Senior Commodore Lonros Shern
Aboard the Virtue’s Hand, flagship of Magistrate Squadron: Western Reaches of the Mid Rim, Hadar Sector, Cal System, above the Planet Tibrin
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Shern watched calmly from the bridge of the Virtue’s Hand as the Separatist formation closed on his small squadron, and one by one the batteries of the eclectic mix of alien vessels engaged the Imperial line. The enemy had them outgunned – it would prove a sufficient challenge for him to keep their assault at bay.
Another salvo of red turbolaser fire struck out from the black, shot from the heavier enemy warships with the range to touch them. The majority of the bolts impacted the Deference and the Fidelity, who’s shields strained under the punishment. Only the enemy dreadnaught kept its weapons trained on the Hand. It seemed they wanted to break his flanks before advancing on his fortress.
“Batteries ready for another volley, sir!” a tactical officer called up from the pit.
“Saturation fire,” Shern ordered, “target their corvettes, strip the shields of the light vessels while we still outrange them.”
A moment passed as the guns rotated into position, then fired. Each heavy battery of the Imperial-class was outfitted with twin turbolaser barrels, capable of payloads approaching a megathermark. The green plasma arced out at the enemy corvettes, easily overloading shield emitters with each bolt landed. An unlucky Hardcell Corvette buckled under the assault, and its main reactor detonated in a brilliant splash of orange. A successful barrage – but it had forced them to divert attention from the enemy dreadnaught.
“Order our bombers to loose their concussion missile payloads on the Providence, then return to their carriers to rearm with ion ordinance.” Shern said. A moment passed as his words were passed down through the chain of command.
“Missiles away…” the tactical officer responded after the pause, followed by a sequence of detonations that played across the surface of the approaching dreadnaught, “bombers dry, returning to rearm.”
Shern focused in on his prey. Despite the precarious position of the enemy flagship, it was clear his opponent – whoever they may be – knew that they could overpower the Imperial line if they could close the gap, and bring their Corvettes in range. The Providence in particular had an impressive broadside, and if it could pull between the Hand and the Deference, the results would be devastating.
They offered Shern a false choice – concentrate all fire to kill the dreadnaught, die to the swarm. Kill the swarm, die to the dreadnaught. He didn’t have the firepower for both. A bold maneuver, and one they could not back down from now. They were precisely where Shern wanted them.
“Contact the reserve formation in the Rindao system. It is time they jump to Plah.” Shern said, satisfied, “As soon as the guns are ready, I want a full salvo aimed at the Providence’s engine cluster. Venators are to keep firing on the lighter vessels, keep their shields weak.”
What the Ishi Tib didn’t consider is he didn’t need to kill their flagship. Their planet could do it for him.
“Sir, Fidelity has detected enemy bomber squadrons on short approach, trailing our Y-Wings back to the carriers! They must be jamming our bombers!”
A clever play – a good strategist left nothing to chance.
“Reroute interceptors, prepare point defense. Main batteries are to continue firing on designated targets when ready. Scan bombers for payload.”
“Signatures match high yield ion torpedoes. Interceptors in route, only enough fighters are available to screen one enemy formation in time sir. Where should we send them?”
Before the Commodore could respond, the small auxiliary recon corvette Spirit of Jyvus rocketed out from under the Hand’s shadow, cutting a tight arc towards the bomber formation headed their direction. He had been saving the craft for a number of less risky contingencies, but this would suffice.
“Have our interceptors cover the Deference.” Shern said, visually evaluating the vessels shields. Enemy pressure was stronger on his left flank – if a ship were to be lost, at this stage he’d prefer the Fidelity. Ideally their point defenses would keep them fighting, but he had to be prepared for such eventualities.
The Jyvus tore through the enemy formation, reducing the torpedo bombers to drifting debris before they could reach the Hand, and leaving him with a clean shot against the Providence.
“Fire.”
The green bolts flew forth, smashing the massive capital ships engine cluster to bits. Explosions flared up and down fuel lines as secondary detonations shook the very structure of the enemy ship. He had caught them just before their critical deceleration burn – the Providence’s fate was sealed. It would overshoot the Imperial line, and be caught in Tibrin’s atmosphere, where it would break up as it burned.
“Status?” Shern asked, calculating.
“Bombers eliminated in our vicinity and the vicinity of the Deference. Fidelity managed to take some out herself but has lost shields. Interceptors are rerouting there now.”
“Very well. Inform the 327th of the pending environmental hazard planetside,” Shern said. “Our next priority targets are those cruisers and that destroyer. Have-”
His words were interrupted by a brilliant flash of light off their port side.
“Report.” Shern ordered, his brow furrowed. He did not like being surprised.
“Energy is consistent with a high-power ion weapon… signature matches that detected on the enemy bombers. A torpedo bay must have detonated on one of those husks.”
A sign of sloppy, homemade fabrication.
“Sir, the Jyvus has gone dark, it’s dropped off sensors. We can't pick up any residual heat among the other noise and debris, and not they are responding to hails.”
A potentially expensive loss.
“Search and rescue can be conducted after the engagement. Attach a bulletin to the 327th dispatch in case the vessel is caught in the Providence's debris field.”
“Sir!” another officer from the pit stood, saluting the Commodore, “reserve formation is dropping out of hyperspace. We've established contact with the Vanquisher. They're leading the assault on the Plah Staging Grounds as ordered!”
At last, good news. The enemy formation was now trapped – push the assault, and try to save their burning homeworld, or retreat to guard their staging grounds, and get more vessels underway. Shern expected a seasoned commander to do the latter, but ideally, that person was now dead or dying on the ill-fated Providence.
“Fire when ready.”
Directory:
Shern's story begins...
Shern's last chapter…
Shern's next chapter...
Immediately follows...
Meanwhile, on the Jyvus...
Meanwhile, on Tibrin...
Author: Geo
