<font color="#AE4848">Tym could not believe what he just saw. The combined forces of the Mon Calamari Republic and Iron Fist Empire had leapt into hyperspace, only to be atomized by the Abolisher hyper sphere fields. Twice in one battle was unprecedented. Tym stood for a moment in shock, realize the largest casualties suffered by his forces were a few hundred drone fighters, while is enemy had eliminated themselves. Cardia never saw a scenario such as this, and nor would they. Suicidal opponents were rare. A lieutenant, bearing news, approached Tym.</font>

“Captain, the Admiral has ordered us to leave Teth at once. He has called in Colonel Desaria to take our place.”

“Very good Lieutenant, have the Abolishers and Interdictors deactivated and bring us out of the system. Set a course of Garqi.”

“Aye sir.”

<font color="#AE4848">Tym nodded his head, dismissing the lieutenant. The massive warships under Tym’s commander gathered to prepare for hyperspace. The chaos of battle had been replaced by the peace of victory. All would consider this an effortless victory, and it was. But all would take it, regardless of how it was achieved. Stygian Fleet jumped into hyperspace, leaving those that were there to finish the job.</font>

“Sirs,” the stocky sensor man called up to Admiral Osiaric and Captain Tulok from his station, commanding their attention in a very un-commanding tone. Both of the high-ranking men knew what his call would be about, as they had both seen the carnage that befell the remainder of the Iron Fist and Mon Calamari fleets, as they had attempted to jump to hyperspace whilst the Abolisher field was still active. Both men had seen it through the main viewport, and both men could feel the utter stupidity of what had just unfolded.

“Sirs,” the man said again, as the pair, trailed by Lithium, advanced on his station. They came up short when he began his statement. “The enemy fleet appears to have jumped into hyperspace, sirs.” His attention flickered from the console he worked at to the eyes of the two men standing at his shoulder. “It appears that their entire force has been destroyed, unlike when they managed to jump in-system earlier with only half of the ships exploding.”

That was all the confirmation Osiaric needed for now, it seemed, as he immediately turned to face Tulok and began dishing out orders. “Drop the Interdictor and Abolisher fields - we don’t need them any more. Leave the comm jamming for now, but send a message to Colonel...” Osiaric looked down at his pad for a moment, memory fogging over as it sometimes did when forced to retain all too much information. “Send a message to Colonel Desaria,” he looked up. “Tell him that he is free to jump in with his forces and help set up a perimeter-”

“Sir,” the sensors officer called to Osiaric’s back.

The admiral froze in mid sentence, then turned to face the man. “Sir,” he continued, as if he couldn’t see the look on his superior’s face. “Vice-Admiral Drakiss has begun landing ground troops, sir.”

This statement seemed to partially quell, or at least redirect Osiaric’s annoyance at having his orders interrupted to a new source. Tulok could instantly see that the admiral was setting up for another power trip, as Drakiss was technically in control of ships and forces under his Osiaric’s command. Knowing this, the captain intervened.

“Admiral, that sounds like a good way to fortify the planet and take out that nasty Gencore that’s been bothering us since we got here, doesn’t it?” Osiaric turned to glare at his captain, but could not help but see the truth in his words.

“... Deploy our ground forces to Teth, immediately,” he commanded.

“At once, Admiral.”

“Sir,” a junior communications officer drew the Admiral’s attention next. “We have an incoming transmission from Carida.”

"Distance to weapons emplacement?" asked Captain Varrk as his All-Terrain Armored Transport loomed forth. An entire platoon of assault troops waited in the hold of the walker, weapons at the ready. First, however, the area had to be secured. Warlord Imperials had permanently mounted a general purpose blaster cannon near the shield generator, and it had the capability of causing a bit of havoc if left unchecked. They had also reinforced it with a small contingent of troops. Transverse trenches filled with stormtroopers lay about the generator, and the defenders laid on a heavy concentration of laser fire.

"One-nine decimal five four," replied the co-pilot of the AT-AT, before returning to his duties. The neck-mounted medium cannons fired again, leaving an enemy trooper dying in the field. Such was a testament to the co-pilot's accuracy.

