“Sir, enemy ships moving towards our western flank. I think Hatha’s trying to force us into a crossfire.” Mi-Kus says, worry in his tone.

  “Schei? drauf. Deploy the Arkania to the Western flank. Move us into supporting range. We need to maximize firepower. All Venators are to move to a hundred meters under the current plane of engagement to maximize primary battery efficacy. Deploy the MC80 in our back line to the west west north part of the line. Get me a wing of fighters ta support us an-”

  “Sir, we’ve lost our Western Golan I.”

  “Fuck. See if the Dac’s Revenge can move one towards the flank from our rear. She’s to take any empty transport and tugboat for possible support. Up the fighter count on our western flank to wing and two squadrons.”

  “Sir, that’s a third of our fighters!” Mi-Kus objects.

  “Damn you, follow the order!” I bark back.

  “Sir, we’ve lost too many fighters to use that many in a single action.” Mi-Kus doubles down.

  I pause a moment, considering the words. I feel a sigh leaving me, then my voice firms and I return my attention to the tactical display. Damn it Mi-Kus was right, how had I missed that? I return my gaze to my Junior Captain before responding: “Addend the order, send in ten squadrons and return the others to their usual patrol areas.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Mi-Kus says.

  I simply grunt an affirmative. The enemy was pushing us hard on the right. I turn my attention to our left. It was about equal. Equal enough to force the enemy’s hand.

  “Scramble any spare bomber squadrons we have and give the Dac’s Revenge her next orders. She is to begin pushing a Golan I platform towards the enemy line on our left flank. She is to make haste. The bombers are to join an advance there.” I order.

  “As you command.” I hear Sergeant Slas mumble before she begins relaying the orders.

  “Sir, Golan I designation Jellyfish has entered support range for our western flank. Dac’s Revenge is asking if she should divert to her next orders, or push the Golan further.” I hear one of the comms officers ask.

  “Next orders. I want to press the east flank hard asap.”

  “As you command.” I hear in response.

  “Actually, go ahead and begin the advance on our east. Divert the Mon Cala’s Joy to the east flank to support the advance.” I order.

  “Sir, we’re already hard pressed, the Joy is supporting our center.” Mi-Kus warns.

  “The Supremacy can take her position once she’s returned from orbit.” I argue.

  “Couldn’t we simply deploy the Supremacy to the east flank?” Mi-Kus asks.

  “You’re right. Addend the order. Supremacy to take position leading east flank advance. Suggest the Captain be in a supporting role. Keep the Mon Cala’s Joy in her current position. And someone get me another caf, preferably cold.” I order.

  “Sir, incoming fighters and bombers. The broke the perimeter.” I hear one of the sensors officers report.

  “Bring over a picket ship to take upper starboard position. Divert a half squadron of fighters for intercept and begin taking some pot shots with the heavy lasers once they’re in range.” I order.

  “Sir, the Lothcat is moving to take position.” I hear.

  “That’ll do.” I mutter.

  “Sir, enemy is deploying dropships to the surface. I got three Triton class heavy assault ships, another four standard dropships and eight C-9979 landing craft.” A different sensors officer reports.

  “See if we can divert a squadron of fighters for intercept. Maker, send a squadron of bombers if we can’t spare the fighters.” I order.

  “They’re quite far bac-” Mi-Kus starts, though he’s interrupted by the impacts of half a dozen proton torpedoes sent by the Hyenas.

  “Shields at half strength, they hit us good!” One tech barks.

  “Yes, you’re right.” I mutter getting the meaning of Mi-Kus’ started sentence, “Move whatever squadron you’ve got on call for the last order towards the capitol. They can attempt an intercept there.”

  “The debris could damage the city. It won’t be clean.” Mi-Kus says, his eyes filled with concern.

  “It never is.” I reply.

  “He’s doing WHAT!?” Hatha shouts.

  “Tamson has moved the majority of the people into prison camps. Within such a camp Prince Lee-Char was located. He plans on executing the Prince.” The droid repeats.

  “He does not have the authority for that.” Hatha snarls, “Contact him now!”

  “As you command.” The droid replies coldly.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  A moment later the swimming form of Commander Tamson appears before the Neimoidian.

  “You better have a good reason for interrupting me, moments before my finest victory.” Tamson snarls.

  “I do not see you here fighting against a cunning opponent, simply lording over a beaten populace. What is this I hear about executing the Prince? I need him as a hostage. I can win this battle here and now!” Hatha barks.

  “He will die, to ensure my rise to ruler of Mon Cala.” Tamson replies.

  “I will go to the Parliament and to Supreme Commander Grievous! You have no authority over the life of a world’s ruler!” Hatha argues, his voice becoming heated as he jumps up from his command throne.

  “Count Dooku has already promised me this world. He has assured me any actions I require to seize it will be posthumously accepted.”

