(This Occurs at the same time as Hopes and Dreams)

Vaseli Zokolev was on his way out of the bridge for a well deserved meal when the message came through. His foot had just touched the line that separated the bridge from the rest of the Star Destroyer when duty once again pulled him back from the necessity of hunger. The Captain made a mental note to have some food sent down to the bridge, but quickly disregarded it as he would not have the time to eat it anyways.

Turning quickly around, Vaseli took longs strides back to his command seat and looked over the bridge. He focused his vision on the XO.

"Inform the rest of the fleet to reassemble in the predesignated formations. We jump out in ten minutes."

Captain Zokolev felt the minutes slowly tick by while watching the large holo display at the center of the bridge. The display showed a three dimensional representation of the space his fleet existed in, as well as the numerous vessels that made up his command. Slowly the vessels moved together from different locations and formed up into three formations. These formations had been planned in advance and every commander knew his or her place and mission.

As he looked out the viewports situated around the bridge superstructure, Vaseli could see a large Eternal Class Star Destroyer taking up position less than two kilometers to port of his command vessel. Other cruisers, gunships, and corvettes were rearranging into position as well all around him. His plan had been somewhat complicated and elaborate, but he had faith in the people he commanded. What problem was that this command was new to Vaseli and he did not yet know if the people he commanded had faith in him.

With a minute and some to spare his Executive Officer informed him that all ships were where they should be and ready for departure. Vaseli needed and glaced over at the large timer, which wound down the time in big red numbers. The Captain took one last look at the floating display in front of him and wondered how many of those ships and men would return home after this mission. All he could do was trust them and conduct the battle to his best ability. Nothing more could be asked of him or any one else that feel under his responsibility.

"Sir, five seconds." The XO updated him.

"Very well." Vaseli stated and sat down in his chair to look at the space and stretched before his fleet. "Commence Operation Backstab."

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The first ships to come out of hyperspace before the forested planet of Krant were eight gunships of the Intrepid, Fury, and Dasher class. These eight ships, large and small, formed a sort of protective cocoon around a single Fire Class frigate that stood hidden from sensor readings within the center of this formation. The tight cluster of ships would make it almost impossible to make the frigate out among the other vessels so close to it.

The formation quickly accelerated towards the planet and brought all their sensor arrays online. No portion of space before them would be left unscanned as each vessel had its own assigned search grid. Every target detected, enemy of not, was processed and quickly relayed by tight beam transmission to a point just outside the planetary system. A point too distant from Krant to be in sensor range.

Operation Backstab had just commenced.

(O.O.C.: Issue came up, deleted post for now...will throw one up later when I figure out how the hell I'm supposed to insert myself.)

[font=Microsoft Sans Serif]Pegasus-class Star Destroyer Audacieuse
Kashan Planetary Orbit

It was already looking like a long day...which, as far as Major McCallister was concerned, was not far from the ordinary. In fact, he had sort of expected that it would be a long, tiring day when he received orders to get ready for a trip to Kashan space to deal with a 'sensitive' situation. His former teammates were the only ones who would have been able to make any argument against his ability to handle such circumstances; fortunately, they weren't nearby right now...though what he'd done was probably already well-known among the higher levels of the Coalition military circle.

That's what made this job--this day--more annoying. Fortunately, at least he had the good fortune of not having to deal with that many people. After all, a delicate situation like this one required that there not be that much invested in it: all official recognition of this operation was denied, and everything that did go down went down off-the-record. It was that sort of stuff that made the major very happy...at least somewhere, he could count on someone making sure that nothing he did was noticed on too public a scale, most of the time.

The briefing room reserved for his meeting was empty as he walked in, which was a good sign. At the very least, he had a few moments to gather his thoughts before calling the other officers involved, and he needed as much of that time as he could get. Sighing softly to himself, he took a seat at one end of the table, relaxing just a little as he tried to get his thoughts into some semblance of order and understanding.

Only one thing was out of place as he slowly dripped off into a short bout of meditative tranquility. Somehow, from some unknown source, he could hear a soft rasping sound in his thoughts...