He reached for the sensor viewer, a periscope-like device which protruded from its flexi-mount, and took note of the far-off enemy cannon which formed the backbone of the enemy's defense.

"Target: Maximum firepower."

Two long beams emerged from the chin-mounted heavy laser cannons as the walker fired with maximum intensity. The shots connected with their target, which exploded in a showering ball of sparks and debris. The rebel defenders, disconcerted by the loss of their main defensive platform, raised their arms in surrender.



Stormtroopers exited the control room of the shield generator, weapons at the ready.

"Sir, we have control of the shield. We encountered no resistance, and the prisoners have been taken into custody and are ready for transport."

The report was gratifying, and Captain Varrk removed his communicator from a utility pouch on his belt.

"Landing Team Delta to Command, the shield generator has been captured."

Having spent years on what he and his crews felt was pointless patrol duties, Colonel Desaria had never been given the luxury of an Interdictor of an Abolisher-class Cruiser. But he knew what they did, and would certainly not be dumb enough to attempt to execute an in-system jump while their fields were still active. 'Why not lumber out of their range and THEN jump? Sacrifice a ship or two for a rearguard if neccessary. Elemantary tactics.' He watched with horror as the Iron Fist ships did not follow his unspoken advice, and instead annihilated themselves.

" Sir," called an ensign from the starboard crewpit. Desaria moved from his standing position behind his command chair and looked down at the communications chief.

" Yes?"

" We have received a request from Admiral Osiaric to bring our forces into the Teth system and set up perimeter defenses. However, he amends that ground operations have begun, and we are not to interfere."

Desaria gave the barely-out of school officer a nod, and went back to middle of the catwalk. " The Abolisher fields have been deactived, correct?"

" Aye sir!" replied Captain Vorran, the commander of the Intimidator.

" Then we will proceed to Teth. All ships-as we are already in formation-commence the jump on my mark-" he looked down at the jumpmaster for clearance. It received, he proceeded. "-Mark!"

* * *

A day later, the ships of Task Force XV, a detachment of the the Brass Protectorate Fleet, Division II, reverted to realspace above Teth. Their hulls glimmered in the rays of light given off by the system's only sun. The fourth planet in the system, a gas giant, was serenely covered by two perpendicular sets of rings.

' How beautiful the galaxy is' Desaria thought, watching the sites as his ships entered the Teth system.

Finally, all were accounted for, and the serenity of peace and beauty was shattered by the men and machines of war. Hexagonal winged fighters poured forth from the gaping mouths of armor-lated beasts, each itself looking like a Corellian porcupine with its dozens of weapon emplacements jutting into space. The fighters formed into flights, and the flights into spuadrons. Assault shuttles were loosed on the stars with a hungry passion for battle.

Slowly, and with great care, for it had all been preordained by the patriarch of the armored armada, the flotilla broke up into sections to patroll the great system. Two patrol groups and a command group, each a mighty conglomerate in and of itself, and terrible to behold together, was only a fraction of what its commander could field.

The fighters squadrons, each with an assault shuttle and just launched Lambda-class shuttle converted into a fuel tanker began scouting the outernmost portions of the system where the stretched scanners of the Fleet could not get. All the while, the remaining fighters ( 50 % of them), waitied at high alert, should their cousins fall into the lap of ill fortune.

Colonel Desaria watched on the bridge, his flagship's commander, Captain Vorran standing behind and just to the left of him. " Glorious isn't it?"

" Our scanners report nothing at one0-fifty sirs!"

" Then push them to 200." Desaria turned to Vorran. " All ships are to remain at red alert, all watches to rotate every two hours." He lowered his voice to Vorran. " I'll take the first. "

Vorran salutd, and strode off the bridge. " Make sure our TIEs get everything, I don't want our landing parties to get an unpleasant suprise..."

-Colonel Telan Desaria

"Pack your bags, Aevan-You've been transferred. Sentinel Division One, Legion Two is your new outfit. Finish up at Teth, then report to the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Palpatine<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->."

Such was his communique from Vice Admiral Cyyar from High Command. He added that to his Staff's queue. <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> We're relocating. See to the transfer of my personal effects.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

He sighed, then took the turboshaft to the auxiliary bridge, and ordered the comm officer to hail the newly arrived task force.

