<font color=red>A smile escaped Dxun's lips as the other man spoke. This entire thing, all this bullshit spewed by the New Republic's corrupt Admiral...

"Not fired a shot, Admiral? You've covered this system with Abolisher mines. Three thousand innocent people are dead because of your attack here.

"That blood, Admiral, is on your hands. If you wish to speak, I see nothing wrong with the current situation. But
I will not visit your flagship and submit myself to your demands.

"I suggest that you leave the system now, or don't leave it at all.

"Good day, Admiral."

Kamon shut of the transmission. He had already learned that this man was an ally of Fearsons. He was obviously being used.

He started a transmission to Supreme Commander Isstal. He needed to speak with him about what was going on.

"Hello, Dxun. Nice to see you. Could you please tell me the allegations Mnar has set before you. I need to make an analysis of the situation."

He awaited a response.

<font color=red>"Kamon. A pleasure, as always. Though I'm quite certain the circumstances could be better... far better."

The Supreme Commander paused, watching as a small detatchment of Republic warships made the leap to hyperspace.

"Your Admiral Mnar seems to be under the impression that we are terrorists. Probably because of our constant efforts to stop the real terrorists like Chadd Fearsons. And despite the fact that I have not spoken with Elegark Mnar before this day, he is quite certain that I have threatened him. Naturally, all material given to him by Emperor Fearsons. But the threat is there, and we must be careful... very careful."

<font color=blue>He looked right to his XO with a look of concern under his helm. He knew it would come to this, Isstal simply would not allow his little military to take a hit. Pakston shrugged helplessly, the lieutenant commander at a loss for words.

"It is time to carry through with the assault then," Admiral Mnar said in his nearly emotionless voice. He rose from his command chair, his stomach churning with pre-battle nausea. It was not an imperfection in his warrior status that caused such nausea, if one did not feel this before battle they weren't quite sentient, they deserved to be shot for seeking a battle with no fear.

Fearlessness was highly discouraged in the New Republic navy. Bravery was the ability to act even with fear, to overcome it and charge when you would rather flee. Fearlessness...that was insanity. If you are not afraid of a blaster shot by your ear you honestly have mental issues.

The fleet had already been moving toward Eriadu throughout the entire negotiations, albeit slowly, but they had gained considerable range.

"Pakston," Elegark said, placing a hand firmly against the rail bar of the catawalk that he stood on. The XO snapped to attention at his side.

"Sir," he responded with military briskness.

"Full speed ahead, ETA on flank guard taskforce?"

"One minute sir." Elegark nodded and leaned forward, watching as the ships moved closer to the enemy warfleet. The lighter cruisers had moved ahead of the command ships in order to defend against enemy blasts, in the instance that they would try to assassinate the leaders of the battle.

Pakston relayed the orders to the engine control, who sped up the warfleet to her full caliber, and yet they were still nowhere near close enough to the enemy starfleet.

"Rogue Squadron set up for their attack run?" the admiral asked, throwing Pakston a sidelong glance.

"Affirmative sir, Major Trevelan reports full ready status."

Elegark nodded. "Tell him to break off from the main fleet and begin their strafing attack. If they encounter any enemy fighters I want them to break formation, engage, and return to the fleet."

Pakston nodded, awaiting further orders.

"Also," he continued, "how is our little scouting mission going?"

Pakston thought for a moment and reached for a datapad at his side. He pressed a few buttons until a screen came up. He handed this screen to his CO, who took it with keen interest.

"Indeed...seven minutes to return I'd say."

"I agree sir."

The flank guard task force came out of hyperspace on the flanks of Ord Mantell then, a few thousand klicks from the enemy fleet, and well beyond their range of sensors.

"Flank taskforce indicates hyperjump complete."

"Very good, continue on."

The main fleet continued to move forward menacingly.</font>

<font color=red>So it begins...

"Enemy fleet is continuing to come at us, sir." Dxun nodded, looking out at the enemy fleet with disgust.
"How Emperor Fearsons has managed to corrupt the Republic is beyond me. A true shame that all they fought for during the Rebellion is tossed away at the site of cool, hard credits." Major Devop nodded, looking out across the expanses of space towards the enemy fleet.
"Sir! Abnomal sensor contact in sector One-G! Receeding already..."
"Hyperspace transistion?" Devop asked, looking at the sensor profile. The one disadvantage with hyperspace was transitting back to realspace. To do it with any stealth was impossible, especcially when dealing with fleets of warships. The cone of Cronau radiation was a dead giveaway, even from this range.
"I think," Isstal said, frowning, "that we've found our missing Rear Guard."

