Codename Fulcrum

Chapter 3: Attack on Atollon (part 2)

The seconds felt like minutes as Alexsandr watched the fighting. The rebellion had superior fighters and pilots, but the overwhelming number of TIE fighters darting through the battlefield meant that not even the best pilots stood much of a chance. In between dog-fighting with the A-Wings, the TIEs also took turns blasting the rebel cruisers apart. Kallus feared that if the fighting went on much longer, the rebellion wouldn't have any more ships left.

"Capital ships, hold your position. Their cruisers will have to come to us." Thrawn's cold voice cut through Kallus's thoughts. Turning his attention back to the viewport, Kallus watched as another Nebulon-B frigate imploded.

As worry for the rebellion grew in his gut, Kallus could have sworn he saw escape pods jettison towards the surface from the Quasar Fire-class cruiser-carrier that had been marked as Sato's command ship. As he wondered if he had suffered one too many hits to the head during his interrogation, the carrier abruptly left formation and headed towards the Chimaera.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Konstantine's Interdictor cruiser moving to intercept, effectively putting a hole in the otherwise solid blockade of Imperial warships. Thrawn apparently noticed this as well.

"Konstantine, return to your assigned coordinates immediately." If the Chiss was angry, it did not show on his face, though his voice gave way that he was displeased with Konstntine's insubordination.

"I've had enough of your games, Grand Admiral." Konstantine's voice scoffed through the transmitter.

With its turbolasers firing, the Interdictor closed in on the carrier. Without warning, the rebel vessel changed course, swinging hard to face the Interdictor head- on. With no obvious time to change course, the two ships slammed into each other, both crumpling before giving way with a massive explosion that rocked the Chimaera.

The bridge was silent for a few stunned seconds, and utter disbelief took over Kallus's thought process. Did they just... What...? Apparently he was not the only one who couldn't believe what they just witnessed, as Governor Pryce was currently murmuring about how crazy the rebels were. "Insane rebels... Suicidal idiots..."

"Sir, one rebel ship escaped the blockade." The scanning officer's voice broke through the quiet disbelief.

Regaining his usual hard to read stature- though his voice held a slight edge- Thrawn gave out his next order. "Konstantine was careless. Let's hope he did not undermine my efforts. Press the attack. Force them to ground."

Chaos continued all around them, with ship after ship exploding, some Imperial, some rebel. After what felt like hours but was probably mere minutes, what was left of the rebel fleet turned and retreated back towards the planet's surface.

"Look at them run." Governor Pryce stated with amusement, with that same creepy smile that sent chills down Kallus's spine long before he thought about defecting from the Empire. She had always been sort of scary, in a sinister and malicious way. She enjoyed toying with people, reminding him of a Loth cat playing with its prey.

The Grand Admiral stayed quiet, watching the fleet vanish from view below Atollon's atmosphere in soundless contemplation. Sometimes Alexsandr would give anything to see how Thrawn's mind worked. Other times, he wanted nothing to do with it. It's pretty impressive, the way he is able to draw conclusions from things that everyone else in the galaxy finds useless, he mused. He knew very little, if anything, about Thrawn's past. But that definitely did not stop his mind from wondering what it is that he used to do and where he learned his ridiculous tactical skill. Wherever he's from, they definitely had to be missing him.

"Our capital ships are in position. The blockade is secure." Pryce's voice rang out.

"And the status of the rebel fleet?" Thrawn asked, taking his gaze off the planet below and turning to face Pryce and Kallus.

"The remaining vessels have fled back to the surface and are taking shelter under a localized shield."

"Hmm. Very good. Let's test their mettle. Commence the attack." Thrawn glanced towards the weapons officer, who nodded his acknowledgment before giving the order to fire the Star Destroyers main cannons at the rebel base. Quickly, the rest of the Imperial Fleet followed. Before long, nearly the entire viewport was full of green turbolaser bolts hammering down to the planet.

For what felt like the 80th time that day, Alexsandr had a horrible feeling in his gut. Even though no one had called out that the rebel base had been destroyed, no shield can hold out forever against multiple Star Destroyers and Light Cruisers. The shield would overheat before the Destroyers would break a sweat. Worry creeped onto his face as he glanced around the bridge. The overwhelming feeling of helplessness didn't help either.

"They've had enough. Cease fire." Thrawn's voice once again cut through his thoughts. A wave of relief washed over him, and he allowed himself to exhale the breath he didn't realize he had been holding in.

Turning around and walking away from the viewport, Thrawn motioned for Pryce to walk with him. "Governor Pryce, you're in command of the fleet while I lead the ground assault."

As he realized what Thrawn's plans were, Alexsandr couldn't help it. He let out a low, scornful laugh.

"Hmm. The plight of your friends amuses you." Thawn asked, stopping and turning towards Kallus.

"I've been in your position before, only to have these rebels pull a victory from certain defeat." Alexsandr tried to put some venom and conviction into his statement, but if the Grand Admiral had caught any change in tone, he completely ignored it and came back at him with his own curt assertion.

"You and I are not the same, Kallus, as these rebels are about to learn." Turning on his heel and heading out the blast door, Thrawn's cadence carried what Kallus could only speculate was anger. Apparently comparing myself with Thrawn is a huge insult, Kallus thought bitterly, closing his eyes and taking a moment to rest as both Thrawn and Pryce left the command deck.