Alliance Strikes Again

[Redic Scott]

The battered, scared, and patched up Star Destroyer floated in space. It sat motionless as engineers floated around it, welding and fussing new armor plates to the hull. A few new guns replaced a couple damaged ones, but the ship was still far away from being fully battle ready.

Like so many other destroyers, this one had been wounded during the large battle at Endor. However, unlike the other ships, this one was under command of a Rebel Alliance Captain. During the battle it had been boarded and taken control off. Now it would be used against the same people who had built it and would offer a good cover for a while. Since the Rebel's had never had a Star Destroyer it would take a while until people realized this ship wasn't Imprial and would allow the Alliance to carry out some missions with greater ease.

Captain Redic Scott sat at the bridge and smiled. He had been give command of the ship after he helped take it and lead it from the battle. Now he was charged with its operations and some of its repairs. Before it could be taken to a real ship yard, the ship would be put in working order on the spot and would carry out some missions before hand. The missions were picked so that the damaged ship could still over take anything it was against and would have the element of surprised.

This ship's transponder registered it as the Empire Spirit, an Imperial Star Destroyer on patrol. All the main systems seemed to be operational at the moment and the reactor was finally running at over 50%. Shields had been tested and were operational again although not at full operational strength yet. Some sections the ship were still off limits, having been breached and exposed to space. The other thing Redic was looking at on his data pad was that only 45% of his weapons were operational, the rest were destoryed or damaged beyond repair. This fact troubled Redic because with that many weapons unoperational they could only take on light missions with little or no heavy ship engagements.

On the sensors Redic could see some his pilots flying around in the Imperial TIEs that were captured as well. This was all to keep up the appearance of an imperial ship. A little was to Port floated another Imperial ship, this one captured a while ago. It was a smaller Nebulon B Frigate that would help him out on this mission.

"Sir, 5 minutes." Called out the XO who was watching the clock.

Redic nodded and called up the Reborn Thunder, "Captain Miltiadis, Five minutes."

[Constantine Miltiadis]

Constantine’s heart picked up in anticipation. He had helped to facilitate the independence of his homeworld and had aided in the drafting of his government’s first constitution. Yet, even with so many accomplishments under his belt and with a fair list of military engagements, he still got excited. The idea of actually performing an offensive against the daunting Empire caused him to become lightheaded with near pleasure.

Captain Miltiadis had spent most of his life rejecting oppression. Naturally, this was just another step in that refusal. He narrowed his brow and squared his shoulders. Constantine’s green eyes were filled with near joy as he spoke, “Understood, Captain Redic.”

The men and women under the Captain’s command had, for the most part, been with him since he initially launched the first warships from his home planet against the Empire’s blockading fleet. Miltiadis thought for a moment and sorted through all the names he had memorized of new crewmen. There were many.

“All hands, five minutes,” Constantine’s voice was well suited to commanding. The bridge of the Nebulon B frigate was already a bustle with working individuals; however, the crew now took on a more serious aura. Each soldier could feel the excitement grow as the seconds ticked away.

[Redic Scott]

As the time wound down, Redic's ship prepared for combat. The engineers returned to the ship and would make sure all the systems worked properly. It was time for the Rebel's to play as the Imperials and everything had to be perfect. Redic looked at the clock counting down and hoped that Intelligence had been right about this covoy, if not, all this preperation would be for nothing.

The radio came to life with the voice of Captain Oland, "Sir, Assault Team One and Two ready."

Redic smiled and nodded to himself, "Acknowledged Assault Lead, hold for my command."

"Roger that, sir."

"Helm." Redic called out as the clock reached 30 seconds. "Put us at Zero-Three-Six. Direct center of the Exit vector." As the reply came in and the ships engines powered up, pushing the massive vessal toward the new vector, Redic watch the holo display. The Destroyer was positioning to get in front of the only exit out of the system.

"Reborn Thunder, hold position until further orders." Redic transmitted and rechecked all the ships systems.

