Casima Lost

[Reshmar]

20 minutes Post Hyperpspace Reversion.
Layal Asteroid Belt

Reshmar Awoke to the sound warning claxons. The deck was cold against his flippers as he stood and grabbed his uniform from the Hanger beside his bed. The Dry air stung his Nostrils at first, power had been diverted from the air humidifier aboard the Casima, so the last 6 days had been uncomfortable for the Calamari Crew. A Faint thud sound was fallowed by the deck shaking beneath the admiral’s feet. The Vibration caused as Turbolaser fire impacted the shielding of the Calamari Cruiser. Reshmar’s communications device buzzed into life. “Admiral It seems the imperials have found us.” Reshmar
Grunted as he depressed the talk button. “Captain, I am on my way to the bridge. Return fire and try to keep them off the Hope. I want a situation report ready upon my arrival.

Several more thuds were heard as Reshmar walked down the hallway to the command deck. As he approached he was met by a junior deck officer with a data pad. Technical and strategic data began scrolling the display as Reshmar keyed in his authorization code and password. Reshmar handed the pad back to the Ensign with a grim look on his face. Ensign Cormes, Is this all the data we have? The ensign’s eyes rolled a bit out of Irritation from the dry air as he took the pad. “Sir they just came up on us. They had to have been here before we jumped in.” The doorway to the command deck opened and the calm quiet of the hallway, only interrupted by the thudding sound of Turbolaser blasts impacting the shields, became one of confusion. Command Staff stood instructing their Sections personnel, communications officers frantically tried to communicate with the remaining portion of Battle group Liberty.

At the head of the command deck Captain Jortes and Commander Jenkins stood looking over the three dimensional display. As Reshmar neared the Captain and Commander he saw the problem. On the three dimensional display two Victory Class Destroyers were displayed. Normally these would have been of little threat to two Calamari cruisers, but this day was different. The battle of Endor had cost the Rebellion much. Her leaders and many key personnel were now gone. Destroyed in the aftermath of what was to be the Rebellions finest hour. Many vessels and there crews lost to the massed Imperial fleet and the Death Star. Battle Group Liberty’s Command vessel and Admiral Torba were first victims of the massive battle station. Reshmar watched as his CO and the Liberty exploded as the Death Star struck out with its planet killing super laser. The Casima retained only 12 operational Turbolaser batteries and here shielding was only at 42 percent of normal. She was in no condition to fight. The Hope which was supporting the Liberty and Casima was configured as a medical and support Vessel. Her weapons were of little use against two Victory Destroyers.

Reshmar walked up to the meeting his subordinate commanders were having. As his neared Captain Jortes turned and saluted with his pale brownish Flipper. “Good to see you Admiral, as the report I sent you stats. Two Victory Star Destroyers have engaged us.” Admiral Reshmar held up a flipper to stop the captains update. “Captain Where did those Vic’s come from? We need to ascertain if we have any more Imperials out there on there way.” Reshmar lowered his hand then waited for the captain’s response. Jortes turned and brought up a section of the sector they had jumped into. “It seems we have stumbled upon an Imperial Way station of some type. Our best guess is that it is a listening post to monitor the local trade routes. I have launched all fighters and the Juta Foris and Corpus Prima have come up along side the Hope to screen her.” Reshmar stepped up and looked over the wider display of the sector. Twelve thousand kilometers to the port a band of Asteroids lay motionless. The Imperial facility had been hidden very well inside the belt, so had the two Victory Destroyers. Reshmar walked to the forward view port and looked out at the two destroyers in the distance. Green beams of energy streaming out from them at a slow but constant pace. “Have all vessels concentrate fire on the Vic Star to the port. Her rate of fire is considerable slower then the other.” As the two Frigates began firing on the port Destroyer the Casima moved between the incoming Destroyers and the Hope Blocking their field of fire and taking the brunt of the Attack. “Order the Hope to turn about and jump out and await contact. Send Blue flight with them for escort.” As the Hope and Blue flight receiver there orders they made for a point twenty kilometers behind the battle to jump to the next rally point. The thuds became louder and more frequent as the concentrated fire of the two Victory Destroyers began to take its toll on the shields.