...like a ghoul following him around.

Shrugging it off and returning his attention to the matter at hand, he took only a few more minutes of thought before looking up the names of the others who would be in attendance for this mission. Rear-Admiral Corise Lucerne and Line-Captain Awdin Malcost, both part of the local fleet and--thank the Force, for once--both on this very ship, waiting for the meeting to be called in. Not bothering to waste time with any more delays, he had the requests sent, signaling to the two flag officers that they were due for a presentation. It would, however, seem very strange for a mere major to be leading a briefing that had two high-ranked officers present...but, in the world of the military, even that sort of protocol existed to be shattered.[/font]

Lucerne’s Quarters, Audacieuse, Confederation Flagship

It was his sanctuary; the flowing, white quarters reminiscent of Alderaanian architecture shortly before the Clone Wars; no doubt designed by a native of that planet: Matthew Lucerne, Rear-Admiral Lucerne’s father. Austere at the beginning of the Audacieuse’s commissioning, under Corise’s stay onboard the vessel, the room began to fill with a variety of the Kashan man’s belongings, including several of his fencing weapons as well as several paintings. This is home. Especially with Christina here.

“Corise?” questioned Pro-Consul.

“A hot chocolate.”

The droid bowed and scurried away to fetch the drinks.

“Chocolate? When did that start happening?” questioned the woman.

The man slowly smiled. “Since I thought it would be a bad idea to go to a briefing smelling of Cambrian Wine.”

“You never drink heavily…”

“But the smell is still there, no matter how slight,” stated the Rear-Admiral, “that sets a bad image, especially for a leader.”

She nodded. “Probably. Speaking of that, what is this briefing about? I heard some mainstream Coalition soldier came over specifically for this.”

He shrugged.

“I’m not entirely sure, and what I do know, I’m not at liberty to discuss about.”

The brunette mock-glared at him, pulling away from him on the couch. Corise winced. She smiled. Leaning back on the opposite end of the couch, Thorn swiped a piece of hair out of her face. The officer’s lips crept into a smile, which he futively tried to conceal.

“What is it now?”

“Nothing; nothing at all.”

“Corise, I have never seen you do anything without reason.”

“Well,” stumbled the man, “your shoe is untied.”

The woman glanced at her feet and frowned. “I’m not wearing shoes.”

“Exactly,” stated the man, “made you look.”

She shook her head. “I will never understand you.”

“And I you,” mused Corise.

“What time is your briefing?”

The officer looked his chrono. “In five minutes. I should be off. I’ll see around when the briefing is done.”

“What about your chocolate?”

“Later, I guess,” replied the man, rising to straighten his uniform.

“I’ll be here.”

“Right. I’ll be in the briefing room with Major McCallister.”

Confederation Flagship Audacieuse, in orbit around Kashan

Awdin entered the mass hall of the Audacieuse, the flag ship of the confederation fleet over their capital of Kashan. Awdin stopped as he entered looking around the crowded mess hall filled with the hungry crew of the flag ship. Awdin finally saw the food counter and drink dispensers and continued on his way.

Awdin nodded as a group of pilots stopped next to him and saluted quickly before continuing on. Awdin stopped for a moment fingering the new rank insignia on his uniform.

Awdin continued on remembering not 3 days ago when he had first received the orders to report directly to Kashan for a “Special Mission”, which as of yet still hadn’t been elaborated on in anyway. To add to that he had received a promotion and 3 more Amphion frigates, along with a nebula star destroyer to add to the two ships already under his command.

The Captain finally managed to reach the food counter after having dodged a trolley ferrying food stuffs to the kitchen. Awdin looked at the assorted foods settling for a roll of bread and some oddly flavored coffee, and began for a chair where he could eat and read some filed his new nebula SD had sent over. He once again weaved through the crowd of people although more than one simply stepped aside for him in kindness.

