The Hex Wing Series Chapter Seven

 

“Grand Admiral, message from the other Star Destroyer.”

“Put it through.” Karktiss turned away from Ria Tarmak to face the holo projector and gasped as the shimmering blue image of a man bearing the rank bars of a Moff appeared before him. “Moff J’ar Dokast! I thought you were dead!” He bowed his head in deference and kept his gaze low as he waited for Moff Dokasts’ answer.

“I hear you have granted yourself the title of Grand Admiral Karktiss? No, as you can see I am not dead. After the battle of Endor I took command of the ISD Specter in order to put in to action the Emperors final plans. Plans to maintain the order of the Empire in the event of his demise. I have not received favourable reports of your conduct so far Karktiss, it seems you have wasted considerable resources all in order to preserve your own neck.”

“Not true Moff Dokast!” cried Karktiss, looking up to the Moffs holo image. “I have been trying to regroup with other Imperial forces but we have been hounded by these rebel scum at every point!”

“Do you agree with the Grand Admiral, Ria Tamak?”

The Commander of the Royal Guard brought himself smartly to attention at the Moffs address, then glanced sideways at Karktiss before replying. “My Lord, it is true that when we responded to the Grand Admirals request for help the Retaliator was under attack by Rebel forces and had suffered heavy damage but..” he paused and looked to Karktiss again, “In that engagement he lost two frigates and a number of TIE’s and his own crew mutinied against him.”

“Traitors my Lord!” cried Karktiss, “Clearly in league with the rebels! There was nothing I could do!”

“And what of the battle here Ria Tamak?”

“The Grand Admiral left the shipyards without support from the Advocate, a boarding shuttle was sent along with some TIE fighters but once it was clear the Retaliator was hostile there was no engagement from our Star Destroyer.”

“So Karktiss, you once again sat back and allowed others to perish in your name? The Emperor and Lord Vader would have been very disappointed in you, just as I am.”

“Moff Dokast, please let me prove myself!” begged Karktiss, dropping to his knees and clasping his hands together.

“New contacts! Rebel MC75 and two Nebulon B frigates have entered the system my Lord”

“Thank you Lieutenant. Stand up Karktiss, a Grand Admiral does not beg, further evidence that you have not earned that rank. You are reduced to the rank of Admiral. Now, Ria Tamak as Commander of the Royal Guard you are sworn to serve the Empire even in the absence of Emperor Palpatine are you not?”

“Yes Moff Dokast!”

“Good. You will follow all Admiral Karktiss’ orders in this battle. Two Light Cruisers will be joining you shortly to assist in the battle. I am withdrawing the Specter Karktiss, do not disappoint me.”

“I won’t Moff Dokast, thank you!” Karktiss bowed his head once and the Moffs holo projector shut off.

“Sir, two Imperial light cruisers have jumped in and are making headway towards us.”

“What about the Specter?”

“She’s turning Sir, looks like the Moff is indeed leaving the system.”

“Well then Ria Tamak,” Karktiss turned to face the Imperial officer, “looks like I am still in command.”

“For now Admiral. For now.”

 

“Sticks, this is the Defiance, taking position now. We’ll be in firing range in 90 seconds.”

“Copy that EvilGrin, so we get Nebulons huh?”

“Yeah, Cosmics idea.”

“Hey fellas, didn’t expect me to sit this one out did you?” Cosmics voice cut across the comm channel. He had taken command of one of the Nebulon B frigates, both now taking a position on each side of the MC75 cruiser and moving ahead of it. Their job would be to intercept any ordnance fired towards the Defiance and provide some forward laser power.

“More Imperial ships, two Arquitens class cruisers guys.” EvilGrin cut in from the Defiances command bridge, with better sensors he would try to keep everyone appraised of any changes to the planned engagement.

“Well this just got a whole lot more interesting.” Angel cut in.

“Looks like one of the Star Destroyers is leaving...” EvilGrin sounded a little confused, it wasn’t like the Empire to give up the numerical advantage.

“Is it Karktiss?” demanded Angel.

“No the Specter.”

