“Exiting in thirty.”

  I was silently fuming. I had miscalculated. I had overestimated the distance between old Xoreas and our base at Cophrigin V. I was paying the price for it now. The Seps had arrived with five Munificents and four Captor Class cruiser/carriers, though one of them was an old fleet tender. They had destroyed the small orbital garrison of two CR70 corvettes, destroyed any hyperspace capable freighter in orbit and flung a hundred turbolaser blasts at the planet below. The only bright side of the ordeal was the shields had held and the Seps had retreated before our second to last jump.

  “Exiting hyperspace.”

  The blue trails disappear to reveal the carnage above. I could pick out the destroyed ships above the planetary capitol. My frown deepens as I pick out a civilian transport among the debris.

  “Begin rescue operations and fighter patrols. Deploy our gunships and our Pelta to the surface to begin resupplying and relieving the forces below.” I order. Fucking Seps. Maker keep me.

  “Sir, Major Keyes is hailing us.” Lieutenant Slas reports.

  “The planetary Administrator?” I ask for clarification. I could have sworn it was a Navy Captain. Oh.

  “Yes, sir.” The Mon Cala answers.

  “Put ‘em up.” I order as the first ships leave the hangar bays, racing towards the wreckage and surface. The holoprojector comes to life to reveal a nervous looking Man, in his forties or early fifties if my guess was right.

  The Major snaps a salute before speaking: “Rear Admiral, I am afraid to report that the garrison has suffered tremendous casualties. Some of our men were caught outside of the shield as a rearguard to protect the civilians as they entered. I am afraid to say we’ve lost a hundred and thirty men and about forty two civilians. We’re still scouring the rubble for survivors, but I am not optimistic on our chances.”

  “You have done the best you could. The fact that civilian casualties were so light is a testament to your men’s courage and determination. I will be submitting a request to honor the fallen on your behalf.” I say.

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “It is the least I can do, in thanks to the fallen.” I reply before dismissing the holoprojection.

  Could I still catch the Sep fucks? Not with the current composition of ships. The Sep ships would have Mark I or Mark II hyperdrives. We would be lagging behind them unless I had some kind of shortcut. Which I didn’t. The Ash Worlds were too sparsely populated for anyone to be willing to offer up their charts yet, be it in a friendly card game or in recompense for impounded ships. I suppose old Despot Xim or his ilk might have had some decent maps, but they would be incredibly out of date, the hyperspace routes under-maintained and the journey would likely take longer than the usual routes.

  “Damn them.” I mutter. A few blasts of red and blue laserfire emerge from the destroyed bulkfreighter. A trio of Vultures fleeing from the wreckage pursued by the same number of Starchasers.

  “Bring up the starmaps for the Ash Worlds and Jubilar Sectors.” I order as one of the Vultures explode in a shower of reds.

  The starcharts appear a moment later. The Seps still held a good number of systems firmly. Most annoyingly Jubilar and Xoreas, though the Seps holding Altratonne and Wyndigal as buffers to the Foundry of the Confederacy certainly didn’t help. Their buffer territories would have to stay, at least for now, lest the Seps mount a full on invasion into the Ash Worlds. Another explosion of reds interrupt my thoughts as a Vulture explodes two clicks away from the bridge.

  Xoreas and Jubilar could be difficult targets. Xoreas was essentially useless as anything but a staging ground and minor chokepoint, but staging grounds and chokepoints were vital parts of a military campaign. I make a note of it, though I doubt we'll be able to do much with it any time soon. I’ll need to up the patrols in the area and spread more sensor buoys around before any attack anyway. The final Vulture joins its brethren in the void by exploding into a third and final shower of reds and yellows.

  Jubilar wasn’t much easier. A known prison world of the Seps and with most of her hyperspace lanes clogged with Separatist mines and sensor buoys. The only confirmed hyperspace route we knew of, which wasn’t mined to all nine hells, was between Xoreas and Jubilar.

  “Sir?” Mi-Kus asks.

