The battle raged. Ships were lost, small victories won, and people died. Casualties of war.
Despite this, the armies on both sides fought on. Death all around, many were afraid. All knew what it would be like to die here; training for years in their Academies, having it drilled into their heads. Death would come quick, and when the battle was over their name would be logged on a list of ‘fallen heroes’, and the family would receive a compensation and a letter. Vented into space? Your son died serving his duty on the battlefront. Stray turbolaser blast? Your son was shot down in his prime. He served his Empire well.
There was nothing to look forward to in battle, except if you weren’t directly engaged. Then you could boast about being there, but have actually been in no real danger. As it was at Talus.
Pandemonium II
“Still no reports of Rebel activity on or around the planet, Admiral. Looks like the division won’t see combat after all.”
Osiaric seemed pleased at Tulok’s report, although the Captain knew that secretly his Admiral had been hoping for a fight. The Admiral was beginning to show his age; in his movements, his decisions, his vacant expression and lack of concentration. Tulok suspected the man was due for retirement any time now, although he didn’t know exactly how old the Admiral was. He knew Osiaric was thinking along these same lines as well, and would probably like to get in some more battle victories before his expulsion from the service.
Still, it would be nice to conduct a peaceful takeover, for once.
“Admiral, the Third Destroyer Legion has entered high orbit. No resistance. Your orders?” Lithium asked, standing at the ready next to his commanding officer.
Osiaric sat still for a moment, then turned to Tulok.
“Signal General Ming, Captain. Tell him to begin landing his troops...” Osiaric trailed off, looking again at the holo display in front of his chair, and enlarged it to show the entire system. In the distance, at Corellia, massive fighting was evident. He looked intently at the map, studying it, as his eyes took on a gleam they hadn’t had up until now. Tulok recognised the smile playing across his face as well, and instinctively knew what was about to happen.
Osiaric sat back in his chair, seemingly satisfied. “Tell Ming to land his forces.” The glint was still in his eyes, but his smile had been replaced with a grimace of determination. “And then signal the division, open a hole in the Sixth, and find a way through Trachta’s Abolishers. We’re going into battle, Captain.”
Pandemonium II - Shuttle Devastator
The holo of Captain Tulok appeared flickering in front of General Ming, as the older man stood waiting for the order to deploy.
“General, Admiral Osiaric has ordered the full deployment of your battle group. How soon can you deploy?” It was a textbook question, and one that was unneeded in these circumstances. Tulok knew that Ming was ready, had been ready, for hours. All he awaited was the word ‘go’, and his men would commence assault on the target.
“Immediately, Captain,” Ming replied. He was standing in the cockpit of the lead shuttle now, and was signalling the pilot to begin takeoff procedures.
“Very good, General. You should know that the division will be leaving this area of space, and joining the battle at Corellia.” This was unexpected. Intelligence had reported that there wouldn’t be need for the division to move from the Double Worlds. Perhaps the Rebel forces had come out more powerful than predicted at Corellia? Perhaps, but it didn’t matter. “The Third Destroyer Legion will of course be staying at Talus, to act as cover for you and to secure help secure the system.”
The Devastator slowly began easing out of the shuttle bay, passing through the protective ion field that protected the Pandemonium II’s innards from the void of space.
“Understood, Captain,” he replied. “Ming out.” The last words were cut off, however, as the Devastator left the Pandemonium II and entered the space outside, becoming enveloped in the prevalent communications blackout. This did not matter, however, as the Imperials had other ways of communicating basic instructions. Ways pioneered by the likes of Sofcom and Kultz, and further perfected by Kaine and Ming. They originated on the planetside battlefield, but were easily ported to three-dimensional warfare.
All around, other shuttles and fighters were departing their designated ships, and heading toward the unshielded planet of Talus at full speed. The invasion had begun.
Pandemonium II - Talus, Leaving High Orbit
Along with the rest of the division, the Flagship of Admiral Osiaric made the microjump out of Talus and Tralus’ space. Sequences and moves had been set in place that would ensure the ships safe passage, and the battle for Corellia would soon be joined by the deadly Third First, of Sentinel Fleet.
