The enemy was pressuring us more than I’m comfortable with. Inching into their range, exchanging volleys of turbolasers with our capitol ships, yet able to bombard my Acclamators from afar without fear of reprisal. I start tapping on my holster again. The enemy hadn’t managed to cut us off from the southernmost pass, the two new lines daring the other to enter range and suffer the costly engagement. Booth sides would undoubtedly suffer high casualties if the two slightly separated lines were to engage.

  “Sir, you should get some sleep.” Mi-Kus councils. The battle had lasted almost a day now, a constant low intensity exchange of fire and probings of fighters and pickets acting as reprisals for the Seps firing at my cruisers with almost impunity.

  “Not yet.” I mutter mutinously. We still had a slim chance of victory. All I needed was for Hatha to pounce, to get overeager, to make a small mistake.

  “Sir, detecting movements along the primary line’s eastern flank. Looks like the Seps are moving three Providences to engage with our CD-710s and the rest of the line up to Unit Fortress of Solitude are going along with them.” Lieutenant Hursk interrupts my train of thought.

  “That’s a third of the enemy line.” I hear a different Adjutant mutter in shock.

  This was a feint. I could almost see Hatha’s smirk. If I commit too many forces to counter this, he’ll simply pull the same trick on a different part of the line. Most likely where he had placed his flagship Warprofiteer. A quick glance almost certainly confirms my hypothesis. Every one of Hatha’s Gozanti pickets alongside three Recusant heavy destroyers surrounded Hatha’s Warprofiteer on my western flank.

  “Inform Captain Eriksen he now has free reign to fire upon any ship offered up by any flag officer.” I say, trying to find a way to win.

  I couldn’t close distance, or risk friendly fire from our anti-orbital battery. Couldn’t pull back or risk the battery itself being destroyed by orbital fire. Colonel Cain had continued improving his fortifications as the battle raged overhead, but nothing could withstand a fleet in orbit which had time on its hands.

  “Get me in contact with Boonta’s military Governor asap.” I order, win or loose, I could already tell my taskforce would be mauled beyond usefulness.

  A small flash from the surface and an enemy Munificent explodes off in the distance. It suddenly hit me like a bag of bricks, I couldn’t win this. Hatha knew me too well and I couldn’t commit forces without risking the entire campaign. I would have to buy more time.

  “Order our forces moonside to begin shrinking their lines towards Handooine’s pole.” I order, “And get me in contact with Colonel Cain, he will be the first who must know of my plans.”

  “Yes, sir.” I hear.

  Soon enough the man’s visage appears before me, looking less tired than I, but not by much: “Colonel, the situation in orbit is untenable. I will be pulling back for an eventual counter attack. How long can you hold the surface?”

  The Alsakan’s face shifts through emotions like a Clawdite shifts through faces. Dismay and shock, disgust and anger before finally shifting to acceptance. After a drawn out moment the Colonel speaks: “Morale will take a bad hit. Depends on if the Seps decide we’re more trouble than we’re worth. We’ve enough rations to fight for a month, month and a half if we stretch out the food and only use knives, maces and shovels during raids. Maybe two weeks if the enemy hits a supply depot, but we should have enough isolated water tanks and purifiers that we won’t die of thirst anytime soon.”

  “Get me more precise numbers, what if we land an Acclamator for you to modify a theater shield from? Get me estimates, I’ll contact you again soon.” I order.

  “I’ll do my very best, sir.” Cain mutters, eyes already flicking from place to place, calculating. The hologram goes cold as I glance around the bridge. No signs of uproar, even Mi-Kus simply looks like he’s accepted the situation for what it is.

  “We’ll need to pick up our forces from the asteroids proper.” Is all my Adjutant Captain says.

  “Remind me of it when we contact the rest of the fleet with new orders.” I reply as another enemy Munificent explodes in a cacophony of flames. The enemy was taking losses at a steady rate, closing distance all the while. Soon enough the anti-orbital would be all but useless.

  “Sir, I’ve got Brigadier General Vanvliet on the line.” Lieutenant Slas says.

  “The Military Governor of Boonta?” I ask for confirmation.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Put him on.” I request.

  Soon enough the visage of an older Human with a large beard appears before me, a mildly curious look on his face: “Admiral Dericote, what is the matter?”

  “General, I am afraid to say that my North Triellus Trade Route Campaign is at risk. I would ask you divert any available reserves to Jabiim to ensure the world remains in Republic hands. Major General Krugwolt is running the siege of the world there and should be able to organize any force sent and assist in any questions about the command chain as Adjutant Administrator of the North West Slice Command.” I say.