By this time the entire fleet was on alert, both from threats by the so-called Republic, their former allies with the New Order, and the traitors of the Jutraalian Empire.
"Why is it that, in a galaxy where everyone wants only to survive, not one of our allies or those we negotiate with can keep their word?" It was true, of course, though it hardly made the situation better.

The New Republic... a peace-treaty shattered because one Rogue Admiral on the payrol of the Jutraalian Empire had decided to hijack a fleet. And NR High Command... what did they care if their fleets attacked their allies? Or of the riots that spawned from that act? They were in it for the power.

The Jutraalian Empire... a second peace-treaty broken because Chadd Fearsons has an issue with Dxun Isstal, and he'll do anything to see this man killed and his military crushed. Be it fear... probably... but the cowardice that Fearsons loves so much... signing peace treaties only to turn around and attack that same faction... corrupting an entire government into attacking that same enemy... and bribing the most powerful faction in the galaxy into helping him because he knows as well as the next guy that he's just not smart enough to deal with a real enemy. To used to crushing defencelss factions.

And the New Order... what does it matter to them that GDI was their strongest supporter for years? Or that it was GDI that helped them every step of the way in tackling the Rogue Empire? A war that the Empire was sworn to complete, and then simply decided to stop fighting because Fearsons offered them a couple planets...

But so it was that the only non-corrupt faction that actually wanted peace came to be under attack by three of the galaxy's most powerful men. But then, that wasn't so bad.

GDI was used to it, and they were still around. Wait and see... one thing was for certain, though. The Galactic Defence Initiative had not given up peace. The Republic, the Empire, the New Order, had all abolished peace the day they decided to attack GDI. But that government wanted it still.

The only one that wanted peace, it seemed.

<font color=blue>Elegark rubbed his white covered chin thoughtfully as he monitored all that had occured thus far. They had no doubt traced the hypertrail of the flank guard task force, but what were they going to do? They were pinned down, they were flanked, they had foolishly given the enemy an entire time to prepare.

"Isstal doesn't seem to be the intelligent type does he?" Elegark asked as he let go of the rail, crossing both arms over his chest. Pakston chuckled lightly.

"Negative sir," he said.

"All this jabber about peace, but he won't have it unless he gets all the power about it, unless it's to his terms."

"Quite right sir."

And then the conversation ended abruptly as Rogue Squadron, a band of six X-Wings and six Y-Wings, came into missile range of the enemy fleet. From this distance Admiral Mnar was capable of seeing the blue signatures of proton torpedos racing toward the enemy battleships.

"And so it begins," Admiral Mnar said simply, blowing out a sigh that filtered through almost like a grunt through his helmet. "Raise weapons to full, it's time for battle. Status on flank guard task force?"

Pakston glanced down again at his datapad.

"Their weapons are at full and they're moving in range of the enemy planet. They will be in firing range of their targets in three minutes."

Again the admiral nodded.

"And our little band?"

"The A-Wings report that they have breached the atmosphere and their long range surveillance equipment is submitting us their intell at once," said Pakston with a smug grin.

The admiral nodded.

The ship shook uneasily as it began to make way for the enemy, not because of any errors in the design or any problems with the ship, but rather the crew was still new and nervous, perfectly understandable.

"This could be a detriment in battle," the admiral said, confirming the XO's fears. "How many mines do our abolishers have left?"

"Forty-two percent sir."

"Okay then, we're going to lay them out now and when we get to the enemy fleet, got that?"

"Yes sir."

Admiral Mnar looked back at Rogue Squadron moving ever closer to the enemy fleet, whch grew ever closer out that transparisteel viewport.

"May the Force be with us."</font>

<font color=red>"May the Force be with us." The fact that the enemy commander was probably reciting those exact words on his own command ship did no unnerve Dxun Isstal. It was probably the most common phrase that a commander would utter as he went into battle in the galaxy. "And may the Gods have mercy on the souls of us all."

"Fighters incoming!" The first enemy craft came in hard, firing missiles towards the defending warships. The few that were in orbit over the world, anyway. "Colours indicate Rogue Sqaudron."

Dxun nodded, smiling only slightly.

"So, we're worth the trouble of bringing the Rogue's in, are we? A good sign, I should think... Tactical, all weapons to open fire on the enemy fleet. Dispatch Trinity to Admiral Drayson's position. Code Eleven, give him the stats on the Rear Guard Force."

"As ordered, sir." Slowly, the small cruiser broke off from the fleet and, safely out of range of the approaching Abolisher mines, leapt into hyperspace.