  “You will force away worlds with this! If we simply depose rulers left and right, no world will wish to join us of their free will!”

  “That is not my problem. Mon Cala shall be a world my people shall rule over forever more.” Tamson snarls, before the holo goes out.

  “Damn him!” Hatha spits, his fist slamming against the back of the command throne.

  “Sir? Your orders.”

  Hatha pauses for a moment, considering his options. Finally he makes his decision: “Begin concentrating our forces on the western flank and western center. Redeploy any Merchant Fleet assets in reserve to the east flank. I do not trust the Quarren to remain loyal without the promise of Chief Ri leading their world in the future. In fact pull as many east flank Separatist assets to the center and west flank as possible. Make the orders disjointed and staggered. This may cause both of our fleets more casualties, but it will be worth it in the long run.”

  “But sir. Victory is within our grasp. Dericote is using up his momentum in the east and we are pushing him in the west. Victory is assured.” The droid objects.

  “That is only because of our parts of the Merchant Fleet, a fleet I no longer trust. Commit the orders. If things go wrong we leave Tamson to die.” Hatha sneers.

  “Sir, enemy ships redeploying. Our momentum in the east is slowing, due to the deployment of reserves, but their momentum in the west has almost come to a halt.” Sergeant Welder says.

  “Push the east harder. Best pounce on their mistake. Deploy the back line reserves on the east flank to the east flank line.” I order.

  “Yes, sir.” I hear in response. I was gambling a bit here, there were almost no reserve ships left.

  “These movements are far too erratic.” Mi-Kus mutters.

  “What is Hatha seeing that we don’t?” I wonder in response.

  One of the strategic Adjutants pipes up: “Sirs, it appears the enemy is separating their forces between Merchant Fleet defectors on the east flank and Separatist warships on the right.”

  “Damn it, the Sergeant’s right.” Mi-Kus says, a bit of bafflement in his tone.

  “Not a tactical advantage.” I mumble to myself, “Hatha has information we don’t. Something which is making him hesitate.”

  “Sir?”

  “Redeploy the Supremacy to the Western flank. Move a handful of center reserve ships to replace her and cut offensive actions in the east. We shall press the west instead.” I order.

  “Sir, the enemy has concentrated most of their ships in the west.” Mi-Kus objects, his tone betraying his own uncertainty.

  “Which is why we’ll bloody ‘em good.” I reply, “Helmsman bring us to the front!”

  “Belay that!” Mi-Kus countermands, “Sir, all due respect, but I don’t think this is the time or place to risk the Little Revenge.”

  “Lizardick. We need all the firepower we can manage and a few potshots against us won’t blow us to the Hells below. Helmsman, to the front. Focus shields to front and inform all batteries they may fire at will.” I finish.

  “As you command, sir.” I hear the Helmsman respond.

  “A couple Munificents dead ahead.” I hear one of the sensors officers report.

  “That’ll do. See if we can divert a squadron of bombers for support.” I order.

  “Incoming enemy fire.”

  “Batteries have begun opening volleys.” The battery Adjutant reports.

  “Hold here.” Mi-Kus orders.

  “Sir, Supremacy is suffering some bad hits.” Sergeant Slas says.

  “Pull her back a tad.” I order in return.

  “Sir, we’re receiving a broadcast from the surface!” A sensors officer barks.

  “Maker preserve us. Put it up” I order.

  A moment later the tactical display shrinks away fully to reveal Tamson surrounded by half a dozen Karkarodons, a multitude of Quarren, Aqua-droids and in the center of them all-

  “Oh Tides.” I hear Sergeant Slas speak in horror.

  “Ah, fuck.” I mutter, a hint of despair leaking through.

  “Keep your eyes to your stations!” I hear Mi-Kus admonish, disciplinary training kicking in. Tamson starts giving his speech, but I mostly tune it out.

  “This’ll cripple us.” I say, “We need to pull our forces back. I don’t know if an execution’ll invigorate the Merchant Fleet or ruin their moral. Maker on high, it could cause another mutiny.”

  “Your orders?”

  “Hatha.” I say in realization, “Hatha knows something.”

  “Sir?”

  “And I, Mon Cala’s new ruler shall be the-”

  Just then a fight breaks out between the locals of Dac and the Separatists. I stare at the holo in confusion, then: “Maker on high. Maker on high! Ri’s been backstabbed, shanked, locked out in a sandstorm!”

  “Sir!?” Mi-Kus asks again, more pressure in his tone.

  “This’ll ruin the Merchant fleet defectors. This means infighting. Slas, put me on all channels.” I bark.

  “You’re on sir.”

  “All Republic and Merchant Fleet forces. Ri has returned to the Republic's embrace! Charge! Take the enemy now. They have no chance and they know it. Push hard against the Separatist West and center, leave the east for now, if they try anything we’ll mop up whoever thinks secession’s still a good idea. All forces to the front. May the Maker preserve us, the Force be with us and let’s bloody their fucking nose!”

