Over three years now, I think to myself. Just barely over three years since the war began. Hundreds of billions of dead on both sides of this nigh pointless conflict and this damn war was finally, almost, over. We were so close, it could be felt through the entire Taskforce. Anything would be acceptable now, as long as we got trench diggers on Raxus Secundus and even a single ship in orbit, it would be worth it. After so many dead, the reminder of a list with over two hundred thousand names makes my heart clench in anguish, after so much pain, boiling seas, burning fields, destroyed cities and orbital fire, we were almost done.

  Sure, I wasn’t deluding myself that this would be the killing blow. Grievous was still out there in the south alongside the Separatist Executive Council, but to lose their capitol would cut them down to their knees and destroy too much of their legitimacy to allow them to continue in earnest. It was one of the last few nails in the coffin of the Confederacy and my forces were the hammer to slam a few of them into place.

  Hyperspace swirls around us, whites and blues, in that all too familiar pattern. The bridge of the Fondor’s Star filled with anticipation and anxious excitement. Zeta Division has the vanguard, they’d make sure we could actually get into the system to spread out our formation. We’d need to break through and get control of enough of the world’s orbit to allow our ground forces to land, but once we had, we could turn all our attention to whatever remained of the Sep warfleet.

  “Thirty seconds, Admiral.” The Navigator reports.

  This would be a battle for the ages. Probably not as prestigious as the seven battles of Ruusan, but perhaps something on the same level as the great Mando battle for Lantillies. I knew with certainty it would be something that would echo for millennia and a small part of me was screaming in childlike glee that I, the son born to a forgotten family of administrators, soldiers and muscle, would lead it. Though a far larger part of my very being was filled with the anxieties of knowing this battle would result in thousands, if not millions of dead.

  Thus was the ways of this war.

  “- three, two, one, exiting.”

  “Maker keep us all.” I mutter as hyperspace recedes to reveal our vanguard bitterly fighting off four dozen Tionese Man o’ Wars and half a dozen Munificents. A bloodthirsty grin takes over my face, this will be my legacy. I’ll stitch on an entire world onto Elix’s eventual holster once I win here.

  “This bloody Black Hussar is leaving a trail of devastation right towards us!” A Mirilian Senator shouts.

  “Our defenses are nigh impenetrable, even when stripped to the bare minimum. Fleet Admiral Farstar too is an expert with few peers. The real question is, where is General Grievous!?” A Human Senator spits.

  “He never should have been chosen in the first place! We need new leadership, especially after the failure that was Coruscant!” An Ishi Tib Senator cries.

  “ORDER! We shall have order!” The Congress leader, Senator Lawise, shouts.

  Just as the room started to quiet down a Tionese man, bearing the uniform of a Lieutenant of the Separatist Navy with an officer’s cap denoting his membership in the communications department, slams open the doors despite the guards outside trying to hold him back. The man shouts despite his imminent detainment: “SENATOR SINGH, THE REPUBLIC IS HERE!”

  A moment of shocked silence, then pandemonium. A few Senators slinking away to their escape routes, more barking and demanding actions be taken. Throughout it all, Senator Singh was staring wide eyed at the young Tionese soldier. What would this mean for Raxus? For his people? Would the Hussar destroy another city as his men had done at Tion? Would the Hangman of Balshebr execute the entire Parliament on some phony pretense? Would the Admiral order the bombardment of Raxus’ industry as he had done throughout the northern Triellus Trade Route?

  Senator Lawise finally gets the room back into order: “Our trusted sailors and soldiers will keep the so called Black Hussar in orbit. We will continue to wait on news from General Grievous and the Executive Council. Remember, we are on one of the most fortified worlds in the Confederacy! We will persevere!”

  Senator Singh doubts that, even if he claps along. He had to keep strong for his, soon to be besieged, people after all.

  Orders come to my mind in an instant: “Move forward to relieve Zeta Division. If they’re worth their redemption they’ll push forwards despite the enemy resistance. Deploy fighters and prepare anti-fighter missiles. All ships have my orders for the first phase of the battle?”