Upon reaching the chair Awdin un-ceremoniously dropped himself into it stuffing the bread into his mouth and placing the cup of coffee on a nearby table, and pulling out the data pad. Taking the bread from his mouth he powered up the datapad the screen filling with various reports from the fleet on that status of his new, fleet, if you could call it that. He skimmed quickly through the files, which mostly consisted of training reports and minor incidents such as fights, all in all nothing really important.

Having finished with the datapad’s contents he placed it back in his pocket and began to think about this new special assignment as the message had put it. First of all on his mind was why was he, a simple line captain and an extremely new one at that, being included on this special mission. He just barely considered that maybe he had done something right at Cularin, but it had only been a simple pirate eradication, but who knows maybe he had. The mission certainly had won his a Nebula Star Destroyer and a few more Amphion frigates, plus a promotion.

His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed the time on a near by chronometer. He had to be at the briefing in just under 10 minutes. Quickly he grabbed his coffee and finished his roll moving towards the door as he did. It was only then that he realized that he had no idea where he was going.

He stopped and looked around stopping a lieutenant walking towards the turbolifts, “Do you know where I can find briefing room 1B.” The lieutenant thought to himself a moment and then pointed behind him.

“Go to the turbolifts and go up 3 decks then just go straight down the hall way and you’ll find it.” He finally noticed Awdin’s rank insignia and saluted, “Sir.” Awdin thanked him and followed the man’s directions down the hall, the lieutenant going in the opposite direction.

After a short ride in a vacant turbolift he was deposited a few decks above the mess hall. He only had to follow the hall a short ways before he reached the door. He stopped for a moment sliding an access card through a reader by the door, hearing a click followed by the door parting before him into the briefing room. Awdin looked around the interior seeing only one man present as of yet. Awdin nodded a greeting and took a seat towards the front and began to sip his coffee waiting for everyone else to arrive, although he had no idea how many more there’d be.

[font=Microsoft Sans Serif]Briefing Room 1-Beta
Pegasus Star Destroyer [/font][font=Microsoft Sans Serif]Audacieuse
Kashan Planetary Orbit

At the very least, he hadn't been forced to wait for too long before someone else appeared. Smiling inwardly at the fact that he now had someone else to deal with on the matter, the major got up and offered a stiff, outwardly-grim salute. "Morning, captain," he said calmly, his voice not betraying the slight sliver of relief inside him. In fact, if not for the new arrival, his inner expression would have been just as grisly. He'd had plenty to worry about during the wait, most of it concerns from Central Command over the entire situation in the Bothan territories.

And it was well-founded concern, at that. With Rodia having recently fallen under the control of an Imperial-sponsored entity, the entire left flank of Leritor was waving the standard of the New Order. Bothan space was close enough to provide military reinforcements--if either of the superpowers really took hold of the place or secured free passage of military-grade vessels through the region. That had Command in a fit; a very important region of Coalition space would be endangered.

Not to mention the other points of significance on that world... Why oh why are the fates trying so valiantly to mess with me? Is it punishment for some sort of sin? Whatever it was, it was sure giving him a headache. Releasing the salute position just a few seconds after issuing it, he took his seat again, going over the datapad he'd been handed prior to setting out for this side of the Coalition. It is not my day...Beyond any doubt, it is not my day.
[/font]

(edit. please delete)

From hyperspace emerged first the massive command ship of the whole task force, the Astrus Class Star Destroyer Glory. It was soon followed by an arrangement of other ships. These new ships dropped out of hyperspace in almost perfect formation, a formation that had assembled prelaunch.

This mass of ships was formed into a sort of pyramid formation, with the pyramid laying on its side and the top pointed towards the planet of Krant. At the tip of this formation existed the Astrus Class and onboard the bridge stood Vaseli Zokolev. His face expressionless, but his mind always in thought.

He believed in leading by example and that is why he was here at the head of the formation. His ship would be the first to get hit, but Vaseli would lead his troops into battle without fear. If this was his time to die, then so be it.

