Open Flashpoint Revenge on the 5th

[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

OOC note: Fun fleet CPVP, 48-hr posting window

Stars stretched back into mere pinpoints of light as the FWA fleet exited hyperspace above Commenor; hundreds of ships entering the system all at once. Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl let out a stream of curses that T-8R wisely did not translate as the sight of the burning planet of Commenor appeared into view beneath them. The FWA armada was too late to save the untold suffering on Commenor, but they could enact a measure of revenge on the 5th Fleet that continued to rain hellfire on the planet below.

At least surprise was on the side of the FWA fleet; the 5th Fleet was arranged for bombardment, not the line of battle, meaning that the larger ships, like the Freedom, would require a cumbersome turn in order to bring their full weaponry to bear. "Launch starfighters! Forward shields up! Focus the nearest Starhawk!" Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl ordered, as green and red lasers began filling the space between the two fleets. Hopefully, the messages he'd sent to Charlotte (@Valen Pelora, ooc yes she's elsewhere) and Trina (@Sreeya) had gotten through; against the likes of the 5th Fleet he would need all the help he could get.

The attacking FWA fleet was strategically arranged for just such an ambush; an Interdictor in the rear, jealously guarded by dozens of support ships and Interceptors, ensured that there was no escape for the 5th Fleet; as well as providing a beacon for allies to arrive. The heavier ships in the formation took the front, forming a formidable array against the rear of the 5th Fleet and unified in their desire to destroy the rogue ships.

The Battle of Commenor had begun.

Spoiler: FWA Fleet

1x Imperial-II Class Star Destroyer (the Kashyyyk)
1x Interdictor-Class Star Destroyer
6x Victory-Class Star Destroyers
6x Broadside-Class Cruisers
20x Vigil-Class Frigates
20x MC35d Frigates
20x Quasar Fire-Class Frigate/Light Carriers
40x Lancer-Class Frigates
500x 'Stalwart' Class Starfighter
150x AFC-1 "Alliance Adder" Starfighters
500x Tau-7 Arrowhead Interceptors
200x Owool-Class Heavy Interceptors

@Braden

 

[Yossk]

Spoiler: Theme

Yossk had accepted orders from a Wookie. A Wookie. If this battle would end up a loss then he might as well die in a blaze of glory than bring that dishonor back to his house. Yet he had listened to the orders, passed from one of the walking pelts to his father down to him. He gathered units from across Alliance space, turning them into a patchwork army. A flotilla barley patched together in time for this battle. No, no, he had to calm down. He had to focus, to get the scent of blood from his nose and gore from his tounge. He craved glory and violence, yet he did not want to throw his life away for nothing. He had to be tactical with his thinking, and he began by releasing orders.

The orders were given to the captains of the varying ships as soon as they had finished their jump. The first to enact these orders were the Nebulons (As and Bs alike), Battle Hydras, Vengence Frigates, YT-3000s, YZ-775, Skipray Blastboats, VCX-820s, Civilian Cruisers, TC-7s, Outer Rim Gun Boats, Decimators, and both the H-Wing and E-Wings. They moved towards the Interdictor and sorrounded it in a defensive formation. Their weapons were primed and ready, ensuring if and when any threat was in range they would be able to open fire instantaneously. Rest of the fleet formed a wedge, where the heavier armed capital ships formed the tips and the edges of the spear. The Quasar sat behind the wedge, releasing all of the 24 Cloakshape Fighters it had in its belly, moving towards the front of the formation along with a huge chunk of the fighters. Several fighters and the bombers sat between the capital ships, awaiting the moment to pounce when the order was given, as the Scout Freighters and the JumpMasters sat towards the front and sides to act as a way to snag wide band sensor sweeps. No more funny buisness from these things would be accepted. Any asteroids, floating debris, and any weird foreign object in the vascinity would be focus scanned to see if anything was a miss or if they actually were ships or potential weapons.

Yossk reached out with the Force, his eyes closing and head leaning back to feel. To feel the life of his fleet, of his allies and brothers in arms. To feel the ships, armed with heavy weapons and ready for war. To feel the opponents, and their hearts and minds and motions. To feel the galaxy and void itself slowly shift and turn around them. He centered himself, focused on the battle at hand, and released a soft breath from his muzzle. He softly ground his teeth together as he thought. His mind was quickly calculating odds, figuring out battle plans, and coming to terms with the losses he would face. His eyes slowly opened as he stared forward, his slit pupils thinning. He then moved a clawed finger over to the command chair arm as he pressed a button to activate the external microphone. He knew that the line was already patched in, and all he had to do was talk.

"Sir Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl," the Trandoshan spoked out into the chair mounted com system. His voice was softly rumbling as he spoke. "My father gave me the orders to collect the rest of our forces and bring them to you. I am here to serve you, but know if this fails and you are still around I shall personally enter the control room and take your pelt for my collection to regain my clan's honor. For now, point me to whatever you need and I shall crush it."

Spoiler: Trandoshan Fleet

3x Carrack-class Frigates
1x Quasar-class Light Carrier
1x Y-30 Badger Armored Frigate
1x Nebulon-B Frigate
1x LongFin Corvette
2x CR 115 Corvettes
2x CR 100b Corvettes
2x Sphyrna-class Corvettes
1x MC-50a Star Corvette
8x SS-54 Light Assault Frigates
8x VCX-820 Escort Freighters
8x Skipray Blastboats
8x TC-7 Fuel Haulers
6x Invigilator-class Duraclads
6x Pursuer-class Enforcement Ships
4x Vangaurd Gunships
4x JumpMaster 5000s
4x VT-49 Decimators
4x Iota-class Attack Shuttles
3x ILH-KK Citadel-class Civilian Cruisers
1x Lancer Pursuit Crafts
12x K-wing Assault Starfighters
12x V-4 Swingback Starbombers
8x Freefall-class Starbombers
72x Cutlass-9 Starfighters
36x Cloakshape Fighters
36x V38 Assault Starfighters
24x Preybird-class Starfighters
24x CBB LX-6 Light Attack Ships
24x Z-95 Headhunters
16x BSV-01 “Newt”-class Bakuran Interceptor
16x M12-L Kimogila Heavy Starfighter
16x XG-1 Starfighters

Spoiler: Other FWA Vessels

2x Battle Hydra-class Cruiser
1x MC30c Heavy Frigate/Cruiser
4x Vengeance-class Frigates
4x Lancer-class Frigates
3x Cooha-class Frigates
3x DP-20 Correlian Gunships
2x Y-30 Badger Frigate
2x Nebulon-A Escort Frigates
2x Veber Frigates
2x SC-32 Frigate
1x Star Galleon Frigate
1x Trenchant-class Command Frigate
1x Munifex-class Frigate
5x Nexu-class Corvettes
4x Katarn-class Patrol Corvettes
2x CR-100c Corvettes
2x Raider Corvettes
2x Adz-class Corvettes
2x Marauder Corvettes
6x Outer Rim Gun Boat MK III's
4x IPV-1 System Patrol Craft
3x Wayfarer Medium Transports
2x YT-3000 Medium Freighters
1x YZ-775 Medium Freighter
4x Rasmus-Class Assault Ship
4x K-52 Strongarm Gunships
3x YV-560 Scout Freighters
2x Starrunner-class Transports
48x SX-18 Salamanders
48x Hornet Interceptors
48x Z-95 Heathunters
36x AFC-1 Alliance Adders
36x AA-110 Warpig Gunships
36x A-9 Vigilance Interceptors
36x E-Wing Escort Fighters
32x BTL-C1 Y-Wing Starbombers
24x H-Wing Escort Fighters
24x Razor Starfighters
16x C-Wings
12x AFC-1X Alliance Super Cobras

@SlagathorTheUnknown @Braden

 

[The Storyteller]

THEME​

Light flashed between black points between stars, a third force heeding the call against the marauding 5th Fleet. Heavy with star destroyers, cruisers, carriers, and frigates largely of their own design, Kuat's powerful armada had made its appearance. Forming up quickly into a wave of forward-facing guns, this combination of the Kuati Response Fleet and Kuat's own defense forces would play the role of hard hitter in the battle to come.