As the ship moved, its one squadron of TIE Interceptors formed positions around the system one hyperspace enterance. The rest of ship's fighter compliment was secured in the large hanger, waiting for the right moment to launch. Since the rest of the fighters were Alliance made, they were kept out of sight. Along with the fighters sat two Assault shuttles, ready and waiting.

As the clock hit zero...nothing happened. Space was quiet and nothing stirred. The two capital ships in the area sat there and waited. At T+5 minutes Redic was going to order a stand down, when all of the sudden hyperspace errupted and sensors blared. A Carrack Cruiser emerged out of hyperspace, followed by two bulk transports and two Corellian Corvettes after them, bringing up the rear. AS they moved forward Redic gave the order to proceed with the plan and the message went out.

"Convoy Four Two this is Imperial Star Destroyer Empire Spirit. You are instructed to submit Convoy Security Codes and stand down and prepare to recieve an inspection team. This is a reutin inspection. You will all power down shields and weapons. PLease Acknowledge."

"Empire Spirit, what are the reasons for this inspection?" Came the reply.

"Intel has reports of siezed convoys moveing through the area under cover of Imperial Convoys. We have orders to check every covoy entering the system. Now power down engines, shields and weapons or you will be listed as hostiles and engaged!"

There was a long pause before the next reply. "Empire Spirit...Convoy Four Two standing down."

Redic let out a sigh, "Assault Teams, you have a go, launch when ready. Fighter Groups stand by for launch. Reborn Thunder, I want you to get behind the convoy, cut off their other escape vector."

Within a few minutes, two shuttles left the huge hanger bay and headed towards the two Freighters.

[Constantine Miltiadis]

Captain Miltiadis nodded in affirmation at his orders. The navigator jumped at the chance to display his skills and quickly plotted the required trajectories. Within seconds the Reborn Thunder slipped to the other side of the Imperial forces and took up a flanking position.

“Bring reactors to full output, open all gas tubes, arm warheads, bring the flights to red alert.” Constantine’s voice dictated orders in an exacting and calculated manner. His mild accent and steady, firm words overflowed with earned authority.

The frigate quickly brought itself to a ready state and prepared for the command that would push the vessel into action.

[Redic Scott]

Redic looked around the bridge as he watched the two shuttles move towards the frieghters and start to dock. In front and down, floated the Carrack Class Cruiser that was escorting the convoy. Its shields were down and weapons off, making it a perfect target. With an expressionless face, Redic gave the orders.

"Weapons, lock ion cannons on that Carrack's engine and communitation, turbolasers focus on the shield systems, but keep damage to a minimum, lets try to take that ship."

He watched as ion cannons and turbolaser batteries alligned with targets and heard the acknowledgements of his orders. Crews were running around while others were standing at stations and checking systems. Others were still busy repairing other systems. The whole shipe was a bee hive of activity, even with the skeleton crew. Everythign had a job and were doing it to the best of their ability.
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As this was all happening, the ships shuttles docked with the frieghters and reported in. Each one had a team of Rebel commandos, dressed in stormtrooper armor. They came on board slowly, looking around and taking note of everyone. The leader asked all the right questions and properly checked every paper. As he did, this team spread throughout the ship as if to take a look around, but they were actually controling different ship sections.

"Everything looks in order here." The leader said and looked at the ship's captain. "I just need to check out the bidge logs and we'll be on our way."

The Captain nodded and lead the man to the bridge, making a little small talk, to which the Commando didn't answer, once at the bridge, Captain Jolrian of the Rebel Alliance Special Operations Force, said "TAke it." Calmly into his radio.

With that said, he pulled out his blaster pistol almost too fast for the Captain to see and fired at the ships communications gears before pointing it at the ship's Captain's chest in one smooth motion. "This is ours, you and your crew will all stand down."

"What??! What is this??" That Captain screamed and jumped towards Jolrian. Without panic, the commando stepped aside and slammed the butt of his pistol into the Captain's head, knocking him out cold. He pointed the weapon quickly at the other bridge crew member.