“Good. Last time I tangled with the Specter we didn’t fare so well.” Added Cosmic.

“Alright everyone, so it’s a slight tweak but nothing we can’t handle. Let’s form up. Remnant on me, we’ll take on the left Arquitens, Gamma and Green take on the right.”

“Imperial fighters regrouping at the Advocate and more being launched.” EvilGrin updated the group from the Defiance. “Blue and Grey Squadrons, you are cleared to engage.”

“Blue, Grey, can you handle fighter duty?” asked Sticks.

“You got it.” Answered Mitharan, already clearing the Defiance’s hangar bay.

“Right behind you Blue!” added Sharper.

“Lets do it folks. This should help.” Angel opened a clear channel and piped through her personal music playlist, everyone on the fleet was suddenly deafened by agonising screeching and banging.

“What the hell is that! Make it stop!” Begged Ari

“Gamorrean Opera, you don’t like? Guess it’s an acquired taste.” Giggled Angel

“It’s ok not to share Angel,” added Sticks, “Alright everyone…”

“Shoot shit, don’t die.” Chorused back the Alliance fleet.

 

“Match the Rebels formation,” ordered Karktiss on the Advocates bridge, a holo of the system and the ships in front him, “Arquitens take point position flanking the Advocate and match our speed.” He looked towards Ria Tamak who nodded approval. “Once in position all ships advance towards the Rebel fleet. Gunners are cleared to fire once in range. Fighter screen sweep forward and harass those frigates!”

“Tau Squadron, clear shields on the Nebulon’s then escort Delta Squadron bombers in.” Ria Tamak ordered in addition to the Admirals directive.

“Exactly what I was going to do.” Karktiss muttered.

“Fighters in range of one another now Sir.”

 

Above the wreckage of the former Sienar shipyards and star destroyers, the Imperial and Alliance fighters flew past each other, flashes of red and green lasers splitting the skies and adding to the backdrop of fires and explosions that still puffed out from the wreckage. Smoke trails hinted at missiles or rockets fired off, chasing their quarry like tiny predators and pilots on both sides wrestled controls as they gave chase or tried to evade the enemy. Debris thrown up from the huge explosions below added to the danger, while also giving cover that they could fly in and around to break missile locks or incoming fire. “One on me!” called Sharper, pushing his Y-Wings flight stick hard left and hitting the rudder pedals, trying to kick the slow bomber on a spiral to make it harder to predict where the Imperial pilot should fire his next salve. A twin burst of green lasers splashed against the nose of the ship and his shields dropped again.

“I have you Grey 1, coming round now.” Rogue gunned his A Wing and pulled it round on a hard banking turn, the momentum briefly causing the ship to drift backwards as Rogue pulled Sharpers Y Wing up in his cockpits view. He gunned the engines again and the A-Wing sprinted forward, chasing the TIE Interceptor that was easily keeping pace with the Republic bomber. Rogue closed to within a few hundred meters, the trio of ships now chasing each other in a life or death game of tag. “I can’t get a good lock Grey 1, you’re going to have to keep still a second or two.”

“Understood Rogue, Shields at 30%, make it quick. Coming right in three, two, one.” Sharper adjusted his deflector shields fully rearwards before dumping all power towards his engines, hoping the extra speed would give him enough lead on the TIE Interceptor to avoid intersecting with its next shots. He pulled to the right as promised then let the nose settle, breaking the cardinal rule of never flying straight in a dogfight. The Imperial pilot slipped in behind him and leaned forward as he tightened his grip on the flight yoke to deliver the final shots that would finish off his quarry. The world around him disintegrated in to flames as Rogue got his shots off first, sending a barrage of rockets and rapid fire laser shots in to the fragile Interceptors engine housing. “All clear Grey 1.”

The Alliance and Imperial fleets slowly edged forwards towards each other, the burning shipyards and tangling fighters lay between them. “Weapons range in 200m” called a crewman on the Advocates Bridge. “Status on shields Tau Squadron?” asked Ria Tamak.

“Breaking through the melee now Sir, on our way.”