Reshmar waited until the massive Calamari Hospital vessel and the four escorting fighters jumped. Now that they were gone He could go on the offensive. Out in space fighter squadrons clashed in a constant give and take type of battle. The rebels were wining in the amount of kill earned but the Tie fighters still out numbered them three to one. The Juta Foris had taken the brunt of a Tie Bomber squadron attack and was venting atmosphere from her connecting structure. She had radioed she was dropping out of the fight and making for a jump to the rally point. The Casima was now moving to bring the mass of her Batteries on the Victory’s. The port Vic had dropped behind the other now and was concentrating on protecting herself from the B-wing attack she was under. “Let’s open a whole for the Juta to escape. Bring us thirty degrees down bow on the incoming destroyer. That should cut off her fire. Have all remaining squadrons to concentrate on the lead Destroyer. Let’s hit her hard then break off and head for the rally point.

The Nose of the Casima began to lower as she changed course and began to move on the lead Vic. Behind her, the damaged Frigate struggled to seal the leak in her deck before she made it to the Jump point. The second of the frigates moved in beside Casima and began their run on the leading Victory Destroyer. As the Casima moved closer to the oncoming vicstar. The thudding of the impacts against her shielding grew to a loud pounding. Moment later two bolts of green energy found their way thru the Massive shielding of the Calamari vessel. Reshmar watched as five hundred meters forward of the command deck the green energy beams struck the grey organic hull plating of the Casima. A bright flash and molten metal flew out into space as the hull plating gave way and evaporated beneath the heat of the Turbolaser beams. Seconds later the flash was replaced by a burnt void where the once organic hull had been. “Bring us along side her and engage at point blank range. Save all salvos for my order.”

[Reshmar]

“Grey two look out you have one on your tail.”

Major Hughes watched as his wingman’s A-wing ignited into flames. The battle had been hard fought thus far and three of Grey Squadrons ten remaining pilots had bought it. Grey squad had been on reserve at Endor and sustained few losses. This battle was much different. Tie fighters were everywhere. Major Hughes had downed six ties himself, and they still continued to come from the outpost. Omega squadron was now setting up for a run on the lead destroyed and appeared to be closing when two of the three B-wings exploded in the distance. This was turning into a blood bath. All the ships had jumped now but the Casima. She was running up beside the lead destroyer taking a pounding as she moved in beside and slightly below the Vic.

Admiral Reshmar held on to his chairs restraining arms tightly as the pounding from the Vic destroyer was now impacting the hull. Explosions shook the massive calamari vessel as she made her way under the main weapons batteries of the Vic. The slow maneuvering thrusters of the Vic were attempting to roll the ships back into the peak firing arch but the calamari ship was moving too fast to allow the Destroyer to keep up. Reshmar sat calm and quiet as the men of his command deck looked at him for the order. As the Casima moved along side and below of the destroyer turbolaser hits began impacting the opposite side of the shields as the second Destroyer was now in the fight once again. Reshmar stood and turned to the weapons station.

“Fire all batteries Target their ion collector dome and engines.”

Red bolts of light erupted from the Cruiser as she began moving away from the destroyer. Fire from the belly weapons batteries was considerable but nothing like the top armaments. Blast after blast struck the shielding of the Vic leaving a reddish tint ripple in the shielding until one or two shots made it through. The shields were holding on the destroyer for the most part but here and their shots made it through and charred the surface of the Victory’s belly.

“All remaining Ships are ordered to jump away from here as soon as they can. We will rally and move on to Calamari. Secure stations and divert all power from weapons to shields until we jump.”