  “What is it?” I ask in reply.

  “Will we pursue the enemy?”

  I consider the idea again. It could be possible. They fled southwards if the sensor buoys are to be believed. That only leaves a few places they could realistically head. The highest risk would be an attack at Toong’l, but Commodore Jim should be able to defeat them with the defensive installations around the administrative capitol of the regional command.

  “Detach the 503rd light, the 1382nd and Elements Mon Cala’s Joy, Prince’s Duty and Lucky Kelp to pursue the enemy. Senior Captain Xill will have command, they are not to engage the enemy, unless the enemy is attacking a Republic force. If the enemy is attacking such a group, they are to do the most they can to rescue any survivors and force the enemy from the field. I recommend imminent departure. Their Pelta will remain with my forces until they return to Mon Cala.” I order.

  “As you command, I’ll have Senior Captain Xill informed imminently.” Mi-Kus answers.

  I sigh as I look at the ships peel off from my formation to head south. I needed more men. Once Mintooine was in Republic hands it would be easier, but until then, I needed more men. More ships to actually seize Mintooine and more men to hold the Sep worlds. I gaze into the starcharts as if they held the solution to all of my problems, but all I found was hundreds of pinpricks of lights and the hyperspace routes connecting the countless uninhabited systems.

  “Maker keep me.” I mutter as I look down at the planet below.

  Soon enough half my forces had returned to Mon Cala. It only took a day for the usual rhythm of arms drills, minor repairs and paperwork to distract most of us from the failed interception. A few days later and I receive a report from Senior Captain Xill while I was polishing my slugthrower. They had pursued the enemy back to the borders of Sep space and would now begin their return voyage.

  It could have been worse, the enemy almost intercepted a convoy laden with food, munitions and spare parts heading for our outpost a dozen jumps south of the Garel system. It would have been a pain to negotiate the replacement ships with the Cerulean Spear. I silently scold myself for almost forgetting the cost of life such an ordeal would also entail.

  “I fuckin’ hate the numbers.” I mutter as I gaze into the polished metal of the slugthrower’s barrel.

  The third raid on Mintooine was scheduled for late next week, to be lead by myself. Maybe I should change our point of entry? So far we’ve done one from the east and one from the west. Maybe north? No, I’ll conduct this raid from the west again. Mintooine’s moon will be on the far side of the world then. Best keep as many anti orbital installations as far away from my forces as possible, even if we won't be getting anywhere close to the batteries' range.

  I lay down the cloth and examine the hilt. A small space shuttle racing towards the dozen tiny stars, with a few trails of flowing water trailing behind it. That had been the promise of the family weapon, adventure and safety, with solid trails to bring me home. I sigh as I pick up a cylindrical brush to clean the barrel with.

  I’ll need to visit Fondor soon. I wonder when exactly Fleet Admiral Honor’s friend, the Duro, kark if I can remember his name, will have secured it? Certainly he would have at least launched a probing attack by now? But why wasn’t it in any of my reports?

  “I’ll know when I know.” I mutter as I glance at the cupboard with the hidden transmission device. Ma’ said she’d contact me this month. I sigh, I wouldn’t risk their security, not while Fondor was still in anarchy.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  I was standing over the bridge, hyperspace swirling around us as we made our approach. This was the smallest raid group we’ve sent out so far. Only my own Little Revenge, the Constellation as ships of the line. The remaining seven ships, the Constellation's two escorting Arquitenses, alongside two CR90s, an IPV-1 and two Consular class corvettes, having been temporarily detached from the 23rd Light Outer Rim Squadron, would be assisting us in the small skirmish. The 23rd being the formation I had cobbled together from the nationalized defense forces within the regional command.

  “Exiting in ten, nine, eight.”

  It would be very much a hit and run attack. Though I had bolstered our fighter number by having the hyperspace capable squadrons of the Constellation and Little Revenge fly alongside us while our hangar bays were filled with four additional squadrons of formerly planetary defense force fighters. The additional three Headhunter squadrons would be useful, as would the mixed squadron of V-19 Torrents and H-60 Tempests. A good reserve.