The large capital ships began opening fire on each other. At this range they would do little more than niggle at each other’s shields, but the heavy energy blasts could blind gunners allowing a lone Starfighter to slip through, or confuse sensors giving the opposition false data at a crucial time. From the fighter’s melee, a trio of Tie Fighters burst through and headed towards one of the Nebulons.

“Incoming ships!” Cosmic called on the comms, “fire defence turrets, any fighters we need cover!”

“Spectra flight, cover the fleet!” ordered Mirtharan, rolling his X Wing away just in time to avoid a missile fired at short range.

“On it Blue 1!” Kuki responded, “Targets assigned Spectra, peel them off!”

“Gamma, Green, shields down yet?”

“Negative Sticks, we’re down to lasers only here!” answered Ari, rolling away from the Arquitens that he had just strafed.

Sticks cursed, without ion weapons it would take too long for Green and Gamma to hammer the light cruiser down in their TIE ships. “Grey, Blue anyone with Torps?”

“Aye, where do you want them?”

EvilGrin made the call. “Remnant stick with your mission. Green and Gamma will act as fighter screen, Blue and Grey help take out the other cruiser.”

“Intercept that torpedo!” yelled Kuki, the TIE Fighters they were chasing were now in range of one the Nebulons and a shimmering blue ball had been launched from one of them before the pack split and surged past the frigate. An X-Wing blew past Kukis own fighter in pursuit of the munition. “On it!” yelled Mike, he poured more power towards the X-Wings power plants, holding back just enough charge in the quad lasers to fire a couple of bursts at the torpedo burning its way towards the Nebulon. He tracked the target then picked a spot in front, leading its path and fired, the first shot was just too far back and the torpedo continued to plunge on. With time running out he adjusted his aim and fired again, the red beams streaked out and crossed in front of it, just missing the mark. The torpedo splashed against the Frigates shields and the high energy payload pulsed briefly, overloading the ships shields. Mike cursed his pulled his X-Wing up, “it got through.”

“Alright Spectra, lets keep it covered, heads up everyone!” Kuki wheeled round, shots from the Star Destroyer and Arquitens were still lancing out towards both Nebulons and the MC-75, who were sending shots back in return. His main concern were those TIE Fighters who could still be carrying more torpedo’s or missiles, that could do more damage in a short space of time than the Imperial capital ships at this range.

“Fighters have broken off and turned back Kuki.” Said Skyscott.

 

Back in the dogfight, it was now TIE against TIE. The stripes painted along those of Green and Gamma were the only way to tell who was friend or foe without referring to the targeting computer. In the heat of battle, each side had to be careful not to fire a snap shot off at any ship that crossed their target reticule for fear of hitting a friendly. Beside the green and yellow striped ships ran a new colour. The blood red stripes of the Royal Guards own squadron who had been deployed along with the regulars. Tu’Rus spotted one and quickly assigned it as his target, he rounded a twisted piece of wreckage and gave chase, keen to finally best a member of the elite corps. His suits life control system compensated for the surge in adrenaline and increased blood flow by increasing the oxygen being delivered through the helmets oxygen pipes. His breathing increased as he closed on his quarry, and fired a burst towards it, narrowly missing. Now alert to the danger behind it, the other Interceptor spun on its end and then surged out of view. Tu’Rus cursed and pulled his own nose up to follow, gunning the engines to catch up. He adjusted the energy mapping, giving more charge to his laser cannons to deliver a more powerful shot. Satisfied, he looked back up to find the Interceptor had outmanoeuvred him, already facing towards Tu’Rus, the ship opened fire then blew through the wreckage towards its next target.

 

Leaph pushed back against the inertial compensator as it induced the feeling of heavy G-load, caused by the hard drift he’d pushed the X-Wing in to. He punched power back in to the engines and strafed the Arquitens once more. “Hull breaches on the top, it can’t take much more!” he called over the comm.

“Keep it up!” answered Sticks, his own X-Wing performing a similar stunt. Around the stricken imperial ship, the Remnant squadron fighters danced in and out of the defending gunners line of sight, narrowly avoiding the cruisers defensive fire. “Ships at 20%” keyed back Saywah, a turbolaser battery exploding under the burst of shots he fired in to it.

