Story:Raptor's Claw

From New Republic Navy Wiki

STAR WARS: Raptor’s Claw

By General LongShot

Denolis System, Outer Rim Territories

The Kilbangi Shipyards in the Denolis System hung in deep space like a metal skeleton left by some long-forgotten beast; the massive beams and structures partially hiding the angular shape of an Imperial Star Destroyer. The ship was dark and cold, with worker pods and tug vessels flitting around it’s surface as the Empire put the finishing touches on this its newest war machine. Three other ships hung in position around the shipyards, fully lit and alert for any trouble that the New Republic may throw in their direction. The Dreadnought class cruiser Aviary, the Nebulan B Escort Frigate Gateway, and the massive bulk of the Victory Class Star Destroyer Elite. Surrounding the shipyard was a field of reactive mines, each equipped with laser cannons and programmed to launch a concussion missile upon their destruction, making them a double threat to any enemy that tried to penetrate the area. Laser turrets and batteries dotted the area, looking small and insignificant, but vital in the defense of this, the last Imperial Shipyard near the core systems.

The YT-1300 transport Ethereal entered the system and came to a halt, waiting for contact from the Imperial picket ships.

"Freighter Ethereal, what is your destination and cargo?" the proper voice of the Imperial controller came over the comm system.

The pilot of the freighter, a human dressed in trader’s clothing, closed his eyes, his lips moving for a moment as if in prayer, "I have parts and equipment for the main power coupling on the new ship. My orders are from Captain Vessra to deliver them as soon as possible."

From beside him, a younger human watched his face taut with apprehension. "What if they don’t buy that story, boss? This old crate will never outrun those picket ships."

Captain Jayce Jorell, known to his friends as LongShot, smiled at his young compainion, "They’ll buy it, Carnage, don’t worry. In fact they just confirmed it."

Carnage, LongShot’s Executive Assistant for Republic’s Raiders, raised an eyebrow and almost made a retort until he saw the Jedi’s brow furrow in concentration again. He decided to hold his peace and not disrupt the man’s concentration.

"Freighter Ethereal, you may proceed. Hold your present course and dock at Pylon 34, spinward side." The controller finally replied.

Carnage blew his pent up breath between his teeth. "Okay, boss, I’ll just sit here and be quiet now."

LongShot chuckled, "It’s alright, Carn. Reliance on the Force is difficult, particularly when you aren’t the one who is using it."

"So what is it we are really dropping off here? That is if it’s not still classified." From the younger man’s sense, LongShot could tell that Carnage was still a little mad about being kept in the dark regarding the upcoming mission.

"Well, the parts are for the main power coupling, but they also contain a virus that will infiltrate the ship’s systems and enable us to take control of it from either engineering or the bridge when the time comes."

Carnage’s eyes went wide, "What do you mean, ‘when the time comes’? We’re going to steal an Imperial Star Destroyer from the most heavily guarded installation in the Empire next to Bastion?"

LongShot, grinned at the incredulous tone of Carnage’s voice, "Something like that, yeah."

"With all due respect, Captain, sir; have you completely lost your mind? The entire NRN would have a hard time hitting this place, much less taking over an ISD and running with it. Where do we get a crew for it even if we could get on board?"

The Ethereal docked with the shipyard structure, the mammoth frame of the ISD looming over their ship like a sheer wall.

"That’s what the slave virus is for," LongShot explained, "I won’t bore you with all the details, but we have been planning to hit this place for almost two months. The theft part of it didn’t come until Das bet Terkuss that it couldn’t be done."

Carnage groaned. Terkuss had made a fortune as a professional gambler, and even owned his own casino somewhere in the core; so when someone bet him that something couldn’t be done, he felt professionally obliged to prove otherwise. It didn’t help that Terkuss was now the Commanding Officer of Raptor Wing and had the pull to actually get a mission like that on the boards.

"So Raptor Wing is going to steal this ship?" he finally asked.

LongShot shook his head, "No. The NRN needs all of Raptor Wing to assist in taking down the shipyards, we had to make special provisions to take the Star Destroyer." He looked over his controls as he shut down power and waited for the Imperials to offload the equipment. "Other than that, you will just have to trust us until the operation gets started."

Carnage looked at his commander with a sour expression, he was sure that the plan would be far more convoluted than LongShot was letting on, and it probably involved an insane level of risk. He sighed and resigned himself to the inevitable as the Imperials came closer to remove the cargo on the Ethereal.

NRS Excalibur, NRN Fleet Command, Sector 2

Admiral Das sat behind his desk looking over the plan for the attack on the Kilbangi Shipyards and wondered for the hundredth time how Terkuss had talked him into trying to capture the Empire’s newest Star Destroyer rather than just destroying it. He knew that the Jedi hadn’t used any Force abilities on him because they weren’t allowed to do that, but it was still amazing how a simple phrase such as "I’m willing to bet that you wouldn’t even be able to get her under control, much less steal her" could turn into probably the craziest plan that had crossed his desk since the Battle of Yavin. Terkuss was a gambler by trade, and an incredibly successful one, but gambling with credits at a Sabbacc table was one thing, gambling with ships and men when the deck was stacked against you was entirely different.

