*NOTE: This thread takes place at the same time as Sinner's Tribulation: Ambush

One Week Prior… Location Unknown

The last tendrils of hyperspace let go the mammoth vessel as it completed the transition to realspace, releasing the ship into the dark void thereof. A sight to behold, truly: the dagger-shaped profile of a massive warship.

Those unfamiliar with the design would immediately assume the worst: an Imperial Star Destroyer. Worse still, a Super Star Destroyer. The familiar shape of the Executor, in a form less than a quarter the length of her original, but with more than enough destructive power to lay entire planets – and fleets – to waste.

Even without the rest of the fleet, the dozens of support ships that made up a battle group, the Demosthenes had an aurora of untold power, a dagger slashing a rough tear through space itself.

A cluster of ships lay ahead, surrounding a tiny planetoid that could hardly even be called a moon. A meagre force… but one enough to outnumber the lone Matriarch Class Battle Cruiser. And still the malevolent command ship seemed still to show a great force. A promise of untold destruction.


The Emperor cast a questioning eye to the ship’s commander, Captain Joda.
“Reversion successful, M’Lord.” The man said, sensing his Emperor’s gaze and turning from his command consol.

Seti Ashar nodded, his mind elsewhere. He had no doubt that Joda was a competent man – the Holy Demosthesian Empire was not in the habit of handing her most powerful warships to imbeciles. But he could not be sure he favoured the man, yet. Then again, there were only three of four men in the galaxy he truly favoured. Even less that he trusted.

“Status of the battle group, Captain?” He asked, the words taking his mind from the other questions. There was a slight delay, and then Joda spoke again.
“Shields up, weapons offline.”

Seti offered a nod, slipping with more ease than he was comfortable with into the role of a fleet officer.
“Shields up, weapons offline, then, Captain.” He ordered.

There was a quick acknowledgement, and then a slight vibration and nearly inaudible hum as the protective energy fields came up around the great vessel.

“Establish comms link with the command ship. I want visual.”

There was a moment of silence, and the Emperor swung his TAC into the proper position, and then the hologram appeared before him. A face, strikingly alien, with a fire raging in both eyes. The fact would have driven most other men to madness… but the Emperor was equal to this… creature.

Seti gave a respectful nod and a thin smile.

“Greetings, High Elder K’Taruuk…”


The Present… the Hoth System

“All is prepared then?” The flickering alien hologram gave a nod, and the Emperor smiled gravely.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Tholatin is the only world they might bother to defend… and their standing capital, namesake, and production world.”

Seti nodded. He knew all this. He had done the research too.

“Very good, Admiral. All is coming to a head… I shall see you shortly, then."


The Present… Tholatin Space...

The fleet dropped out of hyperspace with surprising ease, the swarm of smaller Gunships forming up along the kilometres-long bulk of the massive Battle Cruiser Demosthenes. Nearly 100 of the tiny, buzzing craft that made up the fleet of High Elder K’Taruuk’s deadly, and elusive, battle force.

By the dozens they came to surround the Emperor’s ship, forming a wall between the pride of the Holy Demosthesian Empire and the offence that the Tholatin Empire might offer.

Standing beside the leader of the fleet, Trayden Locke, Seti smile thinly.
Today would be a glorious day, indeed.

(Delete this)

Hyperspace

The Demosthenes…

The call went silently in the night... or what served as night to the crew of the cruiser Allegiance. A call to arms across the fleet, and every crewmember was to report immediately to their posts and prepare for conflict.

There was no indication of who they were attacking, or why, or where they were bound for. Only orders to destroy any vessel threatening their fleet, and to shatter their target.

There were, of course, rumours amongst the fleet, of an Imperial strike somewhere in Coalition space, of the Holy Demosthesian Empire promising their assistance, of elements of the Black Fleet being shifted to respond to the call to arms.

"You have any idea where we're headed?" The grumpy NCO, a man called Tibal, asked, pulling his uniform on as the general alert began to ring through the ship.

Twenty minutes to hyperspace reversion: All hands to action stations.

"Not a clue," the other equally grumpy NCO replied, buttoning his shirt up and picking his hat up from the table. "Better hurry, or the XO'll be real made."

Tibal swore at him and pulled his boots on, running out of the room and towards the gunnery station. The Empire was going to war!

Demosthenes Bridge

"Helm, time to reversion?" Trayden Locke snapped, his eyes travelling across the unfamiliar command crew of this ship. He had not been in command of the Demosthenes for long – the ship had been stationary until now, serving as a secret meeting place for the leaders.