  “Four, three, two, one, exiting.”

  “Go time.” I mutter. We were the first ship to exit hyperspace, the first fighters from our hangar bay leaving its safety as the IPV-1 Lothcat emerges besides us alongside Little Squadron. Dead ahead of us was our ‘minesweeper’. A generous term used for an asteroid which we strapped an ancient hyperdrive and a basic nav computer we’d scavenged from an old impounded corvette to. Now all that was left of the large rock was some rubble. Good, it had done its job of clearing our way.

  “Enemy defensive installation dead ahead. Banking clan gun platform, as previously detected. We’ve also got a Recusant light Destroyer and two Diamond class cruisers shielding it. But they’re within its firing range.” Lieutenant Welder reports.

  “Just means we’ll need to draw the fucks out.” I reply easily. A trio of corvettes exit hyperspace above us alongside the Constellation’s squadron of ARC-170s.

  Our volunteer squadron of V-19s and H-60s finished emerging and form a screen as we begin moving towards the enemy, very slowly picking up speed as the Arquitenses, the remaining corvettes and the Constellation’s bomber squadron enter realspace maybe a three hundred meters below us, a lot closer than I would usually like, but acceptable for the task at hand.

  “Enemy forces responding. I’ve got three squadrons of Vultures on scopes.” One of the sensors officers reports.

  “Enemy Recusant has begun movements to intercept us.” Mi-Kus says.

  “Droid brain then.” One of the strategic Adjutants deduces.

  “Surprised they wouldn’t adjust its parameters of engagement with our raids.” Mi-Kus muses.

  “Well lets not spill a gifted glass of water.” I admonish as the Constellation finally joins us in realspace. Damn her old hyperdrive system. We’ll need to update it to the type 1 after this raid, that much was certain. At least the hangar master was competent, already having the fighters pour out from the Corellian battleship’s hangar.

  “Move the Constellation’s fighter group to the front. They’re to make a pass on the Vultures, then break for a run on the Recusant. I want the bombers to go high, before dive bombing the Recusant. Little and our mixed squadron will act as pickets until given other orders. Keep the shield formation as we advance, but move the Arquitenses to our port, one’s to take the upper rim, the other the lower. We’ll be the buckle. Constellation will act as arm.” I order. The shield was an unusual tactic, suited well for open battles where you wished to avoid the enemy going above or below your center. I usually accomplished the same with mines, terrain or saturation fire, but for now the escorts would do.

  We hit maximum acceleration a moment later, the faster corvettes and light cruisers adjusting their speed to ours as the Constellation easily kept up with her powerful sublight engines. Then the first exchange of blasterfire between the Headhunters and Vultures as the two formations fly into one another.

  I could almost mistake the fighter brawl for something out of the first month of the Clone Wars, mind you a battle with planetary defense forces serving as fighter support, but an early battle none the less. The only realdifferences to such a battle of a much younger war was the paints on the ships and the rank plaque on my chest. Soon enough about two thirds of the Headhunters push through the Vultures to launch their salvo of concussion missiles at the Recusant. The six Vultures remaining approach our own formation, but before they can get close enough for a fighter intercept, they’re shot out of the sky by the corvettes around us.

  “Almost in range, sir.” Mi-Kus informs me.

  “Begin our turn now, launch concussion missiles, all ships may fire at will.” I order.

  A split second later and a trio of concussion missiles leave the Little Revenge’s launch tubes and race towards the approaching Recusant. The shield formation begins to turn slights towards the galactic south. I notice the two Diamond class cruisers breaking off their screening duties to pursue the Recusant while a formation of two additional Diamonds and two Recusant light destroyers move to take up their former positions. The Recusant opens fire with its heavy turbolasers, but the shots go wide.

