Telan Desaria
Jul 22nd, 2005, 06:31:27 PM
Hilari Five slept soundly, if not easily, under the watchful guns of seven Imperial battleships. Nearly seventy-thousand Imperial soldiers were spread between the three major cities, another thirty thousand tirelessly combed the open spaces between for any signs of resistance. Two full days had passed since the world’s conquest, four days since Endor. That battle was, for once, far from all minds – even Admiral Desaria’s.
Truly horrific, this place. A city on the edge of an ocean surrounded by plains one two sides and the largest mining complex in the sector on the other. Harsh conditions lead to harsh thinking. These mine owners are doubtless in part to blame. The Baron inhaled slowly then let out his breath with a great deal of deliberation as he looked out over Sextus then down into the ruins of Porall. He turned and abandoned the enclosed balcony, hastening towards the congregation of officers about a well-stocked table.
“ Admiral, have you tried the riel? ‘Tis almost as good as on Raltiir.”
Desaria smiled, moving a snifter brandy firmly in his clutches to his lips, savoring the taste. “ I have not. Would you be so kind as to share, Captain Kierant?”
Informality was the order of the day as eight captains, their admiral, and a rather gruff looking general dined together in the only standing hotel in Sextus. Laughter was heard as lftily-crafted jokes were told and stories of old time passed between men. While Desaria had remained aloof from the conversations themselves, he had seen fit to interject a hearty laugh at a few points. The Admiral ladled some of the soup he and his flag-captain – both Raltiir-Academy graduates – enjoyed.
Things progressed well for another twenty minutes. Finally dessert was served then the after-dinner wine, a red wine from the Admiral’s private stock. Talking died down then stopped altogether when Desaria raised his knife and sounded off his glass.
“ Gentleman, we have a situation. By taking Hilari Five we liberated the garrison but at the same time bottled ourselves in this one system. On one side a nebula the gases from our drive engines would react nastily with, the other two a particularly dense asteroid-field I have no doubt we could punch through at enormous cost. Ahead of us is Hilari Three, still held by the rebels. There is only one way in and out of this system and since we used it to get in, we must be realistic – if the rebels or the Alliance advisors have a shred of tactical sense, they will fortify the jump points and wait for us to sally. Do you see the problem?”
Captain Jeris of the Anariah raised a hand to interject. Acknowledged, he set down his own glass. “ At last report Grand Admiral Il-Raz was nearby in the Juvex and Sunex Sectors. Could we call on him for a diversion?”
The Admiral relaxed back into his chair. A droid bustled over and filled the glass held in his out-stretched hand. “ We lost contact with the Fleet and High Command when we entered Hilari III, even the HoloNet has been scrambled. However they are jamming communications has affected us as well as those troops trapped on the rebellious worlds. A sound suggestion Captain but unfortunately impracticable. Anyone else? Ah, Captain Loxtrum.”
Just as portly as he was tall, Loxtrum was Captain of the Gilded Claw and the least humanoid of the group. It was said among the officers of the command that he was never found out of uniform as it was too hard to match civilian clothes; indeed, his hair changes colors to match his mood. “ They must know exactly what we have in the way of ships. We have to attack hard and fast and punch through and be so deadly they will think it too dangerous to stay.”
“ I agree, Captain. You have hit upon my idea. One Destroyer accompanied by our blastboats and gunboats will make the jump first and distract the enemy ships waiting for us. If they do not take the bait, use the target list we made from our first pass and raze every building on the surface to the ground. Five minutes after your reversion, six of the remaining Destroyers will jump behind you and drive the assault home. The Tyrannic will remain on station above this world with the Congregatpr. General Pattonn, have your men ready to depart when we do but do not launch from the surface. I will not bring in the Army until we have a clear path in which to do so.”
General Pattonn bristled as if indignant. His voice remained low but was filled with venom. “ My men aren’t afraid to die, Desaria.”
“ There is a difference between bravery and stupidity General, I suggest you learn it.” The room fell silent, even chewing stopped. The Admiral paused only long enough for effect. “ I will not sacrifice your men pointlessly. They can do much more good on the ground than under the guns of some frigate and floating into the sun.”