"Anyone else wants to do anything?" To that the reply came with all hands being raised.

"Assault Team One to Empire Spirt. Target One captured." Jolrian said.

At the same time, the second assualt team had taken the other frieghter as well. Everything had gone according to plan and both frieghters were now in Rebel hands. With this done, Redic gave execution orders. "All ships, execute as planned, weapons free, but try and capture the ships if you can."

They were acknowledged with the firing of ion Cannons into the Carrack Cruiser, spreading lightening all over the ship while turbolaser batteries slammed into and around shield generators and projectors, instantly incinerating them. Fighters emerged from the large destroyers flight bay and started to form up around the carrack. The TIE Interceptors already out, flew towards the Corvettes, firing into their engine bays.

[Arthur Phellan]

2nd Lieutenant Arthur Phellan was dressed somewhat uncomfortably in stormtrooper armor. It was definitely not his preferred combat dress, however it was what was needed for this mission. He was leading the second assault team, their mission was to capture the second of two freighters, and if they got really lucky they would have the opportunity to take over one of the small warships escorting the freighters.

As always it was the waiting that made Arthur the most nervous. He never liked the few minutes before launching into a mission, especially one of infiltration. Once the mission started everything was frosty, but until he was able to look that first enemy in the eye he would feel nervous about something not being as they expected.

As the sound of the assault craft hitting the freighters hull and the airlock equalizing itself reached his ears the nerves began to lessen. Standing he moved to the airlock doors and waited for the doors to open. Arranged behind him were the other members of the assault team. They had all been breifed and all knew what was expected of them and as the doors opened and he saw the fear in the eyes of the officer standing in front of him Arthur knew that the mission would go off without a hitch.

Stepping off the assault craft and onto the deck of the freighter Arthur let what looked like the second officer look into the black mirrored eyes of the stormtrooper helmet for a moment before finally speaking.

"Manifest?"

With the single word Arthur started the plan in motion. Handing over the manifest list to his XO, Arthur wordlessly ordered his assault team to begin spreading out over the ship under the guise of searching to confirm the contents of the freighter and that there were no stowaways. In reality the Rebel Commandos were putting themselves in position to take over the ship.

"Take me to the bridge. I need to speak to your Captain and see your ship's log."

The second officer nodded slightly and turned and lead Arthur and two other commandos to the bridge where the Captain and First Officer were waiting for them.

"Captain." It was said with a hint of respect, but more as a statement then anything more. "Your ship's log?"

As the Captain retrieved the log, Arthur switched his radio to the team channel.

"Assault two-six to Assault team stand-by."

Throughout the ship the commandos began to position themselves exactly where they needed to be. Some, including the two commandos behind Arthur, raised their weapons. Arthur himself drew his sidearm and held it down beside his leg. He waited until the Captain began to turn around before he made the call over his radio.

"Assault team GO!" He said over his radio before turning it back so that his voice would escape from the helmet. "Captain you and your ship are now the property of the Rebel Alliance. If you do not resist you will not be harmed."

When he scanned the bridge for any activity he was relieved to see that the only people were moving were the two other commandos and the radio officer being moved away from his post.

"Assault team report."

He waited to hear the voices of all of his team member report in. All but one confirmed that their section was secured immediately.

"Assault two-six to Assault two-two, report."

He waited another moment for the remaining member to report in. While he waited he went through the assignment list to determine where in the ship his missing commando was, and where he was in the engine room. A second before he ordered another commando to go look for the missing man his radio crackled.

"Assault two-two to Assault two-six. Engine room secure. Two crew members resisted. One dead, one subdued."

"Understood.... Assault Team Two to Empire Spirt. Freighter two secure. One hostile down. Awaiting further orders."

With the two other commandos holding the bridge crew at bay with their assault rifles, Arthur put his blaster pistol back into it's holster. Walking to the blast windows at the front of the bridge he watched as the star destroyer and Nebulon-B began to open up on the convoy escorts. The day was already theirs. They had their prizes, anything else was gravy.