"Sir, weapons and shields are up and operations. STLs are charging and all ships report ready." The XO paused before continuing. "The Phase I group reports success, we are recieving targeting data now."

Indeed, as Vaseli turned to look upon the large holo display, ships began to appear. He noted three formations of vessels before him. One was green and turning to race for his battle group, while another formation, this one in red advanced in pursuit. The third, slightly larger group was staying close to the planet of Krant.

The plan working out perfectly for the moment and Vaseli addressed the XO without looking away from the display. "Pass the targeting data to all nearby ships and prepare to launch warheads. Helm, move us foward at three forths."

The acknowlegdments came quickly and the ship slightly vibrated as the engines pushed it through space, accelerating the massive craft slowly. As the formation accelerated targeting data from the Phase I recon group was sent to the weapons officers who prepared weapons for action.

As it turned out Vaseli's formation was moving head on into that of the Phase I groups. Sensors could register that some of the group's ships were damaged, but nothing too serious. Those gunships and single Fire Class Frigate would continue to fight.

The sensors also started receiving data from the larger formation near planet. That one had quickly formed up and was causiously moving foward in a defensive screen, while launching squadron after squadron of fighters. With a Republic Class Star Destroyer and two Bothan Assault Cruisers as its backbone, the formation would be a worthy opponent.

Vaseli snapped out of those thoughts quickly and focused on the task at hand, he still had an enemy formation moving towards his ships. The Bothan group of ships had another bigger than a frigate and could not hope to stand up against the mighty task force at Vaseli's command. As if reading Captain Zokolev's thoughts the Bothan's broke off pursuit and turned to port, moving away into space.

As they broke off, they moved from a sheltered position behind the TNO ships to one of exposure. With one word from Vaseli's mouth, the forward vessels in the Task Force let loose with a volley of warheads. These fast movers quickly chased down the Bothan formation. While most of the warheads had been targeted for a Corona class Frigate, they had in turn impacted against a lighter corvette. This ship had moved position at the last moment, whether it was intentional or not was unknown, but the action had disrupted the path of the warheads. When the explosions faded only the battered remains were left.

This warheads, however, were not the only threat to those vessal. Heavy turbolasers soon started lancing out towards them. At ranges this great, it was no surprise that most of the blasts missed their targets. The purpose had been not to damage or destroy those vessels, but reather to keep them occupied. While they were being assaulted, the Imperial ships they had pursued were in turn coming after them.

As Vaseli's large fleet closed on the planet, it would have exposed its rear to the Bothan formation. To provent that, Vaseli had sent his recon units to hold off the formation until Phase II had been completed. Hopefully after this second Phase, the other ships will not be neccessary.

Vaseli looked out the forward viewport and could now make out the Bothan defense line. He had to make his timing perfect or else the plan will fail. He checked the planetary display and location of one of the planetiods around it. Quickly calculations raced through his mind and he cursed at himself when he realized the timing of the rotation was a few minutes off.

"Helm, slow to half and alter course to One-Three-Nine."

"Aye, sir, Half and One-Three-Nine." Replied helm.

As the ships in the formation turned, the sensor operator called out. "Sir! We have enemy fighter and bomber formations coming around to starboard. They are arching towards us."

The Bothan commander had decided to strike.

[OOC: Getting the briefing and such going, Coalition-side...]

[font=Microsoft Sans Serif]Briefing Room 1-Beta[/font]
[font=Microsoft Sans Serif]Pegasus Star Destroyer Audacieuse[/font]
[font=Microsoft Sans Serif]Kashan Planetary Orbit[/font]

[font=Microsoft Sans Serif]Lance sighed inwardly as the door to the briefing room started to open once more, admitting the other officer he was expecting for this meeting. Someone in maintenance was going to get an earful, that much was certain; for now, though, the issue at hand was of far more importance. In fact, it was of such significance that the typical 'officer on deck' crap didn't even come to Lance's mind, even though the rear-admiral was the bloody captain of the ship they were all on at the time.[/font]