“What’s the status on the other cruiser?”

“Shields are down, hitting the hull” answered Mitharan, just as a blast from the Arquitens he was attacking hit his X-Wing. His shields dropped and he cursed, pulling away from the engagement. “Shields out, peeling off.”

“Copy that.” Said Sharper, his Y-Wing diving up towards the underside of the cruiser. He held down the trigger and his ship began to vibrate as the heavy rotary cannon in the nose began to spool up then spit laser bolts in to the hull. Fragments of metal burst up as the shots penetrated the hull plating, for added measure he dumb fired a goliath in to it as well and a second or two later it hit, the massive warhead instantly vapouring two more turbolaser emplacements.

 

“Mike, more incoming.”

“I see them Kuki.”

Tie Bombers and fighters were now heading towards Spectra flight and the Nebulon B they were trying to protect. They pulled forward to engage the ships, the TIE Fighters surging forward to meet them and protect the bombers. Shots criss-crossed between them as both fleets crashed together, an A-Wing exploding as it succumbed to a stray bolt. Kuki turned and dove his ship down, as he completed the manoeuvre he found his crosshairs settling on a TIE Bomber, he managed to snap off a couple of shots before his ship thudded, a TIE Fighter already chasing him down and depleting his shields with accurate burst shots. He rolled out again, “Get the bombers!” he screamed, prioritising the targets to the rest of the flight.

“I can’t shake these TIE’!” answered Stardust, every time she got in position to fire a shot a TIE Fighter was there to force the Alliance craft away from the Nebulons defence. The bombers made their final approach and soared along the length of the Nebulon B, one behind the other, they dropped their proton bombs along the narrow spine that joined the front and rear sections together. Under the heavy bombardment the fragile corridor collapsed, explosions rippling along the length of the frigate as it broke in two. The bombers job done, they turned and headed towards Cosmic and the remaining Alliance frigate.

 

“There she goes!” yelled Sticks, Remnants targeted Arquitens finally giving way to the sustained fire. As the hull vented atmosphere to space and decompressed, shrapnel blew out in to the vacuum. A fuel tank ruptured and the escaping volatiles reacted with a burning fire and exploded, causing even bigger pieces to burst out adding to the growing debris field in the system. Twigs stamped hard on his TIE Fighters rudder pedals and cut the throttle back, turning his ship in an uncontrolled drift. Without the assistance of an astromech droid or the superior field of view offered by an X-Wings cockpit, he failed to see part of the Arquitens bridge sweeping towards him. The piece of wreckage ploughed through the small fighter, a small puff of flame as it exploded marking its final moment. 

 

“Frigate down for both sides, final Imperial Cruiser nearly down.” EvilGrin updated the Alliance fleet.

“Shields down!” Cosmic called out, his own Nebulon B now taking the impacts from the TIE bombers and Fighters that had successfully downed one of the frigates.

“We’re trying!” Mike shouted back angrily. The frustration at losing one of their capital ships while he was supposed to be protecting it had hit him hard. He was struggling to match the skill of the TIE pilots in front of him, if he got behind a bomber there was a fighter instantly on his back. If he tried to chase a fighter it just jinked and dived, staying just out of his cross hairs.

 

On the bridge of the Advocate Karktiss paced nervously as the holo’s stats updated. The Captain of the Arquitens was pleading for more fighter support but there were no more ships to commit to the battle. “Tamak, we should start thinking about withdrawal.” He finally said.

“You heard Moff Dokast! If you fail here there is no place for you in the Imperial Navy!” retorted Ria Tamak, insulted that Karktiss would command a Royal Guard ship to retreat.

“Wake up you fool!” snapped back Karktiss, “Our fighters are outnumbered, the Rebels will soon have us out gunned and as for the Imperial Navy?” He laughed mockingly, “What Imperial Navy? They are hunting us down, there is nothing left!”

