Several Days Previous
Deep Space
SSD Midas

The conference room aboard the Midas where The Committee meetings were held was filled to far below its normal capacity. The emergency meeting of the Union's governing body had unfortunately corresponded with a scheduled relocation of the Midas to a new deep space location, and therefore rendezvousing with the huge ship had been rather difficult. The Directors who could make it however, had finally settled into their chairs. Tir Esias rapped his cane on the huge conference table and the din of conversation quickly died.

"Thank you all for coming at such short notice."

The usual protocol for a meeting of the Committee involved weeks of intense planning to ensure that ever possible Director would have a plausible reason to be absent from whatever position they held, and to ensure the secrecy of the meeting point. Emergency meetings such as this one were extremely rare. Tir could sense the distress and confusion of the group in the Force. The absence of the Chairman seemed to weigh upon the Director's minds. The leader of the Union had left the Midas for safety reasons, and was safe on the Union's hidden stronghold known as the Forge, but most of the Directors were unaware of this. Tir Esias felt no desire to assuage their pathetic fears by enlightening them.

"I am sure you are all wondering about the purpose of our gathering, so I not keep you in suspense. As you are no doubt aware, the Galactic Coalition has declared war on the Black Dragon Empire. While this is not unexpected, our sources indicated that the Dragons are much more prepared than the Coalition expects."

Esias tapped a button on the table, and a holographic projection sprang to life.

"BDE/GC tensions are heightened due to their numerous border disputes. The Coalition's former capital of Mon Calamari is totally surrounded, deep in Dragon territory. Also, this pocket of Coalition worlds that juts drastically into Dragon space is a source of contention."

The holoprojection began changing, with images appearing as Esias spoke.

"Mon Calamari is certain to be a flashpoint. It is also believed that the Coalition is going to launch a massive offensive in the upper Tion Hegemony. Honoghr is another likely target."

The holoprojection faded.

Kaira Talixx, the former ORS general, and current head of the Liberty Sect spoke up.

"All of this military strategy is intriguing... but what does it have to do with us."

Tir Esias smiled.

"A pertinent question. All of this involves us, because we are about to become involved in it. The Black Dragon Empire has been contacted by the Union and retained our services. I can assure you that we will be rewarded handsomely for our assistance."


At this note the Directors began conversing rather wildly, and it took a few strikes from Esias' cane to restore order.

"As you can see, we lack a quorum to conduct business. However, this action requires no discussion. The Chairman asked me to call this meeting simply to inform the Committee. As of now, solely Union assets will be used in our operation, so there will be no requirements from any of our affiliates."

Esias paused for a moment, his silence signaling that he was ready to entertain questions. With most of the Union's most vocal Directors absent, no one spoke up.

"This meeting is adjourned."





Edge of the Tammar System

With little fanfare the Union force (which had been marshalling at the edge of Hutt Space) exited hyperspace.

The force was best described as unorthodox, an interesting assortment of very different vessels. The core of the force was seven capital class vessels, the most powerful the Imperial Star Destroyer Noir Soleil. It was on this mighty wedge that Tir Esias, the Union's most devout servant stood, his sightless eyes gazing into the nothingness of the starscape.

"The Fleet has exited. All ships reporting in sir."

Esias had expected nothing less, yet it was comforting to here that no mishaps had occurred before the combat had even begun.

"Captain, please bring all ships to general quarters. Prepare the ships for the micro-jump in system. If we pick up anything in the long range scans, feel free to pass it along to me."

"Of course sir."

"I shall retire to my chamber- please disturb me for only the most urgent matters."


Esias left the bridge and walked briskly to a nearby turbolift. He entered the empty vessel and immedatly felt a wave of serenity as he left the ordered chaos of the bridge behind. A few minutes later he was at peace as he entered a utilitarian room a few decks below the bridge.

He seated himself cross-legged, and began to draw the Force in from all around him. As he slipped into a trance, he was barely aware of the sudden shift of motion that signified that the Union fleet had started its micro-jump in system...

The Tammar Home Fleet wasn't exactly the Grand Army of the Republic to look at, but the proud group of volunteers kept their unique homeworld safe. Captain Orion regretted in a small way that he wouldn't be part of the grand war effort elsewhere, but recognized the need for defence all around the Coalition. He walked along the bridge of the primary capital ship of the defence fleet, a brand-new Dominator built in foundaries far, far, away on the other side of the galaxy.