  “Yessir.” A comms officer replies.

  “Good. Spread our shields out and focus fire on those Tionese Man o’ Wars. They’re more dangerous at close range than those blasted Munificents and I’m sick and tired of them getting into my formations and tearing apart my pickets.”

  “Portside focus on Man o’ War designate hostile sigma seven. Starboard, focus Tionese ship hostile gamma two. Center has Tionese ship hostile zeta niner.” Captain Hills barks out.

  “Roger that.”

  Separatist warships fall one by one, exacting their toll for each loss, even if it was comparatively minor. Finally as the ships of Epsilon Division appear almost as one the diminished probing force pulls back. A quick glance confirms a decent exchange. Fifteen enemy cruisers for a single Acclamator two and over two dozen frigates and corvettes. An acceptable start, especially if some of the less damaged ships can get emergency repairs done within the next couple hours. I nod to myself as Beta Division makes their entrance.

  “Do we have a lock on enemy ship numbers yet?” I ask into the bridge.

  “Fifteen Providence dreads, four Lucrehulk battleships, six Recusant heavies, seventy … six Providence battleships, thirty four Recusant lights, twenty Sep Dreadnoughts, ninety nine remaining Tionese Man o’ Wars, two fifty four remaining Munificents, forty Captors, thirty two Diamonds, look like they’re all missile cruisers, about fifteen Lupus missile frigates and at least a hundred hostile Gozanti corvettes and Tionese Sloops, sir.” Comes the reply.

  “That’s what, six hundred ships of the line?” I ask into the room.

  “Five hundred ninety five remaining enemy ships of the line.” Lieutenant Hursk corrects.

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  “And probably a hundred and fifty light ships and pickets plus about two twenty five wings.” I finish. I consider that for a moment. Then I let our a hearty chuckle, “They don’t even outnumber us two to one! Maybe we should let the Free Dac fucks from Argai join us here for something more fair!”

  “How unusually sportsmanlike of you, sir.” Lieutenant Hursk notes as Gamma Division joins us in realspace.

  “Maybe I’m getting soft.” I joke before turning to the comms chief, “Prepare an open transmission.”

  “On it, sir.”

  “So, how quickly do you think we’ll win this?” I ask into the bridge, “I’m allowing any bets on the bridge.”

  “Two hundred chits on within the day, Coruscant standard.” One of my Adjutants bets.

  “You’re on!” A different officer shouts.

  “I bet three hundred, a full Fondorian day and not an hour less.” One Fondorian officer adds into the room.

  “That’s a fools bet, I’ll take you up on that.” Another Fondorian says with a laugh, Eta Division taking that moment to join us in realspace.

  “Comms ready, sir.”

  “Alright folks, showtime.” I order, smirk still on my face as the hologram projector takes me in. I nod to the operator who gives me a thumbs up. I clear my throat for a moment before speaking, “Attention all inhabitants of the Raxus system. This is Fleet Admiral Dericote of the Republic Navy. I have orders to take control over this system. I am sad to say that blood has already been spilled, but be aware, I am more than happy to accept any surrender and promise fair treatment under Republic law. To any civilians, I recommend you leave the cities for your own protection as I cannot guarantee your safety in the inevitable urban combat. To any civilian ships, I recommend you move to the orbit of Raxus two until the battle has concluded. To the Separatist fleets in orbit, this is your final chance to surrender without further bloodshed. You have fifteen minutes. Fleet Admiral Dericote, Marshal Administrator and Commanding Officer of Taskforce Vengeance, out.”

  The transmission goes cold when the comms officer pipes up again: “Sir transmission from the Fondor’s Daughter.”

  “What does Luis want?” I ask, mildly curious.

  “Simple text, sir. May I quote?”

  “Go ahead, soldier.” I reply easily.

  “Senior Captain Luis says quote, That is simply cruel, Thraken. You’re giving them hope. Endquote.”