He had to admit, however, that LongShot’s plan sounded good on datacrystals. All they had to do was launch their attack as planned. A group of commandos would attach to the bridge of the Star Destroyer via bulk freighter at the same time that LongShot, Terkuss, and the Jedi Master Durrron would infiltrate the engineering area and use their astromech to cut off control of the ship from anywhere but engineering and the bridge. The slave equipment that they had secretly been shipping to the Imperials for the past month would be in place and the crew would be unable to control the ISD. The Archangel, with Silver Saints and Young Jedi Knights as escort, would then race in to dock with her and offload troops and droids to secure her for good. Nova Squadron would streak in from the rear with A-Wings, scouting the area and picking off targets of opportunity while the Knights of Alderaan hypered in a minute later to strike larger targets set out by Nova. Freedom squadron and Republic’s Raiders, flying X-Wings, would fly escort and superiority for the Knights, who would be flying B-Wings; blazing a trail to the docking area so the heavy fighters could cut the mooring lines to the ISD. The ISD would then use its main guns to destroy the platform and escape into hyperspace. What could possibly go wrong? Das grimaced to himself, remembering the Battle of Endor and the Debacle at Sluis Van. In warfare there was no end to what could go wrong.

He hit his intercom, "Skylem, Reality, could you come in here for a moment, please."

Admiral Skylem and Admiral Reality were two of Das’ closest advisors. Skylem was an expert at big picture tactics and Reality was an expert in the somewhat esoteric art of knowing what the Empire was up to and how it would react to a given situation.

The two men helped themselves to a cup of tea and sat down. Das handed each a copy of the battle proposal and waited for reactions.

"Good skies!" Skylem commented, raising his eyebrows, "The boy is awfully confident, isn’t he?"

Das nodded, noting that Reality had said nothing. "That he is. The question I have to ask is can it be done that way?"

Skylem thought for a moment, running over what he knew of the shipyards, then slowly nodded. "It should work, although the timing for Raptor Wing is going to have to be pinpoint. Everything aside from the commando operation is the same as our standard order of battle. It doesn’t take away too many of our assets and the potential rewards are well worth the risks. Of course I don’t know the control systems of an ISD and how much it would take to run one with slave circuitry." He looked over at Reality for those answers.

Reality shrugged. "If they can cut off the bridge and engineering and access the slave circuitry they should be able to control the ship by remote with just the first group. Once the Archangel gets there, they’ll have about a thousand more men to control the slave nodes from the ship herself. She won’t fight well, but even a cadet can do a broadside barrage into a docking platform. Once they pull that shot off they’ll have to run like hell though. As long as they are slaved, they’re still vulnerable."

Das considered this. "Alright. I’m going to give this operation the green light and tell the Spec Ops units to get training because we move in two weeks. Reality, I’m going to need laser accurate Intel on this one, no surprises going in. Skylem, I want you to drill all wings until they can do this operation in T-16s and still pull it off. Any questions?"

The answers were negative, and Das dismissed his men. He then signaled for his Aide to come into the room.

"You called for me, Admiral?" the young Lieutenant asked.

Das nodded, "Yes, Lieutenant, I did. Get me General Madine and tell him that Admiral Das needs to call in a favor."

The officer made a note. "Anything else, Sir?"

"One more thing," Das added, "See if Admiral Drayson over in Sector Command can send me a full set of working schematics on the Imperial Star Destroyer Mark 2 Class. I need to know everything about that ship and then some. You got all that, Lieutenant?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Good, now get too it, we have two weeks to put this dewback roundup together and I want to be ready."

Jedi Academy, Yavin 4

Terkuss had his eyes shut, quietly letting the Force flow through him and slowly stretching out to sense the living rainforest around him. Every plant, every insect, and every animal was a ripple in the Force, ebbing and flowing around him and through him. He was at peace. He had long-since faced and exorcised his inner demons regarding his turn to the dark side at the hands of Tremayne. He was now a Jedi Knight, strong in the Force, but he liked to come back here every so often to relax and meditate on things. A ripple in the Force alerted him, and he opened his eyes, turning to face his visitor. The middle-aged man was clean-shaven with short blonde hair and eyes that looked centuries older than the rest of him. He wore a lightsaber on his hip and his right hand was covered with a black glove.

"Good morning, Master Skywalker." Terkuss said, rising with a smile.

Luke Skywalker smiled warmly in return, "Good morning, Terkuss." The Jedi Master looked out at the jungle around them, sensing all the teaming life within. "It’s always a new experience, isn’t it? The jungle is always changing, ebbing, and flowing."

Terkuss nodded, "That’s why I like to come here, Master. I see battle on a regular basis, and it seems sometimes that things will never change. Coming here reminds me that no matter what, life continues as it always has." Luke had been his teacher and had worked hard with him over those weeks and months, teaching him to resist the Dark Side and to use the Force within him. Over time, he became a Jedi Knight, but was wise enough to know that Master Skywalker would always have something to teach him. Not to mention, Luke was a friend.

"That’s the hardest thing to do, Terkuss. Looking at the big picture is easy, but a Jedi needs to see the Force at work in the smallest nuances of life as well." Luke paused for a moment, his senses reaching out.

"Jayce is looking for you." He informed his student a moment later.

Terkuss grimaced. He hated to be called away after only a few days, but he knew that it would happen sooner or later.

Luke extended his hand, "If I don’t see you before you leave, my friend, may the Force be with you."

Terkuss shook the hand of his master and friend, "And with you, Master Skywalker."

He turned and moved through the thick brush of the jungle, coming to the clearing that sprawled around the foot of the mammoth Massassi Temple. The stone monolith jutted into the air like a stairway to heaven, it’s sides covered with vines and pitted with age, but still serving as the hub for the rebirth of the Jedi Knights through its purpose as the Jedi Praxeum. Off to the side of the temple, on a raised platform, a battered YT-2000 transport stood, its hull having seen better days, but its sensor dish and quad laser cannons making it look no less deadly. LongShot stood at the bottom of the gangplank, dressed in his tan jacket and black pants. Terkuss smirked, LongShot called the outfit his "trader’s gear" but Terkuss knew it better as his "smuggler’s duds". It had been a long time since his friend had worn the outfit, but he had also been smuggling slaving gear to the Imps for two months now so he was probably back into old smuggling habits by now. Then Terkuss noticed the black pommel of LongShot’s lightsaber hanging from his belt. Well, not everything was like it used to be.