There were other ships as well - a few antiques, a couple Longswords, and most of their fighter compliments. The most significant contribution Tammar gave to the Coalition was a training facility in orbit, seen as a safe-haven on the road to Teth, which was the staging grounds for the war.

Orion was grey-haired, and scratched irritably at the oxygen pouches under his chin. The environment of the ship was a little too oxygen rich for his comfort, but it was really just a minor annoyance. "Is the next shipment prepared to leave orbit yet?" he grumbled to his second-in-command, who just shook his head. "Honestly, it's not a hard job - food, recruits, water. Tell them if they don't speed it up I'll be forwarding a report to Eastern Command about their slow response."

The lieutenant smiled "You think Eastern Command will care?"

"What? Of course not, this is war. They'll be caring about more important things - but the freighter captains don't know that. Maybe it'll light a fire under their - "

He was interrupted by the hurried arrival of a junior officer, thrusting a print-out under his nose. "Sir! Contacts on the long-range scans!"

"What?" Orion's bushy eyebrows raised "Give me that." He took the report, and said "This doesn't look like... and they are early..." After a moment of thought, he said "To quarters, everyone! Initiate emergency protocols. Tell those captains to cancel their orders, I want them to take the recruits and as many of the supplies as they can grab and get planetside instead. Arm the ground forces, full alert, the whole thing."

The old Tammarian climbed into his chair, and said "Are we done refuling?"

"Yes, sir." said a junior officer "All systems coming online."

"Good. Scramble the fighters, now. Once they've deployed, raise our shields and power up weapons. Have our sensors actively seeking Coalition signals, just to be on the safe side. Bring us about to be between the signals and the planet. And..." He pulled a pipe from his inside pocket, clamping down on one end "...Wake up Old Herbert."

Old Herbert was indeed an old ship - an Interdictor that'd been in service for years, maybe decades, and had shifted ownership several times. As the Black Dragons were known for innovative transportation beyond hyperspace, it'd been deemed that Old Herbert was more of a liability than a help to the war effort. As Tammar was closer to some Farfalen forces, however, which were known as more conventional, Old Herbert still had a place. With a sputter and cough, the Interdiction field rose.

The enemy forces popped out, closing rapidly with the defenders. Looking out at the larger enemy force, Orion clamped tighter on the end of his pipe. "Keep our distance. Make sure the shields are raised - they are? Good." The enemy was still a fair distance off, and Orion eyed the Imperial Star Destroyer that stood out with great distast. "Prepare to fire on my command."

The Union force reached the edge of Old Herbert's Interdiction field, and summarily came out of hyperspace. The intention of the Coalition maneuver had been to surprise the Union taskforce and sow the seeds of disorganization, but the move actually brought the Union ships out of hyperspace as a more cohesive unit. Tacticians had long bemoaned the inaccuracies of micro-jump calculations, and the results of numerous battles had been decided by poorly timed jumps and hyperspace re-entries. The late Grand Admiral Thrawn had often purposely used Interdictor cruisers to bring his forces out of hyperspace prematurely- but also all at one time.

So in an instant the Union armada was revealed. The center of the formation was the ISD Noir Soleil, which was flanked on either sides by smaller but no less deadly MC-90 heavy cruisers. Ahead of these primary capitals was a screen of four 700 meter long Majestic class Heavy Cruisers.

In support the Union fleet had 6 Rapier II class gunships, with three each arranged in a wedge formation slightly ahead of the Noir Soleil and is accompanying MC-90. A pair of Correllian Gunships protected the farthest flanks of the fleet, outside the MonCals.



The Union vessels had reverted from realspace prepared for battle. The whole purpose of jumping to the edge of the system had been to allow the ships to raise shields and charge their weaponry- at the expense of revealing their presence and allowing their enemy time to do the same.

An astute mind would realize that the Union formation, despite having reverted from hyperspace earlier, remained almost perfectly intact. Fighters (almost all of them A-9 Vigilance Interceptors) began pouring from the hangars of the ISD, MC-90s and Majestics. In total 22 squadrons of these inexpensive but highly effective fighters were suddenly swarming out toward the GC. The fighters moved in excellent formation, almost with a rigidity that seemed unnatural. In unison the armada began moving toward weapons range of the GC forces.