[Constantine Miltiadis]

Constantine shook his head slowly from side to side. The plan was working, but the Captain had a nagging feeling that something wasn’t exactly right. There was a fluidness missing from the operation.

Only a few moments after the Empire Spirit had opened fire, the two corvettes had powered up. Their weapons systems were hotter than hell and shields ready to accept the rebel fire.

“Frell,” mumbled Miltiadis, this plan could’ve been done without casualties on either side.

“Fighter Command, launch groups one and two. Nav., up thirty, full burn, bring us over those two ‘vettes. Fire Control, as we cross, unleash a full barrage concentrated on the nearest vessel’s rear deflector grid.”

Like a well-oiled machine, the bridge crew responded to the Captain’s orders. A full squadron of new X-wings poured from the belly of the Reborn Thunder quickly followed by six beat up Y-wings.

Spasms rolled from the Kuat Drive Yard’s Nebulon B Frigate as twenty turbolasers erupted in concentrated fire. Constantine’s caf walked across a targeting console as he scrutinized the sensor pings before him. The Captain steadied the mug and listened intently to the quaking ship, jostled as weapon after weapon filled space with red energy.

The corvettes, although ready for the bombardment, had not been fully prepared for the Reborn Thunder’s sudden maneuver. Only now, after their shields were already being dotted with fire, did they break formation and engage the frigate.

Constantine smiled as he watched the vessel space dance. They think that they can scare us off or do enough damage that we’ll open up the way for their hyperspace jump. They’re wrong… and now they find out why.

The squadrons of fighters, finally having formed up into attack groups, plunged at the two hostile craft, munitions hot. A cloud of engagement formed around the three ships and swarm of X-wings and Y-wings.

[Redic Scott]

Laser fire blossomed all around them. The reaction speed of the Imperial Vets impressed even the veteran rebel TIE pilots. Almost as soon as the Empire Spirit fired on the Carrack, the other escorts came to full power and started retaliating. As the TIE Interceptors bore down on the Imperial Corvettes, their shields came up and fired was returned. With only Laser Cannons, the TIE's couldn't hope to defeat the larger ships shielding.

"This is this Interceptor Lead. We can't do much else here, requesting permission to return to base."

The reply came after only a few seconds. "Roger that Int. Lead, permission granted. Bay One-Three is cleared for your landing. Out."

The squadron leader pushed his fighter to port, aiming along the Corvettes length and let loose blast after blast from the four laser cannons. None of the shots went through, of course, but it made him feel like he was doing thing. He hated being in this Imperial fighter and couldn't wait to get back inside his X-wing. This fighter was fast and manueverable, but wasn't near as powerful as his X-wing since it didn't carry any torpedos and couldn't really engage larger ships. The Interceptor also didn't have shields or much armor. One mistake and the pilot will not be forgive.

This was actually revealed first hand as they were flying away from the Corvettes. The group was just moving out of the ships gun range when a turbolaser shot slammed into one of the TIE's. The blast shot through the ball cockpit and kept going. It appeared as nothing was wrong though because the TIE kept moving forward under its own momenum and from the turbolaser hitting it. However, within a second the small craft exploded into a thousand pieces.

"Lead!! Four is down! Repeat Four is Down!! He gone sir."

The Commander cursed and felt the blood drain from his face. everything had been going according to plan and now this. "Roger that Six. Return to the ship like instructed."

He keyed in the Spirt, "Base this is Int. Lead. Four is down, repeat we have a fighter destroyed. No sign of pilot EVA. Over."

"Recieved Int. Lead. WE'll send out a rescue shuttle. Over"

"Understood, thank you Base. Out." With that the squadron contiued to the hanger, no one spoke after that. They all flew in silence.
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Onboard the Spirt, Redic watched the fight unfold. He watched as the Carrack powered up its engines and moved for a little bit before it was hit again and again with ion cannon fire. Its engines winked out again and it sat in space. Its shields were down except the birdge ones and only a few weapons system were fired, but couldn't get through the Destroyer's superior shielding. Under Redic's command the ship was captured inside the Empire Spirt's tractor beams and held in place.

