Finally the repairs were done. It was such a relief to be back on my bridge. It was even more of a relief that I could return to my quarters and relieve some of the extra patrol duties I had had to offload onto my frigates and the local defense forces. Though at least it seemed like there was a bit of a lull in the fighting here.Maybe the Seps were focusing their attention on other fronts? Or maybe they were simply biding their time, waiting. The reason why we hadn’t been ordered to commit any action was probably because General Koth had only recently finished healing and was expected to arrive within the month, about a week after Kenobi shows up. After all, why bother with giving some petty Commodore out in the boonies new orders when his new commanding officer was only a month or so away?

  I didn’t particularly mind the calm. The first prototype of the boarding AT-TE had been finished during it and the first tests had been conducted. Rather simply tests, having the IFV land repeatedly on the hull of the Little Revenge or that of decommissioned ships. On the decommissioned ones they would even cut holes into the hull to gauge the effectiveness of the cutting lasers. So far it was looking good, so I had sent the blueprints and the first half dozen test results to Admiral Yularen, Tenant and General Koth.

  Meanwhile R4 was needling me for a new paint job again. With the lull in fighting and me basically stuck waiting for the Separatists to either do something or General Kenobi to show up, I couldn’t put it off. So I borrowed some Republic Red we had for the R-41s and some of the aegean blue and gray of Hope Company. I brought her down to the hanger and started painting her in careful strokes. She received a new base of the gray all over after some paint-remover, she whined a lot during that because she was covered in foil so none of the paint would get into her sensors.

  After that I gave her a coat of the aegean blue on her legs and lower chassis. I mixed the gray and blue to a fade about half way up and painted a couple panels and drawers in the red. I asked her if she wanted anything else and she demanded a Republic cog on her legs where the fade was. I grabbed a cutout of the cog and did as she asked.

  I then spent the next couple minutes making a recording of her to show her. She was very pleased with herself and I smile as she preened about for the next couple hours. After all, the paint did have to finish drying.

  I was fuming while standing on the bridge. I had been enjoying my morning up to that point, but no longer. Apparently transports of unknown allegiance have been passing through Toong’l for the last week. They have managed to escape any attempted interception by the local garrison despite the speed of the Arquitens and the firepower of the Dreadnought. The Senior Captain in charge, a male Duro named Dem Jim, of the Pride of Toong’l was in an uproar about it and demanded I do something about it.

  I was trying to figure out the best way to deal with it. Interdiction mines would be the easiest, but I don’t think I could manage getting my hands on more than one of them. Maybe I could divert the Buckler and Prince’s Duty to assist? I look at the resources I could commandeer. At best a practically finished Dreadnought on Dac, an Arquitens and an Acclamator with only one and a half squadrons of fighters.

  Not ideal. Worse yet the 159th was late in calling in. I was maybe an hour away from sending out the Lucky Kelp or some fighters to look for them. Today just has not been good.

  “Sir, unknown vessel is exiting hyperspace, exit point five o’clock six, degrees down, thirty klicks.”

  “Put a turbolaser on it.” I order.

  I hear the confirmation a moment before a ship exits hyperspace. Jedi shuttle, Eta class. I give R4 a quick whistles and she plugs into the tactical display.

  “Sir, we’re being hailed.”

  “Put em through.” I reply.

  “This is General Kenobi, I must apologize for I am slightly early. Requesting permission to dock with Republic starship Little Revenge.” The voice sounds.

  “General Kenobi, this is Commodore Dericote of the Little Revenge. Permission granted. Welcome to Dac, sir.” I reply.

  The comms are cut and I motion for the Clone and naval arms-man, stationed at the bridge, to join me as I march down to the docking port. Maybe we would actually make some progress. R4 trails behind us as we march down the halls. By the time we arrive to the docking hatch it’s already spewing steam as the two ships adjust to the pressure of one another. The doors slide open and I snap a salute, the two men behind me following suit. The man steps through the port. Red hair and beard. He looks more tired than previously, not to mention slightly more ragged.