Aboard the bridge of the Starhawk-III Battleship Valkyrian, Admiral Victoria Kalist looked out at the scene before her. Commenor burned beneath the 5th fleet's ruthless bombardment. Her face hardened to steel at the sight; this was not the Republic as she knew it, and the Supreme Chancellor had surely lost his goddamn mind. First imprisoning Kuat's senator, Victoria's niece, without due cause, and now this madness? She had her bridge crew activate IFF tags and open a channel to the nearby FWA forces.

"Senator Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl, Trandoshan fleet. This is Admiral Victoria Kalist of the Kuati Armada. We are with you.
Trina Kalist sends her regards."

​

Admiral Kalist strode to her command chair and sat, hard as iron as she snapped her orders with calm, absolute authority. "Shields up, weapons online. Target their battleships at maximum firepower, I want that dreadnought scrapped." Battleships and star destroyers charged their guns, arranged in a slightly spread formation with smaller ships maneuvering in between. Starfighters launched in formation, swarming defensively around the Kuati fleet and backed up by screening anti-fighter craft.

There would be no escape nor mercy for these traitors and murderers who flew the New Republic's flag of democracy and civility, whatever their circumstances. Victoria slammed her hand against the command's chair arm. "Fire all!" Empty space lit up with a storm of turbolaser fire, streaks of light blasting in focused waves to overwhelm shields belonging to the 5th fleet's heaviest battleships.

Spoiler: Kuati Fleet

1x Starhawk-III Battleship
- CF9 Crossfire starfighters (x40)
- BTL-A4 Y-wing starbombers (x8)
- SR-3 Trace-class patrol skiffs (x12)
5x Victory-Class Star Destroyers
- CF9 Crossfire starfighters (x24 per ship)
5x Broadside-Class Cruisers
10x Tapani-class Carrier
- X-83 Twintail Starfighter (x40 per ship)
10x Corona-class Frigate
- X-83 Twintail Starfighter (x36 per ship)
- BTL-A4 Y-wing starbombers (x8)
10x EF77 Nebulon-D Frigate
- CF9 Crossfire starfighters (x28)
40x Raider Corvette
- RZ-2 A-wing interceptors (x4 per ship)

@Braden @SlagathorTheUnknown @Olwin

 

[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

Although the initial attack by the FWA fleet was successful, at a glance Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl knew that the Freedom was likely a match for the entire fleet he'd managed to accumulate for this mission; a looming threat currently out of range, but beginning a menacing turn over the planet of Commenor so that it could enter the line of battle. A cheer went up from the bridge of the Kashyyyk as one of the Starhawk-III battleships vanished in a series of explosions, but even that had not come without a price; one of the Victory-Class Star Destroyers in the FWA fleet was lost as well, along with a few frigates. By now, the FWA fleet had separated into two neat groups: Group A, and Group B. Group A, led by the Kashyyyk, formed the bulk of the offensive firepower, while Group B, situated further back, protected the all-important Interdictor.

Spoiler: FWA Fleet Group A

Group A
1x Imperial-II Class Star Destroyer (the Kashyyyk)
5x Victory-Class Star Destroyers (1x lightly damaged, 1x destroyed)
6x Broadside-Class Cruisers
17x Vigil-Class Frigates (3x destroyed)
19x MC35d Frigates (1x destroyed)
193x Owool-Class Heavy Interceptors (7 destroyed)
482x 'Stalwart' Class Starfighter (18 destroyed)
144x AFC-1 "Alliance Adder" Starfighters (6 destroyed)
272x Tau-7 Arrowhead Interceptors (28 destroyed)

Spoiler: FWA Group B

Group B
1x Interdictor-Class Star Destroyer
20x Quasar Fire-Class Frigate/Light Carriers
40x Lancer-Class Frigates
200x Tau-7 Arrowhead Interceptors

Determined to push the advantage while he had it, Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl glanced over the monitors for a weakness in the enemy line. The remaining three Starhawk-III battleships in the Joined fleet would soon be able to bring their formidable weaponry to bear, and the Joined fleet was scrambling to launch starfighters. "Fighters, begin your attack run! Shift fire to the next Starhawk!" the Wookiee ordered, watching as flights of FWA starfighters screamed forward to engage the enemy. Lessons learned in blood from previous engagements against the kiliks would be put to good use, but it wasn't until more ships began appearing on his screen that Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl felt like the allied fleets might actually have a chance. Not only had Yossk come through, leading dozens of unique ships to the battle, the New Republic Kuati fleet had arrived to destroy the traitorous 5th Fleet.

"Don't flatter yourself, I can still kill a Trandoshan even at my age" the Wookiee growled to himself, before responding to the hails that the saucy Trandoshan sent. He'd long since learned to temper his words in the heat of battle, since Wookiee sarcasm did not translate well. "Thank you for your swift response. Our starfighters are commencing attack runs on those Starhawks, and they'll need as much support as they can get. Once those are taken care of we'll throw everything we've got at the Freedom." Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl would've liked to go straight for the Bellator-class dreadnought, but there was the slight problem of three 2.5km ships in the way which would soon be able to bring their fearsome front-facing armament to bear, in addition to the dozens of Nebulon-D escort frigates and Tapani-class carriers, or the 5th Fleet's numerous starfighters. (@Olwin)

A channel was then opened to Victoria Kallist. Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl liked the name Victoria; it reminded him of the Senator from Gannaria. "Many thanks, Admiral" he replied, grateful that at least one of the massive Starhawks was on their side instead of shooting at him. "I look forward to the opportunity to personally thank her and you when our battle is won." No sure thing, but the arrival of more allies had significantly bolstered the firepower being rained down on the 5th Fleet. (@Sreeya)

Spoiler: 5th Fleet (I'm making stuff up so we have things to fight)

1x Bellator-class Dreadnaught (the Freedom, no significant damage)
3x Starhawk-III Class Battleships (1x destroyed, 1x Light damage)
22x Tapani-class Carriers (2x destroyed)
- 919x X-83 Twintail Starfighter (40 per ship, 41 destroyed)
28x Nebulon-D Escort Frigate (2 destroyed)
- 699 CF9 Crossfire Starfighter (36 per ship, 21 destroyed)

@Braden

 

[The Storyteller]

The joined fleet was caught unaware, the Hive Mind had seen over and over again the ineptitude of the Free World Alliance and the New Republic that even in its near infinite wisdom it had expected to go about its business until something greater took to the field.

The great starships of the fleet had begun their turn and were now in the advance, the burning world of Commenor at their backs. As the FWA fleet split their forces into two the Joiners did the same, with the bulk of the smaller ships engaging the advancing FWA Group A, Starfighters screened the main ships, giving space for the mighty front batteries of the Starhakws to unload upon the less advanced Alliance Ships.

As the majority of the fleet pushed forward deep into the Alliance front line, looking to cause havoc with their battleplan. The joiners did not care for the smaller vessels they could recruit them with ease, the Freedom however was a prize they could ill afford to lose. The Dreadnaught would plough forward, cutting through the lines and closing the space on the Interdictor it was the key to this battle, once it was gone The Freedom would jump out, leaving the rest of the fleet to die as all workers did.

Spoiler

Apologies all for some reason I completely missed this.

@SlagathorTheUnknown @Olwin @Sreeya

 

[The Storyteller]

Perhaps the 5th fleet had mistaken the Kuati Armada for allies, but the ships under Admiral Kalist's command weren't being targeted in favor of the Alliance fleet. This mistake was lethal, the focused fire of the Starhawk Valkyrian and the cruisers arranged with it having destroyed a second of the 5th Fleet's Starhawk battleships as they turned to face the incoming attack, along with several frigates and any fighters that happened to get in the way.

