POV Rio
After leaving the last stage, I reappeared on in my ship in space. I checked my navicomputer and could tell I was close to the meeting but not too close.
'I can deploy the fleet here, and they won't detect us.'
We were placed in an area that technically had no known hyperlanes that led there. So it was the perfect place as we didn't use hyperlanes. The first ship to be placed was the Aura's Revenge. After that, I released the rest of the fleet, and they immediately went into stealth mode as was the prebriefed plan. The leaders of the respective ships reported in, and we started the plan. We made sure everything was in place, and then I got back in my Arwing and joined the rest of the starfighters. Our next destination was the Kliipar System.
Rio: "Tex, start the operation and send us the signal when you want us to enter the system."
Tex: "Yes, sir."
The plan was for Kreia and Mace Windu to set up Battle Meditation before we uploaded the virus. Then, we will wait for 5 minutes before entering the system with our fighters and draw the surviving enemy fighters. With this strategy, we should have fewer fighters to deal with and cause even more chaos among the enemy. With enough Luck, strategy, and timing, we should be able to win this battle without losing any capital ships.
'Let's hope this works.'
2 Hours Later...
POV Thrawn
Trench: "What is the status of the boarding parties?"
Thrawn: "We have captured 4 Victory-2 Class Star Destroyers. No causlities. One SSD is currently moderately damaged. The boarding parties have landed on both of the target SSDs. You are clear to start the bomber launches."
Trench: "Perfect. I will be waiting to see the enemy numbers get reduced more."
The call ends, and I look to my adjutant.
Thrawn: "Are the Victories payloads intact?"
Victor: "Yes, Admiral. They will reach their target in 2 minutes."
Thrawn: "Good."
I look over the battlefield. The Virus worked perfectly. There were 12000 Imperial-2s, and they destroyed the space station with all the high-ranking members as well as the remaining ships. Or at least most of them. The surviving ships didn't stop firing due to them being under Windu and Kreia's influence. The SSDs stayed out of the battle except for one. The one that fought was damaged and is now our target.
'It is astonishing that just a virus could lead to the annihilation of an entire fleet. I am more certain than ever that accepting the summoning contract was the right call. Rio has proven that he is a capable leader. How would I fight against such a tactic? Could I?'
I leave my thoughts behind as I see a massive explosion in the distance. Followed by 4 more massive explosions.
Victor: "BTLBs have completed the bombing, and both targets are gone. The Victories were destroyed, but they dealt with their target. Lastly, the Kamikazes were successful in erasing their target. The ships lost their bridges and collided with each other."
Thrawn: "Tell the third bomber group to begin their attack. Then, put all ships on red alert. Combat will start in exactly 12 minutes."
Victor: "Yes, Admiral!"
I double-checked the data to make sure that everything was on time. The Subjugator was in place and prepared to disable the left SSD. We would attack the other using our ships. The attack would start with a shot from the modified Forward Unto Dawn. It was redesigned completely to become a massive mobile MAC. Its firepower should cause high damage, but once it was used, it was to retreat as we couldn't risk losing it as it was crucial for future battles. I look at the time.
Thrawn: "It is time begin the operation."
The Subjugator decloaked and fired its Ion Cannon. The attack disables the left SSD, and in the next second, a brief flash of light is seen before a massive explosion occurs.
Victor: "The right target has lost its shield. However, it has only suffered minor damage."
Thrawn: "Full power to the batteries. Disable its engines. Then, tear it apart."
Victor: "Yes, Admiral!"
The fleet opens fire, and flashes of green, red, and blue energy bolts impact the SSD. The ship takes the hits well. But I see that the other SSD has been completely disabled. The last SSD being swarmed by the third bomber group was listing, and the scanners indicated its reactor was hit. Not even a few seconds later, the ships exploded in a massive fireball. Then a massive Ion Ring came from the left and hit our target.
Victor: "The target's engines are disabled."
Thrawn: "Continue bombardment. Leave no survivors."
I noticed that the ships that were destroyed had left no debris behind.
'It seems Rio was correct. There will be no trace left behind of what happened here. It seems we will use plan A.'
I move on to reading the reports about our losses so far. We had suffered a fairly large loss in starfighters, but that was to be expected. Even with superior technology, we still weren't so advanced that we could ignore all of the enemy ships. We were also suffering heavy losses on the boarded SSDs.
'They are only undead, so I suppose we can ignore those losses.'
Victor: "Sir, we just got word from Boarding Group Alpha. They have successfully captured the engine room. They will soon capture the Hyperdrive room as well. Boarding Group Bravo is currently in progress in capturing the engine room on their ship."
Thrawn: "Losses?"
Victor: "Alpha reports 3 injuries and no causulaties. Bravo has no injuries or causilities."
So Bravo is being more cautious. I believe General Kenobi is in charge of that group.'
Thrawn: "Very well. How long will it take for us to finish off our target?"
Victor: "It is tough to say, sir. The ship's sheer mass absorbs much of our damage, and the Subjugator is focused on their target and can only provide Ion Cannon support. But if I had to give an estimate. Likely another 10 minutes. Possibly more."
I looked over our assets and tried to see if there was anything we could use to gain an advantage. Then I saw something.
Thrawn: "Have the Arquintens launch the 15 EX-12 Missiles they have at our target. Target point 67."
Victor: "Are you sure, sir? Those weapons are old experimental models. They might not even cause damage to the ship."
Thrawn: "Give the order."
Victor: "Yes, sir."
A few moments later, 15 missiles are launched, and once they impact the ship, nothing happens for a few seconds, but then a massive energy reading is detected. A mere moment later, a blinding light is observed. It was so bright that I had to shield my eyes. Once it faded, the SSD was no longer there.
Thrawn: "Status report."
Victor: "The target is confirmed eliminated. No damage reported to our ships."
Thrawn: "Cycle our weapons, then target the remaining SSD."
Victor: "Yes, sir."
It didn't take long for us to finish off the remaining SSD. Once it was dealt with, we recieved the news that Boarding Groups Alpha and Bravo had captured the 3 main targets of the ships. With control of the ships, the SSDs were piloted away from the battlefield. Once they were out of the way, I moved our ships in to support the remaining starfighters.
POV Trench
I read the reports of what we destroyed and our losses.
'We lost a lot of starfighters.'
We were reduced to only 28 X-Wings, 49 N-1, 5 Hyenas, and 67 Trifighters.
'At least we didn't lose a single Y-Wing. However, the losses are still significant.'
We also didn't lose a single ship larger than a starfighter. We captured 2 relatively intact SSDs. And the losses we suffered among our undead fodder were not that severe. Admittedly, a large part of our success was thanks to Battle Meditation.
'I can see why that skill was considered so powerful during every war in this galaxy. It can turn a certain defeat into a resounding victory. A shame the CIS couldn't see much use in such a skill.'
Several of the surviving ships needed repairs, and the SSDs were placed into Rio's inventory. Our next operation would be soon. Our target was Byss.
'Without Kreia, we may struggle to win the battle so easily. But thankfully, Palpatine is a very paranoid man and as such has only a small force garrisoning the system.'
We were given some time to rest before we attacked Byss. We had to be quick to make sure Palpatine didn't have much time to respond. While Palpatine is distracted by the vanishing of the Grand Strategy Conference, he would not be looking towards Byss. I rub my eyes and realize that I am tired from coordinating so many things.
'I should get some rest so I am ready for our upcoming operation. Heh, at least I will get to make the Republic remember the fearsome Admiral Trench. Or I guess the Empire now.'
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Authors Note:
The next chapter will be about Palpatine and the Empire's response to the problems Rio will be causing. Until next time Ciao.