“We will not retreat again.” Seethed Ria Tamak, the holo image of the Arquitens Captain fizzled away and the holo projection of the battle updated, it too had been beaten by the Rebels attack. The fleet was no headed towards the Advocate.

“Do you intend to disobey my orders should I choose to withdraw?” asked Karktiss carefully, loudly enough for the rest of the bridge crew to hear.

“Yes.” Answered Ria Tamak.

“Yet you swore to Moff Dokast you would follow orders.” Karktiss snatched his sidearm from his holster, drawing it up in a quick and practised movement and shot the Commander of the Royal Guard between the eyes. “The punishment for refusing to follow orders in battle is death.” He turned away from the battles projection and looked down at the crew in the stations below him. “Turn this ship around, target the gravity projectors and as soon as they go down, get us out of here.”

“Blue, Grey get back there and defend the fleet!” ordered Sticks, “Alright Remnant, let’s take down the Advocate!” The Squadron was already closing the distance towards the Star Destroyer.

“Is it turning?!” asked Leaph. Sticks looked at the ship as they approached, Remnant were on a steady course, but the Star Destroyer was indeed turning away from them.

“Yeah, I guess Karktiss is running again.”

“Not this time!” Angel said, gunning the engines she started to pull ahead of the rest of Remnant.

“Hold on Angel, we can still take it out before they get clear of the gravity well.” Sticks reminded her, “No need to take risks we don’t need to.”

Fire began to lance up from the surface of the giant ship as Remnant grew closer and the ships split apart. On the far side of the Advocate, the heavy turbolaser batteries opened up and began to rain blasts on the systems defensive gravity projector, clearing a corridor for the Star Destroyer to escape to hyperspace. Saywah raced across the hull of the Advocate, spinning the X Wing on its side and launched a volley of fire across it as he went, a couple of anti-star fighter turrets briefly blossomed in to yellow and crimson bursts as his shots landed, reducing the amount of fire aimed at Remnant. A burst of green stripes flashed in front of him and Sayway instantly jerked his ship up and away from the new threat. The Imperial fighters had been pulled back to protect the destroyer.

“Hit the shield generators!” yelled Larmah, already on his way to take out the globe shaped targets atop the destroyer’s bridge section. Heavily defended, the targets were strategically important. Without shields, remnant would be able to strike at the Destroyer from further out. While Ion weapons could take down the shields, with active generators it wouldn’t be long before the Advocate would be able to recharge them. Plus, no shields meant it couldn’t enter hyperspace.

Fire from the Defiance and Cosmics Nebulon B still poured up towards the ISD, poking at its shields. Another explosion rocked Comics ship as a bomber dropped another proton bomb, taking out on of the forward batteries. Klaxons continued to wail as the damage to the frigate increased, the chatter over the comm growing in urgency as Spectra traded shots with the Imperial ships outside. “We can’t take much more Jarakin.”

“Pull back if you have to Cosmic, we’ll try to cover you with out shields.”

Another explosion rocked the frigate and it began listing to port. “We’ve lost engines.”

 

“Shields at 25% Sir, Fighters on the generators!” A crewman called out an update to Karktiss. He swore and paced towards the viewport.

“How much longer?”

“Final Gravity projector down now Sir. We have a jump window.”

“Engage the hyperdrive!”

 

“Remnant, get out of there! She’s spooling up to jump!” Jarakin shouted out the caution as the Advocates energy readings began to climb. If any of the ships got caught in the desotryers slip stream as the hyperspace bubble closed around it they ran the danger of being drawn in behind it. Without their own jump computers calculating an entry and exit point they would be lost in the galaxies hyperspace lanes forever.

“Withdrawing now!” called Leaph, Larma and Saywah answering with similar messages and climbing away from the Destroyers bulk.

“Angel, pull back!” Shouted Comsic, her fighter was the only one still skimming across the Destroyers surface.

“He is not getting away again!” She shouted back, pouring lases in to one of the already damaged shield generators. She fired a follow up volley of ion and concussion missiles and was blinded by a sudden flash.

Jarakin stared at the holo projector. The last readout said the Advocates shields had dropped and then it had vanished off the scope.

So did Angel.