  “Welcome aboard the Little Revenge, sir. I hope your trip was satisfactory?” I say in greeting.

  “Yes, I suppose so. I was hoping for more time to rest, but I believe I am here to offer Hondo an apology.” The Jedi General says.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  “Yes, sir. A terrible incident. I wish it had been addressed earlier. Mr. Ohnaka should be in system within the next couple days. You are of course welcome to the hospitality of the Little Revenge.” I say.

  “Yes, well would you mind bringing me to my quarters, I have had a very stressful week and would greatly enjoy some rest.” The General says.

  “Of course sir, Japaol, Tick, would you please escort the Jedi High General to his temporary quarters. I believe we have a spare near Sergeant Slas’ quarters.” I say to my men. I receive two salutes and they lead the General away. Maybe I could squeeze some action out of the Jedi High General while he was staying here.

  The General spent the entire day in his chambers. I suppose it made sense. We were still ready to jump to action at a moment’s notice, but unless something happened we would be remaining in Dac for the foreseeable future.

  “Sir, we have a transmission from Senior Captain Jim.” I hear from Sergeant Slas.

  “Put him through, Sergeant.”

  “Commodore.” The new apparition of the Green Duro says. He is clearly not in a good situation, “We have multiple enemy cruisers encroaching on system. We are unable to hold for much longer. I am pulling us back from the planet towards the kuiper belt. We await your imminent arrival.”

  “Ready the ships. Assemble the squadron and begin our move to the hyperspace egress point. Someone inform General Kenobi and get Captains Chain and Mi-Kus up here stat. Senior Captain, how many enemy ships are assaulting your position and what of the militias?”

  The hologram shudders a moment: “The local government has assured us continued loyalty. The militias are ev---ting the civ---ians. W- are fa--ng tw- ----ficents and ---- Re----- light de------. I repeat ---- Recu- dest- and -o Mu-----”

  “He’s being jammed sir.” I hear.

  “Double time. Contact Mr. Ohnaka that he is to join us in battle at Toong’l. Inform Senior Captain Strom he is to contact the merchant fleet and inform them of what we are doing. Launch fighters, they’ll do the jump independently. Put as much energy through the hyperdrive as we dare. We need to react rapidly to this.” I bark out and watch as the crew jumps to work.

  “What is going on here, Commodore?” I hear from behind. I turn around to see General Kenobi marching towards me.

  “Enemy task force sighted at Toong’l and engaging the garrison. We are moving to assist in the battle.” I reply.

  “Aren’t your standing orders to not conduct a counter attack?” The General inquires.

  “Yes, sir. However the battle is still on going and Senior Captain Jim is pulling back out of enemy range. By the time we arrive we will be able to conclude the battle.” I say.

  The General sighs and nods at my very loose understanding of my orders. I give him a salute and watch the 347th assemble near the jump point alongside the Teardrop and Falchion. It takes another few minutes until we jump into hyperspace and I start preparing for the battle in earnest.

  “Sir we’re exiting in one minute.” I hear.

  “Are General Kenobi and Captain Chain in the boarding gunship?” I ask.

  “Alongside half of Door Platoon. Second Platoon and Third Platoon are deployed in the other LAATs. They’re all awaiting your command.” I hear in reply.

  “Remind Lieutenant Wildhog of Fourth Platoon of his increased responsibilities.” I say.

  “Exiting in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, exiting.”

  We’re spat out into realspace, the ships assembling into formation. The Consulars to either side of the Little Revenge, the Dagger and Buckler on either of their flanks and the MC30c frigates on the outer flanks.

  “Enemy ships, dead ahead. Two Munificents, two Recusant light destroyers, portside Recusant is slightly ahead of the other. Unknown markings. They’re deploying fighters.” I hear.