Jayce greeted his friend with a hearty handshake and a grin, "You rested up, General?" he joshed.

Terkuss smiled, "As much as I can be until the Empire surrenders, I guess. What brings you to Yavin Four, as if I have to ask." He could already sense the anticipation in his friend’s mind.

"We’ve got the green light to do the operation, Terk!" LongShot exclaimed, "They’re going to let us pull it off!"

Terkuss broke into a grin, he had given long odds on the Admiralty actually allowing them to do the mission, but he was not surprised either that they would try to pull it off. The psychological impact against the Imperials from having an ISD swiped out from under them would be incredible. Besides, he grinned to himself, if ol’ Booster could steal one, then the NRN should have no problem whatsoever. Certainly wouldn’t do to be shown up by a smuggler, would it?

"When do we launch the operation?" Terk asked as they walked to LongShot’s waiting ship.

LongShot ducked as he walked up the gangplank on the YT-2000, "Das shot us the go ahead a week and a half ago. I’ve been drilling the Raiders and I’ve been meeting with Master Durrron and the commando team that’s going in with us. Jessa is going back to the Archangel to help coordinate the docking operation and the slave circuitry." Terkuss noticed the temporary darkening of his friend’s sense.

"Problems at home?" He asked gently, settling into the co-pilots chair and listening to the rising whine as the engines howled to life.

"No, not really," LongShot finally said, running through his checks. "I may be a Jedi, but I’m still her husband and I worry about her being in the thick of it like that."

Terkuss smiled, laying a hand on Jayce’s shoulder, "You gotta remember, Jayce, she’s an officer in the New Republic Navy; the daughter of a Star Destroyer captain, and the wife of a Jedi Knight; she wants to make sure that everyone knows that she is still capable of handling her job."

The Jedi’s Pride rocketed through space, its engines flaring a brilliant blue-white as it shot into hyperspace and vanished.

NRN Staging Area, Paradise Station

The assembled might of the NRN was impressive to say the least. Dozens of capital ships of all shapes and sizes hung in space around Nkhlon and the Golan 3 platform, Paradise Station. On the dark side of the planet, away from the searing rays of Nkhlon’s sun, the ships all looked like ebony giants, lit only by tiny pinpricks of light across their hulls. Aboard the Mon Calamari Cruiser Excalibur the final meeting of squadron commanders and wing commanders was underway. LongShot, Durrron and Terkuss were aboard the Jedi’s Pride already, waiting for clearance to leave and begin their own assault on the Star Destroyer. In a group of three heavy transports were the commando teams that would aid in the initial attack. The New Republic Space Commandos were specialists at taking over starships and fighting through resistance, but it had been a long time since they struck a target this large.

The fighter squadrons began to gather around their capital ships, getting into order for the jump to lightspeed. Raptor Wing took the lead, the Far Orbit, Nemesis, Majestic, and Stormbringer flanked by A-Wings, B-Wings, and X-Wings. The comlink of the Jedi’s Pride crackled to life.

"Good luck, you guys," Darius’ voice crackled, "we’ll try to keep them off your backs."

Terkuss smiled, "Thanks, Darius. Keep the boys sharp for this one. It’s your show now."

"Roger that, General. I’ll make sure they get it done."

LongShot switched over to the command channel for the fleet, waiting for the orders to go out and this operation to get under way.

"Archangel control, this is Jedi’s Pride; we are ready to get underway." He reported

His wife’s voice came back over the comm. "Roger, Pride, proceed to the jump point and initiate operations."

LongShot could sense the tension in her voice, "Understood, Archangel, we will make the jump to lightspeed in two minutes and counting."

"Copy that, Pride; good luck and may the Force be with you."

A mental touch to her cheek was all LongShot could afford to do before he turned his ship out towards deep space. Ahead of them, Raptor Wing had reached the Nav Buoy and the fighters closed formation for the jump.

"All squads report in!" Darius’ voice barked.

"Nova Squadron, standing by." The Duros Commodore, Razzberry acknowledged.

"Knights of Alderaan, standing by." Darius reported for his own squad.

"Freedom Squadron, standing by." Stargazer piped in.

The wookie rumble from AG told Darius that Republic’s Raiders were ready as well.

"All squadrons report ready, Admiral." Darius reported to Das.

Das’ voice came back over the comm. "Then make your first jump and start the countdown for your second. Good hunting, Raptor Wing, and may the Force be with you."

The engine glow intensified and the ships leapt forward into hyperspace and vanished.

The commando transports linked up with the Pride as they arrived at the jump beacon.

"Admiral, we’re ready to make the jump to light speed." Durrron reported.

"Acknowledged," Das replied, "good luck, gentlemen."

LongShot signaled the transports and then pulled the hyperdrive levers back toward him. The stars turned into starlines and then into the mottled deep blue tunnel of hyperspace and they were underway.

Das watched the force leave, then turned his attention back to the remaining ships before him.

Avenger and Defender Wings would be going together, combining their might to smash through the Imperial Fleet stationed at Kilbangi. Now, just minutes before the fleet would jump into hyperspace, Das could see the sheer size of the unit he commanded.

"All ships prepare to make the jump to hyperspace on my mark!" he ordered, swiveling in his chair toward the battle display.