  Just before we finish the first adjustment in our curve the Constellation adds to the fight with her own salvo of concussion missiles and a far more accurate salvo of heavy turbolaser fire. The V-19s pull up as the turbolasers smash into the Sep destroyer’s shields. Soon enough the Little Revenge’s trio of concussion missiles punch into the fore shields just as the PTB-630 bombers of the Constellation drop their first payload along the Sep ship’s spine. I can clearly see the fore shields break and about half of the naval bombers’ payloads explode along the ship’s hull.

  I almost feel bad for the droid brain of the enemy ship as the Constellation unleashes another salvo of long range heavy turbolaser fire, just as her six concussion missiles impact the ships’ heavy prow turbolaser. It must have been about to fire, as the entire front fifth of the ship explodes in a fiery mix of reds, blues and oranges. I nod as I look at the Sep ship. Looks like it’s just rammed into a wall. Disturbing.

  “Fire another salvo, pull our fighters and bombers back, they’ll take the port shield rim. Prepare for next route adjustment and give me an eta on when those Diamonds are in range.”

  “We’re in range for our turbolasers, sir.” The battery Adjutant reports.

  “Fire.” Mi-Kus orders, over a dozen turbolasers answering his order as the Little Revenge unleashes her turbolaser complement’s firepower on the damaged Recusant. A moment later and her fire is joined by the few turbolasers among the escort ships and the full armament of the Constellation. The Recusant finally responds, its batteries firing disjointedly and widely, missing all but a handful of shots, which smash into the shields of our ships. But a moment before they do our turbolasers impact along the enemy ship’s starboard.

  “At least two more volleys before the next turn.” I order.

  “As you command.” The Helmsman replies.

  I turn towards the tactical display. The Seps weren’t reacting intensely. I frown. The Seps weren’t coming for us. Whoever was in command was either an idiot or overly cautious. I’m surprised none of my subordinates have mentioned it before. I’ll need to note it down for future reference in the battle.

  “Should we go ahead and divert our minesweepers of the mission?” Mi-Kus asks.

  “No, we’ll wait a bit longer. Worst case scenario we drop down thirteen point seven clicks, angle ourselves about thirty degrees galactic west and start making jumps for Pammant instead of going to Poseidenna. We can always send a smaller force to do the Taral patrol.” I answer.

  “As you command, sir.” My second responds.

  Soon enough the second and third volleys of turbolaser fire smash into the Recusant, crippling the ship beyond any reasonable repair attempt. It might be usable for spare parts, but it certainly won’t be fighting ever again. After the third volley left our barrels the ships make another course adjustment, our heading now easily passing by Mintooine.

  “Diamonds almost in range, the six next closest ships have begun moving to encircle us against the southern minefield.” Mi-Kus says.

  I take a closer look at the tactical display to double check my Captains information before nodding. The four ships that had taken the screening position of the gun platform now moving towards us. They’d probably get into range after we’ve disabled the two approaching Diamonds. The more worrying information was the duet of Recusant heavy destroyers approaching from the shipyards proper.

  “Fire a volley of missiles and let the Diamonds get into turbolaser range. Fire two volleys, then make our next adjustment.” I order.

  “That’s earlier than planned.” Mi-Kus warns.

  “Send out our minesweepers now, I want our path cleared. Begin altering the formation into a halberd-head.” I continue, ignoring Mi-Kus’ complaint.

  As the concussion missiles are fired off towards the two approaching Diamonds, our corvettes rocket towards the minefields in the galactic south, already firing sporadically into the minefield, causing a few of them to detonate. As the first volley of turbolasers smash into the Diamonds alongside the concussion missiles, the Arquitenses slow to fly alongside the two halves of the Constellation, while the IPV-1 Lothcat moves closer to the Little Revenge, the fighter screen spreading out throughout the formation while the bombers move behind the cover of the Constellation. The Diamonds returning fire chooses that moment to smack against the shields of the Constellation.