[font=Microsoft Sans Serif]He did, however, rise and salute, at least following a measure of protocol. "Good morning," he began, clearing his throat a little. "We may now begin." Tapping a single button near the conference room's holoprojector, the major brought up a small display showing the southeastern corner of the galaxy. Highlighted were the regions representing Bothan and Azguardian space, both flagged in red. Leritor also popped up red, and a few worlds to the left of it on the display were marked green. Finally, more of the green markers--used on the display to represent the Imperials--were moved over to Bothan space, depicting the very recent updates about the attempted system takeover.[/font]

[font=Microsoft Sans Serif]"As you can see, gentlemen, what we have here is yet another case of Imperial aggression. This recent run is aimed at Bothan space, and Central Command has expressed interest in making the Empire's time there completely miserable."[/font]

[font=Microsoft Sans Serif]A single planet in Bothan space floated up into the projector, removing everything else around it. "Krant. This world will be one of the targets for our 'troop vacuum' work, and it's going to have to do a pretty good job." If Lance could have stared any harder, his eyes probably would have driven holes through both of the other officers in the room with him. "As the earlier display indicated, there's a very real threat to the Coalition if it doesn't.[/font]

[font=Microsoft Sans Serif]"Additionally," he continued, "there are some other items of significance on the planet, the likes of which trouble me on a personal level, and could easily tip the scales for whoever knows how to use them to that end: Jedi ruins, and at least 2 Sith temples."[/font]

[font=Microsoft Sans Serif]Trying to get that last part out of his mind as much as he could, the major merely shook his head for a short second. "Any questions?" he asked calmly. He expected quite a few, with how he'd delivered the briefing...he wasn't all that accustomed to dealing with delivering briefings to ranking officers yet, truth be told, and it seemed like a skill that sure didn't come naturally.[/font]

Awdin stood and saluted standing at attention as the doors slid open and in walked Rear-Admiral Corise Lucerne commander of the Audacieuse. Awdin looked over to the major and watched as he snapped off what wasn’t the greatest military salute ever, "Good morning," he began, clearing his throat a little. "We may now begin.” Awdin set his arm at his side once more and sat down bringing out a datapad for the briefing which he presumed was about to start. Within a moment the Holoprojector starting working and the briefing began.

In the air appeared the southeastern corner of the galaxy showing the bothan planets and Azguard space. Awdin watched carefully making sure he remembered everything that the major was saying, and taking careful note of anything important. But the briefing or at least the start ended quicker than he thought they would have, but none the less outlined the situation well.

Awdin watched as the holoprojected images began to shift as more worlds turned from red to green on the display meaning that the imperials were making progress The major was definitely right about the threat that could pose to the coalition and especially the Azguards that lived on that side of the galaxy. With all those planets and resources so close it would make things easier for the imperials to invade Azguard space. Awdin did however not know much about the Azguards except for a few tidbits he had caught in conversations.

The projector finally focused in on one planet in particular, the major explained that this was Krant where the operation would be taking place. The major turned around looking at the Captain and rear-admiral his eyes showing his focus and intensity, the major then turned back to the holoprojector.

Another thing that directed his attention was that their were both Jedi and Sith temples on the planet, which would definitely alter things a bit. He wondered whether or not the Jedi and Sith knew that they were there.

Awdin could see that when the man finished the briefing that he wasn’t very experienced at it, but he had given the outline for the plan and now opened the floor for the two officers in the room with him. Awdin remembered the course he had taken at the academy specifically on delivering briefings effectively, and if he remembered correctly he wasn’t all that good at it either. His mouth stretched ever so slightly into a grin at the though of the pudgy man who had taught the class, but quickly dismissed it and got back to the matter at hand.

Awdin not seeing the Rear-Admiral putting forward any questions put some forward himself, “First of all thank you for the briefing on the situation, but could you possibly go into detail a little more about what we will be doing there. Things like what species we’ll be working with, the current situation, what resources we’ll have, and how we’ll get in. Also who is the officer attempting to take Krant.” Awdin sat down again and waited for the major to answer.