  “I am not entirely sure what forces can be allocated to your command.” The man says slowly, “I have some five Venators of the 126th Battleship Section and fifteen cruisers of various makes at my disposal. However they are currently marked for the siege of Saleucami. I have some three damaged Venators currently undergoing final repairs alongside some two cruisers and a dozen frigates in similar condition.”

  “I’ll take whatever you can spare, General.” I say.

  The man strokes his beard as he thinks: “I’ll send you a Venator from the 126th alongside all of the lesser damaged ships. They should be able to finish their repairs in transit, though it will slow their usual speed. Expect them within four to five days.”

  “I’d rather take the damaged ships faster.”

  “Make it three to four days then. A pleasure, Admiral.”

  “Thank you for your assistance General.” I reply, the comms going our a moment later. I let out a hiss of air as I start thinking in rapid fire. I need enough forces diverted to Jabiim to ensure the world won’t fall, while keeping said forces light enough as to make them an ignore-able target in comparison to my main force. I’ll need to make my forces look like cornered prey. An explosion in the distance makes me flinch, that was the Victory of Randon, the newest Venator in the fleet. In hindsight looking like cornered prey probably wouldn’t be too hard.

  “Lieutenant Slas, get me every Commodore in the taskforce alongside Colonel Cain, General Tapal and Rear Admiral Sykes.” I order. I need council, my plan was falling apart at the seams.

  “Sir?” Mi-Kus asks as the comms chief begins rapid fire transmission requests.

  “The plan has failed. Hatha managed to outmaneuver me. He has too many ships for me to willingly risk an all out engagement this close to Sy Myrth. I need to lure him away, lure his forces apart, take him on piecemeal while gathering as many reinforcements as physically possible. The Ash Worlds will work best for that.”

  “What of our gains in the Triellus?” Mi-Kus asks, “Will whatever forces from Boonta be enough?”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “No, which is why we’ll make our retreat look very vulnerable. This will most likely be the hardest thing we’ve ever done.” I reply, an explosion, being the death knell of another one of my ships, going off in the distance as the first flag officers appear before me in holographic blue.

  The talk of tactics were flying over Cal’s head. He glances over towards his Master, a grim look on the Lasat’s face showing the seriousness of the situation. Admiral Dericote was rambling on about the order of battle as explosions and turbolasers rocked the entire line. The Admiral may occasionally flinch if there was a nasty hit or a fighter blew up too close, but otherwise the man was talking as if this was some sort of meeting on the number of rations the command would need next month. It would be funny, if it wasn’t so morbid.

  “I think that should be all. Any questions or requests?” The Admiral finishes.

  “I believe my Iron Battalion will be best served on the surface.” Master Tapal says.

  “Very well, will you attempt to join the landing?” The Admiral asks.

  “Yes, though I would ask you to keep Cal close on hand as I oversee the defenses of Handooine.” Cal turns to his Master in shock. Master Tapal was letting him go off on his own?

  “Who will command the 433rd in both of your absences?” Admiral Dericote asks, as if that was the only thing that mattered. It probably was in the officer’s mind.

  “Senior Captain Vance of the 653rd Light and Fever Dream will manage.” Tapal says.

  “Then hurry, I do not trust Hatha not to spring his attack Moonside despite us not committing more to the asteroid side of the front.” The Admiral says dismissively, “Unless there is anything else, begin phase one.”

  The hologram goes cold as Cal turns to his teacher: “Master?”

  “Handooine will not be safe and you are too young to command the full squadron without too much assistance. Placing you with the Admiral will keep you safe and he can teach you what you will need to lead the 433rd in the future.” His Master explains, “Can I trust you with this?”

  Cal considers his Master’s words for a moment before nodding: “I won’t let you down.”

  “Good. Now hurry, the Admiral will not wait on us today.”

  “May the Force be with you Master.” The Padawan says, before running towards the elevator.

  “May the Force be with you Padawan.” The Master replies as the doors close on his ward.

  Rear Admiral Hatha was mildly confused and more than a little curious. Dericote hadn’t fallen for his trap, though in all fairness it was rather obvious. Instead it looked as if Dericote was pulling back, ever so slightly. Would the Hussar give up his position? Had he detected the Cronau radiation spike revealing the reinforcements from Sy Myrth? Had he finally bested his rival?

  No, not yet. Hatha clears his throat as he finally speaks: “Begin with our moonside attack, increase fighter attacks and intensify forward fire.”

  “Enemy pickets and fighters have done a number on our own strikecraft, sir.” A B1 droid fighter controller warns.

  “We’ll manage, keep up the pressure.” Hatha doubles down.

  “Sir, one of the enemy Acclamators is going down rapidly.” A sensors officer reports.

