MCPS), this weapon will now be fitted to all Imperial capital warships and all new build capital warships of the Empire.

The Empire will continue to grow internally over the next hundred years, in both economic and military terms and will become one of the three great powers in the galaxy.

The Empire will maintain ambassadors on both Calon III and Coruscant. The Empire will keep its distance with both the New Republic and the Shadow Empire, the Empire sets-up trade deals with the New Republic and other governments like CSA, but will have very little dealings with the Shadow Empire beyond the Calon sector.

The Qektoth Confederation

Out of all of these recent conflicts the Qektoth Confederation has come out intact and stronger than before, as the Qektoth Confederation backed the Shadow Empire in their battle against the Yuuzhan Vong, even sending some of their latest generation Qektoth Attack Cruisers, to fight against the Yuuzhan Vong, while keeping clear of the New Republic who barely tolerates the Qektoth Confederations “assistance”.

The Qektoth Confederation did learn a lot during the war against the Yuuzhan Vong, as this gave the Qektoth Confederation a chance to test their weapons and technology in combat and also give their crews much needed combat experience.

The other part the Qektoth Confederation gained is via there covert company in the Corporate Sector Authority, Dodson Medical Research Company this company has now branched out into starfighters and small warships in the corvette class range via its new subsidiary company Dodson Space Systems.

During the Yuuzhan Vong and the Second Galactic Civil War Dodson Space Systems did a roaring trade in all its military spacecraft and Dodson Space Systems income would surpass the income from if parent company Dodson Medical Research. Over a period of ten years Dodson Space Systems would grow from a small level producer to a medium level producer of spacecraft within the galaxy.

One of Dodson Space Systems main customers was (and still is) Admiral Daala’s Maw fleet with a large number of its corvette class vessels supplied covertly, as an off shoot of this deal Dodson Space Systems would also supply those systems under Admiral Daala’s Maw fleet protection. In the aftermath of the civil war Dodson Space Systems is now one of the main contractors to the Empire, along with companies like Santhe/Sienar Technologies and KDY (who sold Dodson Space Systems the rights to the now highly successful A-9 Vigilance interceptor and now regretting that decision!)

The other main customer for Dodson Space Systems products is the Corporate Sectors own fleet, which is replacing the Marauder class corvette with Dodson Space Systems own corvette class vessels (at a discount).

The Dodson Space Systems own corvette class vessels are designed to be flexible and easy to modify and upgrade, but also durable, manoeuvrable and carry a decent weapons package. Each customer can choose what sort of weapon systems etc they want fitted to their version of the Dodson Space Systems corvette class vessel, making each customer’s corvette unique, but based on a standard hull.

With the ending of the Second Galactic Civil War the Dodson Group is “approached” by the Qektoth Confederation, to purchase spacecraft from them. What of course no one knows is that the Dodson Group is controlled by the Qektoth Confederation this deal will allow the Qektoth Confederation to “purchase” openly rather than covertly without anyone finding out the Qektoth Confederation owns the Dodson Group.

The future for the Qektoth Confederation is secure under the protection n of the Shadow Empire.

Shadow Empire

The Shadow Empires involvement in the Second Galactic Civil War is minimal with only Grand Admiral Thrawn warship being involved in direct combat for an extended period (thought the Qektoth Confederation does provide some support services). Lord Tremayne’s flagship is only involved in the Battle at Shedu Maad and then only to deliver the Lord Tremayne and his Sith to deal with Darth Caedus.

Once the Second Galactic Civil War is over the Shadow Empires forces returns to their space with only some of Lord Tremayne’s Sith being diverted to pickup the Sith artefacts left after the death of Darth Caedus.

The Shadow Empire will continue is steady exploration and colonisation of the Unknown Regions and continue to expand its military forces to protect this expansion, but the Shadow Empire will not involve itself in either the New Republic or the Empire.

With its ability to clone, none of the three leaders of the Shadow Empire will need to step down as their old body dies their conciseness will be transferred into a new cloned body, just as the Emperor did at his “death” at Endor. This process has already been used for Grand Admiral Thrawn, the next will be Lord Tremayne and then Grand Admiral Hammond will use this process. This will allow the Shadow Empire to maintain stability, as the Shadow Empire will always be following the same leadership goals.

Also this process will be expanded to those members of the Shadow Empire that are of significance to the Shadow Empire, or have earned the right to be cloned, these include scientists, engineers and some Sith. The first Sith out side of Lord Tremayne to be offered this cloning ability is Jav Stele, who accepts.

The Sith in the Shadow will continue to grow at a steady rate, with there numbers growing into the hundreds, with capabilities varying from weak in the force to strong, each Sith will depending in ability perform the functions best suited to their Dark Side abilities.

The only trade that the Shadow Empire will have will be through the Calon sector, the Shadow Empire will maintain diplomatic links with the New Republic and the Empire, but will keep to itself and not bother anyone unless they bother the Shadow Empire.

Thus the Legend of Zerik Hammond will go on, and the immortal leadership of the Shadow Empire is borne.

Over the next few decades the galaxy will know peace, and trade will boom, as there is no long a single power of the Old Republic (New Republic) dominating the galaxy and stifling trade etc as in the old days. Now there are many governments of various sizes vying for trade and diplomatic ties with one or all of the three main powers in the galaxy.

The only “real” threat that will raise its head is one hundred years after the Second Galactic Civil War in the shape of a rouge Sith called Darth Krayt and his small band of Sith try to take control of the both the Empire and the Shadow Empire, but are defeated by the combined forces of the Shadow Empires Sith and the New Republic’s Jedi, along with the military forces of all three main powers in the galaxy.

Thus the Jedi and the Shadow Empire’s Sith live in relative harmony (by keeping out of each others way), only the occasional minor “incident” between them.

In the end no one knows what the Shadow Empire is up to and no one in either the New Republic or the Empire is ever willing to ask or even to find out, as any ship that enters the Shadow Empire without permission does not return.

The galaxy has found a new way from the single monolith of the Old Republic, to several governments/powers.

The one thing that still puzzles everyone outside of the Shadow Empire is why the Shadow Empire did not just retake the galaxy this is a question that will remain unanswered, as no one wants to ask the Shadow Empire that question!

This might give the Shadow Empire ideas and that is something no one wants to do!

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THE END