The early revision did not disturb Tir Esias in the slightest. Tucked away deep in the bowels of the Noir Soleil, his spartan chamber barely shuddered as the ship encountered the resistance of an artificial gravity well. Tir Esias was far too focused, his mind deeply mired in the Force, to be distracted by a mere vibration.

Having sufficiently drawn in the energy around him, he reached out with his mind. He ignored the bright, vibrance of his immediate vicinity on the Noir Soleil and stretched farther, toward the much duller, dimmer presences on the ships nearby. As his will extended he felt his power seep into every fiber of the minds he so easily infiltrated, and their presence gave him renewed strength.

He "looked" with a thousands eyes at the GC force ahead of him, and began preparing his strategy, choosing his targets.

He brushed aside his own petty emotions- the knowledge that this force constituted a major fraction of the Union's fledgling military and the fear of the unknown variables that the Coalition would surely bring into the battle. Instead he filled his own mind with the sweet satisfaction of a perfectly crafted insurance policy, and the knowledge of his own amazing power. He projected this feelings outward, letting to fill the minds that he touched and gravitate into what was left of their souls.

Solidly in control, Tir Esias was ready for the coming struggle. Whether or not the Coalition was ready remained to be seen...

With disturbing unity and composure, enemy forces came towards the Coalition fleet - a swarm of fighters in the lead, followed by a tight formation behind. Orion grimaced, and said "Prepare to meet the enemy - arm our first volley, and run our last diagnostics checks. We have to protect Old Herbert if we want to keep enemy reinforcements out, and keep our fighters tight unless they see bombers. If there's no bombers, then fighters are less of a danger."

The enemy forces were advancing, still with a certain amount of discipline, and Orion had to wonder just who they were. They seemed far too low tech for Farfalen, yet far too well-equipped for mere pirates or raiders. Even mercenaries would be hard pressed to gather so many forces, and even if they could - to make so stupid a mistake this early in the fight?

He'd have to wait to find out.

"The enemy is within firing range, sir." said the sensor officer.

Orion took the pipe from his mouth, and said - with great depth of voice - "Fire."

The Coalition forces began to send waves of fire at their mysterious enemies. A Particle Projector shot from one of the Longswords barrled into the body of the Star Destroyer and tore a hole in it before tearing itself apart. The damage was disfiguring, if not all that devastating, but the first volley left its' scars in the neat, firm enemy formation that refused to break for the fire.

"They're made of stern stuff not to flinch." he said "Rearm and prepare for the enemy to return fire."

As for the Coalition ships, they wisely moved behind the Dominator - a vessel made to take a pouding. Orion just jutted out his chin, and said "Come on, hit me with everything ya got."

The first wave of Coalition fire slammed into the Union formation, most of it conventional turbolaser and ion beams that tested the integrity of the Majestics' shields. For the moment, they held.

A massive projective fired from one of the Coalition frigates barley slid by a Majestic and punched a hole in the frontal deflector shields of the Noir Soleil, then smashed into the bow of the ship, turning its point into a jagged edge. The damage was mainly superficial, though it was immediately obvious that the enemy vessels had weapons at their disposal of tremendous lethality. A direct hit on the Noir Soleil's bridge would have been devastating.

As they found themselves in range, the Union vessels began returning fire, and the battle had begun in earnest.




Tir Esias felt a ripple of surprise and distress rise from the sentients aboard the Noir Soleil as they began assessing the damage caused by the Longsword projectile. He was not surprised by the outpouring of emotion... though he had not expected the supposedly hardened Union mercs to seem so worried. As it became apparent that though the damage looked bad, it wasn't critical, the ship seemed to calm down. The remainder of the fleet had no emotional swing- but that was to be expected. In fact, any sort of emotional blip would have signaled to Tir that something was drastically out of order.

With the notable exception of the Noir Soleil, the Union ships were crewed entirely Necrotroopers. The sick, twisted creation of the Union's Falleen scientist Mengax, necrotroopers were best described as organic droids. Cybernetic implants placed deep in the brain suppressed and annihilated the free-will of a subject, ripping the souls from their body and turning them into hollow shells. Necrotroopers retained a modicum of initiative and a limited ability to make decisions, but were best utilized when "programmed" or under immediate supervision taking direct orders.

