Ask Return or War

[Alexander Xerxes]

The tell-tale snap-thud of a ship exiting hyperspace reverberated throughout the Starhawk Battleship ‘Liberty’. The flagship of the Republic 5th Fleet, was quickly followed out of Hyperspace by the complete strength of the New Republic’s premium military asset. Dozens of battleships, cruisers, frigates and corvettes littered the space around the Liberty, each carrying a double crew ready to take on the returning ships from the Five Syndicates.

The Supreme Chancellor stood on the bridge of the Liberty staring out into the darkness of space. Far to his left a small globe of light, Kuat shone in the black. They were a fair distance out from the planet, at least an hour or by sublight drive. But still close enough if they needed to call for any back up from the heavily defended world. Fleet Admiral Hood had doubted the Syndicates had anything that could stand against the 5th Fleet, but Alexander had to be cautious, the Syndicates had somehow convinced a Senator to sell them half a fleet of Republic Warships, only The Force knew what else they held in their dirty hands.

Alexander had called Grace Zann’s (@Where) bluff when it came to returning the Fleet she ‘legally’ purchased and in quick time the Syndicates had bowed down to the threat of entering another war with a Galactic Superpower. Contact had been made and a rendezvous arranged to return the Republic Ships she had purchased, Kuat Drive Yards had the funds ready to return once the ships were within the Republic’s hands. “Admiral, is everyone in position.” He asked, Hood confirmed everything with a logistics Lieutenant, Alexander already had the pleasure of meetings. Wilhelm Tarkin (@LouJoVi ), he had a famous name and Alexander hoped he would live up to the excellence it was known to produce.

The 5th Fleet had stopped by Anaxes before heading to Kuat, manning another almost thirty ships was beyond the current manpower pool of the Republic Fleet, so the best of the Fleet Academy had been graduated and enlisted to help man the returning ships. These ships formed the base of a new 3rd Fleet tasked with defending Kuat and Fondor. “Now we wait and hope that no wars are declared today.” Alexander said to no one but himself.

 

[Grace Zann]

Grace would show up aboard her own Starhawk battleship, one she called 'The End of Days'. Though she doubted the Republic would call it that, once it was returned. Her mercenaries and employees didn't like the idea of returning things to the Republic, but they needed to keep the peace. Should they provide her with the millions of credits spent on the fleet however, perhaps Grace could afford to replace what they had lost. They did claim Kuat would issue a refund after all. Besides, they were not giving up all their ships, just the frigates, battleship, and fighters... When thought aloud, that did seem like a lot.

The entire syndicate armada would descend from hyperspace in front of the Republic's fleet. Grace herself was at the helm of the battleship, and would announce herself to the Chancellor via Holocommunicator. "Chancellor Xerxes, good to finally meet you in person. This is Grace Zann. I've brought along every ship we've purchased from Kuat, our pilots are the Syndicate's finest..." And only, as finding criminals with flight experience wasn't exactly easy. "If you'd be so kind, we can convene aboard your ship... Though I will bring my guards..."

She figured that the man himself would be quick to accept such an offer, and a Skippray Blastboat in the hangerbay was already prepared to board the Republic's ship. Should they get permission to meet aboard the ship, then Grace herself would begin making her way toward the craft.

@Braden

 

[Alexander Xerxes]

One by one they would arrive, first the familiar outline of a Starhawk then the rest of the combined Syndicate fleet came into view. Alexander could feel the distaste for the new arrivals flowing off both Admiral Hood and the rest of the crew around him. The men and women sat across the field from them were perhaps the most disliked ‘Government’ in the galaxy, maybe just behind the Sith and the tension caused by the sale of these ships was a near disaster to the Government Alexander was trying to build. But even in this near disaster Alexander would spin and contourt its outcome to benefit both the Republic and himself. The return of the ships was just one of these beneficial outcomes.

“Miss Zann, likewise.” Looking over towards Admiral Hood he got the nod to confirm that all the purchased ships had arrived. “There is no need for you to come aboard. As discussed, all ships to be returned will be sent forward, Republic crews will meet you at the halfway point and transfer on to take control. Once we are in control of the ships your funds will be transferred and we can all be on our way.”

A click of a camera could be heard behind him, like always a press crew full of reporters followed the Supreme Chancellor on every trip. Dozens of them were crammed into the ‘Liberty’ relaying back every word, every action to the billions of people in the New Republic and the galaxy at large.

@Where

 

[Grace Zann]

Grace was a little disappointed that the man didn't want to meet face-to-face, but they Syndicates would have their credits either way. She would simply give a nod as the chancellor made his request, and would then give orders to the various ships. "Nebulon frigates one through fifteen, move forward, keep your guns powered down..." As per her command, the many frigates would 'step forward' toward the republic fleet.

She would then explain to Alexander, "You'll find all our frigates crewed with the missing twin-tail fighters, as well as this battleship. We will exit the vessel and leave it for you." She would then leave the command bridge, walking down the halls of the vessel toward the hanger. She didn't want to be aboard when the republic reclaimed the Starhawk. She would speak over comms to the battleship's crew, "All syndicate pilots to the hanger area, we're leaving the battleship." To which many would begin traveling toward.

The woman would board her Skippray Blastboat, followed by a small crew of her vanguard mercenary soldiers. She would activate her holoprojector again to speak with the Supreme Chancellor. "All our ships are in position for the hand off... But no funny business."

She would give a final sigh... Wondering how they syndicates would rebuild after this. Sure, they could keep the corvettes and gunships, but they were still out by a large number of frigates and a battleship.

@Braden

 

[Alexander Xerxes]

Alexander looked over towards the Admiral, a grimace still locked on the older man's face. “Admiral Hood, commence the return of our ships.” Hood initially replied with a grunt before realising that Alexander was his Commander-In-Chief and gave him a stiff salute before ordering the ships and crews forward.

It was mostly fellow Nebulon’s which travelled to meet the returning ships, the larger warships of the 5th Fleet stayed back with their weapons ready to react to any betrayal by the Syndicates. Although much to the Admiral’s dismay Alexander made sure the ‘Liberty’ was towards the front of the line, he would not be accused of cowardice, the Republic needed a strong and fearless leader at this time. Alexander would be that man.

Slowly the crews would begin to board the empty ships, security teams went first sweeping the rooms to make sure no Syndicate members were left waiting to ambush. Then came the technicians to check to the systems were not bobytrapped and finally the small crews needed to be piloted back to Kuat for refitting before being assigned to the new 3rd Fleet. As the signal came through that the process was beginning smoothly Alexander signalled to the Commnucations team to contact KDY to send the money. Before reactivating the holo to Grace Zann.

“Miss Zann, I thank you for your cooperation. The funds are being transferred. I would now ask you to leave Republic Space.”

 

[Grace Zann]

As the various crews would examine each room for syndicate stowaways, they would find none. Grace was an honest business woman, and is if she reach a deal, she would follow through on that deal. Now all that was left was to leave Republic space with her people. Something she would have to oblige. The remaining Syndicate ships, that weren't being boarded by the republic would turn around before jumping to lightspeed.

"Leave I shall. Thank you for the credits Chancellor." Grace's skippray blast boat would shoot off into hyperspace, wondering where the hell they were going to find a fleet now.

@Braden

[Exit Thread]