Around him the officers of the Casima’s Command Crew began issuing orders over comm. Channels and to non commissioned personnel to prepare to escape the nest they had disturbed.

“Admiral, Grey Squadron will escort us out. All other ships and
squadrons have jumped out.”

"Very well Lieutenant, let’s get out of here.”

Captain Jortes looked up from the holo display. He looked as if he was going to pass out his head lacerated and bleeding from a wound he had suffered as a deck plate was shaken lose by the barrage of the Vic. As he grabbed the edge of the command table he stabilized himself and spoke.

“We will be in the Fire arch of the Vic in forty seconds Admiral.”

“How long until we jump Captain?"

The Captain motioned fore another officer to bring him a seat. He sat at the table and looked over the data scrolling on the display. His normal raspy voice was soft and raspier then normal. Blood dripped from the edge of his mouth as he spoke once again.

“Two Minutes Sir.”

Reshmar looked at his captain and smiled. HE was a good man. A fine commander and a stalwart soldier. Reshmar knew he would not leave the command deck to seek medical aid own his own. He spoke sternly but sympathetically to his friend and subordinate.

“Captain you are dismissed. Report to medical station 12 and have them check you out. We will be fine our shields will hold until we jump. Now go get some attention.”

Captain Jortes began to argue he was fine and was needed on the command deck but his head was throbbing and his vision was becoming blurred. So he nodded his head and asks a nearby Ensign to assist him to the Medical station. Reshmar watched as his friend left the command deck and through the door. Seconds later the thumping of the turbo laser fire increased once again as the Destroyer managed to move into an apex firing arch.
Deck plating leeched and moaned as the fire shook the ship from bow to stern. The cruiser had taken a beating at the hands of the two victory Destroyers. But it was worth it to allow the remaining fleet to escape without harm.

“Sir, we have suffered a breaching hit on decks eleven through eighteen, aft section four and five. Thrusters are damaged and we will need to repair after this jump to position ourselves for the next Jump.”

Reshmar listened as the junior officer informed him of the damage inflicted by the Victory’s Shots. He knew if they fallowed him and located his Hyperspace escape position he would be in trouble. It was a chance he had to take.

“That is fine Lieutenant. Order repair crew to begin as soon as we revert from hyperspace at the rally point.”

The chrono rolled its timer down to zero and the Hyperdrive motivators began the all too familiar groan as they charged. The pounding from the two Vic’s continued up until the Calamari Cruiser Jumped. Never ceasing and scoring hit after hit on the once formidable Cruiser. Now she was injured to a point that she could go no farther without repairs. Repairs Reshmar knew he and his fleet did not have time for.

[Reshmar]

A small shutter in the hull was felt over the continuous vibrations felt in the decks alerting Reshmar the Mon Casima had exited hyperspace. His cabin looked ransacked from the fight with the Vic’s and he had spent the better part of three hours cleaning and straightening them. Only a moment passed before the comm. system chimed in.
“Admiral, we have arrived at the rally point. All other vessels and fighter squadrons have already arrived. Captain Kar has set up a defensive pocket and both he and captain Bestei request you contact them upon your earliest convenience.”
Reshmar nodded and turned to look at his Quarters and the mess which still remained. He knew the comfort of his quarters was diminished yet he longed to remain and rest a little longer.
“Captain, I want a meeting set up with all fleet command staff for 2:00 hours. Have them do a full work up on the status of their ships and have some ideas as to how we can proceed from here to Calamari. Also has there been any sight of imperial forces fallowing us from the last jump point?”
Jortes looked over his screen and all contacts made since the Hope first jumped in.
“No Sir, All we have seen are elements of our force.”
Reshmar smiled a bit. Good news was long overdue and the fact that nothing had fallowed them in was the best news he had heard in days.
“Very well captain. I will see you in the forward meeting hall once all commanders have arrived.”
Reshmar turned off the vid screen and sat in his chair. Four hours of rest was not enough but it would due. He could not allow himself more. The lives of thousands of men and women rested once again in his hands. He accepted this responsibility gladly but in situations like the one he found himself in now the thought of losing these lives did not set well. It never did but with all that had happened and all who he had seen lost in the last few days Reshmar wished this responsibility was not his. More then half the forces of the rebellion were lost. All its heroes gone or lost in a galaxy which seemed for the most part against them at present.
Reshmar closed his eyes and thought of his home. The warm waters of his ancestral home and the comfort of the city he and his family were citizens. He knew home was safe if no where else in the galaxy.