"Major, prep the fleet. We'll want to enter the system proper on my mark."

The fleet, now utterly convinced that battle was inevetibale, moved into position to make the jump into the system. It all came down to one word, now...

"Major, prepare the fleet to jump. Order command to commence firing of the EMPRESS defence system."

And with those words, the battle began...

<font color=silver>"Are we ready, then?" The bridge of the Super Star Destroyer Sentinel was buzzing with activity now, as the great warship prepared herself for battle.
"Affirmitive, sir. We await your word." Hiram Drayson, looking out across the sleek bow of the SSD to the distant New Empire fleet, nodded to the man.
"Mark." The task force, with the mighty Super Star Destroyer at its head.

The force emerged from hyperspace some kilometres off the port side of the Republic's Rear Guard taskforce, out of the maximum extent of the Abolisher mines that the force may have been laying.

The difference between this and a normal hyperspace reentry was that the GDI ships deacelerated only a faction of what they normally would, and came at the opposing fleet at a much higher rate of speed than one would expect.

Arming weapons and shields and firing before the enemy even knew what was happening, they threw a combined volley of turbolaser and ion fire and concussion missiles into the side of the enemy force.

And as that task force pulled out, raking across the top of the enemy formation, another followed. Fifteen Basilisk cruisers, improved versions of famed Hapan Battle Dragon appeared from hyperspace and repeated the slashing attack, their heavy turbolasers blasting holes in shields and armour, already weakened by the first wave.

OOC: Fleet Manifest

Task Force 'Trinity'
Hiram Drayson commanding

-First Wave-

Disruptor-class Star Destroyer Sentinel
Vengeance-class Super Cruiser Majestic
Vengeance-class Super Cruiser Divine Secret
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Achille's Wrath
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Trinity
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Eternal Hellfire
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Eternal Night
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Eternal Vigilance
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Eureka Maru
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Glorious Heritage
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Righteous Fist
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Balance of Judgement
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Pride of Kaldera
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Siege Perilous
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Victory's Crucible
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
(1 DSSD, 2 VSC, 6 DSD, 12 A2C, 10 LMF, 31 ships total)

-Second Wave-

Allegiance-class Star Destroyer Nebula Rubintine
Basilisk Cruiser Lone Shark
Basilisk Cruiser Central
Basilisk Cruiser Hinthra
Basilisk Cruiser Dominion
Basilisk Cruiser Death's Head
Basilisk Cruiser Repulse
Basilisk Cruiser Titan
Basilisk Cruiser Intimidator
Basilisk Cruiser Render
Basilisk Cruiser Reaper
Basilisk Cruiser Basilisk
Basilisk Cruiser Nemisis
Basilisk Cruiser Typhoon
Basilisk Cruiser Lightning
Basilisk Cruiser Thunderer
(1 ASD, 15 BC, 16 ships total)

Freedom Fleet
Dxun Isstal commanding

Center Wedge (Command Division)

Eclipse-class Super Star Destroyer Crimson Tide
Allegiance-class Star Destroyer Angry Flood
Allegiance-class Star Destroyer Implosion
Imperator Mark II Star Destroyer Dominator
Imperator Mark II Star Destroyer Patriot
Imperator Mark II Star Destroyer Decree
Imperator Mark III Star Destroyer Viscount
Imperator Mark III Star Destroyer Strident
Imperator Mark III Star Destroyer Razorblade
Imperator Mark III Star Destroyer Silverwing
Imperator Mark III Star Destroyer Arda
Imperator Mark III Star Destroyer Vigilance
Imperator Mark III Star Destroyer Freedom's Hope
Defender-class Star Destroyer Chiron's Fox
Defender-class Star Destroyer Chiron's Snake
Defender-class Star Destroyer Chiron's Wolf
Defender-class Star Destroyer Chiron's Hawk
Defender-class Star Destroyer Rebel Stand
Defender-class Star Destroyer Rebel Hope
Defender-class Star Destroyer Rebel Power
Defender-class Star Destroyer Rebel Strength
Defender-class Star Destroyer Rebel Courage
Defender-class Star Destroyer Rebel Dream
Defender-class Star Destroyer Elusive
Defender-class Star Destroyer Dark Moon
Defender-class Star Destroyer Santuary
Defender-class Star Destroyer Valliant
Defender-class Star Destroyer
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Morning Star
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Sunset
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Starry Wisdom
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Hell Fire
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Catapult
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Happy Days
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Starry Ice
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Ironic Twist
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Twilight
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Morning Mist
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Razor's Bite
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Soul's Desire
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Steel Hand
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Stormfront
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Osprey
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Messenger
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser First Light
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Dawn
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Long Night
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Oracle
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Janus
Aegis II-class Star Cruiser Clarion's Call
(1 ESSD, 2 ASD, 10 ISD, 15 DSD, 22 AM2C, 50 ships total)

