The Varonat System... The isolated, sparsely populated world of mountains, plains, and thick jungles seemed all to clear as Hiram Drayson as he stepped up the viewing ports of his Disrupter-Class Super Star Destroyer deemed the Sentinel. His recent appointment to temporary Admiral of the fleet had come as a small shock to him, but not too much of a shock. He folded his hands behind his back as so many other Admirals do, and continued to overlook the Greenish tint of the Planet that lay below him. After all, he was present at the Liberations of Ord Mantell, and New Alderaan. Why not two more planets? Operation Star Fury was under way.

The Super Star Destroyer slowly worked it’s way closer to the planet, the pur of it’s mighty engines heard throughout the ship as it slowed down.

“Launch the Fighters...” Admiral Hiram Drayson said casually as he turned to his Chief tactical Officer as he sat patiently behind a large control panel on the command bridge. His Chief Science Officer was pretty young for his rank, but seemed to handle the job quite well, considering the circumstances. He was tall, with brown hair, and eyes, and weighed about one hundred, and fifty pounds.

“Fighters are currently under launch preparation, and preparing to launch, Admiral.” his Chief Tactician replied. He merely nodded his head, and slowly turned to look out of the viewing ports on the other side of the control bridge.

“Good, now, have our ships report in.” Drayson said casually.

The Tactical officer instantly got to work. Almost instandlt, various voices could be heard over the speakers as the ships reported in.

“Nemesis-Class Star Destroyer The Face Reporting in.”
“Nemesis-Class Star Destroyer Razor’s Kiss Reporting.”
“Nemesis-Class Star Destroyer [/i]Ravors Edge[/i] here...”
“Nemesis-Class Star Destroyer Mauler reporting for duty.”
“Nemesis-Class Star Destroyer Gilded Claw is present.”
“Nemesis-Class Star Destroyer Tedevium ready for action.”
“Imperator Mark Three Class Star Destroyer Viscount ready to go.”
“Imperator Mark Three Class Star Destroyer Strident prepped for combat.”
“Imperator Mark Three Class Star Destroyer Razor Blade Reporting as Ordered.”
“Imperator Mark Three Class Star Destroyer Silver Wing, yeah yeah, we’re ready.”

After the remainder of the fleet had reported in, and confirmed combat preparation, the powerful fleet slowly advanced on the world of Varonat. Rumor had it that there was a relatively large band of Space Pirates encamped on the Planet, so one could never be to careful, especially an Intelligence Agent temporarily made Admiral of such a powerful fleet. He wouldn’t want to betray the trust of Supreme Commander Isstal. Such trust was only offered to a select few people, and he felt privileged that the Commander had held such high confidence in his militaristic abilities. As his thoughts wandered, he was suddenly interrupted by one of the officers at the control station.

“Admiral, scanners are showing a small collection of various ships approaching our position. We’re surrounded, but the ships don’t seem to be posing much of a threat. Internal scanners indicate that the ships are preparing there weapons. The strongest ship on our scanners appears to be an older model of the Victory One Class Star Destroyer. Weapons indicated on this ship are lower than that of a normal Victory One Class Star Destroyer, which indicates that it could be a pirate vessel. Normal Victory Class Star Destroyers have Ten Quad Turbo Laser Batteries, Forty Double Turbo Laser Batteries, Eighty Concussion Missile Launchers with one warhead each, and Ten Tractor Beam Projectors. This ship has a usual hull strength of one thousand five hundred and twenty, and a shield rating of three thousand two hundred. However, weapons, as I stated before, are much lower, consisting of only five Quad Turbo Laser Batteries, Ten Double Laser Batteries, and forty Missile Launchers. Onboard craft are yet to be determined, but scanners indicate two squadrons of older TIE series fighters.”

The Admiral nodded his head, and looked out over the viewing ports as a small CR-90 Corellian Corvette came into view, under what appeared to be an escort of Lancer Frigates.

“Damn space Pirates. Open a Channel.” The Admiral growled as he turned to face the control panel.

“Yes sir, Channel open.”

“This is Admiral Hiram Drayson of the Galactic Defense Initiative. I would like to know at once under what authority you have encircled out fleet, and prepared your ships for combat.”