The fighters of eight different squadrons, nearly one hundred in number, led the way with the capital ships close behind.

"Mark!" he barked, and the fighters sped into hyperspace. A moment later, the capital ships streaked in pursuit. In less than a minute Paradise Station hung in the darkness once again, the barren planet of Nkhlon her only companion.

Kilbangi Shipyards

LongShot reached for the hyperdrive levers, slowly easing them forward and dropping them back into realspace. The shipyards loomed ahead, the massive hulk of the now-completed Star Destroyer hanging moored to the docking platform. In space around the shipyard complex was the Imperial Sector Fleet assigned with guarding this particular installation. The fleet consisted of two ISD2s, four Dreadnought battleships, and over a dozen smaller capital ships ranging in size from Strike Cruisers to Corellian Gunships. Forward of the yards themselves hung a massive Golan Three battle platform, identical to Paradise station. Assorted turbolaser batteries, mines and warhead batteries rounded out the shipyard’s defense, making this one of the hardest targets that the NRN had hit in a long time indeed.

Durrron leaned forward in the navigator’s chair and whistled, "Wow. They aren’t kidding around about keeping this place covered are they?"

Terkuss silently shook his head as LongShot spoke with the commando teams that flanked their ship. After a moment he transmitted the approach and authorization code that Talon Karrde’s smuggler’s coalition had obtained for them. Stretching out with the Force, LongShot tried to sense whether the Imperial controller was buying the deception.

A moment later, a voice crackled over the speakers, "Freighter Basra, you are cleared for docking. Please have the other transports in your unit maintain course and heading with your own."

"Acknowledged, control. Basra out."

It was a moment later that there was a flicker of pseudomotion to the rear and the entire NRN appeared in the system.

The confusion and panic on the Imperial side was all that they could’ve hoped for as the Sector Fleet scrambled for position and the laser/warhead batteries opened fire on the approaching New Republic vessels. Rogue Squadron lead the way, their X-Wings cutting a path of destruction and devastation through the first layer of defenses while Aces High followed close behind to handle the minefield.

"Watch it Rogue Four! You’ve got a missile inbound!" Heatcliff barked, seeing the concussion missile boring in on Stormgod.

Stormgod’s fighter streaked toward one of the Gunships, already listing badly from the initial capital ship barrage. "Copy, Rogue Leader, I’m on it." was all he said in reply.

A moment later he released a puff of brilliant chaff from the rear of his fighter and sent the X-Wing into a punishing climb up and over the Gunship. The missile, temporarily blinded by the chaff burst, plowed into the side of the Gunship with a powerful explosion that broke the smaller ship’s back and sent it tumbling into the void as it fell apart.

"Good flying, Rogue Four." Reality, Rogue Two, called out. He scanned the present situation, seeing the Imperial Capital ships moving in to engage the NRN ships.

"Attention all groups!" Came the call over the command net. "Enemy fighters heading your way!"

Ionforce, flying Aces Leader, called out the tallyho first, "I got em, boss! Looks like Endor all over again!"

He heeled his fighter into a spiraling dive, sighting in on the approaching TIE Fighters.

Vice Admiral Skylem called out, "Avenger Wing form up on Aces and let’s keep those fighters away from the Capitals!"

Avenger Wing flattened out into a cloud vee formation to speed head-on at the incoming TIE Fighters. A moment later the two starfighter groups were engaged, twisting, diving and firing into space like a deadly ballet.

LongShot watched the battle from the Jedi’s Pride, waiting until the ships were drawn away from the yard itself before slamming in the throttles and streaking toward the undefended Star Destroyer.

"Infiltrator One and Infiltrator Two! Dock with the bridge and get it secured! We should have engineering under control shortly after that!" he called out.

Major Talis Preye, the commando leader acknowledged a moment later, "Copy that, Pride. We’re expecting minimal resistance on the bridge, Captain, they don’t need many people to man her while she’s in port."

"We’re expecting the heaviest resistance in the engineering section near the computer core where the tech team from Archangel will be coming aboard; but we should be able to handle that." LongShot replied.

With two Jedi Knights and a Jedi Master, Preye didn’t say, I don’t doubt you can handle it.

The two larger transports attached themselves to the docking pylons on the far side of the bridge complex, their commandos already burning through the hatchways before the Imperials on the bridge could react to what was happening.

The Pride docked on the underside of the Star Destroyer, using landing claws to secure itself to the hull over the hatchway. The three Jedi all looked at each other and ignited their lightsabers. Two golden blades and a violet blade sliced through the armor plate on the hatch, sending it crashing into the passage beyond. Blaster fire erupted around them and they grimly began to fight their way to the main control room, sabers flashing and humming amidst the Imperial troops.

The TIE Fighters had been sufficiently slowed by Avenger Wing, and the NRN capital ships were now able to draw closer to the Imperial battle lines and rake them with their turbolaser batteries. Das looked out at the carnage of battle, noticing how uncoordinated the Imperials were compared to the NRN. He stared for another moment or two, watching another group of TIE Fighters wink out on his display as Black Thranta and Wraith Squadron blasted through their midst with a hail of laser fire. Over the comlink Das could hear the pilot’s excited voices.

"Good shot, Hardtarget!" he heard Osss call out triumphantly.

"Watch your back, Stix! You’ve got a tail!" Sespetoxri shouted.

Stix’s voice was sarcastic, "A tail, Ses? I count two back there and they’re marksmanship is getting better!"

"Send in the CSAR team, guys!" Proton groused, "I just lost my number three and four engine and I’m punching out. I got four of the rotten eyeballs though."