"Colonel Desaria," Admiral Drakiss began. "I present to you the planet Teth. The planetary governor has advised what military forces he has available to stand down, for what that is worth. My forces stand ready to be relieved, so please signal me when I can recall my marines from the surface. Henceforth, Teth is your responsibility."

Colonel Desaria eyed the wall hologram of his superior, Vice Admiral Drakiss. The battle for the planet had been won in space, and now it was complete on the planet as well.

" My compliments, Admiral. At your leave, you may begin pulling your troops off immediately. I will dispatch the 13th Bastion from my flagship and the 34th Assault Division from the Rothgar. I will order their compliment of heavy weapons to accompany them , in case of an unfortunate insurrection. This should prove enough the hold the capital and the other troublesome areas. "

Drakiss nodded, erecting himself to his full height. Taking that as the typical Admiral's cue the conversation was complete, Desaria saluted, and the monitor shut down. Soon after he issued orders for the deployment of troops to Teth itself, appending that a permanant garrison base be deployed from the Merciless and landed on the primary continent.

Within an hour, a flury of transports and dropships had emerged from the assigned ships, and proceeded towards Teth. As they arrived, they exchanged the usual military courteousies with the departing Sentinel troops.

Soon after, the militia forces on the planet began arriving at the disemarkation grounds for the transports and surrendering their arms and munitions to the Imperial troops. Desaria heard, and was pleased. He would make his stay at Teth a quick and painless one.

-Unless the vong have other plans," Desaria thought...

-Colonel Telan Desaria
TNO

Transports and their escort fighters streamed up from the planet of Teth is a casually assembled but hurried line. Their destination was starkly more than obvious, as they had just a while before been deployed from Third Sentinel’s battleships to help in the conquest and occupation of Teth. Now though, their job was done, and they were returning to their ships of origin. It was a rather short-lived stay for the ground forces of Sentinel Fleet, but their replacements from the defensive legions of Brass Protectorate had already arrived and taken over from them.

The steady line of troop transports and fighters was being closely watch from numerous Imperial capital ships, by both sensors and human eyes.

One such pair belonged to the esteemed Admiral Osiaric.

“Hurry those transports up,” he turned, snapping at Tulok from his position at the front of the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Pandemonium’s<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> bridge. His captain in turn twisted his head partially around and nodded to Lithium, who stole away silently to perform the duty.

While the lieutenant attended to that duty, Tulok came up beside Osiaric and turned to face him.

“Why are we leaving?” The question was blunt and lacked any sign of courtesy to rank, which mainly determined the same bluntness in the response.

Nothing.

Tulok stood to the Admiral’s side for a second longer before persisting with the question, but this time with a far more sarcastic tone.

“I’m sorry, <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Admiral<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->. Please, would you tell me why we are leaving, sir?” At this Tulok managed to steal a glare from his superior before he answered.

“That, Captain, is none of your concern. The communiqué from Carida was addressed specifically for me, and contained information that you need not know.”

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> At least I’ve got the @#%$ talking.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Tulok used one hand to flatten out the front of his uniform as he spoke. “If I may say so, sir, it would be in our best interests if I was to know,”

Osiaric snorted, halting Tulok from his pruning and bringing the captain’s cold stare upon himself. “And how would that be, <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Captain<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->?” Just as Tulok had stressed a rank before to show false courtesy, now Osiaric used the same tact to remind the man that he was not the superior on this ship, and that if he wanted to keep his command, he would bow to that authority.

Still, the captain pressed on. “Time to prepare, help with the assault planning-”

Osiaric turned to face Tulok, both of their cold eyes locking in place. “And what makes you think that we’re being re-assigned to go on another assault, Captain? For all you know we could be going out on some god-damned patrol circuit.”

Tulok flashed a knowing smile. “They wouldn’t pull us off this planet for a lousy patrol mission, Admiral. There is still a significant threat here, judging solely by the proximity to Vong space and it’s seclusion from the Empire. We <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> are<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> still needed here, and you know it.”

“Yes, I know that. But the question is not what <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> I<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> know, but rather what High Command knows, isn’t it.” Osiaric drew himself up and looked down his pointy nose at Tulok, a smirk growing on his features. “And besides, it may be a defensive move.”