[Reshmar]

The Water Wrapped world of Calamari Was Indeed the only safe Place left for the Rebellions heroes. Imperial Leaders were swift to rebound after Endor and the Grand Admirals Swiftly moved on many of the worlds sympathetic to the Rebel Alliance.
For the Leaders of the Empire it was a race to gain support and to move to Place themselves at the head of the Now Leaderless Empire left by Palatines Death. Forces were hurriedly gathered and split between the Imperial Leaders. The race to Coruscant was on and the Last of the Rebellious Traitors of the Rebel Alliance were unsuspecting pawns in the game about to unfold between the Empires greatest leaders.
Grand Admirals, Moffs, Self proclaimed warlord, and even large criminal organizations looked to use the last Rebellious worlds as leverage in their plans to achieve power.
Sullust was among the first to fall to the overwhelming power of the Grand Admirals. Having been the staging point for the raid on Endor, Sullust was prepared for an attack but never expected the Empire to rebound so swiftly. Rebellions Captives gave Sullust up after hours of interrogation and torture along with other worlds offering support and safe haven for the rebel fighters. Chandrillia was next to fall followed by Kashyyyk and Bothawai. World after world was wasted as the Remainder of the imperial forces moved towards the largest and most defended of their targets Calamari. A world once looked to for conquering but defended by the Mon Calamari People vigorously. The ship building society was well defended and powerful enough to protect the last remaining survivors of the last battle of the Rebel Alliance.

[Reshmar]

Light years away from Endor Captain Artir and Task Force Omega, composed of the MC 40 Light Cruiser Lusalu, The Dreadnaught Warspite, and the four DP 20 Corellian Gunships of the Fire Hawks Gunship Squadron along with the three fighter Squadrons of Omega Wing, sat awaiting word of the outcome of the Battle of Endor. They had been locked down and on communications black out since they were ordered to escort General Forlon and his Retinue to the Roche Asteroid Belt. The General had gone into the Belt for a meeting. With who the members of the omega command staff did not know. This is how Alliance security forces worked. everything was kept secret so no information could leak to the Empire. How ever this did not work most times. Many of the members of the alliance come from a smuggling or information theft background and were prime for Imperial bribes and would not trade their lives for the information they carry. Even now far on the other side of the galaxy the Rebel Alliance had fallen victim to just such information leaks and the alliance was falling apart.
Artir stood at the bridge command panel looking over tactical information. The Belt was dark and silent for the most part. Many pirates and larger corporation use these asteroids as hide outs and testing grounds. regardless of the use they are meant to keep their business quiet and away from any and all eyes. Antir looked for any thing out of the ordinary. A fleet as large as the Omega Task Force would not go unnoticed to any of the inhabatance of the Asteroid Belt. He knew countless eyes and scanners were looking at him and his small fleet. As he gazed over the three dimensional map of the sector the warning claxons began ringing. "Commander , what is going on?" Artir turned as he ask his XO for a situation report. Immediately the Command crew began scanning the system the system for the vessel. Lieutenant Nersta was firs to identify the small object exiting hyperspace and bearing down on the Lusalu "Captain we have an incoming craft bearing one twenty seven by fourteen by eighty. DFF scanners are not reading the craft. but it appears to be a fighter craft of some type. closing fast sir." Artir turned back to his holo display and scrolled till the data was displaying a small triangle labeled Red one. From behind him he heard the communications crew frantically attempting to translate the encryption of the signal being transmitted by the small craft. "Com., Do we have anything?" Artir ask as he watches the craft closing on them. "Yes sir, it is Alliance encrypted beta five so it is taking a moment to translate and brake. It is addressed to General Forlon and marked emergency. It appears we need his authorization to open the message."
Artir looked at the small craft once again. It was closing and almost within scanner range. “Sir we have a positive ID. It is a long probe A-wing sent out from Calamari. The pilot is unconscious and the craft is on auto pilot. It appears he had to jump all the way from Calamari.” A couple of shocked sound came from members of the Command Crew. A jump that far in an a wing was impossible even for a Long Probe A-wing. Their simply was not enough air for the pilot. Reshmar turned from the holo display and walked to the scanning panel. “Who ever this pilot is he risked his life on a suicide mission just to get this message to the General. Launch a shuttle and retrieve the A wing. Also launch Omega two squadron just incase he had a tail.” the officers saluted and carried out Artir’s orders. Now he had to get word to Forlon that he had an emergency message.