They felt no pain. They followed orders unquestionably. The continued until physically incapacitated- often surviving wounds that would take out the most tenacious infantryman.

But most interestingly, as they had become so corrupted, necrotroopers were amazingly easy to control through the Force. Tir Esias was no Jedi Master, and though he possessed a great raw talent in the Force, he was still somewhat crude in his application of Force moves that required finesse. However the will of the necrotroopers was so subverted and suppressed that it took only minimal effort to dominate their minds. And thus, the attack on Tammar was a grand experiment.

Tir Esias was the most powerful and active Force User in the Union. He had controlled necrotroopers on a small scale, most notably in the Union attack on the Trision research facility on Belkadan. Now, from the Noir Soleil, Tir Esias was "coordinating" the necrotroopers that crewed the entire remainder of the Union vessels. He wasn't controlling each individual action of every necrotrooper- no one, not even Sith like Emperor Palpatine could accomplish a task like that- but the necrotroopers had become an extension of his will. His to control, like a puppet-master pulling a thousand strings at once, each move carefully timed and coordinated.






Tir Esias reached for his com-link, sitting at his side. He had to give actual orders to the Noir Soleil.

"Reinforce the front ventral shields to 250%. Pull from the aft and central shields and weapon batteries."

The Captain of the Noir Soleil gave a quick acknowledgment of the order with no protest. The captain's chair of the Soleil was like a rotating door, and disobeying a direct order from Tir Esias would have been good way to be the next casualty. The order was unique, as it left the ISD uniquely vulnerable in several locations, but Tir Esias quickly remedied that fact.

The 3 Majestic class cruisers feel slightly back and up, all the while pouring fire into the frontal shields of the Dominator. They lined themselves up right across the bow of the ISD, across the largest area where the shields had been stripped. The two MC-90's moved forward in unison, angling slightly inward, concentrating their fire at an angle toward the front of the Dominator. A trio of Rapier II gunships maneuvered between the two MCs, ready to engage enemy fighters as they came closer. The four Corellian gunships began "gaining" altitude by flying over the Union formation.


The maneuvering left the Noir Soleil partially obscured by its own vessels, leaving only its lower profile exposed. Much of its weaponry was prevented from firing, though a few of the ships main guns located up near the bridge still had a clear line of fire at the Dominator. However, as a bonus, the only path which provided a clear Longsword shot was at the reinforced shield area.

The Noir Soleil was more important as a command and control vessel, and its security was worth its reduced firepower.



The Union fleet was focused totally on the Dominator's frontal shields, pouring turbolaser, ion and missile volleys into the powerful vessel.

Soon, it will break; and with it the defense of Tammar.

The Dominator shook and shuddered under the fire, officers shouting orders to their crew to keep the ship intact. After a few moments, Orion judged the time to be right.

"Now, while they focus on us, swing our forces outwards! Left flank, right flank, begin circling around."

The Longswords, frigates, and gunships of the Coalition fleet split up from behind the safety of the Dominator. Each flank strafed rapidly to the side, while the enemy formation was built in a line to the Dominator.

With the enemy focusing its' fire forwards, the warships that moved swiftly to flank were given clear view of their sides. Hard knocks were hurled at the sides of the Corellian Gunships, Majestics, and MC-90s.

With that move, Orion excitedly declared "Hold the fighters back, advance our Dominator between the MC-90s instead, and boost power to shields." His eyes were alight, and he hardly heard when a junior officer called to him about a report.

"Sir? Our long range sensors are suggesting further incoming. I'm not sure what to expect..."

Orion rubbed his chin "Don't worry about that now. Just get us in between the two of those MC-90s!"

With Coalition ships flanking, the Dominator made a gargantuan effort and advanced right into the three Rapier Gunships. Not made for capitol warfare, the three were either destroyed or driven out of the way - or flattened, their choice. With them out of the picture, the Dominator laid fire in deep to the flanks either side. The Dominator was still taking fire too, but it was practically made to take fire, and soaked it up. The MC-90s, however, didn't seem like they would last much longer.

On the other hand, neither will we, if they don't hurry up.

