Star Wars: Lurking Darkness

Chapter 12

Waiting on the bridge had become uncomfortable as the ship slowly approached Drall. The anticipation had been too much for him to handle and he now found himself aboard a gunship waiting for the Acclamator to make contact with the Separatist blockade.

It was all surreal in his eyes. Looking around the ship he realized the immensity of the attack that was about to unfold. Hundreds of clones were now prepped and ready for battle.

The clones that stood around him were made up of newbies who have yet to see combat, and elite troopers who are now veterans of the ongoing conflict.

Von felt confident about the clones and their capabilities. Stryder had taken the time to explain all he needed to know about them and their short conversation on the bridge had been very informing.

Von would never fully understand their thought process, but he didn't doubt the clones would be fearless in battle. They were selfless and would most likely take a vibroblade in the chest for him and continue fighting until their last breathe.

Feeling for his lightsaber he felt the ship slow down and listened as the loud roar of the engines came to a quiet halt. An eerie feeling filled the air as the docks went completely silent in anticipation. His breathing had suddenly become deeper and faster as his comlink activated.

"Alright Von were approaching the blockade and are ready to engage. Waiting on your orders." Stryder said.

Von unclipped his comlink and calmly spoke into it, "Copy that Lt. let's be quick about all of this." He ordered as he reached up for something to hold onto.

"Alright men let's make this mission as easy as possible. Pilot get ready for take off, as soon as the Acclamator makes contact with the Sep blockade we storm out of here and head straight for the planet."

As he finished his final orders the ship erupted in cannon fire. A terrible thud almost sent him flying out of the gunship he stood in. Gripping the black metal handle above his head he suddenly felt afraid of falling out of the gunship before arriving on Drall.

The blockade wouldn't be easy to destroy but the control ships were all that mattered. Taking them out meant all ground units would be useless, but first the blockade needed to be broken up and it would be easier said than done.

"Alright Stryder focus your fire on the nearest ship and work your way from there. Get us as close as possible to minimize our losses." Von ordered.

"It looks like they have a few supply freighters in between the control ships, but they seem to be hiding a Dreadnaught, which is gonna make things a bit interesting." Stryder pointed out from the bridge.

"What's a Dreadnaught?" Von asked intrigued by the name.

"It's a Sep destroyer. I've engaged one before and it didn't end well." Stryder replied confident about the might of the enemy ship.

"In that case we better get this rescue underway!" He yelled as the gunship lifted off.

Slowly angling the gunship to its exit point, it was quickly followed by several others. Before shooting out into space dozens of ARC-170 starfighters zoomed by to defend their descent.

Von had been eager to get the mission started, but now he was shaken by the battle taking place before him. Making their way out into space he saw the scenery he once dreamt about. Only now the chaos was real and overwhelming.

Hundreds of ships had engaged in a space battle fighting for control of an entire world and its inhabitants. The fate of the threatened planet and its occupnats would be decided by the tactical decisions made by each side and so far the Republic cruiser had caught the Separatist blockade completely by surprise.