Invisible through the swirling vortex of hyperspace were other ships, with the same reek of fresh paint still lingering in her corridors, the same "baby's cry" in her hyperspace engines, the same brand of highly trained crewers to make them the most effective combat starships on the field this day. These were the ships of the Swarm, small, fast, and deadly.

A group of ships more than able to crush the pitiful Tholatin Empire’s capital.

"Less than a minute, Admiral!" Came the reply from the Captain - a woman in a deep gray uniform, the shade that was only one away from the pure black worn by the Polemarcg. Black garments were the mark of the most prestigious commanders of the Black Fleet, and the presence of a Captain in the next shade over gave a great testament to her ability to command.

"Captain," Trayden said, not turning from the viewports. "What is you name?" He had studied reports, knew all these peoples' names off by heart, but by building a more personal link than names read from a computer screen, she could have her crew trust her, and trust meant they would obey without question, and live that much longer, fight that much better.

"Natalia Friesen, Sir," she responded, sharply, militaristic. Trayden nodded in satisfaction.
"Tell me, Natalia, how long have you been with the fleet?"
"Eight weeks, Sir. I served with the Bakuran defence force for a decade, however."
"And why did you leave them?" The Captain smiled thinly.
"I was dishonourably discharged when I destroyed a refugee transport that failed to obey my demands. It was carrying illegal aliens and contraband."

The Polemarch smiled. A good choice, then, for her flagship.

"Admiral!" The voice came from the helm, and for once he did not snap at the man, did not yell at him for his shout rather than an acceptable report. "We're coming out of hyperspace!"

The statement was unnecessary; the Demosthenes was already slowing, the starlines outside the viewports growing smaller, and eventually into tiny dots of brilliance far off in the distance.

"Block all outbound communications," The Admiral ordered at once, her voice not going above normal. "Weapons armed, shields up. Launch all fighters by sqaudron."

Trayden Locke, Polemarch of the Black Fleet, smiled grimly, looking out at the world of Tholatin below.

"Helm, take us in. Three quarters sublight speed.”

<hr>

OOC: Fleet Manifest
Matriarch Class Battle Cruiser Demosthenes
Ren will post the Swarm Manifest shortly. They are currently on station.

After regrouping near the maw cluster after thier departure from at Mon calamari, the swarm returned fresh faced and ready to deal death to the ever infectous disease of humanity. Thier latest target . . .tholatin, it's leader the perfect example of a being so blinded by his own self importance, that he couldn't see his own manipulation at the hands of the more sinister beings in the universe. He would be the first to suffer.

The fleet pulled out from lightspeed as close as thier nava-computers would allow, and immediately raised thier shields and charged thier weapons. Every ship in the armada edged slowly forward in formation, throwing up wall after wall of jamming signals, blocking all outgoing transmissions . . .although, calls for help would do them little good with the current ambush of thier fleet.

"Deploy all Retak fighters to the surface, hold the eluder squadrons back if we need them, instruct attack group's one through four to enter the atmoshpere, damage to be caused at the commander's discretion.


Begin!" spat K'taruuk, as he slammed his hand against the transparisteel viewport on the bridge.



<hr />



<hr />


Ancestral-class Carrier
119 Retak Fighters (19squadrons)



Attack group:1-b (assigned to the carrier)
Terakesh Gunship~Keshtar
Terakesh Gunship~Reytak
Terakesh Gunship~Smishkla

Attack group:1-a
Terakesh Gunship~ee'eklamaar
Terakesh Gunship~Kashk'ta
Terakesh Gunship~Ch'iad Feshon
Terakesh Gunship~ShimonK'inaine
Terakesh Gunship~ShauTeek
Terakesh Gunship~Isstash

Attack group:2
Terakesh Gunship~Dakkosh
Terakesh Gunship~Maishaim
Terakesh Gunship~Beshpik
Terakesh Gunship~Detabesh
Terakesh Gunship~Pagasheik
Terakesh Gunship~Isllkoash

Attack group:3
Terakesh Gunship~Shilishamek
Terakesh Gunship~Hikoshola
Terakesh Gunship~Kirsasha
Terakesh Gunship~Lekmaresh
Terakesh Gunship~Sensari
Terakesh Gunship~Jishyhesh

Attack group:4
Terakesh Gunship~Ijlajaad
Terakesh Gunship~Omashar
Terakesh Gunship~Relora
Terakesh Gunship~Keshmar
Terakesh Gunship~Iskashrak
Terakesh Gunship~Sekeshek

Attack group:5
Terakesh Gunship~Tikishiktu
Terakesh Gunship~Sishish
Terakesh Gunship~S'aaraad
Terakesh Gunship~Issharak
Terakesh Gunship~Kemrak
Terakesh Gunship~Kikramal