Whether by the calm tone or authoritative look on the Admiral’s face, no more words were spoken. Since silence reigned, the meeting was adjourned and the commanders returned to their ships, Pattonn to his temporary headquarters at the city’s edge.
Truly horrific, this place. A city on the edge of an ocean surrounded by plains one two sides and the largest mining complex in the sector on the other. Harsh conditions lead to harsh thinking. These mine owners are doubtless in part to blame. The Baron inhaled slowly then let out his breath with a great deal of deliberation as he looked out over Sextus then down into the ruins of Porall. He turned and abandoned the enclosed balcony, hastening towards the congregation of officers about a well-stocked table.
“ Admiral, have you tried the riel? ‘Tis almost as good as on Raltiir.”
Desaria smiled, moving a snifter brandy firmly in his clutches to his lips, savoring the taste. “ I have not. Would you be so kind as to share, Captain Kierant?”
Informality was the order of the day as eight captains, their admiral, and a rather gruff looking general dined together in the only standing hotel in Sextus. Laughter was heard as lftily-crafted jokes were told and stories of old time passed between men. While Desaria had remained aloof from the conversations themselves, he had seen fit to interject a hearty laugh at a few points. The Admiral ladled some of the soup he and his flag-captain – both Raltiir-Academy graduates – enjoyed.
Things progressed well for another twenty minutes. Finally dessert was served then the after-dinner wine, a red wine from the Admiral’s private stock. Talking died down then stopped altogether when Desaria raised his knife and sounded off his glass.
“ Gentleman, we have a situation. By taking Hilari Five we liberated the garrison but at the same time bottled ourselves in this one system. On one side a nebula the gases from our drive engines would react nastily with, the other two a particularly dense asteroid-field I have no doubt we could punch through at enormous cost. Ahead of us is Hilari Three, still held by the rebels. There is only one way in and out of this system and since we used it to get in, we must be realistic – if the rebels or the Alliance advisors have a shred of tactical sense, they will fortify the jump points and wait for us to sally. Do you see the problem?”
Captain Jeris of the Anariah raised a hand to interject. Acknowledged, he set down his own glass. “ At last report Grand Admiral Il-Raz was nearby in the Juvex and Sunex Sectors. Could we call on him for a diversion?”
The Admiral relaxed back into his chair. A droid bustled over and filled the glass held in his out-stretched hand. “ We lost contact with the Fleet and High Command when we entered Hilari III, even the HoloNet has been scrambled. However they are jamming communications has affected us as well as those troops trapped on the rebellious worlds. A sound suggestion Captain but unfortunately impracticable. Anyone else? Ah, Captain Loxtrum.”
Just as portly as he was tall, Loxtrum was Captain of the Gilded Claw and the least humanoid of the group. It was said among the officers of the command that he was never found out of uniform as it was too hard to match civilian clothes; indeed, his hair changes colors to match his mood. “ They must know exactly what we have in the way of ships. We have to attack hard and fast and punch through and be so deadly they will think it too dangerous to stay.”
“ I agree, Captain. You have hit upon my idea. One Destroyer accompanied by our blastboats and gunboats will make the jump first and distract the enemy ships waiting for us. If they do not take the bait, use the target list we made from our first pass and raze every building on the surface to the ground. Five minutes after your reversion, six of the remaining Destroyers will jump behind you and drive the assault home. The Tyrannic will remain on station above this world with the Congregatpr. General Pattonn, have your men ready to depart when we do but do not launch from the surface. I will not bring in the Army until we have a clear path in which to do so.”
General Pattonn bristled as if indignant. His voice remained low but was filled with venom. “ My men aren’t afraid to die, Desaria.”
“ There is a difference between bravery and stupidity General, I suggest you learn it.” The room fell silent, even chewing stopped. The Admiral paused only long enough for effect. “ I will not sacrifice your men pointlessly. They can do much more good on the ground than under the guns of some frigate and floating into the sun.”
Whether by the calm tone or authoritative look on the Admiral’s face, no more words were spoken. Since silence reigned, the meeting was adjourned and the commanders returned to their ships, Pattonn to his temporary headquarters at the city’s edge.