Now the 5th Fleet was turning to engage, its mightiest craft sluggish and taking fire until the smaller starships got into position to screen and soak up fire. Meanwhile, the Kuati Armada had solidified its own formation. Broadside cruisers were arranged toward the roar with Tapani cruisers forward and around them, swarms of starfighters engaging the enemy while missiles rained in long arcs from above. Raider corvettes did their job well, interpreted with the big cruisers and star destroyers, guns blasting down fighters while A-wing interceptors darted about doing the same.

Nebulon-D escort frigates guarded the many carriers against enemy frigates. Corona-class engaged more aggressively, swooping up from below to target where the 5th fleet's Nebulon-D had weaker armor and fewer guns while their hangar-carried fighters and bombers began guarded attack runs on vital systems, turrets, and bridges. Valkyrian and the Victory class remained at mid-range, brawling it out with massed turbolaser fire from their diagonal angle, the true tactical purpose of a Star Destroyer.

FWA's Group A charged forward to engage while group B stood back to guard the Interdictor, leaving a gap in the line. The enemy Bellator-class Freedom had taken advantage of this, trying to charge forward through Alliance frontline to get to the back. As it moved forward, the Starhawk Valkyrian and accompany Victory Star Destroyers rotated from their mid-range position to intercept.

"Don't allow that dreadnought through. Phalanx formation Beta, anchor it front and center. Broadsides, target bridge complex." Her bridge crew and those of the other craft scrambled to follow orders. While the Bellator-class was massive and heavily armed, the Starhawk could nearly match in firepower. More importantly, the Starhawk Battleship was armed with twenty heavy tractor beams, each individually capable of halting a 1.6-kilometer Imperial Star Destroyer with engines on full forward thrust.

Their formation closed in from the Freedom's starboard side to prevent it firing all guns toward them, Victory Star Destroyers arranged around the Valkyrian as cover. The Starhawk Valkyrian activated all twenty heavy tractor beams, the hum of power loud throughout the Kuati battleship. Abruptly the Bellator would be stopped in place, stuck between three hostile combat groups in its mad dash for freedom and unable to even turn.

"Full barrage." All at once, every single gun on the Kuati Starhawk and five Victory Star Destroyers would unload into the anchored Freedom's upper starboard side, focusing on the expansive bridge and command complex. A green wall of heavy turbolasers interwoven by blue heavy ion bolts suddenly filled empty space, crashing toward their flat-footed target, caught fast during its escape. Soaring in from above, an arc of 200 missiles fired from the Broadside cruisers would hail down in a deadly swarm.

@SlagathorTheUnknown @Olwin @Braden

Spoiler: Kuati Fleet

1x Starhawk-III Battleship
- CF9 Crossfire starfighters (x40)
- BTL-A4 Y-wing starbombers (x8)
- SR-3 Trace-class patrol skiffs (x12)
5x Victory-Class Star Destroyers
- CF9 Crossfire starfighters (x24 per ship)
5x Broadside-Class Cruisers
10x Tapani-class Carrier
- X-83 Twintail Starfighter (x40 per ship, 13 lost)
10x Corona-class Frigate
- X-83 Twintail Starfighter (x36 per ship)
- BTL-A4 Y-wing starbombers (x8)
10x EF77 Nebulon-D Frigate
- CF9 Crossfire starfighters (x28 per ship, 17 lost)
40x Raider Corvette
- RZ-2 A-wing interceptors (x4 per ship, 3 lost)

 

[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

"Senator! The 'Freedom' is charging Group B!" called a crewmember on the bridge of the Kashyyyk, as the 5th Fleet completed their turn and began rushing forward to engage Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl's FWA fleet. Indeed, the massive Bellator-Class dreadnought was charging ahead, heedless of the Kuati Fleet hammering it. The maneuver came as a surprise to the Wookiee, but not an unwelcome one; apparently, in their single-minded desire to escape, the Kilik hive mind lacked the knowledge to use their ships' strengths to the best effect, and he would gladly make them pay.

"Interdictor, fall back!" was the first command; at a glance, Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl knew that the prized ship couldn't outrun the Freedom without some help, but it could extend the chase. The all-important ship began its own turn to put as much space between it and the Freedom as possible, shields deflecting the first long-range shots aimed its way.

"And bring us forward!" ordered the Senator, accepting the 5th Fleet's challenge and knowing that a close-range engagement favored his ships, even though the cost would be high. With the bulk of the Starhawk's weaponry facing fore, maneuvering ships alongside the Starhawks would drastically reduce the amount of firepower the battleships could put out; a problem not shared to the same degree by the wedge-shaped ships of the FWA fleet. The MC35d frigates were also uniquely suited for close-range combat against swarming enemy ships; fitted with cluster bomb launchers, they would be lethal in close-quarters combat. The 5th Fleet's charge, however, would tie up most of FWA Group A, now fighting for their lives in a chaotic, pitched battle.

"Broadsides! Focus on the Freedom!" At the Senator's command, the half-dozen missile cruisers in the FWA fleet would begin expending their payload, dumping concussion missile after concussion missile in the direction of the 5th Fleet's flagship; FWA and New Republic working in tandem to attempt to cripple the mighty dreadnought. The lighter-armed support ships in Group B also began to add their firepower to the bombardment, while the Interceptors began strafing runs on the unescorted dreadnought. The aged Senator growled softly in awe to himself as he watched the Kuati fleet blasting away at the Freedom. "I've got to get me one of those Starhawks one day..." (@Sreeya)

Spoiler: Summary

Group A moves forward to engage the 5th Fleet at very close range, attempting to negate the Starhawk's forward-facing batteries
Broadsides launch missiles at the Freedom
Group B fires at the Freedom while the Interdictor begins to retreat

Spoiler: FWA Group A

Group A
1x Imperial-II Class Star Destroyer (the Kashyyyk, light damage)
4x Victory-Class Star Destroyers (2x medium damaged, 2x destroyed)
6x Broadside-Class Cruisers
12x Vigil-Class Frigates (8x destroyed)
16x MC35d Frigates (4x destroyed)
179x Owool-Class Heavy Interceptors (21 destroyed)
443x 'Stalwart' Class Starfighter (67 destroyed)
134x AFC-1 "Alliance Adder" Starfighters (16 destroyed)
252x Tau-7 Arrowhead Interceptors (48 destroyed)

Spoiler: FWA Group B

Group B
1x Interdictor-Class Star Destroyer (Light damage)
18x Quasar Fire-Class Frigate/Light Carriers (2 destroyed)
36x Lancer-Class Frigates (4 destroyed)
186x Tau-7 Arrowhead Interceptors (14 destroyed)

(OOC Note: @Braden do you want to handle NR ship casualties?)

 

[Jin Vaisra]

“Senator Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl, Admiral Kalist,” said a familiar voice on the open allied channel. “I hope I’m not too late.”

Standing aboard the bridge of his flagship, the Preserver, Jin surveyed the ruined planet and the ongoing battle laid out before him. He and his own fleet had arrived fashionably late to the party, and already he could see the Fifth Fleet outnumbered against the combined forces of the Kuati and Alliance ships. Never had Jin expected to find the Free Worlds armed with such a navy, but of course, they had been fighting against the Empire for years. They had prepared for this.

Fortunately, so had Jin.

“Battlecruisers!” he ordered over the encrypted channel shared between his fleet, “Set tractor beams to maximum power and assist Admiral Kalist in keeping that dreadnought away from the Alliance rear flagship!” The bridge buzzed with activity. Only thanks to Venka, his advisor and chief strategist, they had understood in moments of their arrival the direction in which the battle was heading, and how best to capitalize upon it. He was, essentially, piggy-backing on the Kuati strategy.

“I want all of our starfighters deployed immediately. Half guarding our battlecruisers advance, the other half on the dreadnought. I want that slab of metal disabled before it can jump into hyperspace.”

Venka stepped close by him and whispered over his shoulder, “Shouldn’t the focus be on destroying it, sir? Before it destroys the Interdictor-class destroyer?”