Attack group:6
Terakesh Gunship~Tashameshla
Terakesh Gunship~Tothmokra
Terakesh Gunship~Felashek
Terakesh Gunship~Hekleshakla
Terakesh Gunship~Arvaresh
Terakesh Gunship~Sheeshla

Attack group:7
Terakesh Gunship~Ihgranash
Terakesh Gunship~Lopaskakish
Terakesh Gunship~Lemetesh
Terakesh Gunship~Ponotesh
Terakesh Gunship~Mikralakra
Terakesh Gunship~Kishjirak

Attack group:8
Terakesh Gunship~T'oragishlak
Terakesh Gunship~MarkDordishmiam
Terakesh Gunship~Feeb Kipe
Terakesh Gunship~G'ashjeerreen
Terakesh Gunship~Seeminiljash
Terakesh Gunship~Ishlish Kataar

52 Retak eluders

The Crimson Third Fleet was delayed in their arrival. Previous changes in plan had caused the lapse.

Sovereign Protector Dioan Silk had only departed one combat scenario to enter another. Here though, he commanded the Crimson Third, a new command to him.

Comprised of five Aegis Class Star Carriers and one Aegis Class Star Cruiser, the fleet was a sizable force in most eyes. With the Cruiser, Grand Master, as flagship plus the support of nearly one thousand fighters and their carriers, the Crimson Third was an excellent addition to any armada.

As with all of the Crimson fleet, they arrived in near-perfect harmony, each ship dropping out of hyperspace practically in formation with the others. Within moments of arrival their sheilds were active and weapons charged.

Their comms remained quiet as did their transpoders. They made no attempt to communicate as they fell into place, the idea being that those who had requested them would well know who's side they were on.

The Carriers deployed their fighters as they closed with the Swarm fleet, hundreds thick the small fighters buzzed like a swarm between the larger ships of the fleet.



Aegis Mk II StarCruiser - Grand Master [under command of Sovereign Protector Silk](2 Lambda Class Shuttles, 12 Tie Defender Starfighters, 12 E-Wing Starfighters)

Aegis Star Carrier - Sovereign
(196 TIE Raptors with independent Droid Brains)

Aegis Star Carrier - Protector
(196 TIE Raptors with independent Droid Brains)

Aegis Star Carrier - Crimson
(196 TIE Raptors with independent Droid Brains)

Aegis Star Carrier - Royal
(196 TIE Raptors with independent Droid Brains)

Aegis Star Carrier - Guard
(196 TIE Raptors with independent Droid Brains)

Kamon was onboard the Imperial Class Star Destroyer Vondiranach when the enemy forces showed up. The mines were activated and some of them began moving towards the enemy fleet.

Before the ships had even gotten to Tholatin, Kamon had sent a holonet broadcast to the four ships that had been en route to Commenor. The message told them to return and that was all.

Kamon was deeply angered by this intrusion on his sovereign territory. He had done nothing to the people that had just come out of hyperspace. No matter. They would die anyway.

Kamon put the fleet on full alert and called the surface fighters up. The Hapan ships, along with a few Tholatin fighters came up to space and readied themselves. The Vondiranach launched its 72 fighters as well.

On the surface, Kenshin Katarn was preparing to fight Xian and Jacen Organa Solo was supposed to assist. Kamon hoped they could take him. The Yuuzhan Vong Hunters were deploying to their designated areas as well. All was ready for the invaders.

Kamon was tired of the slow moving mines. He drew on the Force very heavily and started moving masses of the mines towards the enemy ships. There was no way they could stop them all.

TTR Fleet Manifest
Imperial-class Star Destroyer Vondiranach
-72 Rapyir-class Starfighters
Dreadnaught Starfire
Dreadnaught Lightfire
Nebulon B Katie's Fire 2(en route)
Nebulon B Katie's Pride (en route)
Marauder-class Corvette Gemstone (en route)
Marauder-class Corvette Firebird (en route)

Support Craft
20 Raptor Transports

Planetary Defense
10000 mines

Planetary Forces
18 Rapyir-class Starfighters
72 Hapan Strike Fighters

Ground Forces
100 Yuuzhan Vong Hunters

"Lord Locke, we have mines detected on incoming vectors." The Polemarch of the fleet gave a bored glance to the offier who had relayed the information and nodded, once.

"How many, ensign?" He asked calmly, searching the space ahead of the fleet for sign of the ominious weapons.

"Severl hundred, sir. We detect more on the opposite side and surrounding the planet, but they're well out of range yet.

Trayden nodded, a smile creeping onto his face.