"This is the Star Destroyer Empire Spirt to all Imperial forces. You are out gunned and out numbered surrender now and you will not be harmed. They has been enough death."

[Arthur Phellan]

"Assault Team Two, secure prisoners and stand by for further orders."

Arthur wasn't all that surprised with the orders he had just recieved. Until the fighters and capital ships disabled at least one of the convoy's escorts. There was no reason to risk sending one or both of the assault teams to take one of the bigger ships while the battle raged. Especially a battle that was as lopsided as this. It was likely that the Alliance would walk away with not only the two freighters but at least one of the escorts, so why lose the lives of well trained commando's foolishly. It wasn't tactically sound.

However the break was needed. While they waited for their new orders Arthur's men secured the crew of the freighter and loaded them on board a second assault shuttle that had shuttled over an alliance skeleton crew to take the freighter away once the battle was over.

As the last of the prisoners were loaded on the second assault shuttle Arthur's communications unit crackled to life with a message to load his assault team and stand by for orders. With the message a smile appeared on his face. It appeared that while he and his team were wrapping up loose ends their counterparts in the Navy were taking care of business, and doing so in a timely manner.

"Assault Team Two deploy to the disabled Carrack Cruiser. No special orders."

"Two-Six acknowledges." Arthur switched to his team frequency at the same time as he tapped the assault shuttles pilot on the shoulder and motioned for him to take off and head for the disabled Carrack Cruiser caught in the Empire Spirit's tractor beam. "New mission gentlemen. Command wants us to take control of the Carrack Cruiser. She's disabled and being held by the Empire Spirit. You all know the drill. Alpha Team will head for the bridge. Bravo will head to the rear and then sweep back towards the bridge again.

Any questions?"

He surveyed the seven other men sitting in front of him as they all shook their heads "no". Even though he couldn't see their faces behind the stormtrooper armor he knew the look that would be on all of them.

"Okay check your gear. We go in two minutes."

Turning around Arthur stared over the shoulder of the pilot and co-pilot and watched as the Carrack grew larger. It was going to be a good day...

[Constantine Miltiadis]

The formation of Y-wings took little flak as they sped towards their assigned target. The enemy was more focused on attempting to break free of the well-positioned Nebulon B’s hail of fire.

The hum of engines reverberated gently in Macer’s cockpit. Underneath his helmet, a smile danced on his face—this mission was turning into a cakewalk. The Officer’s pilots were a bit sloppy. Nevertheless, each man knew how to expertly kill.

Macer accelerated his old, battered Y-wing to its maximum speed and heard the whine from the engines pick up noticeably. The old machinery wasn’t known for its style. Blue flecks of paint lined the fuselage of his aging craft, worn from far too many space battles.

The fighters lined up on their target and released a volley of azure munitions. The icy-looking ellipses sprinted passed the first corvette’s shields and slammed into its engine housing. A chain of eruptions mushroomed to life from the rear portion of the space vessel and sent spasms along the armored hull.

Fire from the Reborn Thunder suddenly shifted from the crippled corvette to the second of the two. The mass of pilots banked their fighters and began to reform for their next strike.

[Redic Scott]

"Assault Team Two, this is HQ, Flight X-Three-One will cover you and escort you in. Once on board, link up with Marine Team Three and take the ship. Take Prisoners when possible. Out."

Once said, a flight of four X-wings surounded the shuttle and lead it towards the Carrack. They were on the look out for any weapons that were still operational, if one was to be found, it would be destroyed. However, as the shuttle opproached the airlock, all surrounding weapons were silent. Most of the ship was already disabled.

As the massive bulk of the Star Destroyer loomed over the striken Carrack, a shuttle filled with Rebel Marines desended out of the Secondary Hanger bay and flew towards the other airlock on the shuttle. As they descended, the Empire Spirit's forward ion cannons let out a volley of shots, spreading them over the Carracks side. As the lightening spread over the ship, it made sure that the weapons wouldn't fire at the shuttle.