“The fuck?” Jin murmured in response, out of earshot of anyone else on the bridge. “We’re talking billions of credits worth of hardware here. If there’s a chance we can keep that dreadnought intact, I’m taking it.”

Venka slid back. Like usual, she didn't argue. Didn't debate.

His orders received, Jin watched as his fleet shifted into action, fighters readying for launch and turbolasers charging to maximum firepower. His three main battlecruisers began to close the distance between them and the Freedom, their shields active and respective tractor beams struggling to pull the dreadnought back from its mark. Soon enough, the battle would be theirs.

Spoiler: Fondorian Fleet

x1, EF90 Redemption-class medical frigate (the Preserver), set in the far rear.
x3, Starhawk III-class battleships, moving onto the dreadnought’s flank.
x10 Tapani-class carriers, shielding Jin’s flagship.
- x40 CF9 Crossfire starfighters from each ship, all deployed in the field.

 

[Yossk]

The Trandoshan leaned back in Powerslaves command seat, his claw lightly scratching his jawline. It seemed that his initial plans were... off. This Hive Mind was stupid, or at least not as intelligent as one Hive Mind would. It was caught off guard, which one would think impossible with all the minds under its spell? Apparently this was one advantage of individuality. Another was creativity, and Yossk was certainly a creative lizard. He had a plan that would be risky, and cost lives, but if the other commanders were smart they would capitalize on it well.

Yossk had orders set through, task force "Shield" that was set to defend the Interdictor began to reinforce and provide fire support to the larger fleet Aezz fielded. Those craft that had longer ranged weaponry stayed within long range, both turbolaser bolts and the occasional massive slug flew into the opposing ships. Torpedos would be launched, as many as could be pumped out as fast as they could, being thrown towards the swarms. They would all be first targeted to anti-fighter weaponry or major capital killer weaponry, while if they could not hit that they would aim for anything vital like sensors, weak points, and any critical structure. The fighters that were held back were mostly of a heavier kind, which would assist in firing straight into the hordes of fighters. Casualties were still felt, but Sheild group kept firm, with bombers and anything with a torpedo launcher being a big target for fighters.

Task force "Lance" was given a much simpler job: spear into the enemy ranks and destroy. Yossk himself was here in this field, the face of Powerslave scolding the enemy for even daring to challenge its might. Many of the larger vessels stood back to act as artillery, with heavy ion cannons and heavy turbolasers arcing across the battlefield. The Carracks stood in the back and circled like sharks, firing one sides battery angrily at the enemy before turning around and repeating the salvo as it crossed back again. The tip of the spear would instead be lighter craft for now supplemented by Correllian Gunships, Screw Frigates, and all led ny the Trenchant. Fighters formed a screen above and below the speartip before collapsing in right as they dove into combat, ready to assault enemy fighters that already had not engaged. To many of these opposing ships, the wedge came in at a horrible angle. They had bellies exposes, which were immidiently fired at by bombers and torpedos and missiles alike. This was then when the corrvettes entered as a quickly released second wave. They could not do much against the larger craft alone, so many worked together to assault the larger vessels. Even the Hammerhead Corvettes used smaller vessels as battering rams for more damage to much bigger ships.

The destroyed Fuel Haulers had not gone without a fight. Their crews pushed the engines forward as the escape pods launched. The fuel tanks were carefully filled prior to this mission, which atleast damaged any ship it hit if not outright destroying smaller craft. They went up in glorious fireballs, some near by ships feeling shockwaves due to the blast. The Sphyrna did a similar move, plowing a smaller craft into a larger one before being felled by the larger craft. Many destroyed craft did similar, if they could they would drop their crew (or as much as they could) and find the closest priority target and try to make a suicide play. They knew it was death one way or another, and they could be honored with one final glorious action.

Spoiler: Task Force "Lance"

1x MC30c Heavy Frigate/Cruiser (Lightly Damaged)
3x Cooha-class Frigates (1x Damaged)
3x DP-20 Correlian Gunships (1x Damaged, 1x Lightly Damaged)
3x Carrack-class Frigates (1x Lightly Damaged)
3x Y-30 Badger Armored Frigates (2x Lightly Damaged)
2x Veber Frigates (1x Lightly Damaged)
2x SC-32 Frigate (1x Damaged, 1x Lightly Damaged)
1x Star Galleon Frigate (Damaged)
1x Trenchant-class Command Frigate (Heavily Damaged)
1x Munifex-class Frigate (Lightly Damaged)
3x Nexu-class Corvettes (2x Destroyed, 1x Damaged, 1x Lightly Damaged)
4x Katarn-class Patrol Corvettes (2x Damaged)
2x Raider Corvettes (1x Damaged)
2x Adz-class Corvettes (1x Damaged)
2x Marauder Corvettes (2x Lightly Damaged)
1x CR-100c Corvette (1x Destroyed, 1x Damaged)
2x CR115 Corvettes (1x Damaged, 1x Lightly Damaged)
1x Sphyrna-class Corvettes (1x Destroyed, 1x Damaged)
1x MC-50a Star Corvette (Heavily Damaged)
1x Longfin Corvette (Damaged)
4x SS-54 Light Assault Gunships (4x Destroyed, 3x Damaged)
6x Invigilator-class Duraclads (3x Damaged)
3x Pursuer-class Enforcement Ships (3x Destroyed, 1x Damaged)
4x K-52 Strongarm Gunships (2x Damaged, 1x Lightly Damaged)
4x JumpMaster 5000s (1x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
3x Iota-class Attack Shuttles (1x Destroyed)
3x YV-560 Scout Freighters (1x Disabled, 1x Damaged)
10x V-4 Swingback Starbombers (2x Destroyed, 1x Disabled, 3x Damaged)
8x Freefall-class Starbombers (3x Damaged)
69x Z-95 Heathunters (3x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 2x Lightly Damaged)
70x Cutlass-9 Starfighters (2x Destroyed, 4x Heavily Damaged, 4x Damaged)
43x SX-18 Salamanders (3x Destroyed, 2x Disabled, 3x Damaged, 7x Lightly Damaged)
40x Hornet Interceptors (5x Destroyed, 3x Disabled, 3x Heavily Damaged, 6x Damaged)
35x V38 Assault Starfighters (1x Damaged, 2x Damaged, 5x Lightly Damaged)
30x AFC-1 Alliance Adders (4x Destroyed, 2x Disabled, 1x Heabily Damaged, 1x Lightly Damaged)
36x AA-110 Warpig Gunships (3x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
32x A-9 Vigilance Interceptors (4x Destroyed, 5 Damaged)
26x BTL-C1 Y-Wing Starbombers (6x Destroyed, 3x Heavily Damaged, 3x Damaged)
20x Preybird-class Starfighters (1x Destroyed, 3x Disabled, 4x Damaged)
21x CBB LX-6 Light Attack Ships (3x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 4x Damaged)
13x BSV-01 “Newt”-class Bakuran Interceptor (2x Destroyed, 1x Disabled, 3x Damaged)
10x C-Wings (6x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 2x Lightly Damaged)
16x XG-1 Starfighters (4x Damaged)
12x AFC-1X Alliance Super Cobras (1x Lightly Damaged)

Spoiler: Task Force"Shield"