  “Your orders sir?” I hear Mi-Kus ask.

  “Fuck defense. I want the Dac’s Revenge and company to push a Maker forsaken Golan II into the middle of their formation. Pull the Venators into the front, fuck it, they have permission for broadside action. All fighters and bombers not currently undergoing essential repairs are to charge, actually, keep a quarter of em in reserve for escort and picket. I want every rapid response unit to charge. Keep maybe a quarter of the corvettes and all the patrol craft as escorts and emergency support. We push them now!”

  “Sir, we’re getting reports of infighting in the Merchant Fleet deserters. I’ve got at least two sections worth of frigates requesting permission to join the chain of command and two ‘75s requesting formal permission to fire upon the remaining deserters.” Sergeant Slas reports.

  “Tell them to begin dispatching hostile vessels, mark the smart ones in a different shade than the rest of us just in case. Deploy as many boarding parties as available to ensure the security of our new allies, provide usual fighter escort.” I order in reply.

  “Sir, more ships are returning to the fold. I’ve also got a squadron of Headhunters.” Sargent Slas reports.

  “Give ‘em the same orders as before. I want to sow as much chaos into their ranks as possible.” I order.

  “Sir we’ve got three ships breaking off from the battle while firing on the Separatists, but they haven’t given any requests for orders or support.” One sensors officer reports.

  “Leave ‘em. Can’t do shit ‘bout it now.” I reply.

  “Separatist forces are pulling back, sir.” Mi-Kus reports.

  “Let’s keep up the advance. We have ‘em in our bite, all’s left is to roll and break their necks.” I reply, falling into another metaphor from home.

  “The Supremacy’s pretty far out.” I hear Mi-Kus mutter, concern clear in his voice.

  “How far?” I ask.

  “About seventeen clicks out of formation.” He responds.

  “Do we even have a formation at this point?” I hear one of the strategic Adjutants ask.

  “Slas, high priority. The Supremacy is to return into formation. She’s too isolated as she is.” I order.

  “She’s getting ganged up on.” Mi-Kus mutters. I turn to the tactical display and see that the Venator is indeed surrounded by three Munificents, a Recusant and at least a wing of fighters and bombers.

  “Damn. Divert as many fighters as possible to give support.” I order.

  “It’s too late, reactor hit.” One of the sensors operators says, “There’s too much radiation emitting from the engines for anything else.”

  “Have ‘em abandon ship now!” I bark, “Scramble the fighters and any escorts and light cruisers in the area. I ain’t gonna risk extra casualties now!”

  “I’ve got two Arquitenses, a Pelta and a Consular responding.” Mi-Kus reports.

  “Come on, a little longer and the bastards’ll route.” I mutter.

  “Sir, they’re droids. They don’t route.” One of the strategic Adjutants objects. R4 affirms the man’s opinion a moment later with a series of whistles.

  “It’s not the droids that’ll route, it’s Hatha. He’s been preparing to retreat since he started moving his ships around. It’s only a matter of time until he leaves. The only question is, will he jump towards Mintooine or north through Ruisto.” I mutter in reply.

  “They’re definitely pulling back.” Mi-Kus says.

  “Sir, the enemy ships are rotating towards the Mintooine hyperspace route.” Sergeant Welder says.

  “Keep up the pressure, we might be able to force them to abandon more ships from their rearguard.” I order.

  “Looks like they’re going to have to abandon the Lucrehulk, that’s lagging behind.” One Adjutant reports.

  “First ships jumping.” Mi-Kus reports.

  “Where’s Hatha’s flagship?” I ask.

  “Near the rearguard. Looks like he’s trying to be one of the last ones out.” Mi-Kus reports.

  “We’ve gotten the engines on the lagging Lucrehulk.”

  “I think we can get the secondary Providence, sir.”

  “Do it, deploy local fighters and bombers.” I order.

  “Lucrehulk’s jumped.”

  “The other Lucrehulk is being disabled as we speak. It’s not doing a lot. Looks like it was a carrier after all.” Mi-Kus says.

  “We’ve gotten the engines on the targeted Providence!” The adjutant barks in joy.

  “Keep up the pressure people, we’ve almost won.” I bark.

  “I’ve got upped radiation, sir. Enemy vessels are likely to jump slightly prematurely.”

  “Finish off the ones in our grip. No point in wasting any more resources for uncertain gains.” I admonish.

  “Enemy ships jumping!”

  “Hatha’s the last one out.” I mutter in surprise, as the last enemy capitol ship in system jumps away. A good officer, then. At the very least cunning and honorable.

  “All capable enemy ships gone.”

  “Maker.” I mutter before collapsing into the arms of an attentive Adjutant.