Das’ gut clenched at that one. It was easy for a pilot to get lost in the carnage of battle floating out there alone.

"I copy that, Proton," Anakin replied, "get out of there now and we’ll have a team on the way."

Das turned his attention back to the display in front of him. It was time to start Phase 2. Raptor Wing would be arriving anytime now, and the boarding party on the ISD would be in position soon.

"Excalibur to Archangel. Commander Jorrel, why don’t you go give your husband a hand? I’m sure he’s in over his head by now." Das tried to keep his voice from betraying his concern.

"He usually is, Excalibur," Jessa replied, unable to hide the tension in her voice, "Archangel is under way."

Das flipped to the Defender Wing frequency, "Silver Saints, Young Jedi Knights, why don’t you roll out the red carpet for the lady and make sure that no one messes with her."

Mother smirked as she led the Silver Saints ahead of the massive Assault Frigate, "Don’t worry, Admiral, we girls stick together. Saints, let’s teach these Imps how to treat a lady properly."

The X-Wings dove into the fray ahead of the capital ship, their cannons scattering TIE Fighters away from the port side of her.

"We’ve got the Starboard side, Mother." Lando replied, leading YJK into battle on the opposite side of the massive vessel.

A moment later a war cry echoed over the comm system and a group of A-Wings streaked in from behind the Imperial fleet. "Nova Squadron! Fan out and take out any targets of opportunity! If they’re too big, mark em and send me the coordinates to give to the Knights when they get here! Now let’s do some damage!" Razzberry shouted to Nova Squadron..

The A-Wings fanned out, picking off stray TIE Fighters and picking off an entire squadron of TIE Bombers that they had caught by surprise.

Within two minutes the entire rear line of the Imperial Force had erupted into complete pandemonium and confusion.

It was then that three more squadrons of NRN fighters leapt into the fray from behind. A squadron of powerful B-Wing assault fighters and two squadrons of X-Wings flanking them on their way in.

"Did somebody order takeout?" Darius, commander of the Knights of Alderaan, called out in a joyful voice. The B-Wings launched a broadside strike of proton torpedoes into the side of a stricken Star Destroyer, sending chain reaction explosion down its flanks. AG bellowed a wookie roar of triumph, leading Republic’s Raiders in their escort of the Knights. Pash "O" flanked to the side of his big friend, nailing an incoming TIE with a snapshot that sheered its wings off. The rest of the Raiders fanned out and began dismantling the Imperial defenses. On the far side of the Knights was Freedom Squadron, led by Stargazer who was flanked by Sapphyre.

"Leave some for us, Raiders!" he complained, blasting two TIEs with his quad lasers.

Sapphyre’s voice came over the comm, "Have we gotten the signal from the infiltration teams yet?"

Stargazer sighed, "Not yet, we just have to hold out until we hear from them."

Darius’ voice came over the Wing comm, "Look alive, Raptor Wing! Nova says we have a gaggle of Squints on their way to say hello!"

Within seconds the battle intensified another notch.

Aboard the Star Destroyer, the commandos had secured the bridge area, sealing it off to the few Imperials that were trying to get through to them.

"General Terkuss, this is Major Preye. The bridge is secure, what is your status?"

In the engineering section, the three Jedi looked over the remains of the Imperial troops that had died trying to stop them.

"We’re secure here for the moment, Major, but it will be a minute or two before we can lock everything down." Terkuss said into his Comlink.

LongShot looked down at his R2 unit, patting the black exterior. "Alright, Squealer, it’s your show now."

The little droid rolled across the room, beeping to itself before extending its scomplink proboscis and inserting it into the main engineering computer. A twist of the appendage and images began flashing across the screen at an incredible rate as the droid attempted to activate the slave protocols that had been installed throughout the systems.

LongShot snapped around, sensing a palpable foreboding from Terkuss. "What is it?"

"He’s coming." Was all Terkuss said.

Durrron’s eyes narrowed, " Tremayne? That’s impossible, Terkuss, he can’t possibly know what’s going on here."

Terkuss shook his head, "Tremayne did more than just convert me to the Dark Side, Master Durrron, he studied every part of my mind and learned the unique resonance that it gives off because I’m a clone. He could track me from the other side of the galaxy if he wanted to. It’s also possible that he was able to use that ability to enhance his farseeing and figure out where we would be and when."

A thought went through LongShot like a blaster bolt, "The fleet! If Tremayne is coming then he’s bound to have Admiral Drommel and the Guardian with him!"

Durrron picked up on it. "And the Guardian has three other Star Destroyers with her."

LongShot turned to Squealer, still plugged into the wall, "Squealer? Do you have access to the communications grid here?"

The droid beeped a short affirmative.

"Good, patch me through to Admiral Das on a priority channel."

A moment later the droid indicated that the connection was available.

"Admiral?" LongShot called.

Das’ voice crackled back, "Captain? What’s going on in there?"

"We’re secure for the moment, sir, the slave protocols have been established and the ship is sealed off both bridge and engineering; but we have a big problem."

There was a pause, "What kind of problem?" the voice was cautious.

LongShot swallowed, "Tremayne is on his way here."

"Oh good skies." Das groaned. "How long?"

"I don’t know, sir, but where Tremayne is you know the Guardian won’t be far behind."

Das sighed, "Alright, Captain. Archangel is on its way and should be docking any minute. Get the techs set up, get that ship under way, and get the blazes out of there."

"Yes, sir, we’ll—" his voice faltered as he felt the overwhelming sense of pure evil.

Terkuss’ hand dipped to his side in a blur, his violet bladed lightsaber igniting as he stared at the nearby door. Durrron ignited his golden blade as well, calming himself and blocking out the waves of fear and evil emanating from the presence of Tremayne.

