Empire's Vanguard: Sovereignty | Star wars

20. Isard Gambit

"Soldiers usually win the battles, and generals get the credit for them."

Napoleon Bonaparte

|| Location: Corusca Sector, Coruscant system , Coruscant||

|| Timeline: 7 ABY ||

The Battle of Coruscant raged on beneath me, a complex web of chaos and strategy, with the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance. I stood on the bridge of the Annihilator, my flagship, overseeing the ground operations with cold precision. Below, the cityscape of Coruscant was a sprawling battlefield, its towering spires and endless layers of infrastructure both an asset and a curse.

"Commander Vaylen," I spoke into the comms, my voice calm despite the intensity of the situation. "Report your status."

Vaylen's voice crackled back through the speakers, strained but focused. "My forces are advancing through the lower levels, but resistance is fierce. The Empire has fortified key positions with heavy weaponry. We're taking losses, but we'll push through."

"Losses are inevitable," I replied, my tone as unyielding as durasteel. "Focus on your objectives. The Rogue Squadron needs time to complete their sabotage. Hold the line until they succeed."

As I cut the connection, I turned my attention to the holographic display of the battle. Red and blue icons danced across the map, representing the clashing forces. Every second counted. If we couldn't bring down the orbital shield in time, this entire operation would be for nothing.

"General Heget," I continued, opening a new channel to my other ground commander. "What's your status on the eastern front?"

The general's voice came through, clear and confident. "We've secured the perimeter around the main shield generator. The New Republic commandos are setting the charges as we speak. The Rogue Squadron's diversion is working; most of the Imperial forces are focused on the storm they created."

"Good," I said, watching as the display updated with the latest movements. "But don't underestimate the Imperials. They'll counterattack the moment they realize our true objective. Be prepared."

Heget acknowledged the order, and I cut the line, returning my focus to the broader picture. Time was slipping away, and the stakes were only growing higher. The orbital shield was a massive energy barrier that protected the planet from orbital bombardment. As long as it stood, the full might of our fleet was useless. The New Republic's plan to destroy it was risky, but it was our best shot.

I glanced over to Admiral Ackbar, who was coordinating the fleet's maneuvers. His Mon Calamari eyes were locked onto the tactical display, his mind a whirlwind of calculations. He was a seasoned strategist, and I trusted him to make the right calls. But this battle wasn't just about military might—it was about timing, precision, and exploiting every advantage we had.

On the bridge of the Home One, I could feel the tension thickening in the air. My officers moved with a sense of purpose, their eyes glued to their stations. The Annihilator loomed in the distance, a grim reminder of the Empire's might now turned against them. Kodo's forces were crucial to this operation, and despite my reservations about his methods, I couldn't deny their effectiveness.

"Admiral," one of my officers called out. "Our forward scouts report increased Imperial activity near the northern hemisphere. They're redirecting forces toward the storm zone."

"Good," I replied, my voice steady. "That means Rogue Squadron is doing their job. Order our cruisers to maintain a defensive perimeter. We can't afford to engage the main fleet until the shield is down."