2x Battle Hydra-class Cruisers (1x Damaged, 1x Lightlt Damaged)
1x Quasar-class Light Carrier
3x Lancer-class Frigates (1x Destroyed,
4x Vengeance-class Frigates (1x Lightly Damaged)
2x Nebulon-A Escort Frigates (2x Damaged)
1x Nebulon-B Frigate (Damaged)
1x CR 100b Corvettes (2x Destroyed, 1x Damaged)
6x VCX-820 Escort Freighters (2x Destroyed, 2x Damaged)
7x Skipray Blastboats (1x Destroyed, 3x Damaged)
5x TC-7 Fuel Haulers (3x Destroyed, 2x Damaged)
4x Outer Rim Gun Boat MK III's (2x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged, 1x Lightly Damaged)
3x VT-49 Decimators (1x Destroyed)
3x Vangaurd Gunships (1x Destroyed, 1x Lightly Damaged)
4x IPV-1 System Patrol Craft
3x Rasmus-Class Assault Ships (1x Destroyed, 1x Damaged)
3x ILH-KK Citadel-class Civilian Cruisers (2x Lightly Damaged)
2x Wayfarer Medium Transports (1x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged)
1x Starrunner-class Transport (1x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged)
2x YT-3000 Medium Freighters (1x Damaged, 1x Lightly Damaged)
1x YZ-775 Medium Freighter
1x Lancer Pursuit Craft (1x Lightly Damaged)
35x E-Wing Escort Fighters (1x Destroyed, 4x Heavily Damaged, 3x Damaged)
28x Cloakshape Fighters (8x Destroyed, 6x Heavily Damaged)
22x H-Wing Escort Fighters (2x Destroyed, 3x Damaged)
20x Razor Starfighters (4x Destroyed, 3x Damaged)
14x M12-L Kimogila Heavy Starfighter (2x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 1x Damaged)
9x K-wing Assault Starfighters (3x Destroyed, 2x Damaged, 3x Lightly Damaged)

@Braden @SlagathorTheUnknown @Sreeya

 

[The Storyteller]

The real reason the 5th Fleet had been able to do so much damage to the Free World Alliance worlds was not its size or overwhelming firepower. Yes the ‘Freedom’ was almost unmatched in the Galaxy but it was a single ship and could only do much. The real reason was the unexpected nature of its assaults. Now the element of surprise had been lost, the 5th was falling. The combined fleets of the Free World Alliance and New Republic was more than what the 5th could really handle.

As the screening vessels crashed against the Free World Alliance fleet, they would hammer into them with unflinching resolve. Yes they would die, but when they did it would be surrounded by carcasses of other ships. The Alliance Captains would be perplexed by the near suicidal manoveours charing into areas no living captain would take their ship.

In the meantime the ‘Freedom’ would continue to plough forward towards the Interdictor Star Destroyer. Battered from all sides, turbolasers, missiles and torpedoes crashed into its shields, slowly they began to buckle. But even so the thick armour of the ship would hold out a little longer as its multitude as it fired at everything within range, like the screening ships it would die here, but not until an untold number of ships and men fell with it.

@SlagathorTheUnknown @Olwin @Mr. Teatime

 

[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

FWA Group A

The bridge of the Kashyyyk shook as its shields and armor took hit after hit; in true kilik fashion, the 5th Fleet thought nothing of conservational tactics. The arrival of the Fondorian Fleet would go momentarily unnoticed amidst the chaos enveloping the main FWA fleet; the windows of the bridge darkening to counteract the brilliant explosions and streaking lasers. The Fuel Hauler's fiery sacrifice bought a momentary respite as Task Force "Lance" crashed into the smaller ships of the 5th Fleet, and Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl's nostrils flared in a rare sign of approval as he watched Yossk pilot his ship in a muderous arc through the kilik ships; the young Trandoshan's actions had helped his fleet significantly (@Olwin).

"Welcome, Fondorian Fleet, your assistance is greatly appreciated" was all the communication Jin would get in the moment as Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl's FWA fleet attempted to regroup and close ranks amidst the wreckage of hundreds of destroyed ships; given the frantic nature of Group A's current position in and amongst the Kilik fleet, the Wookiee hoped that Jin wouldn't take offense (@Song). Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl would say nothing of the growing resentment he felt about the Free World's Alliance being nothing but a sacrificial pawn for the likes of the Core Worlds, but at least they had committed to the fight.

Group A's maneuver to avoid the Starhawk's front-facing batteries had helped preserve their larger ships, but close-quarters combat with the suicidal kilik fleet had taken a vicious toll. However, thanks to the assistance of Task Force "Lance" and smaller elements of the Kuati fleet, the 5th Fleet had taken even heavier losses losses.

Only one of the 5th Fleet's Starhawks remained, its shields beginning to fail under a relentless barrage from the remaining FWA and New Republic ships. Once the last of the mighty ships was rendered inoperable, the FWA fleet would begin to mop up the remaining smaller ships in the 5th Fleet; a grim, but ultimately necessary task, since the whole fleet was suspected to be Joined.

Spoiler: FWA Group A

Group A
1x Imperial-II Class Star Destroyer (the Kashyyyk, medium damage)
3x Victory-Class Star Destroyers (1x heavy damage, 3x destroyed)
4x Broadside-Class Cruisers (2 destroyed)
7x Vigil-Class Frigates (13x destroyed)
13x MC35d Frigates (7x destroyed)
119x Owool-Class Heavy Interceptors (81 destroyed)
293x 'Stalwart' Class Starfighter (207 destroyed)
82x AFC-1 "Alliance Adder" Starfighters (68 destroyed)
179x Tau-7 Arrowhead Interceptors (121 destroyed)

Group B

The Interdictor yet lived, its rear shields beginning to fail but its chances of survival given new hope as the Kuati Starhawk began slowing down the pursuing Freedom with its tractor beams (@Mr. Teatime), and the Bellator-Class shifted its fire in order to enact maximum casualties elsewhere amongst Group B. Several of the lighter support ships in Group B paid a heavy price as a result, however the Interdictor would continue its retreat strategic repositioning until it was outside of the Freedom's range. The other ships of Group B, noticing the timely arrival of the Kuati and Fondorian fleets, would similarly disengage from the murderous fire both aimed at and originating from the dreadnought, sending a final few shots in the direction of the behemoth ship.

Spoiler: FWA Group B

Group B
1x Interdictor-Class Star Destroyer (Medium damage)
10x Quasar Fire-Class Frigate/Light Carriers (10 destroyed)
27x Lancer-Class Frigates (13 destroyed)
146x Tau-7 Arrowhead Interceptors (54 destroyed)

Spoiler: 5th Fleet (2 rounds of casualties)

1x Bellator-class Dreadnaught (the Freedom, medium damage)
1x Starhawk-III Class Battleships (3x destroyed, 1x medium damage)
7x Tapani-class Carriers (17x destroyed)
- 429x X-83 Twintail Starfighter (40 per ship, 531 destroyed)
11x Nebulon-D Escort Frigate (19 destroyed)
- 284 CF9 Crossfire Starfighter (36 per ship, 436 destroyed)

@Braden

 

[Yossk]

The Powerslave and her two sister ships arced like an arrowhead through the 5th Fleet. The Carracks were fast for their size, and they were ripping right through the corrupted ranks and ripping them a new one. Seventh Son of a Seventh Son was on his port and Iron Maiden was on his starboard, the trio at an angle so they could fire both sides over and under the other frigates in the formation to maximize firepower. Turbolasers, ion cannon balls, and laser cannon bolts were flung at the Killik line to shred them, and the Carracks ran by fast enough to classify the strikes as a drive by. The trio broke through the top of the line and entered fresh void, before going parallel to the fleet and simply firing down into it.

Yossk was receiving calls from across his fleet of captains ordering an abandon shop before launching the hulk of their ship towards the 5th Fleet. Some even simply parked their ship and let their reactors overload, causing glorious explosions that would absolutely shred craft that were near by. Some did both, causing critical damage all along the ships they hit. The Trenchant even flung itself at the Starhawk to see if they could blast a whole in its wide. The number of ships began to quickly be whittled down as they fought on aiming to take as many others as possible down before they too went under. The Hammerhead Corvete began to slam the Nebulon-Ds, breaking between two or three as it seemed the crew wanted to enter melee more than a shooting war. Even then it seemed the majority of the fleet was getting sloppy as the Hive Mind wanting nothing more than to put its biggest ship through the Interdictor.