“Then why aren’t they withdrawing the Brass Protectorate?” He countered. “And why aren’t our transports moving faster?” Tulok indicated the line of ships steadily moving into the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Pandemonium’s<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> and other ships’ hangars. They were moving fast and steady, but certainly not as fast as they could under combat situations.

“Listen, <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Captain<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->,” Osiaric bore down on him, stressing the word ‘Captain’ once more to remind him of rank. “My orders come directly from High Command, and they state that I don’t tell anyone until we’re in hyperspace, so I’m more than happy to stick with that.”

Tulok stepped back, resigned. “All right, <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Admiral<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->.”

<!--EZCODE CENTER START--><!--EZCODE CENTER END-->

When the transports had finished loading, and all fighters had reported back, the Third Sentinel formed up around their command ground - and jumped.

Teth was now in Imperial hands, and Captain Tulok and his force were needed elsewhere.

Where that other place was, the captain was about to find out.

The TIE/Assault shuttle task forces that had ben sent out on reconaissance and patrol duties had as yet found nothing. However, on the sensors of the behomoth Reign-class Star Destroyer, the Yuuzhan Vong were still lurking at the perimeter of the system. Adn that made Colonel Desaria uneasy.

" What is the status of the landing?" he asked, moving from his standing position behind his command chair to halfway down the bridge catwalk where he could see the aft control corridor and the ground liaison officer he adressed.

" All but the 33rd Bastion Regiment are on the ground sir. They are leaving their SD now."

" Excellent. I will be in my office. Let me know if there are any changes in the situation. Captain Vorran, you have the bridge." Desaria stalked off, his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes dead ahead, but behind them, an intricate array of thoughts and possibilities, all working themselves out should that contigency arrive...

** *

" This the Torrol XVI to Merciless. We are requesting refuel," called the asault shuttle acting as the command pod for the squadron of TIE Interceptors around it. It felt so much better to the pilot, Ensign Ralter Mathis, to have humans on his wing than those damned droid-manned contraptions he'd been training with lately. But, he had to admit they we good. But it still felt weird. What were they called. Devils?

Mathis closed his eyes and rested his head back, the cue for his co-pilot, a Carida native, to take the controls. He did, them both having been out for the last two hours. Another two, and they would be ready to rotate. "So," Mathis said, opening his mouth after a yawn, " how's the wife?"

" I believe you just asked me that."

" Ah, yes."

" Think of it this way-we could be busy-"

The Caridan had spoken too soon. A beeping went off on their sensors as a small, unidentified craft approached. Mathis bolted from his relaxed position and called to his TIEs. " All right boys, we've got one. Its-" he looked at his diagnostics. What was it. It didn't register. Not Vong! Not IFE. Not Corellian or MCR. It was a freightor, but of completely unknown construction. " Its-its a ship. Flight I, take port. II, starbord, and III, ventral. We'll move it in . If you see a gun emplacement, knock it out. Don't fire until you hear my command."

The small group of ships turn on a credit towards the 35-meter long triangular craft. " This is Ensign Mathis if the Empire. Surrender your vessel and prepare to be boarded. I rep-" Without arning, a port opened up of her port side and the bow of the asault shutle became bathed in green light as four bolts of energy collided with the shields.

" Guess he doesn't want to play."

Mathis grunted. " All right boiys, take him down." The fighters swarmed on their assigned vectors, eliminating the gun port and two more that reveald themselves. They then fell into formation around the frieghtor. Taking no chances, Mathis called for a Heavy, the Dreadnaught Resplendence, who came as quick as her old enines would allow and hauled her aboard. When she was 'boarded', there was no one on the ship. But her hold was filled with grain and food stuffs.

" probably just a bloackade runner. Report it to the Colonel...."

* * *

Desaria heard of the ship and had it brought to the Intimidator. Vong? Impossible. They would not soiul themsevles with machines, even to gather information on the Imperial ascension of the Teth system. All files were downlaoded, her core removed and placed into storeage, and the ship itself jettisoned and destroyed by two jade lances of a heavy turbolaser.