"Captain! What’s going on?" Das’ voice shouted.

He heard one final statement from LongShot before the connection died "It’s a trap. They’re here already."

On the Star Destroyer the blast doors flung themselves across the room, propelled by sheer malice. A figure stepped through the door, dressed in black robes that were a haunting reminder of Darth Vader’s. A metal plate on the right side, a glowing red cybernetic eye gleaming unblinking from underneath, covered the face and the left side held the middle-aged visage of a once-handsome man. Only the Jedi Master Durrron did not recoil from the sight of this evil being, so in tune with the Force was he. LongShot, fighting the overpowering force of the Dark Side in his mind, stepped backwards, unable to ignite his lightsaber. Terkuss, gritting his teeth against the growing horror at confronting this demon again, still managed enough will to hold his saber in a defensive stance.

"Do you really think you can raise a weapon to me, my apprentice?" Tremayne scoffed in a contemptuous voice. A bolt of pure energy shot from his fingertips and struck LongShot in the chest, flipping him off his feet and slamming him into the control panel beyond. The limp body slid to the ground and didn’t move. Durrron leapt in front of his student, raising his saber to fend off the killing charge, sending it crashing harmlessly into the ceiling.

Terkuss, summoning all of his calm and power in the Force, stepped forward, "I am your apprentice no longer, Tremayne," he raised his lightsaber with confidence, "and I will not allow you to destroy my friends or the men and women out there."

Tremayne raised an amused eyebrow, "Indeed? And how do you propose to stop me, my friend? You are a clone, nothing more than a copy of a man. You are a weak and pathetic Jedi who turned his back on true power"

Terkuss allowed a small smile to play on his lips, "You don’t know whom I was cloned from, do you, Tremayne? If you did you would have destroyed me at the first opportunity." He advanced another step.

"It doesn’t matter, boy, you are not even human." The Sith Lord hissed, but he backed up and ignited his own crimson blade. Something was not right here.

"My template was Corwin Shelvay, one of the last Jedi Masters. But you didn’t know that, did you?" Terkuss said calmly, drawing closer, "That’s why I have a sensitivity to the Force when all the other Terkuss clones don’t. The Emperor must have cloned me for something else, but the Force had other ideas. Now I know what that idea was: to defeat you."

Tremayne’s eyes grew narrower and narrower, the fear and hatred growing until they exploded into movement. Crimson blade met violet blade in a shower of sparks, and the battle began.

Out in the shipyards, Das stared at his comlink, a growing sense of doom invading his mind. How had the Imperials known? And then he saw it materialize out of the blackness of space like a living nightmare. Guardian had arrived, her five-kilometer body knifing through the void and sending a barrage of turbolaser fire into the Majestic and the Stormbringer. Three more ISD2s entered the fray, slamming hard into the rear of the battle where Raptor Wing was set up. The two corvettes of Republic’s Raiders were torn apart in hellish explosions, their crews never even getting the chance to defend themselves from their attackers. Archangel lurched from an impact on its port side, but she was moving fast enough that she would make it to the Star Destroyer and be out of the zone of fire while offloading the assault teams.

"All ships! Concentrate your fire on that Super Star Destroyer! If we can take her down we can still have a fighting chance!"

The mighty NRN fleet swung to face this new threat, her fighters lancing out ahead to meet the new swarm of TIE Fighters coming in. Over one hundred of the small fighters poured from the new Imperial Ships, their green lasers mingling with the red lasers from the New Republic fighters.

In Raptor Wing, the situation was grim. "More fighters coming in, boss!" O shouted into his comlink, twisting his fighter in a Kracken Twist before sending another Imperial into oblivion.

AG bellowed in response, O’s computer translating as he spoke, "I know that, Pash! Take half the boys and hit them from the front, the rest of us will come up underneath them and try to scatter them."

O confirmed and wondered if this current adventure with his big friend would be their last. He turned his attention back to what he was doing.

"Carnage, WarJade, LockUp! You’re with me! The three fighters streaked headlong into the TIEs, cannons blazing wildly, just hoping to hit a target on their way through. The TIE Fighters reacted exactly as planned, pulling up and around to try and hit the passing fighters. It was then that AG, Jay, Outrage, Hobbie, and Kraze roared in behind the enemy fighters and began to blaze away at them. The TIEs panicked and scattered, each pair with a single X-Wing blasting at them from behind.

Darius heard the call from Admiral Das moments after he saw the SSD and her escorts pop into the system. It wasn’t two minutes after that and the two corvettes of Republic’s Raiders exploded, damaging two B-Wings and nearly sending debris plowing into Freedom Squadron that was covering them. Stargazer swung his squadron around the exploding ships, picking off a trio of TIE Interceptors that tried to slip in on the B-Wings.

"Raptor Wing, this is Excalibur! Hit the mooring joists now and then nail that SSD with everything you’ve got!"

Stargazer sent his fighter into a spiraling climb, stabbing through the cockpits of two more TIEs with his quad lasers. "Darius! Things are getting really hairy around here! If you guys are going to hit those mooring joists, you had better do it now!"

Darius cursed, avoiding the incoming laser fire as he neared the target ship, "Knights! Fire!"

Streams of proton torpedoes lanced outward, striking the mooring joists’ skeletal structures and sending them twisting and writhing into the darkness. Fires raced up the tubuals, eating the oxygen inside and exploding the central pylon structure in a shower of flaming debris.

"Target is free! I say again, target is free!" Darius called out, steering his B-Wing clear of the now-drifting ISD and toward the Guardian.