The Union formation, now partially enveloped by the flanking maneuver, did not budge.

The Dominator cruiser pushed forward, its heavy weaponry pounding the hapless Rapier II gunships. A concentrated blast of turbolaser fire punched through one of the gunships' shields and exploded rather spectacularly. Another volley destroyed a Rapier in similar fashion. A few moments later the final member of the trio took a critical hit from a volley of missiles and broke apart along its keel.

Tir Esias "watched" as the three vessels were summarily destroyed. The Coalition forces were maneuvering just as predicted, pushing out in a flanking maneuver that had been invited by the centric assault of his ships.

Perfect.

The Union fleet had been pouring fire onto the Dominator's frontal shields since they had enter firing range. Even if those shields had been reinforced, they would be straining and reaching critical levels. The GC had chosen not to attempt to relieve the Dominator, and try and press the tactical advantage presented by outflanking the Union. The Rapier II's had forced the Coalition to hold back its fighters.

The Rapier II's had been willingly sacrificed.

The Corellian gunships began their descent, pouring concentrated fire down on the Dominator. Then came the A-9 Vigilances.

An A-9 Vigilance is an interesting fighter design. Used by both the Empire and the New Republic at various times, the fighter is unshielded and highly maneuverable in the mold of a traditional Imperial fighter, but mounts two extremely powerful weapons in the mold of a more Republic design. Although there are some discrepancies about the actual classification, some military experts describe the A-9's weapons as turbolasers (because each of the lasers have independent power generators).

Wave after wave of Vigilances, flying in a tight but indescribably esoteric formation. The Dominator's quadlasers pounded away the swarm, but without fighter cover the Dominator was a very viable target. The volume of fire firing up toward the fighters increased in a desperate attempt to ward off the nimble pests, but to little avail. A violent volley from one of the Majestics took the Dominator's shields to the breaking point.. and a barrage from one of the MC-90s broke the shields.

The front of the Dominator became a veritable river of molten slag as the Union fleet pounded away at its now exposed hull.

A moment later a titanic explosion rocked the left most MC-90, sending bits of debris flying off into space as a Longsword projectile crashed through the bow of the ship. However, the damage was done.

Tir Esias felt himself waving his hand, and the Union fleet began peeling off, turning to face the flanking Coalition forces. The Dominator got no respite though, as the Majestics sudden maneuver revealed the full array of Noir Soleil's weaponry with a clear shot of the crippled Dominator. The sudden explosion of light slammed into the Dominator, sending rippling explosions along the front of the ship.

The lynchpin of Tammar's defense was just about cracked. And with it, cracked the defense of Tammar.

"We're taking serious damage, sir!" exclaimed a bridge officer as they struggled against the deluge of enemy fighters.

"Yes lieutenant, I hadn't noticed until you pointed that out!" shouted Orion in response. If they didn't hurry up, there'd be nothing left to - ah, yes.

"Lower Old Herbert, our preliminaries just came in."

Confused that he'd still care about something like that as the ship took a pounding, the lieutenant got on the comm and gave the order for the Interdiction field to be dropped.

"Right. We still need to last long enough for that to matter." The Dominator was built like a block of iron, but it wouldn't last forever. "Get us out of this crossfire - I want us to swing under that last MC-90 and use it to give us some cover against the Vigilants. Have our fighters form up with the flanking forces on that side, and engage on my mark."

The Dominator slowly ducked and rolled under the MC-90 to its' side, giving it cover from the worst of enemy fire. The Vigilants, however, continued their pursuit and streamed after it. As the Dominator rolled back up again on the other side of the MC-90, now no longer looking down the barrel of the Star Destroyer that commanded the battle, the enemy fighters pulled up from under the MC-90 in pursuit, revealing their underbellies in a vast swarm -

"Mark!"

The fighters of the Coalition cut straight at the enemy fighter formation as it came out from under the enemy MC-90. Devastating volleys of fire were exchanged that cut into Vigilant numbers, and the two forces of fighters came together into a resounding dogfight - with neither group showing any clear upper hand.

The Coalition flanking force that had been attacking the first MC-90 to explode turned around and fell back, whilst the force that was with the Dominator formed up with the scarred warship and administered another round of heavy beatings on the MC-90, crippling the vessel's fighting ability.