  “Fighters and Consulars begin screening, pull the frigates in tighter. Where are Senior Captain Jim’s ships?” I begin.

  “Coming up behind us, the two ships are limping. He has half his fighter squadron remaining, designation Pride Squadron, Z-95s.” I hear.

  “Have Pride Squadron move to close screening and bring the cruisers in closer. All ships advance.”

  Mi-Kus speaks up: “Shields to front, have the turbolasers begin targeting the starboard Recusant. Helmsman down two hundred meters.”

  I pick up from there: “I want The Dagger to begin firing Ion cannons at the portside Recusant in preparations for boarding. Move the Lucky Kelp, Prince’s Duty and Shining Star to the starboard flank. They are to engage the Munificent on the flank.”

  I watch as the fighters and bombers race ahead with the two Consulars. The tactical display depicting three squadrons of Vultures racing towards them. I countdown the seconds until the two sides come into range. Three, two, one. One Z-95 goes down, two Vultures blink out of existence. I force my eyes away.

  “In range, sir.”

  “Fire.” Mi-Kus orders.

  “Bring the Pride of Toong’l up to begin broadside against the Portside Munificent, outer flank. Helmsman bring us between the portside ships. Launch the boarding parties against the Starboard Recusant. Bring the Dagger in closer to her target and have the Buckler move in closer to us. Mi-Kus re-direct the turbolasers to begin hammering the starboard Recusant until we’re between the portside targets.”

  Mi-Kus echos the order and I watch as we fly under the fighter engagement, Bastard Squadron and the Buckler flying close around us. The tactical display depicts the first exchanges of fire between the Arquitens and MC30c frigates against their target Munificent. The Pride of Toong’l limping next to the Munificent and unloading a broadside into her.

  “Deploy Bastard Squadron to escort the boarding vessels. They are to begin immobilizing the starboard Recusant after they have landed.” I order and watch as the Y-Wings peel off and move to screen the LAATs.

  It’s chaotic. The ships exchange volleys of red and blue turbolasers which crash into each other’s foes. Missiles and proton torpedoes flying from launchers and smashing into shields and hulls in fiery explosions of pinks and reds. I feel a small smile cross my face as one Munificent begins to burn from her hull.

  “Portside Munificent listing.”

  “Move the frigates and light cruiser behind the enemy Recusants. Prioritize the engine blocks. There will be no escape from this battle.” I order.

  “Boarding parties landed. Kenobi, Chain and Door have secured the bridge. Second and Third have broken into the hull at different hangars. They’ve begun fighting the local security forces, but ...”

  “Speak up Sergeant.” I order.

  “Sir, they report a vast majority of the crew and security personnel are Targonnians and a lot of them are surrendering. they’re having difficulties detaining them.” She finishes.

  “Stun them and move on. They can deal with it after the ship has been secured.” I order.

  "Sir, we’re being hailed by one of the Munificents.” The assistant comms officer says.

  “Put it through.” I order and the tactical display shrinks to depict a Targonnian sitting on a command throne.

  It speaks first: “I, Captain Squeak of Targonn, servant of Dictator-Forever Craw surrender my ship to the Republic.”

  “Power down your shields and expect a boarding party. Pull back to the resupply station and no further. All ships concentrate fire on the remaining hostile ships.” I order.

  “Sir, enemy fighters have been eliminated.”

  “Casualties.” I ask.

  “We lost three Z-95s and five R-41s.” I hear.

  “Inform Lieutenant Solo she is to escort the deserting Munificent to it’s new location. She is to fire upon if it deviates from it’s new orders.”

  “Sir, enemy Recusant has gone silent. Captain Chain reports successful seizure of remaining Recusant.”

  “Excellent. Captain Mi-Kus, comm the surface, inform the locals we will be offloading any prisoners to them until further notice. Get general Kenobi back onboard I will request his advice for further actions now that our dear Dictator-Forever has decided to side against the Republic.”