Despite this, the armies on both sides fought on. Death all around, many were afraid. All knew what it would be like to die here; training for years in their Academies, having it drilled into their heads. Death would come quick, and when the battle was over their name would be logged on a list of ‘fallen heroes’, and the family would receive a compensation and a letter. Vented into space? Your son died serving his duty on the battlefront. Stray turbolaser blast? Your son was shot down in his prime. He served his Empire well.
There was nothing to look forward to in battle, except if you weren’t directly engaged. Then you could boast about being there, but have actually been in no real danger. As it was at Talus.
Pandemonium II
“Still no reports of Rebel activity on or around the planet, Admiral. Looks like the division won’t see combat after all.”
Osiaric seemed pleased at Tulok’s report, although the Captain knew that secretly his Admiral had been hoping for a fight. The Admiral was beginning to show his age; in his movements, his decisions, his vacant expression and lack of concentration. Tulok suspected the man was due for retirement any time now, although he didn’t know exactly how old the Admiral was. He knew Osiaric was thinking along these same lines as well, and would probably like to get in some more battle victories before his expulsion from the service.
Still, it would be nice to conduct a peaceful takeover, for once.
“Admiral, the Third Destroyer Legion has entered high orbit. No resistance. Your orders?” Lithium asked, standing at the ready next to his commanding officer.
Osiaric sat still for a moment, then turned to Tulok.
“Signal General Ming, Captain. Tell him to begin landing his troops...” Osiaric trailed off, looking again at the holo display in front of his chair, and enlarged it to show the entire system. In the distance, at Corellia, massive fighting was evident. He looked intently at the map, studying it, as his eyes took on a gleam they hadn’t had up until now. Tulok recognised the smile playing across his face as well, and instinctively knew what was about to happen.
Osiaric sat back in his chair, seemingly satisfied. “Tell Ming to land his forces.” The glint was still in his eyes, but his smile had been replaced with a grimace of determination. “And then signal the division, open a hole in the Sixth, and find a way through Trachta’s Abolishers. We’re going into battle, Captain.”
Pandemonium II - Shuttle Devastator
The holo of Captain Tulok appeared flickering in front of General Ming, as the older man stood waiting for the order to deploy.
“General, Admiral Osiaric has ordered the full deployment of your battle group. How soon can you deploy?” It was a textbook question, and one that was unneeded in these circumstances. Tulok knew that Ming was ready, had been ready, for hours. All he awaited was the word ‘go’, and his men would commence assault on the target.
“Immediately, Captain,” Ming replied. He was standing in the cockpit of the lead shuttle now, and was signalling the pilot to begin takeoff procedures.
“Very good, General. You should know that the division will be leaving this area of space, and joining the battle at Corellia.” This was unexpected. Intelligence had reported that there wouldn’t be need for the division to move from the Double Worlds. Perhaps the Rebel forces had come out more powerful than predicted at Corellia? Perhaps, but it didn’t matter. “The Third Destroyer Legion will of course be staying at Talus, to act as cover for you and to secure help secure the system.”
The Devastator slowly began easing out of the shuttle bay, passing through the protective ion field that protected the Pandemonium II’s innards from the void of space.
“Understood, Captain,” he replied. “Ming out.” The last words were cut off, however, as the Devastator left the Pandemonium II and entered the space outside, becoming enveloped in the prevalent communications blackout. This did not matter, however, as the Imperials had other ways of communicating basic instructions. Ways pioneered by the likes of Sofcom and Kultz, and further perfected by Kaine and Ming. They originated on the planetside battlefield, but were easily ported to three-dimensional warfare.
All around, other shuttles and fighters were departing their designated ships, and heading toward the unshielded planet of Talus at full speed. The invasion had begun.
Pandemonium II - Talus, Leaving High Orbit
Along with the rest of the division, the Flagship of Admiral Osiaric made the microjump out of Talus and Tralus’ space. Sequences and moves had been set in place that would ensure the ships safe passage, and the battle for Corellia would soon be joined by the deadly Third First, of Sentinel Fleet.