The deep voice of a man that appeared to be in his late thirties, and human responded from the bridge of the Victory One Class Star Destroyer.

“This is Captain Brendan aboard my Victory Star Destroyer Slaughter House. you have violated the territory of the Wraith pirates. Withdrawal your fleet at once, or suffer a dire consequence.”

Hiram Drayson tried not to laugh at the voice of the Space Pirate as he turned to his tactical officer, and gave him a slight nod, indicating that he needed to tell the fleet to prepare for combat. Almost instantly, the Galactic Defense Initiatives shields were raised, and there weapons armed.

“This is Intergalactic Space, Captain. And The Galactic Defense Initiative has every right to be present within this system. I would advise you to order your ships to stand down.”

The deep laughter of the Captain on the other end was later accompanied by the severing of communications links between the two fleets.

“Admiral Drayson, scanners indicate that two more Victory Class Star Destroyers, reported missing in the Kessel sector a few months ago have appeared on our flanks.”

The Admiral nodded his head. He had seen this tactic before. It was a tactic he liked to call a crossfire, but he would not be so easily fooled.

“Order the fleet to attack. These pirates are obviously not open to negotiation.”

“Yes, Admiral. As you command.”

The Disrupter Class Super Star Destroyer’s powerful weaponry started to blaze, without warning on the Pirate fleet as it’s apparent flagship, the Slaughter House tilted from side to side after the impact of several Turbo Laser barrages, and Concussion missiles slammed into it’s frontal shielding. She ship slowly started to move out of the way, but to no avail. The combined firepower of the large Galactic Defense Initiative fleet had taken out it’s shields, and badly damaged the ship.

At the same time, however, the two other Victory Class Star Destroyers that had approached from behind were now firing upon the Galactic Defense Initiatives fleet from behind, taking off serious shielding power to a few ships. Three of the six Nemesis Class Star Destroyers had done an about face to confront the Victory Class Star Destroyers, only to confronted by another assault from three CR-90 Corellian Corvettes, and a YT-2000 Freighter. The smaller, more agile ships were taking a heavy toll on the rear shielding.

Launching it’s fighter squadrons in a last attempt to salvage there command ship, the Slaughter House‘s small fighter compliment quickly undocked from the ship, and started toward the large Super Star Destroyer, three of them instantly being shot down by Turbo Laser fire.

“So, they want to play hard ball...” Admiral Drayson exclaimed with a bit of excitement in his voice. “I’m game...” he said, as he turned to his tactical advisor.

“Launch all fighter squadrons.”

The Tactical Advisor nodded his head. “It will take a few minutes, Admiral. Three of our Nemesis Class Star Destroyers are under heavy fire, but I think they can handle it.”

The Admiral nodded his head as the large fighter compliment of the fleet zoomed toward the meager, and ill-equipped pirate fighter squadrons, taking down a few more as they circled around for there next run. Within what seemed like moments, all enemy fighters were destroyed. It wasn’t a surprise to the Admiral. It was a rare occurrence when someone with odds of five hundred to one triumphed. He remained at the viewing ports, overlooking the battle, seemingly calm as two Carrack Cruisers arrived from the Planet’s surface. The battle was getting interesting, yet victory was imminent for the Galactic Defense Initiative.

“Order all fighters to focus there attacks on the disabled enemy flagship. I want it destroyed.” the Admiral said as he pointed out of the large viewing ports at the small Victory One Class Star Destroyer that sat helplessly against the backdrop of space, several small fires apparent on the ship’s hull.

Within moments, swarms of GDI fighters were hitting the Victory Class Star Destroyer with all they had as the Admiral watch with a satisfied look on his face. Slowly the Tactical advisor of the ship approached him from behind. “You’re looking quite pleased Admiral.” he exclaimed softly, obviously as excited as the Admiral was to be seeing the action.

“Yes, I just realized how much of a cruel irony the pirates aboard that ship must be feeling. The name of that ship is the Slaughter House, but now, the only slaughter they are carrying out is there own slaughter. If any of them escape, they will think twice about threatening this fleet again.”

(OOC: Note that this takes place before the current problems. It's a project I have been working on for Isstal, but due to IRL problems, I haven't had time to post it.)