Star Wars: The Hidden Empire

Chapter Five ~ Power Plays

~Eviscerator ~

"Sir,they're raising shields. Shouldn't we answer their hails?"

"Questionme again Ensign, and you'll soon find yourself outside of anairlock." Versio snapped at the young officer who in turn whimperedlike a sick dog.

"Continuethe advance. I want full impulse. Once we're within range of theirbridge we will reply to their calls. I'm not taking any chances."

"Forgiveme Admiral, but I must advise you to abort. Engaging is suicide!"

"Noted,Commander."

"Butsir, even if your fleet arrived in time, the odds would still bestacked against us."

"Acknowledged,commander. Continue the advance."

"ButI must disagree. You saw as well as I what that ship did to thatrebel cruiser, least of all the planet!" Versio's tacticiancontinued to plead.

"Youthink me blind? Weapons of that magnitude takes time to recharge. Andafter two firings, I would say its out of the board for now."

"Iunderstand but what of the other vessels – outnumbering us sixty toone, I might add. There are simply too many of them for us towithstand. Unless . . . no way!" Versio smirked, "You can't beserious!"

"DoI look otherwise? Helm, make all haste to the dreadnaught. Positionus above its portside weapons array ASAP. We're going to disarm theirflagship."

"Sir,all ships are readying their weapons."

"Keepus above theirs helmsmen, and keep her close – that's an order.They won't be able to fire less they hit their own ship, theirsuperior numbers will be rendered completely useless. Ready thefighter pilots, their Victories may soon become a problem."

"Ayesir."

Theenemy vessels held their fire as expected. Either too afraid to misstheir target or unsure about engaging with an ally vessel. The crewremained nervous nonetheless.

"We'rein position sir!" An applaud followed, some men chearing.

"Welldone, fire all torpedoes."

"Itmay be daring, but its a good plan." The commander begrudginglyadmitted, the admiral smiled.

~Enemy's Lament, bridge ~

"Ma'am,all portside weapon systems are offline. Orders?" Serila sighed.

"Hasthere been any reports of an imperial vessel being hijacked orcommandeered?"

"None,that's a very unlikely scenario anyway." Rez chimed in. "Wherewould you find 30 000 willing men anyway?"

"Acknowledged.So the crew have turned traitor? Not entirely unplausible,considering the current situation. I'd like to know their objectivehowever. Welp." She popped the p, "Look's like we're goingfishin' lads! And ah think we're gonna get a biggin'!"

"Whatshall I tell the fleet ma'am." Her NCO queried with a smile in hiseyes.

"Tahold yer fire. Ah know what their tryin' ta do. Smart move actually,very smart. We aint dealin' with you average captain that's for sure."Moars gave a mock hurt expression, "You not the average captainMoars and you know it." He gifted her a goofy grin.

"ShallI arrange for the Staillion to do a bombing round?" Moars thensuggested.

"Whilsta Victory-class vessel would be a viable counter to their currenttactics they'd be expecting that and act accordingly – Say?" Shesuddenly propped up as if just realising something. She turned toAdmiral Rez, "Can a TIE fighter fire ion torpedoes?"