"All units," the Trandoshan began as he leaned into his microphone, "converge on the Freedom. Rip this ship apart, and leave no pockets of potential life left. Breach every bulkhead, vent all the oxygen. Make them die and ruin their pride. The others... take any prize you can. I shall reward any captains who do so handsomely." The Trandoshan clicked the microphone off as the majority of his forces converged on the massive Dreadnaught. The Carracks flew in formation, turning to the side and charging their shields up on the same side as they fired everything they had into it. They transfered most power from the shields and all power of the weapons from the other side over to what was facing the body of the Freedom, getting every ounce of damage they could down into the hull.

The rest of those who approached the large vessel began to open up with everything they had, from the largest turbolaser through all the missiles and torpedos they had to the smallest laser cannon. A many even took shots at the engines, trying to find a sneaky weak point to take some of the forward momentum out from the Dreadnaught and stall it. Others aimed at weaponry, both anti-starfighter and anti-capital, to ensure the survival of all of the other ships in the assaulting force. Many suicide plays were launched on the much larger craft, with ships that even could still be salvaged and scrapped post battle deciding to take the plunge into weapon systems to atleast cripple them. To fight these animals one had to stoop to their level. And they were surprisingly effective considering they were using their own tactics against them.

Spoiler: Task Force"Lance"

1x MC30c Heavy Frigate/Cruiser (Damaged)
3x Cooha-class Frigates (2x Damaged)
3x DP-20 Correlian Gunships (1x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
3x Carrack-class Frigates (1x Damaged, 2x Lightly Damaged)
3x Y-30 Badger Armored Frigates (3x Lightly Damaged)
2x Veber Frigates (1x Heavily Damaged)
2x SC-32 Frigate (2x Damaged)
1x Star Galleon Frigate (Heavily Damaged)
0x Trenchant-class Command Frigate (Destroyed)
1x Munifex-class Frigate (Damaged)
2x Nexu-class Corvettes (3x Destroyed, 2x Damaged)
3x Katarn-class Patrol Corvettes (1x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 1x Damaged)
2x Raider Corvettes (2x Damaged)
2x Adz-class Corvettes (1x Damaged, 1x Lightly Damaged)
2x Marauder Corvettes (2x Damaged)
1x CR-100c Corvette (1x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged)
2x CR115 Corvettes (2x Damaged)
1x Sphyrna-class Corvettes (1x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged)
0x MC-50a Star Corvette (Destroyed)
1x Longfin Corvette (Damaged)
2x SS-54 Light Assault Gunships (6x Destroyed, 2x Heavily Damaged)
4x Invigilator-class Duraclads (2x Destroyed, 1x Damaged)
3x Pursuer-class Enforcement Ships (3x Destroyed, 3x Damaged)
3x K-52 Strongarm Gunships (1x Destroyed, 3x Damaged)
2x JumpMaster 5000s (2x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged)
2x Iota-class Attack Shuttles (2x Destroyed, 1x Damaged)
2x YV-560 Scout Freighters (1x Disabled, 2x Damaged)
7x V-4 Swingback Starbombers (4x Destroyed, 2x Disabled, 4x Damaged)
6x Freefall-class Starbombers (2x Destroyed, 3x Damaged)
64x Z-95 Heathunters (8x Destroyed, 3x Heavily Damaged, 5x Damaged)
60x Cutlass-9 Starfighters (8x Destroyed, 4x Disabled, 3x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged, 2x Light Damage)
40x SX-18 Salamanders (5x Destroyed, 3x Disabled, 9x Damaged, 2x Lightly Damaged)
36x Hornet Interceptors (6x Destroyed, 6x Disabled, 1x Heavily Damaged, 8x Damaged)
32x V38 Assault Starfighters (3x Damaged, 3x Disabled, 3x Heavily Damaged, 3x Damaged, 2x Lightly Damaged)
29x AFC-1 Alliance Adders (4x Destroyed, 3x Disabled, 4x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
34x AA-110 Warpig Gunships (2x Deatroyed, 4x Heavily Damaged, 6x Damaged)
30x A-9 Vigilance Interceptors (6x Destroyed, 5x Damaged)
20x BTL-C1 Y-Wing Starbombers (7x Destroyed, 5x Disabled, 4x Heavily Damaged, 7x Damaged)
17x Preybird-class Starfighters (2x Destroyed, 5x Disabled, 2x Heavily Damaged, 1x Damaged)
20x CBB LX-6 Light Attack Ships (4x Destroyed, 2x Heavily Damaged, 6x Damaged)
11x BSV-01 “Newt”-class Bakuran Interceptor (4x Destroyed, 1x Disabled, 5x Damaged, 2x Lightly Damaged)
7x C-Wings (9x Destroyed, 3x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
13x XG-1 Starfighters (2x Destroyed 1x Disabled, 5x Damaged)
11x AFC-1X Alliance Super Cobras (1x Destroyed, 5x Damaged)

Spoiler: Task Force "Shield"

2x Battle Hydra-class Cruisers (2x Damaged)
1x Quasar-class Light Carrier (Samaged)
2x Lancer-class Frigates (2x Destroyed, 1x Damaged)
4x Vengeance-class Frigates (1x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
2x Nebulon-A Escort Frigates (1x Heavily Damaged, 1xDamaged)
1x Nebulon-B Frigate (Damaged)
1x CR 100b Corvettes (2x Destroyed, 1x Heabily Damaged)
5x VCX-820 Escort Freighters (3x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
5x Skipray Blastboats (3x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 1x Damaged)
4x TC-7 Fuel Haulers (4x Destroyed, 2x Damaged)
3x Outer Rim Gun Boat MK III's (2x Destroyed, 1x Disabled, 1x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
2x VT-49 Decimators (2x Destroyed, 1x Damaged)
3x Vangaurd Gunships (1x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
4x IPV-1 System Patrol Craft (3x Damaged)
3x Rasmus-Class Assault Ships (1x Destroyed, 3x Damaged)
3x ILH-KK Citadel-class Civilian Cruisers (2x Damaged, 1x Lightly Damaged)
1x Wayfarer Medium Transports (2x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged)
0x Starrunner-class Transport (2x Destroye)
1x YT-3000 Medium Freighters (1x Destroyed, 1x Damaged)
1x YZ-775 Medium Freighter (Damaged)
1x Lancer Pursuit Craft (Heavily Damaged)
30x E-Wing Escort Fighters (4x Destroyed, 2x Disabled, 2x Heavily Damaged, 6x Damaged)
20x Cloakshape Fighters (16x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 7x Damaged)
19x H-Wing Escort Fighters (4x Destroyed, 1x Disabled, 2x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
16x Razor Starfighters (8x Destroyed, 5x Damaged)
13x M12-L Kimogila Heavy Starfighter (3x Destroyed, 3x Damaged, 1x Lightly Damaged)
6x K-wing Assault Starfighters (5x Destroyed, 1x Disabled, 4x Damaged, 1x Lightly Damaged)

@SlagathorTheUnknown @Braden @Mr. Teatime

 

[The Storyteller]

Kuati Armada - Admiral Kalist​

"Assault front, scatter Alpha Three, spiral." Taking damage from suicidal joiner vessels, the various frigates and corvettes engaging the bulk of the 5th fleet would spread their formation out along the way, beginning a spiral formation that was difficult to infiltrate with a simple suicidal charge. Encircling the enemy craft from all angles, they wouldn't be able to fire all guns at once, but instead, continuously broadside the 5th fleet ships with less risk to themselves.

Meanwhile, the Freedom was firing wildly at every ship in range; a mistake. Its massive size gave it limited firing angles if it wasn't directly facing a target. Unfocused fire crashed into the Kuati Victory-class ships shielding the Starhawk, shaking shields and straining systems designed during the Galactic Civil War. "Phalanx cycle," the Admiral ordered, the two victory class in front taking the brunt of fire slowing their advance to be overtaken by those behind.