On the Excalibur Das leaned on the bridge railing, watching the attack on the huge vessel ahead.

"All batteries! Concentrate fire on the primary and secondary shield generators! Avenger Wing! Hit those turbolaser batteries on her port side and keep drawing their fire! Defender Wing! We’ve got a wing of Interceptors on the way so nail em on the way in if you can!" The ship rocked violently with a flash of brilliant white light.

"What the hell was that?" Das barked, holding the rail for balance.

A Mon Calamari turned to the Admiral, "Sir, Majestic has been hit hard and is suffering a full system shutdown! Engines are beginning to go critical!"

Das bit off a curse. "Get her clear if you can! Any word from the target ship?"

"Negative, sir. We haven’t heard a word since their last transmission. Archangel has just docked and is unloading her troops as we speak." The crewer reported.

"Then we have to buy her more time." Das said grimly. And hope they’re still alive. He didn’t say.

Saber impacted saber, sending brilliant flashes of light across the room as Tremayne drove Terkuss back toward the control center. Terkuss parried a lightning thrust, barely spinning to avoid the counter-attack. He thought quickly, still on the defensive. Tremayne was faster than he was, stronger than he was, and more powerful in the Force; but there had to be a weakness, a chink in the armor. He watched the savage hatred play across the face of his opponent, seeing his own face reflected in the metal plate that covered the right side of Tremayne’s face, the hellish red glow of the cybernetic eye casting a gleam on his own skin. His face! The thought hit Terkuss like a thunderbolt.

"You remember don’t you, old friend?" Terkuss taunted, blocking another flurry of attacks and leaping up to a catwalk overhead. "You remember the searing pain when my saber bit through your face and took your eye."

Tremayne’s face turned red with rage, "YOU ARE NOT SHELVAY!" he screamed, slashing desperately at Terkuss before leaping up to the catwalk to face him again. Terkuss struck quickly, being parried before the blade could score but seeing the fear growing in his opponent’s eyes while they stared at each other across the clinch.

"You remember facing Vader and having to report your failure. You remember the agony of having your face replaced with unfeeling metal, don’t you, old friend?" Terkuss hissed between clenched teeth, using all of his strength of will to project the illusion that he was trying to portray.

Tremayne screamed with rage, shoving savagely against Terkuss and forcing him to leap back and out of the way of the next series of attacks.

"It’s over, Tremayne," he said quietly, saber held in a defensive position, "you cannot have me, you have failed to kill my friends, and this ship will soon be in the hands of the New Republic. Can you sense the minds of the soldiers that are boarding even now? You can’t hope to beat them all."

Tremayne glared at Terkuss with as much hatred as his black heart could muster. "But I will destroy you in the meantime, old friend!" With that he screamed long and hard, releasing all of his anger, fear and aggression in a psychic shockwave that ripped through the Force like a bomb-blast Terkuss was flung backwards, falling off the catwalk and dropping his lightsaber when he hit. Clearing his vision, the Jedi saw Tremayne standing across the room, a glowing charge of energy gathering in his hands. Terkuss steeled himself, calling on every bit of the Force to defend himself. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack. He heard Master Skywalker’s voice echo in his mind. Terkuss focused on Tremayne, setting a wall of Force around him, defending him from the power of the Dark Side. Tremayne looked around like a caged animal, confused and terrified at the sudden absence of power. He looked at the Jedi across the room, calmly on his knees with his eyes closed and hated him with all his being. Lifting his saber and roaring with fury, the Sith Lord leapt at his enemy. In a blinding motion Terkuss’ lightsaber streaked into his open hand, igniting to meet Tremayne’s charge. Tremayne, unable to change his direction and still weak from his interruption of power, impaled himself on the violet blade, a strangled scream escaping from his lips before he slid to the floor. Terkuss stood and looked down at his enemy and pitied the look of fear on his face.

"Goodbye, old friend, Corwin Shelvay can rest in the Force now." He murmured as Tremayne’s body shuddered then lay still. The last Dark Lord of the Sith slipped quietly into death, and Terkuss began to run from the gathering Dark Side explosion.

Das couldn’t believe what he was seeing. The Guardian was shooting in all directions, as if it had lost any command cohesion it might have had. Raptor Wing streaked in from behind the vessel, pummeling the twin shield generators on top of the bridge section. One of the Star Destroyers that had come in with the Guardian was listing badly, her forecastle a twisted and blazing wreck as she drifted crazily toward the nearby asteroid belt. The other two ships were desperately trying to hold off another group of New Republic starships, their drives powering up for the jump to lightspeed. The Empire’s forces were on the verge of collapse.

"Sir!" The Mon Cal crewer shouted, "Signal incoming from target vessel! They have her under control and are beginning to move!"

Das broke into a tight smile. They had done it against all odds. Now the trick was getting out in one piece.

He watched as one of the shield generators on the SSD exploded in a ball of flame and the massive ship began to turn to escape. It was then that the movement caught Das’ eyes. The Majestic and the Stormbringer, both ablaze and barely under control descended toward the Imperial behemoth, picking up speed as their engines shunted every bit of power they had left. A horrifying realization cut through Das like a knife.

"Majestic! Stormbringer! Stop your attack!" he cried.

The comlink crackled with a tired voice, "Sorry, Admiral," Captain Virgis of the Majestic replied, "We can’t allow the Guardian to escape, and we won’t survive long enough to reach the repair yards. The crews have ejected in the lifepods. It’s been a pleasure, Admiral, thanks for the fun." The connection cut off, and Das watched in mute pain as the two Light Mon Cal cruisers slammed into the SSD; one into the bridge and the other amidships. The cataclysmic explosion actually rocked the Excalibur even on the far side of the shipyards. The SSD hung in space for an instant, then tore itself apart from the inside out, great chunks of debris flinging themselves into the void.