  I wonder if the enemy commanders don’t recognize my ship? I must have done enough damage to them by now for them to know I wouldn’t give up my post on the Little Revenge. Another volley smashes into the Sep cruisers, their shields breaking under the strain. The returning fire is barely noticeable against our shields, terrible accuracy. Did the enemy not expect the ships here to fight? Were they simply here to look nice? The Republic ships begin their turn as a third volley is exchanged, the Diamonds suffering worse for it as they booth end their poor careers as slags of metal stuck in space, having suffered too much damage to their hull and internals to do anything but act as scrap.

  “How’s it looking on the mines?” I ask, taking a look at the approaching enemy ships. I could probably take on the Diamonds and light destroyers if they don’t have any fighters with them, but not without suffering casualties and certainly not with two more heavy destroyers breathing down my neck. No, cut my losses now.

  “Sir?” Mi-Kus asks, his eyebrow raised at me mockingly.

  “Sorry, repeat that please?” I ask.

  “About halfway through, sir.” Mi-Kus answers.

  “We’ll stick with the original plan then. Begin loading all non hyperspace capable fighters and any damaged fighters into the hangars now and divert the Contrarian to assist.” I order.

  I receive a nod in response as soon enough one of the Arquitenses rockets forwards to assist in clearing the minefields. Our fighter begin to close with us as the remaining V-19s and H-60s return to the hangar bays. The six enemy ships were still on our tail, but we should make it before they can get through our shields.

  “Constellation reports shields at seventy five.” One of the comms officers says.

  “Ours are back to full.” A tech joins in.

  “Bring the Constellation and the Stellar Vix abreast, move the Lothcat up about half a ship’s length. Keep our speed.” I order.

  “Are the calculations prepared?” Mi-Kus asks.

  “Yes, sir. We’re still using the primary route, so we’ll be able to make the jump with our prepared calculations.” The navigations officer reports.

  “Enemy’s gaining?” One of the strategic Adjutants reports, mildly confused.

  “Which ships?” I ask as I walk over to the man’s portion of the tactical display.

  “The Diamonds, they’ve broken ahead of the four Recusants. They also don’t look quite right on the sensors. They’re bulkier.” The Sergeant answers.

  “Keep an eye on it, last thing I want is any undue surprises.” I order as I return to my usual position.

  “Entering minefield. We’ve got about a click left to clear.”

  “Keep the formation close and snipe any mines that drift too close. Lasercannon fire only. I don’t want to cause a chain reaction.”

  “Sir, enemy missiles inbound!” The Sergeant from before barks, “It’s the Diamonds, they’ve got missile tubes.”

  “I’ve got a lock,” Lieutenant Welder adds, “I’ve got twelve concussion missiles and four anti-fighter fragmentation missiles on my scopes.”

  “Move the Stellar Vix and Lothcat back for improved point defense. Give me a countdown on the missiles and an eta on when we’re out of here!” I bark.

  Why fire anti-fighter fragmentations? They’d do practically nothing against our shields, the buckshot like pellets within too specialized to tear fighters apart for anything else. Little Squadron and the Constellation’s three squadrons were basically in the safest position possible between my two ships of the line and the escorts ahead. What else was there here in this … no.

  “All batteries prioritize the anti fighter fragmentaion missiles NOW!” I bark out, already seeing the damning missiles move closer to the minefields around us instead of towards us. Enough of that buckshot and scrap could cause a chain reaction with us in the middle of it.

  “ETA on the missiles and our clearing! How long for the jump?” I bark out next as the lasercannons change their priorities for the four missiles that might just kill us.

  “Thirty secs and four mines, sir.” Comes the response from Mi-Kus, his own voice filled with urgency.

  “Scratch one frag.” Someone says calmly.

  “Down to two mines.”

  “All ships prepare to jump.”

  “Got another.”

  “One mine.”

  “Missiles have gone off.” I hear Lieutenant Welder warn.

  “We’re free!” The Helmsman barks.

  “ALL SHIPS JUMP!” I bark.

  “Impact!”

  The ship shudders as one of the concussion missiles smash into our rear deflector shields, but before another can and as the first mines around us begin to detonate we make our jump.