No one could maneuver Kuat ships like a Kuati admiral, and Victoria Kalist was determined to show her skill here and now. Even as cannons and missiles struck shields and shook metal, she gave her orders with calm confidence. "Prepare bait-hook maneuver, three-second interval." "Ready admiral!" "Fondor vessels, follow my lead. Disengage and reengage tractor beams to match Valkyrian." She sent to the Fondor ships. @Song

An impact struck the Starhawk, shield bleedthrough shorting a system that rocked Victoria in her chair and fried a nearby console, sparks flying. She scowled. "Reroute power. Trigger maneuver." Abruptly, the 20 tractor beams stopped their hold on the Freedom, its engines at full blast suddenly jerking it forward. Unfortunately, the Bellator-class was old, with inertial compensators to match.

Three seconds later, the 20 tractor beams locked onto it again to stop it in place. The abrupt stop-start would strain the inertial dampeners and send crew flying in turrets and the bridge itself, throwing them off balance or even killing them if they were especially unlucky. "Tractor capacitors gettin' real hot, Admiral!" "Hold it to the redline and then some, Lieutenant. Fire all!"

Another barrage of missiles and cannonfire would slam toward the Freedom, bomber squadrons making a run for the bridge directly this time.

@Braden @Song @SlagathorTheUnknown @Olwin

 

[Jin Vaisra]

Jin observed the battle with a cold, mechanical stare. Despite years of tutoring in the royal palace on Fondor, strategy was not his strongest suit, and if anything, he excelled far better in close combat than whatever this nonsense he was seeing through the viewport windows. But he was no fool. He saw the suicidal, frenzied way in which the Fifth Fleet threw themselves at their ships. Already, they were seeing casualties. Starfighters blinking off their tracking systems.

Fortunately, the rest of his fleet stayed relatively safe.

Outside of some depleted shields, the three Starhawk battlecruisers he’d positioned at the Freedom’s flank were able to tank its attacks. The dreadnought was desperate, firing erratically and without focus, and that made it vulnerable. It made it weak. Although Jin had only just started, he was ready to finish this battle. Perhaps he’d even make it home for dinner. What was tonight’s main course? Pheasant?

He folded his arms. Stress didn’t get to hi, and there wasn’t anymore thinking required on his end. The moment he’d received Admiral Kalist’s request, Jin immediately gave his approval, and the Battlecruisers he’d engaged against the dreadnought answered her orders. Tractor beams matched to the Valkyrian, it tripled the impact of her maneuver, making it all the more effective. At least, so the senator hoped.

All that was needed now was an extra nudge.

Jin smiled and waved his hand. “Fire everything.” And with that, every currently loaded missile and max-charged turbolaser unleashed into the Freedom’s engines.

@Braden

 

[The Storyteller]

Many cultures strived for glorious death in battle, be it face to face with bladed weapons and fists, or even in a blaster battle or starship duel. These cultures would love the brave defiance the 5th fleet showed the massed forces against them, completely outnumbered, even outgunned now, they continued to fight on, taking two or three for every life they lost.

However as every joined life slipped away, it was met with silence, no valiant battle cry, or scream of defiance, not even a panicked skrill as death met them. Just silence. Pieces of the ‘Freedom’ were ripped from her hull leaving gaping wounds in the beast, as it tried desperately to limp free from the combined fleets might.

But it would not succeed, the ‘Freedom’ clawed tooth and nail for every soul it took with it, until finally all fell silent. Every turbolaser, ion cannon and missile tube falling silent, then in one mighty explosion, the reactor detonated, a colossal expulsion of energy erupted from the centre of the ‘Freedom’ sending pieces of the goliath flying in every direction, the debris causing almost as much damage as the weapons before.

With the ‘Freedom’ destroyed only a few small ships and fighters remained of the 5th Fleet, the allied forces had won.

 

[Yossk]

The Powerslave, the Iron Maiden, and the Seventh Son of a Seventh Son Commenced their bombardment of the Freedom with vigor. All of their batteries were going live that could touch the massive behemoth below them, doing essentially a drive by on the surface below. Guns and hull alike were shattered by the bombardment of close ranged heavy turbolaser fire. They flew on past with minimal damage, thanks in no small part to Yossk's own foresight for the flight plan, as they swooped past the ship and righted themselves. The formation began to turn back towards the large ship and the two side ships got back into bombardment position, the Powerslave not rotating. It was obvious though what the craft was going to do: it was aimed directly at the bridge.

The fire was as ferocious as the first pass, annihilating whatever their guns were pointed towards. The two sisters broke to their respective sides, angling down the hull's shape, as the Powerslave slid right beside the bridge and opened all of its guns. Medium lasers, ion cannons, heavy turbolasers, all of them were thrown towards the bridge. The transperisteel was shattered, the crew vented, the structure erupting. The craft under Yossk's control slammed into the engines and other weak parts, right up until the craft began to erupt, in which all of them began to scatter before the behemoth exploded. The Powerslave ripped right on by after her gun run, Yossk grinning wide as he leaned back into his seat.

"Councilor Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl, I have successfully dealt the killing blow to the Freedom. I shall claim my prizes now." He was proud and hungry, his voice oozing with the thirst to continue. The Trandoshan fleet and its allies then turned to the Starhawk and one of the Tapani carriers, those with ion cannons or warhead tubes switching to ion warheads and trying to just pummel these craft into submission. Yossk has previously marked them for capture, he wanted a prize. And after the Freedom was felled... well that just lit a fire in their hearts and launched them to grab these two massive craft.

Spoiler: Task Force"Lance"

1x MC30c Heavy Frigate/Cruiser (Damaged)
3x Cooha-class Frigates (2x Damaged)
2x DP-20 Correlian Gunships (1x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
3x Carrack-class Frigates (3x Damaged)
3x Y-30 Badger Armored Frigates (2x Damaged, 1x Lightly Damaged)
1x Veber Frigates (1x Destroyed, 1x Damaged)
2x SC-32 Frigate (2x Damaged)
1x Star Galleon Frigate (Heavily Damaged)
0x Trenchant-class Command Frigate (Destroyed)
1x Munifex-class Frigate (Damaged)
2x Nexu-class Corvettes (3x Destroyed, 2x Damaged)
2x Katarn-class Patrol Corvettes (2x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 1x Damaged)
2x Raider Corvettes (2x Damaged)
2x Adz-class Corvettes (1x Damaged, 1x Lightly Damaged)
1x Marauder Corvettes (1x Destroyed, 1x Damaged)
0x CR-100c Corvette (2x Destroyed)
2x CR115 Corvettes (1x Heavily Damaged, 1x Damaged)
0x Sphyrna-class Corvettes (2x Destroyed)
0x MC-50a Star Corvette (Destroyed)
1x Longfin Corvette (Heavily Damaged)
0x SS-54 Light Assault Gunships (8x Destroyed)
4x Invigilator-class Duraclads (2x Destroyed, 1x Damaged)
3x Pursuer-class Enforcement Ships (3x Destroyed, 3x Damaged)
3x K-52 Strongarm Gunships (1x Destroyed, 2x Heavily Damaged, 1x Damaged)
1x JumpMaster 5000s (3x Destroyed, 1x Damaged)
2x Iota-class Attack Shuttles (2x Destroyed, 1x Damaged)
2x YV-560 Scout Freighters (1x Disabled, 2x Damaged)
7x V-4 Swingback Starbombers (4x Destroyed, 2x Disabled, 6x Damaged)
6x Freefall-class Starbombers (2x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 3x Damaged, 2x Lightly Damaged)
58x Z-95 Heathunters (14x Destroyed, 13x Heavily Damaged, 25x Damaged, 11x Lightly Damaged)
56x Cutlass-9 Starfighters (12x Destroyed, 4x Disabled, 7x Heavily Damaged, 24x Damaged, 10x Light Damage)
40x SX-18 Salamanders (5x Destroyed, 3x Disabled, 9x Heavily Damaged, 19x Damaged, 12x Lightly Damaged)
34x Hornet Interceptors (8x Destroyed, 6x Disabled, 7x Heavily Damaged, 12x Damaged, 10x Lightly Damaged)
30x V38 Assault Starfighters (5x Damaged, 3x Disabled, 5x Heavily Damaged, 10x Damaged, 7x Lightly Damaged)
25x AFC-1 Alliance Adders (8x Destroyed, 3x Disabled, 2x Heavily Damaged, 15x Damaged)
30x AA-110 Warpig Gunships (6x Destroyed, 3x Heavily Damaged, 12x Damaged, 10 Lightly Damaged)
30x A-9 Vigilance Interceptors (6x Destroyed, 3x Heavily Damaged, 5x Damaged)
16x BTL-C1 Y-Wing Starbombers (11x Destroyed, 5x Disabled, 2x Heavily Damaged, 9x Damaged)
15x Preybird-class Starfighters (4x Destroyed, 5x Disabled, 4x Heavily Damaged, 7x Damaged)
18x CBB LX-6 Light Attack Ships (6x Destroyed, 3x Heavily Damaged, 9x Damaged)
11x BSV-01 “Newt”-class Bakuran Interceptor (4x Destroyed, 1x Disabled, 6x Damaged, 5x Lightly Damaged)
4x C-Wings (12x Destroyed, 2x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
13x XG-1 Starfighters (2x Destroyed 1x Disabled, 7x Damaged)
10x AFC-1X Alliance Super Cobras (2x Destroyed, 2x Heavily Damaged, 5x Damaged)