Besides the maelstrom of fighter combat, a momentary lull took place in the battle. The Coalition's forces were mostly unhurt, but their protecting champion was now burned and wounded. The enemy had suffered losses, but had still so many ships to make up for that. Orion was almost physically panting with exertion - this was too much excitement for someone his age.

"Come on, then." he growled at the enemy commander's ship, as thought he could see through durasteel into his foe's eyes. "Finish it, if you've got the balls..."

"Captain!" shouted a bridge officer "We're picking up multiple vessels arriving out of hyperspace!"

"Enemy reinforcements?" said the ships' lieutenant, anxiously.

Orion laughed "Not quite..."



Yolem stood proud on the command bridge of his Claymore Battlecruiser. "Revision to realspace, commander." relayed an Azguardian officer, with a bow. The mighty Azguard commander bowed back.

"It appears Orion has gotten himself into trouble." Yolem barked a laugh. "Regrad was wise to appoint us Defenders of the West in Panacka's absence! All ships, prepare to engage!"

Like a flash of lightning signifying a coming storm, Claymore Battlecruisers, Longsword Frigates, and wings of Kris fighters appeared in a vast array - the fleet of the Azguard Province, on the way to Teth. It had to make a stop on the way, however, and this seemed fortuitous - for the defenders of Tammar, at least.

Coming in from behind, screaming to the battle, the rapid Azguard fleet preapred to engage.

"Captain... massive energy surge.... "

"Interdiction field is down!""

"We're reading numerous hyperspace revisions... contacts are transmitting Coalition transponder codes!!!"


The huge Azguardian task force exited hyperspace and after a moment of brief hesitation accelerated and began approaching the Union mercenary fleet. The numerical advantage enjoyed by the Union had suddenly and drastically reversed.

"Enemy forces to be in range in one minute captain."

The captain of the Noir Soleil glanced out at the furious battle that was raging between the Kubindi defense and his fleet. With the Dominator nearly out of commission, victory had been within reach. His job, and his life, would have been secure. Now.......

The Union does not tolerate failure.

The odds looked insurmountable. And he wasn't even in total control of his fleet- that crazy Force User was coordinating it- and yet he was expected to deliver Tammar. How the hell could he be expected to capture a planet when he didn't even have tactical command of his battle fleet?

"Revert as much power as possible to the primary turbolaser batteries! On my mark, target the Dominator cruiser."

"Power levels reading at 150%"

"The reactor can't handle this power output!!"

"Engineering is going ballistic."

"167... 173.. 175.."

"FIRE"


The Front of the ISD erupted and a massive volley lanced out at the Dominator cruiser.




The battle that raged above Tammar was also being waged in the mind of Tir Esias. He had slipped deep into the battle meditation, lending his powers to greatly supplement the fighting prowess of the necrotroopers. He coordinated volleys from turbolasers, synchronized complicated fighter maneuvers and attack runs, tampered with shield ratings and adjusted the formation of the capital vessels to create more effective angles of fire.

The feeling of omnipotence was impossible to describe. Tir Esias was in the cockpit of every fighter, in the seat of every gunner, in the bowels of each engine room... and yet he also seemed to be above the conflicting fleets, looking down with amazing clairvoyance as the battle played out. The experiment was certainly going well.



The arrival of the Azguard fleet was registered in Tir's mind on the sensor screens of every ship in the fleet. It coincided with a wave of surprise washing down from the crew of the ISD around him. Immediately Tir knew that the chances of winning the battle for Tammar militarily had become much slimmer. However, the chatter coming in over his com-link with the bridge confirmed something that Tir had been expecting.

Something that would swing the balance of power back to the side of the Union as quickly as it had swung toward the Coalition.

A sudden wave of excitement poured out of the Noir Soleil and Tir "watched" as explosions rippled across the front of the Coalition's Dominator cruiser. It seemed that the Captain of the Noir Soleil was getting desperate. He had struck the killing blow to the Dominator... but Tir Esias was certain he had probably left the Noir Soleil open to a devastating counter-attack. Although he was not worried, Tir Esias hoped to come out of this confrontation alive. He picked up the com-link.

"Cease fire immediately. Patch me through to the Coalition fleet on a general, unencrypted frequency."