  My smirk grows: “Simple text in reply. I’ve got to keep my reputation up somehow.”

  “Sir, detecting strong levels of Cronau radiation from western hyperspace egress point.” The sensors officer reports.

  “Excellent. Sykes is perfectly on time, then.” I observe.

  Just as Gamma Division finishes entering realspace, the first ships of Theta and Iota Divisions arrive. Oh how I wish I had kept one of those Divisions for myself, but alas, they were too modern and too important to divert even one of them for one of those that had followed me from Kendrath. The two Divisions had spent the last week we’ve been traveling from Pakuuni to Indrexu seizing and then defending the Florn system, ensuring no Separatist reinforcements could arrive from the far Perlimian and rimward Trans-Hydian.

  Ah, and I can almost feel the panic the enemy CO is feeling. With the comms blackout at Florn they must have presumed something was amiss there, but I doubt they expected that something to be two Tectors, fourteen Victories, fourteen Venators, a dozen and a half Acclamators, a CD-710, a couple Dreadnoughts and over sixty light ships and pickets.

  A rather nice little force all in all, I muse. Maker who I would have killed for that when the war began. I consider it for a moment before nodding to myself. I would probably gone as far as glassing every surface shipyard on Pammant for that and fought a Sith with a spoon. I stop myself at the ridiculousness of that thought. Maybe not a spoon, though … I bet I could figure something out with a spork or three.

  “All Divisions in system, sir.” Lieutenant Hursk reports.

  “Very good, Lieutenant.” I reply, “Are we on time?”

  “In a couple minutes we will be perfectly on time, sir. Transit time was slightly faster than originally expected.” Lieutenant Hursk responds easily.

  “Fifteen minutes are up, sir. No reply.” The comms officer reports.

  “Any priority messages to delay us before we get started?” I ask.

  “General Kenobi is less than a standard day away from Utapau. Navy Intelligence believes him and General Grievous to be somewhere within the greater system.” A different Adjutant answers.

  “Well then, this might be the one two knockout we needed.” I reply easily, “In that case, we shall begin the engagement perfectly on time. Missiles loaded?”

  “Yessir.” One of the Gunnery Adjutants reports.

  “Formation?” I ask.

  “Double row line plus reserve, sir. Tectors, Venators, Hammerhead cruisers and missile capable light ships and pickets in front, Dreadnoughts, Acclamators and non missile capable light ships and pickets in second line, Gamma Division in reserve line a couple dozen clicks behind us. Divisions Theta and Iota in a double lined spearhead. Tectors, Victories and Dreadnoughts in front, Venators and Acclamators behind, light ships and pickets throughout.” Lieutenant Hursk answers.

  “Ground forces?”

  “Lieutenant Krugwolt reports 53rd ready and eager, sir.” An Adjutant reports.

  “Major General Cain reports his 300th Volunteer Corps is prepared, sir.” A different Adjutant says.

  “Major General Tagge reports his 415th V. Corps is prepared to avenge Coruscant.” A third Adjutant reports.

  “Jedi General Koth reports his 4th Assault Corps is ready, sir.” Another Adjutant reports.

  “280th Infantry Division is prepared and in position among our reserve.” Lieutenant Hursk finishes the report.

  “Good.” I acknowledge.

  I was mildly concerned about the various starbases and defensive installations in orbit. Raxus Prime was decently far away this time of the year, on the opposite side of the star as a matter of fact, and so her defensive platforms and garrison shouldn’t be able to interfere. Whatever ships were still there, half a dozen Man o’ Wars, twenty Marauder corvettes and a half built Providence battleship that could be sent out in a pinch, according to our pickets and scouts, would be too busy defending the shipyards to come to Raxus Secundus’ aid, even without a direct attack heading their way. The yards were simply too valuable to leave undefended

  Of course, if things became harry, they might abandon the shipyard, but I doubted it. The defensive installations meanwhile were rather pathetic. A dozen dual turbolaser battery platforms, a trio of medium ion cannon platforms and three military hangar stations. Those would probably have three wings of additional fighters total. Not something to discount, but … they were also likely piloted by sentients and said pilots would almost certainly be green. After all, Raxus had not yet seen any major Republic action.