  “How so?” Hatha asks, curiosity peaked, was this a possible weakpoint he could use to cut off part of the Hussar’s forces?

  “It’s headed towards the surface. It’s faster than the gravitational pull should cause. Looks like a semi-controlled entry.” The officer clarifies. That sounded like something Dericote might do. Sacrifice a ship to turn his series of trenches and bunkers into a full fortress that would take time to crack.

  “Sir, I’m detecting multiple LAATs making a run for the surface. Barely caught them, they’re using the Acclamator as cover from most of our sensors.” A different sensors officer warns. So Dericote wasn’t only sending down the Acclamator, but further reinforcements. Rather clever of him to use ship debris to hide his ground troops, General Grievous used a similar tactic over Kamino.

  “Keep me posted.” Hatha orders, eyeing his tactical display as his little detachment of ships finish closing with the Republic forces.

  Just as the first exchange of medium turbolasers occur between Hatha’s eastern forces and the Republic’s, the entire loyalist formation lurches. A short forward charge, unleashing torpedoes and missiles and turbolasers as they go before shifting and spinning and moving upwards away from the current plane of battle.

  “They’re making a break for it!” A Tionese man shouts in surprise.

  Hatha’s instincts are screaming at him to go after the Republic forces, but instead he hesitates. The enemy continued their corkscrew until they had their tops facing his forces at a slight angle, weapons trained on the tops of his ships. Another returning volley from the Republic forces smashing against shields and hulls and one of his Providences explode as its hit by the anti-orbital cannon.

  “Pursue them, full speed! Increase our strikecraft attacks and give me an eta for our reinforcements!” Hatha barks rapid fire.

  “Should be thirty minutes, sir.” Comes the reply.

  “Enemy’s chewing through our fighter assaults, activating and sending in third wave of Vultures.” A droid fighter controller reports.

  “Full speed ahead.” The Helmsman adds.

  The Republic ships finish their corkscrew, now having their entire tops face Hatha’s ships and making a run for the asteroid belt above the Neimoidian’s formation, firing all the while as they cascade over his ships. They continue on as Hatha’s ships try to follow the maneuver, either by copying it or adjusting their positioning, all the while the Republic ships race past his formation. Hatha’s eyes widen with realization, Dericote was fleeing towards the asteroid belt, and his formation was in disarray. Oh no.

  “Get me Commodore Klurn, the enemy could attempt to break through one of the plugged passes. All ships, form unit lines on plane hundred fifty kilometers above Handooine’s pole, a thousand kilometers galactic northbound.” Hatha barks.

  “Sir, our comms are being jammed!” His chief comms officer, a Neimoidian, barks in reply.

  “How? Our Munificents should be able to punch through any jamming attempt!” Hatha replies in shock and outrage.

  “I’m … not sure, sir. The Republic forces are between us and the Commodore now, but that shouldn’t give them enough jamming power to cut us off fully.” The Neimoidian complains.

  “Well figure something out!” Hatha barks. This was rapidly turning into a mess, his perfect victory ruined by his rival’s unpredictable nature.

  “The enemy is definitely making a run for it. Their forces splitting in two. Approximately half of Republic forces are heading for the northern pass, the other half is heading for the central pass.” His Tactical droid reports.

  “Dericote will lead the rearguard. Wherever the Little Revenge is, he is and wherever he goes, will be where the majority of his forces will go.” Hatha deduces, “No matter where their first jump takes them, they’ll rally around their Black Hussar.”

  “I think I’ve got a lock on the Little Revenge, sir.” A Tionese man overseeing a sensors station pipes up.

  “And?” Hatha asks.

  “Near the rear of the northern portion.” The man answers.

  “Then we follow Dericote in force, two thirds of our ships. Commodore Mixyez has the third pursuing the Republic forces headed for the central pass.” Hatha orders.

  “We will not be able to catch up with Admiral Dericote, his forces have better fuel reserves and will slowly gain distance between us, if left unhindered.” His Tactical droid adds.

  “Then we hope that Commodore Klurn can hold Dericote long enough for us!” Hatha replies angrily. The Neimoidian felt frustrated, he would certainly force Dericote from the field, it was a certainty, but this victory would be hollow. Even more hollow than Dericote’s victory over Mintooine, as Handooine was all but useless in comparison to the mauled, but salvageable, shipyards of the ocean world Hatha once defended, “Damn you Dericote.”

  “All forces fire at will and keep speed. We break through the Sep formation. Contact Commodores Hugh and Strom, they’re to deactivate the minefields asap to allow my forces to pass through.” I order.