Spoiler: Task Force "Shield"

2x Battle Hydra-class Cruisers (1x Heavily Damaged, 1x Damaged)
1x Quasar-class Light Carrier (Damaged)
2x Lancer-class Frigates (2x Destroyed, 2x Damaged)
3x Vengeance-class Frigates (1x Destroyed, 3x Damaged)
1x Nebulon-A Escort Frigates (1x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged)
1x Nebulon-B Frigate (Damaged)
0x CR 100b Corvettes (3x Destroyed)
5x VCX-820 Escort Freighters (3x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
4x Skipray Blastboats (4x Destroyed, 1x Damaged)
4x TC-7 Fuel Haulers (4x Destroyed, 2x Heavily Damaged)
3x Outer Rim Gun Boat MK III's (3x Destroyed, 1x Disabled, 1x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
2x VT-49 Decimators (2x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 1x Lightly Damaged)
2x Vangaurd Gunships (2x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
3x IPV-1 System Patrol Craft (1x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
3x Rasmus-Class Assault Ships (1x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged, 1x Damaged)
3x ILH-KK Citadel-class Civilian Cruisers (1x Heavily Damaged, 2x Damaged)
0x Wayfarer Medium Transports (3x Destroyed)
0x Starrunner-class Transport (2x Destroyed)
1x YT-3000 Medium Freighters (1x Destroyed, 1x Heavily Damaged)
1x YZ-775 Medium Freighter (Damaged)
0x Lancer Pursuit Craft (Destroyed)
27x E-Wing Escort Fighters (6x Destroyed, 2x Disabled, 8x Heavily Damaged, 10x Damaged, 6x Lightly Damaged)
18x Cloakshape Fighters (18x Destroyed, 3x Heavily Damaged, 11x Damaged)
16x H-Wing Escort Fighters (7x Destroyed, 1x Disabled, 3x Heavily Damaged, 3x Damaged)
15x Razor Starfighters (9x Destroyed, 5x Damaged)
11x M12-L Kimogila Heavy Starfighter (5x Destroyed, 4x Damaged, 5x Lightly Damaged)
6x K-wing Assault Starfighters (5x Destroyed, 1x Disabled, 2x Heavily Damaged, 3x Damaged, 1x Lightly Damaged)

@Braden @SlagathorTheUnknown @Song @Mr. Teatime

 

[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

Even after the Freedom stopped returning fire, Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl couldn't breathe a sigh of relief until the last of the 5th Fleet's indicators went dark. The dangerous task of mopping up and completely eradicating the Joined fleet was not a task he rejoiced in; they once had been independent citizens of the New Republic, and the Wookiee took no joy in their deaths.

Even after meeting the Kiliks twice in battle, their goals were no clearer to him. They seemed to be agents of chaos; spreading discord, distrust, and fear everywhere they went. Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl had expected more from a collective hive mind, but perhaps he should be grateful that the Kiliks had not shown themselves to be particularly patient; mercifully, not all of the New Republic's fleets were Joined.

"I cannot thank you enough, Admiral Kalist, Senator Vaisra" the Wookiee said, opening a channel with the commanding officers of the New Republic's fleets. "Your actions- not those of Xerxes and the 5th Fleet- are representative of the New Republic." He didn't have to say that their assistance here today, combined with the Senate's prompt removal of Xerxes from his post as Supreme Chancellor, had likely averted a war between the FWA and the NR. A war we wouldn't have won anyways... The losses today alone were staggering. "Has the former Supreme Chancellor been apprehended, yet?" (@Song @Mr. Teatime)

Then, to address the impudent- but effective- Trandoshan who had threatened earlier to kill him if things went south. "Be advised that there will be Joined survivors aboard those ships" the Wookiee said, knowing there was nothing to be done about a Trandoshan's love of trophies, but anxious to avoid a repeat of this very scenario. "Proceed with the utmost caution." (@Olwin) Unlike AMS, there was no known vaccine or protection from the Kilik hive mind, and Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl added another thing to his to-do list; check up on the research being done into the strange substance salvaged from the kiliks' cups on Ruusan.

Following the destruction or disabling of the last of the 5th Fleet, several of the surviving ships in the FWA fleet would be dispatched to the surface Commenor, to aid in the evacuation of its peoples. Although the damage had already been done, Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl knew from experience that the hours following catastrophes like this one were crucial to preventing further loss of life.

Spoiler: FWA Group A

Group A
1x Imperial-II Class Star Destroyer (the Kashyyyk, medium damage)
2x Victory-Class Star Destroyers (4x destroyed)
3x Broadside-Class Cruisers (3 destroyed)
6x Vigil-Class Frigates (14x destroyed)
12x MC35d Frigates (8x destroyed)
99x Owool-Class Heavy Interceptors (101 destroyed)
257x 'Stalwart' Class Starfighter (243 destroyed)
78x AFC-1 "Alliance Adder" Starfighters (72 destroyed)
159x Tau-7 Arrowhead Interceptors (141 destroyed)

Spoiler: FWA Group B

Group B
1x Interdictor-Class Star Destroyer (Medium damage)
10x Quasar Fire-Class Frigate/Light Carriers (10 destroyed)
27x Lancer-Class Frigates (13 destroyed)
135x Tau-7 Arrowhead Interceptors (65 destroyed)

@Braden

 

[Jin Vaisra]

In a brilliant flash of light, Jin watched in surprise as the Freedom detonated, sending shrapnel and chunks of metal across the battlefield. His battlecruisers, if only in part to the lack of damage they’d sustained during the attack, were able to tank much of the debris, although his own flagship rattled against the following shockwave, even at its distance. Silence fell across the bridge. For the longest moment, it seemed like the world had gone still, and all Jin could hear was the beating of his own heart.

The bridge erupted into celebration. The Freedom, a nightmare of city-sized proportions, had finally mets end. The battle was over.

Jin crossed his arms over his chest. Anyone else would’ve thought he was brooding over casualties, like most admirals did in the aftermath of a battle, but Venka would be able to see his disappointment as plain as night. A Republic dreadnought in ashes. What a complete and utter waste.

He released a sigh and shrugged off his irritation. The Senator of Kashyyyk was being patched through, so he put on his best imitation of a smile, proud and triumphant. “The honor is all yours, Senator Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl. Fondor was merely a single instrument in what you’ve orchestrated here today. I only wish I may have come sooner, to have prevented further losses.”

His eyes glanced over to the devastation unleashed upon Commenor. His own ships, medical frigates spilling in from Fondor, were already arriving in speed now that the battle had finished, ferrying supplies and rescue crews to the surface. It was the least Jin could do, after everything that occurred.

“Under the command of Senator Drast, Coruscant military forces have the former Chancellor surrounded at his office. From what I understand, he should apprehended shortly.”

@SlagathorTheUnknown