As the shuttle docked, plasma cutters sliced through the airlock and charges were set. The marines stood on either side of the hatch as the charges went off, blowing the durasteel door inside the ship. After it came grenades and after that stun grenades. By the time the Marines rushed in, the imperials that weren't dead were either stunned or killed as the first team of armored and heavily armed marines ran through. Anyone with a weapon was shot or stunned. The Marine team advanced steadily towards their assigned meeting area.

[Arthur Phellan]

"Assault Two acknowledges command."

Arthur quickly double checked his own equipment and passed along the messege to the rest of his team that there would be other alliance troops boarding the Carrack.

"30 seconds to docking Lieutenant." Came the call from the assault shuttles co-pilot.

Using hand signals Arthur instructed his team to take their positions for the initial breach of the Carracks airlock.

In his head he had already begun the countdown from thirty, and as he reached five he heard the audible his of the seal being made with the airlock. That was followed by the light above the airlock door turning green and the shuttle doors sliding open revealing the sealed doors of the Carrack's airlock. The first member of the assault team to touch the Carrack's hull was his slicer, who within a few seconds had gained access to the airlock controls and was ready to release the door lock.

With a simple nod Arthur signalled him to open the doors, and with the sound of rushing air the doors slid open and four of the Special Operations troops stormed onto the Cruiser. There were the sounds of blaster fire as they were met with slight resistance put up by extremely surprised Imperial sailors.

Finally with the all clear from the breach team the rest of the assault team entered the Carrack. Arthur signalled for his second-in-command to take the Bravo team and head for the rear of the ship while he collected his alpha team to head to the bridge. As he watched the first two members of his team start forward in the standard leap-frog technique he knew that if resistance was light it would only be a matter of minutes before the Carrack Cruiser would be a part of the spoils of war collected by the Alliance this day.

[Constantine Miltiadis]

A bass-laden vibrato rumbled from the bowels of the Nebulon-B frigate. A claxon chirped to life and text referring to the resonance scrolled on a flat monitor for Constantine to see. The shards of his jade eyes registered surprise as the noise grew to a brass filled roar.

“Sir, we’ve lost a rearward ventral deflector grid! Corvette fire is pouring through the hole in our defenses!”

Miltiadis went into instant action and spoke with the calm voice of a veteran commander, “Roll the Thunder on her x axis, bring fresh shields to bare.” Authority dripped from every word and rolled off the Captain’s tongue like condensation from a cold drink.

The whine of engines replaced the teeth-rattling impact sounds as the frigate was intricately maneuvered as ordered.

[Redic Scott]

A 12 man Marine assault team raced through the corridors of the Carrack Cruiser. Any crew member that put up resistance was shot and killed instantly. No chances were made and even those that wanted to surrender were stuned. The team moved as one, quickly yet with some caution.

They were on their way to the bridge when they passed a series of doors. As they went past, an officer with a pistol stepped out and shot at them. One shot hit a marine in the back and shoulder. He yelled a warning and fell to the hard cold deck. Before the Imperial could shut any one else, he was hit in the back with a dozen blaster bolts. What he failed to see was the 8 man backup team, moving slower behing the first one, covering them.

A medic ran to the downed man and started to administer aid. Pain killers were given and bacta patchs were attached to the wounds. Two marines were dispacted to take the man to the shuttle as the rest of the team approached the bridge and started to engage the imperial guarding it. They put up a fair fight till the Special Opererations group showed up.
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In space the Star Destroyers squadrons reached the Corvettes and fired off volleys of torpedos at their shield housings and generators. The shields held for a little bit, but were no match for the mass of torpedos. THey tore through and struck their targets, as they did explosions bloosemed out and in some areas even secondary ones.

"Would you care for some assistance?" Came the call through the com system from Red Squadron to the Thunder.