  “I’ve got greenlight from all formation leaders. All orders of retreat received and understood.” Lieutenant Hursk reports.

  “Maker I hope this plan’ll work.” I mutter.

  “It should. Hatha will need to leave forces behind to recapture Handooine’s surface. Even if the incoming Sy Myrthians fully attach themselves to Hatha’s forces, we should be able to manage the enemy’s numbers based off of your plan.” Mi-kus says.

  “I’m glad I still have your trust.” I mutter as the first ships in the front pierce through the Sep’s paltry defenses, racing towards the now inert minefields. My group of ships break through, almost completely destroying the twenty two Sep ships in the process, their returning fire only managing comparatively mild damage in turn. It was rather pathetic, our heavy ships shielding the frigates, corvettes and light cruisers from the probably crippling shots they would have taken in a normal formation.

  “Sir, last ship has made it through the minefield.” A sensors officer eventually reports.

  This is where things will get tricky: “Reactivate the minefields and reassign the Acclamators from Units Buckler and Avarice to my detachment. Get me a line to Commodores Hugh, Strom and Jim, and Senior Captain Vance.”

  A moment later the holograms of three of my most trusted underlings and the temporary CO of the 433rd Squadron appear before me.

  “Sir?” Faxe asks me.

  “I want you and Hugh to hold the enemy for as long as practical. We’re still abandoning the system, but I would enjoy it if you bought me more time to prepare our positions at Jabiim and Altratonne.” I request.

  Hugh sighs as she nods: “We’ll hold them as long as possible, but don’t count on much. Will we at least keep our fighter detachments from our units?”

  “Of course.” I reply.

  “Then we will hold the enemy until no options but retreat remain.” My friend from Rendilli says, a stern glint in his eyes.

  I nod at the two before turning towards Commodore Jim and the temporary leader of the Jedi’s squadron: “You both will be leading the orbital defense of Jabiim. Reinforcements form Boonta should arrive there within three to four days. You will inform General Krugwolt of the situation and press him on the necessity to seize Jabiim promptly and prepare it for further conflict. With the enemy forces present here, I will stress my next order. Jabiim must not fall. Whatever underhanded tactics are required, do them. I don’t care if you throw a moon at them, the Seps must not retake Jabiim.”

  Commodore Jim looks almost as exhausted as I feel after having received his order: “I understand. Do not worry, Jabiim shall not fall under my watch.”

  Senior Captain Vance looks slightly confused at my order, what else was to be expected from someone who only ever served under me indirectly, through Jedi none the less. Despite it he nods in agreement: “As you command, sir.”

  “Good, Strom, Hugh, attempt to make it to Altratonne once the enemy has been stalled. However if that proves impossible, or too risky, make for safe harbor and muster the local forces to make for Cophrigin unless I personally order otherwise.” The two nod in agreement at my given order. I take a deep breath before speaking once more, “Maker keep you all. Long live the Republic, dismissed.”

  The four holoprojections disappear one by one as my group of ships race towards the hyperspace egress point towards Altratonne. Maker keep me.

  “Enemy is being held decently, Rear Admiral Sykes will make rendezvous in approximately three minutes.” A sensors officer reports.

  “Pull back all possible strikecraft into our hangars, priority for the non-hyperspace capable and damaged ones.” I order.

  “On it.” Comes the reply from one of my comms officers.

  I keep an eye on the tactical display as the split forces merge partially, Commodore Jim’s forces making for the south instead of joining the rest of us. It would be … annoying to loose two Venators, four Dreadnoughts, four Acclamator ones, five Arquitenses and some eighteen corvettes, but Jabiim was too important to loose.

  “Commodore Jim’s detachment has successfully jumped.” Lieutenant Welder reports.

  It takes another handful of minutes until we’ve reached a safe hyperspace egress point. Minutes used by the navigations team to finish their calculations for the route we’d be taking. Their lead gives me a small hand signal and I nod, giving permission for the calculations to be sent throughout the remaining formation.

  “Incoming ships.” Lieutenant Welder warns, “They’ve just exited hyperspace.”

  “Numbers and locations!” I bark, glancing at the tactical display as I do.

  “One Providence dreadnought, twenty Fantail destroyers, forty Munificents, ten Munifexes, ten Captors, twenty Lupus frigates, give or take two and ten Gozantis, maybe with another six hidden within enemy formation.” Welder reports.

  “Well, the plan should still work.” Mi-Kus mutters.

  We definitely had enough munitions for my plan. Now the only question was how many of the enemy would stay: “Sensor buoys still operational within system?”

  “Yes, sir and on high security channels.” Comes the answer.

  “Nothing left to do. All ships, jump.” I order.