"The Regime's fighters have taken up position in the front quarters, correct?"

"Yes, Lord."

"Excellent. They will intercept the mines as they come. What do we have in the way of enemy vessels on screen?"

There was a pause, and then, "One Star Destroyer, Imperator, class. Mark I. Launching starfighters. Two Dreadnaughts, several starfighter sqaudrons."

The Polemarch laughed, confirming all that on his screens.

"Sounds like Demosthenes could win this fight all by herself."

"Aye, Lord Polemarch. She could indeed."

"Very well, ensign. All batteries, open fire on the Tholatin Dreadnaughts. Maintain current position and heading. We'll take the fight as she goes, then."

There was a series of affirmitives, and as the next minutes passed away, the forward batteries across the fleet began to fire at their maximum range.

The end of the Tholatin Empire was near...

Kamon concentrated very hard. He pulled at least a thousand of the mines toward the enemy command vessel. It had to be crippled before it arrived. The mines made it to the enemy vessels around the ship, impacting some.

Kamon sent the rest flying towards the enemy vessel. The three TTR ships opened fire long range as well. Their weapons blazing away. Kamon began pulling more mines toward the enemy.

Outside of view, and on the other side of the planet, four ships came out of hyperspace. Two Marauders and two Nebulon B's. Not substantial, but they would help. They began to move aorund the planet.

As the Demosthenes sped forward to engage the Tholatin vessels, he noticed the clusters of perimeter mines slowly moving towards it. If he concentrated the collective power of the soldiers in the fleet, he should easily be able to force the mines back, and down into the planet.

K'taruuk stood at the forefront of the ancestral's bridge with sat just inside the rear of the fleet, and reached out, communicating telepathically to the other Retakkenari, binding the power of thier minds together into his.

Together they created a wall of thought shutting off thier minds and focusing on the single task, and began to easily force back the drifting mines. The remaining mines around the Demosthenes floated back towards the Tholatin ships impacting first on the large shielding array of the Imperial star destroyer, those that weren't shot down drifted further, hitting the dreadnaught's shields bringing all three vessel's significant damage to thier protective layers.

Working as one solid, collective force, the Hive mind began pushing the entire remaining minefield back down towards the surface. The mine's speed began to pick up as the gravity of Tholatin took over and pulled the mines into the atmosphere where they would explode with little harm to them.


"We have a breach in the minefield sir." came a call from the tactical station.


"Good," Said Ktaruuk. "Send three squadrons of Bio-fighters towards the surface, raise everything to the ground.

The bridge of Grand Master...

In place of calm and order, aboard the bridge of the Third Fleet flagship, stands Dioan Silk. At the fore-front of the bridge he stood gazing out at the conflict not far from his ships bow.

He had seen it all unfold thus far, the movment of ships and mines and the force, and yet retained his silence. It was not his intention to make a strong face for himself in this battle. Instead he would wait and paitently support those he had come to assist and, should the call be needed, bring the full force of the Crimson Regime down upon this pathetic little Republic.

"Protector Silk, my leige... A number of the Swarm fighters have broken for a gap in the minefeild. Indications are, they're surface bound."

Like all among his crew, the speaker wore a crimson silk cloth over his head, masking his face. To any untrained observer each crewmen seemed so very alike the one to his sides. In this instace, however; the speaker was a sciences officer.

Without missing a beat, having already played this battle through to hundreds of outcomes through simulation and simple imagination, the Sovereign Protector dispatced his orders.

"The Defenders and the E-Wings will remain as screener ships for us. The Grand Master will not take any damage. Dispatch 150 raptor-droids as escort for those Swarm fighters, orders to intercept mines and fire inbound for those Eluders."

"Get me firing solutions for the planet and any inbound capitals. Scramble droids from Sovereign and Protector as front-line defenders. We will not move to engage but rather, hold those droids back as additional defense. Order the remaining droids to fan out in wedge formation beta, on our bow. I want a total lock-down. When you have the firing solutions, fire at your will. Ready quad-torpedo and quad-missile vollys should anyone move our way."

As he spoke them, his orders were carried out in great detail.

Arranged in an inverted V with Grand Master at their center, the Carriers relayed their orders to the fighters... While able to control all droids from his flagship, things were much more effecient and effective with more manpower.

Tiny TiE Raports, just over 2 meters long, numbering in the hundreds, fanned out to cover the space surrounding the Crimson Regime capitals. Among them flew 24 flagship defenders, larger and much much more capeable starfighters then the droids. A small number also broke from the virtual swarm of fighters to trail after the Retak Eluders at top speed.

The Protector watched on...