[Reshmar]

General Forlon sat in the center of small meeting chamber waiting for his hosts to arrive.
Patience was not one of his virtues. He was still angry he had been assigned to diplomatic duty instead of going with the fleet to Endor to defeat the Emperor. Two days had past since the Battle was set to begin and still he knew nothing of the out come. He and the remainder of the Omega Task Force were under strict Communications silence. He was not one for celebrations either but he did not want to miss out on the celebration after the Empires defeat. The door slid open on the far side of the Chamber and three Mantis looking insectoids walked through the door way. Behind them entered a calamari female and two humans. The group walked to the meeting table and sat with out a word to General Forlon. The first to speak was the Calamari Female.
"Greetings General Forlon, My Name is Greten. I am the Senior Official for Domestic Affairs for the Calamari Shipyards." She pointed to the Verpine setting next to her. "This is Klocc of Slayn and Korpil. Next to him is Doctor Hughes Formally of Income and Jon Ritte of Subpro Corporation." General Forlon Nodded to each as they were introduced. We have ask the rebellion for assistance in moving the Slayn and Korpil Corporation from the Roche Asteroids to a secure facility on Calamari. Your presence here is to escort our transports to Calamari without incident. We have worked out an agreement with Calamari and the rebel leaders to trade our operation and damaged defensive vessels in return for your assistance."
Forlon and been listening but when the Verpine mentioned defensive vessels his attention was sparked. The Fleet needed ships badly. With the fleet spread out and the main portion of the fleet at Endor any ships they could get were a welcome gift. His thoughts had shifted for a moment but now they were back on the Scientists sitting in front of him. "So you see General the escort from here to Calamari would be a well rewarded undertaking." The Verpine rolled his eyes then Spoke. We have aided the rebellion before in the creation of weapons and vessels for its war against the Empire. Now with the Asteroid belt filling full of pirates and Criminals hiding from the Imperial Picket fleets the raids on our manufacturing and research facilities has escalated to the point where the price of defending our facilities has become a drain on our funding. we can no longer afford the repair of the defense fleet and replacement of the lost fighter craft. Calamari has promised protection and assistance." he blinked as another of the Verpine began speaking where the other left off. "And The members of Subpro and Doctor Hughes will be joining us on Calamari to set up and begin research and development for the Rebel Alliance.”
Forlon Listened to the rest of the meeting with a smile on his face. Three of the major Weapons and star fighter production and research teams were consolidating into one corporations to assist the Alliance. This would be a major asset and the bonus of what ever defensive vessels the Corporations had made his trip more worth while then he had ever imagined. He was not as upset about missing the Endor battle now as he had been. The meting had almost endded when a Verpine entered the room with a data pad. “Sorry for the interruption. General Forlon has been requested to return to the Lusalu immediately. He has a message marked emergency from Fleet command Calamari.