On board the captured Star Destroyer, Durrron and LongShot made their way to the bridge. LongShot ran through another Jedi pain reduction exercise, the burn on his chest charred and blistered. The New Republic commandos watched the two Jedi walk onto the bridge, stepping aside as they reached the command area.

"Status report," LongShot grunted to the nearest technician.

The man turned toward him, "Guardian has been destroyed along with one ISD and another two seriously damaged. Majestic and Stormbringer are gone, along with some of our smaller capital ships. All fighter wings are reporting fighters destroyed, but no reports on casualties. This ship stands ready to move and we may have a few shots through the slave setup, but I would recommend we get out of here."

Terkuss stepped onto the bridge and the other two Jedi greeted him with merely a look and a smile. He stepped next to his friends and looked at the situational map.

"Captain? I take it we are ready to be underway?" he asked LongShot, unconsciously falling into military protocol.

LongShot stood a little taller, "I would recommend we take the path of least resistance and get out of here. The rest of the fleet will be pulling out soon."

Terkuss nodded, then flipped the comlink open, "Admiral, this is Raptor’s Claw. We are underway and moving. What are your orders?"

Das voice came back over the link, "General? I want you guys out of here! We’re pulling out now, and your escort is on its way. Knights of Alderaan are already making the jump. Freedom and the Raiders will hang with you until you make your own jump, and Nova will stick here until the other ships finish rescue operations. Defender Wing will be staying with them."

Terkuss looked up, seeing the X-Wings take up a defensive position around the ship. He smiled slowly, then turned to LongShot.

"Captain, it was your crazy little strategy, why don’t you give the order?"

Jayce grinned, "Yes, Sir." He turned to the man and droid on fire control, "Main turbolaser batteries: Lock onto the docking platform and fire at will."

The green bolts flared out from the sides of the Star Destroyer, tearing into what was left of the Empire’s last shipyards outside of the Fringe.

The rest of the attack fleet began to make their jumps into hyperspace, Avenger Wing following close behind as the Raptor’s Claw began to pick up speed and move toward the jump point.

"We are ready to make the jump to lightspeed, General." LongShot said, looking up from his console.

Terkuss sat in the command chair, "Very well, Captain. You may make the jump at your discretion."

LongShot stood, looking into the crew pit, "Yes, sir. Helm, navigation, engage the hyperdrive and let’s go home."

The Raptor’s Claw’s engines flared and then the massive ship streaked into the void of hyperspace.

Excalibur one week later

The gathered men and pilots of the NRN stood at attention, looking into the darkness of space and the newly acquired battleship that hung there. In front of them were row upon row of caskets, a grim reminder of the cost that they had paid for another victory against the Empire. At the order of Admiral Das, all of the caskets were set adrift, slowly moving toward the brilliance of the nearby star and their final destiny. Das stepped once more to the lectern.

"We have a few more items to attend to that will make our comrades’ sacrifices even more fitting." He turned toward LongShot, who stood at attention nearby. "Captain Jayce Jorrel, step forward."

LongShot stepped smartly in front of Das, still at attention.

"Captain Jorrel, you are hereby promoted to the rank of General, effective immediately. Congratulations, General." Das shook LongShot’s hand, smiling warmly. LongShot returned the smile, wincing as the movement pulled at his still healing chest.

"Thank you, Sir." He replied proudly.

Das turned to the gathered pilots, "And what is the proper form of address for a newly frocked General, NRN?"

"GENERAL NUISANCE, SIR!" Came the traditional reply, although the chuckles were more subdued then normal. LongShot stepped aside for the next pilot to ascend the platform.

"Captain Anakin is taking command of Wraith Squadron, we wish him luck and May the Force be with you, Captain." Das shook Anakin’s hand and saluted him, then made way for the massive Wookie and the human by his side. "To that end, Captain AG and Lieutenant Commander O will be taking command of the Endor Knights. Good luck and may the Force be with you, gentlemen."

Das dismissed the pilots a few moments later watching them mingle with one another in the hanger bay off to the side.

"We pulled it off, Admiral." A voice to his left said quietly.

Das smiled, "Yeah, Reality, I guess we did. I wouldn’t have believed it, but I guess I should’ve."

Reality looked at his friend with a lopsided grin, the pride evident in his voice, "We’re the NRN, Das, we can do anything."

Das’ smile grew bigger and he clapped his friend on the shoulder, "That we can, old friend, that we can."

Later that night, Terkuss stared out at the stars from the bridge of the Raptor’s Claw. Freedom Squadron and Republic’s Raiders had been brought aboard into their hangers, and the ship was now crewed with a normal amount of personnel, but that wasn't what was keeping him up. He played the memories of what had happened that day back in his mind. The last Dark Lord of the Sith was dead, and he had destroyed him. Shouldn’t he feel a sense of relief?

"Not exactly relief, Terk," a quiet voice said behind him, "but more a clearer picture of what your duties are as a Jedi."

Terkuss turned to see Master Skywalker, Master Durrron, and LongShot standing quietly nearby. Luke smiled at his former student, "Of course a sense of accomplishment is acceptable. Well done, my friend."

They gathered around their friend, sharing a moment of communion and friendship that was unique to Jedi Knights and those who shared combat together. That, Terkuss thought to himself, is what keeps us fighting.

For the moment, the war had given them time to rest and regroup and they would all take that time to share the victory they had won. As the X-Wings soared by the windows, Terkuss allowed himself a smile.

THE END