Starboard Flank (Hammer Division)
Viscount/Strident-class Star Defender Hammer
Nemisis-class Star Destroyer The Face
Nemisis-class Star Destroyer Razor's Kiss
Nemisis-class Star Destroyer Razor's Edge
Nemisis-class Star Destroyer Mauler
Defender-class Star Destroyer Everlast
Defender-class Star Destroyer Phantom
Defender-class Star Destroyer Glory
Defender-class Star Destroyer Claw
Defender-class Star Destroyer
(1 V/SSD, 4 NSD, 5 DSD, 10 ships total)

Port Flank (Anvil Division)
Viscount/Strident-class Star Defender Anvil
Nemisis-class Star Destroyer Gilded Claw
Nemisis-class Star Destroyer Tedevium
Nemisis-class Star Destroyer Chinook Post
Nemisis-class Star Destroyer Liberator
Defender-class Star Destroyer
Defender-class Star Destroyer
Defender-class Star Destroyer
Defender-class Star Destroyer
Defender-class Star Destroyer
(1 V/SSD, 4 NSD, 5 DSD, 10 ships total)

Liberator Division
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
Liberator Missile Frigate
(10 LMF, 10 ships total)

<font color=blue>"Sir there are a series of explosions directly to our aft!" Pakston called out suddenly, causing the admiral to look back to try to figure out what he was talking about. And sure enough he was right, an entire force of Galactic Defense Initiative ships flew head on into their Abolisher mine field.

A laugh escaped Admiral Mnar's helm so loudly it nearly shook the whole foudnation of the Star Destroyer. Commander Isstal had just pulled a Snowkan, as was referred to in military training manuals throughout the galaxy. He had just plummeted his fleet into a known abolisher field, obviously without thinking.

Every single battleship belonging to the Galactic Defense Initiative was destroyed in a flurry of massive explosions that caused the Republican soldiers to burst out with joy. The first kills were theirs.

Apparently Rogue Squadron had had some successful hits, but nothing meant as much as what had just happened, the massive flurry of explosions enticing a majestic cry.

"Open full fire with turbolaser batteries, let them know we mean business," Mnar said, looking fore again.

The battle had just begun in full.</font>

When GDI engineers perfected the EMPRESS weapon, they knew that he had hit paydirt. The weapon, invisible and extremely dangerous, with enough power to stop a fleet cold from a distance of half a system, was the pinnacle of engineering in the galaxy.

More potent than a Death Star, more subtle than a World Devestator... a measure who's only purpose was to save lives. The lives of innocent people on the surface of planets that these stations protected. Lives of crewmen on the Galactic Defence Initiaitve warships.

In that repsect, they performed admirably. The enemy fleet was hit by twelve such weapons, each with a powerful array of EMP emitters and other weapons systems. The first station found itself stopped by invisible deflector shields, and managed only to short out a few minor generators before it was absorbed.

But that sacraficial act opened the enemy fleet to the full power of EMPRESS. The second and third waves hit the leading enemy task force dead on, slamming into them and turning their interiors into a living hell.

Computer consoles began to explode, sparking and sizzling. Wires began to disitingrate, leaving entire sections of mamoth warships utterly dead. Weapons batteries froze, sensors died.

Starfighters... starfighters failed completely. Completely dead, wrecked X and E-wings tumbled about space, occasioanly colliding with one another or with capital ships.

Rogue Sqaudron, the Republic's A-wing recon group, felt the most powerful effects of the blasts, and died immediatly. The A-wings, powerless, fell back on the deflector shield that protected Ord Mantell from orbital bombardment.

The X and Y-wings would be collected later, when the battle was over.

The sudden lapse in enemy movement and manouvering was exactly what the GDI ships had been waiting for. With a new suddenness, Freedom fleet lurched into motion and formed up in front of the enemy fleet, already within turbolaser and missile range. The TNR ships, still overcoming the shock of the EMPRESS attack, found themselves under attack from all directions.

The ships opened fire, their powerful blasts shattering durasteel and shields aboard the New Republic's leading task force. The Liberator Division, all armed with two dozen missile tubes, spat volley after volley at the enemy fleet and watched as missiles exploded upon the hulls of warships, starfighters, or were destroyed by accident, debris, or a swift-stick starfighter pilot.

And behind it all, EMPRESS fired again...