At that moment, the Union ships (minus the Noir Soleil) all stopped firing. The fighters continued maneuvering and evading, but fired no shots. A moment later the Noir Soleil 's guns also fell silent.

Tir Esias brought the com-link to his lips....

Orion was mad.

You had to work to get someone like him angry. Oh sure, he seemed angry often to the untrained observer, but an old soldier long ago has rage and passion beaten out of him. You only scream battlecries and beat your chest the first few times you fight, before you really begin to lose the passion and exchange it for experience, understanding, and control. Now, however, he was angry. This isn't how it goes!

When the enemy invader is cut off and surrounded, he gives up. He runs. If you're the defender and have nowhere to run, you might pull a stunt like that, but all you'd accomplish in an act of defiance as the attacker is a harder slap once you've been defeated. People fight hard to protect their homes, and are even less inclined to forgive if you let them know that certain death will only make you fight harder to destroy them.

The Dominator was, practically speaking, down for the count. The armor was molten, the core was overloaded, the systems shaken. The bridge-crew picked themselves off of their computer panels and groaned, recovering from the shock of impact. Even Orion licked a trickle of blood from where his forehead had hit the floor.

"Sir... we're out." said a lieutenant, with a sigh. "I'm afraid we must call for immediate evacuation."

"No." said Orion.

"Uh... what, sir?"

"We're not done here, lieutenant." There were tricks, things you picked up, memories, guesswork. Worst came to worse, there was duct-tape and elastic bands. "The enemy command has overloaded their guns. This is our opening, men."

"But sir! The ship, it's - "

"-Our responsibility to get it running again. Get the chief engineer on the comm."

"The comm's broken, sir."

"Nonsense." he said, and hit the wall - fifty fifty, really. He was lucky, it crackled to life. This was what the men had to see. If they believed the ship could be fixed, they'd do the rest themselves. "Chief, this is the captain. I want the core back online, and I want it done now."

"B-but sir! We haven't got the coolant! It's still overheated."

"How long can we run on overheated if you deactivate the safties?"

"Uh.. a couple minutes, maybe - any longer and we'd blow up. That is, if the safties initiated in time in the first place. We could blow up instantly, sir."

"Don't think about that, chief, just give us power. We only need a few minutes' worth." He turned, to see his bridge officers looking confused and stunned. "Well? what are you standing around for? Get to your stations! Prepare to fire!"

In space, the dead came back to life. With a flicker, then a shudder, then a hum, the Dominator awoke. Guns hissed as they disturbed cracks in the armor and shook shards of metal clean from their joints.

The Union fleet seemed uncertain - Orion had missed the communication, as the comm had been out, and saw only a fleet not firing. With one last groan of resistance, the Dominator's thruster came alive, giving the ship a bumpy push towards the Noir Soleil.

Realizing their commander still lived, the other Coalition ships of Tammar followed eagerly in its' wake. Enemy Majestics tried to block its' way, but Coalition Longswords cut them off, trading fierce volleys. Another wave of Vigilances roared to battle, but a rising tide of SSFs engaged them and hurled them up and over the shuddering frame of the Dominator. The Corellian Gunships tried to descend on the Dominator, but Sabres loosed a volley of ordnance and heavy fire, smashing the lead gunship and scattering the other three to either side of the Dominator.

Face to face, the Dominator came down like an avenging ghost on the Noir Soleil, giving out a last gasp of fire that rained down all over the warship, pummling it cruely. Under that assault, the Noir Soleil didn't last, and cracked just like the Dominator had. Out of even its' last ounce of strength, the Dominator gave out, and went dark again. The two gargantuan warships floated barely meters away, worn out.

It was then, as a sudden rush of motion and strenght, the Azguards arrived.

"Sir, we're getting a communication from the enemy. It looks rushed, no encryption or anything" said an officer to Yolem, who nodded.

"Tell the other captains not to listen - direct it only to my comm. In the meantime, order a full assault, I want the enemy annihilated! If they want to surrender, they better hope they can speak fast." he picked up his comm, and sat back in his chair.

Outside, Claymores and Longswords fell on the enemy, catching the Majestics, gunships, and Vigilances in a sandwich between the remaining Tammar forces. Even the Noir Soleil was caught. The enemy didn't have long, if they wanted to dissuade total destruction.

"Patch it through."