  Yes, the defensive installations would likely pose little to no issue. The comms stations, civilian stations and trade hubs might be a tad more … difficult, yet as long as our gunners stay on target nothing critical should be damaged. The Seps won’t risk those stations either, their warships already slowly making their way towards my lines as I continue to ponder the situation.

  Maker, this was it, wasn’t it. One word and over a thousand warships would engage in battle. I take a deep inhale, suddenly feeling every inch of durasteel along my arm.

  “Sir?”

  “Taskforce wide transmission. R4 prepare audio file eighteen dash six five, we’ll switch the transmission to open frequency once you start playing the file.” I order as Separatist cruisers start to join the slowly approaching missile cruisers and frigates of the Separatist Navy. Good, it means they’ve lost their nerve. It must be driving them insane that we’re simply waiting here, menacingly.

  “Ready, sir.”

  “Now would be good.” I mutter, the moment I get the affirm I step forward once more, “Soldiers and sailors of the Republic. I shall keep this as short as possible, but my men know I like to hear myself talk whenever we face a worthy foe. The Seps dared to defile Coruscant. You all know the name of our taskforce. I think you should be able to make the connection from that, but that’s what the politicians on Coruscant want the history books to remember, want to make them conclude Taskforce Vengeance’s purpose is to avenge Coruscant. I think differently. We’re not here to avenge Coruscant, but all our fallen brethren in arms. Be it from the Core, the Rims, or anywhere else. All of us bled in this war for the Republic, her ideals, promises and purpose. What better way to finish this war, then by ending it where it all began with the Raxus address. Dooku may be dead, but his state lives on. That is an insult I don’t think I can abide. Long live the Republic. Division commanders, prepare in case of independent control. All forces, flank speed, advance. Switch to open transmission and begin playing the audio file.”

  Throughout the Raxus system, to anyone who was willing to pick up the last open transmission of Republic Taskforce Vengeance, a slightly garbled song begins to play. It is a younger tune, only as old as the Separatist crisis itself and penned by an Alderaanian man at the war’s onset, but the lyrics resonated somewhere deep within the Fleet Admiral, it tugged at some ancient piece of memory he held and so it was played, its tune being the death of the probing attack over Raxus and the beginning of the battle proper.

  “Oh we’ll rally ‘round the cog, boys, we’ll rally once again

  shouting the battle-cry of freedom,

  we will gather from the Deep Core,

  we’ll rally from the Rims,

  shouting the battle-cry of freedom.

  Republic forever, hurrah lads, hurrah,

  down with the traitors, we’re up in the stars

  and we’ll fill our vacant ranks with a billion freemen more

  shouting the battle-cry of freedom,

  We will welcome to our numbers the loyal, true, and brave.

  Shouting the battle-cry of freedom,

  And although he may be poor,

  he shall never be a slave.

  Shouting the battle-cry of freedom

  Republic forever, hurrah lads, hurrah,

  down with the traitors, we’re up in the stars.

  while we rally ‘round the cog, lads we rally once again,

  shouting the battle-cry of freedom.

  We'll meet the Sep-y host, boys,

  With fearless hearts and true,

  Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom

  And we'll show what Stars on high

  Have for loyal men to do,

  Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom.

  Republic forever, hurrah lads, hurrah,

  down with the traitors, we’re up in the stars.

  while we rally ‘round the cog, lads we rally once again,

  shouting the battle-cry of freedom.

  Yes, for Liberty and Freedom,

  We are springing to the fight,

  Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom.

  And the victory shall be ours,

  Forever rising in our might,

  Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom.

  Republic forever, hurrah lads, hurrah,

  down with the traitors, we’re up in the stars.

  while we rally ‘round the cog, lads we rally once again,

  shouting the battle-cry of freedom.”