Someone reading this said they needed a refresher with so much changed/added... so here's a list of the characters and backlore.
Main and side characters and some backstory for them.
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GALACTIC EMPIRE ----------
Captain Kai- ISD Kumo Captain and senior ranking officer in command, former leader of Moon squadron has 2 brothers he sometimes speaks about. Listens to bands with loud rhythmic electro-stringers to the distaste of most of the other senior staff. With a fledgling appreciation for anatase crystal percussion flute orchestra's and opera pieces. Was promoted on the recommendation of Admiral Jaeger after his performance in the Halasian system campaign. Has been known to be crude and lewd at times but is fiercely loyal to those that show loyalty to him. He has an affection for one of his senior officers but his earlier crude manners as a tie pilot has all but dashed any chance of romance. He keeps to himself regarding most of his previous campaigns and missions unlike many of his fellow coreworld officers.
Lieutenant Celine Sylvon- ISD Kumo Strategic System Operations and Intelligence. Known for her quick wit and lesser known for her taste for violence she was hand chosen by Captain Kai for her position. Her tactical prowess often helps during ship-to-ship combat but is skilled in CQC fighting techniques. A deep cynical streak runs through her from previous experiences where she had hoped and lost.
Major Gridon- ISD Kumo Imperial Ground forces Assistant Commander Under Colonel Vimoshi of the 73rd Legion. Gridon's a no-nonsense commander with little tolerance for anyone or thing not falling into imperial regulations and doctrine. His large imposing stature is only surpassed by his deep intimidating voice and level of anger he is known to go into when he sees a threat or countermanded by a superior. He does not tolerate any sort of resistance from fellow officers at or below his rank and works to destroy any chance of it encroaching on his own goals. Has been noted to cut his losses when he sees a battle or situation get out of control which has included giving ground to resistant factions at the expense of imperial material and personnel in large amounts to the ire of some of his lower ranked officers.
Major Araed- ISD Kumo Ground forces of 73rd Legion and former Official Liason to multiple dignitaries in the core worlds that garnered her favor with imperial hierarchy. She suddenly requested military service and selected Kumo as her hand picked assignment just after the Halasian campaign for reasons unbeknownst but to her. She seems cool headed in combat but like many in the scout divisions she prefers to stay silent and out of sight while events unfold. Lt. Sylvon has taken notice of this and has mentioned it to the Captain who seems to have expected this type of behavior from Araed.
Corp. Zaym TK1979- Stormtrooper 73rd Imperial Legion detached to ISD Kumo, became personal trooper assistant to Capt. Kai after Kumo's crash. TK1979 was part of the Imperial infantry detached to the Kumo for ground operations under Colonel Vimoshi. After the events following the Endor debacle he is now a go-between for assignment commanders and Captain Kai himself.
Tech-Specialist Vishar- ISD Kumo Communications Operations became assistant to Capt. Kai following the events after the failed Endor battle. A regular tavern jumper he often can be found in the enlisted lounge during is off-duty time drinking mass amounts of ale and playing cards while letting his drunken rambling become the entertainment of the others around him. He has a one sided appreciation for Technician Yazit Qwistis who noticed but had other interests.
Sergeant Atter- ISD Kumo Naval trooper assigned to internal security assistant to Cmdr. Karamat. Clone War veteran of dozens of campaigns Sgt. Atter was one of the finest soldiers under Admiral Jaeger and one of the few Captain Kai asked to stay on after his retirement. A native of Phosmai and personal friend to retired Grand Admiral Sigal who claimed him the best soldier he ever served with. Atter is experienced and well versed in the underworld of the scum of the galaxy. He is often seen as the enlisted of the 73rd and the ships crew as the best soldier among them. Graying hair and near retirement himself Atter is attached to Cmdr. Karamat as her assistant and best non commissioned officer of the Kumo's forces. Often he's seen giving Karamat and Kai advice regarding military experience and has a tendency to go out-of-regulation in procedure and material when a decisive action has to be made.
Comdr. Vareese Karamat- ISD Kumo Executive officer, Assistant Field operations Commander to Colonel Vimoshi. A very strict upbringing was the solid base upon which Commander Karamat built her stone fortress of emotion on. She technically is under Major Gridon in rank but as they are close in work to Col. Vimoshi and he seemed to favor her in the way she executed his orders she garnered the ire and envy of Gridon. Which did not go unnoticed but Karamat's cold demeanor often belies her rage towards those that undermine or try and cut her stance with leadership due to her rank. A native of the capital of Phosmai she has known Sgt. Atter from a very young age and often sees him as a mentor and one of the very few she considers a friend. She was to rotate off of Kumo but a long unplanned delay on Coruscant while seeing her husband kept her on the ISD after Jaeger's retirement. Kai didn't ask Karamat to remain on the Kumo but after learning Sgt. Atter was staying at the behest of the new captain she has not requested to rotate off.
Lieutenant Vanders-- ISD Kumo Onyx Squadron Leader. Lt. Vanders was defacto Onyx lead when the former Onyx lead was lost at the Battle of Endor. While not very experienced he does have a atitude for leadership and strives to get results rather then flying the barely qualified hours to move on to ship-duty. This is why former Onyx Leader Cliner chose Vander's as his 2nd in command of the squadron. After the Endor trap failed Cliner's tie interceptor was severely damaged and unable to limp back to Kumo before the order to jump to lightspeed was carried out. An experience Vander's blames himself for. He now wishes to prove himself a competent leader of the squadron. He was designated Banshee Lead for raid over Riptide
Lieutenant Faraday- ISD Kumo Stryfe Squadron. A coreworld officer he was trained at the pilot academy on Coruscant. He often wishes to know as much as possible about any mission or person he meets but fails to put knowledge into practice as he often gets sidetracked when doing more then one activity. Has a very overly watchful sister as they're parents died to suspicious circumstances. Was designated Banshee 2 for raid over Riptide .
Lieutenant Commander Lodd- ISD Kumo Stryfe Squadron Leader was always willing to ask questions but for the sole purpose of his cynical view on ideas others had that hadn't come to him yet as his fellow officers saw him as an officer who sees himself an Admiral by age 30 without a shred of experience nor qualifications. He was rotated in after the Halasian campaign and given Stryfe Squadron. Was designated Banshee 3 in the first assault over the Riptide
Gunner Specialist Raem- ISD Kumo Gunnery Sergeant. Rotated onto Kumo after Admiral Jaeger's retirement.
Gunner Specialist Uwer SulDae- ISD Kumo Gunnery Sergeant. Rotated onto Kumo after Admiral Jaeger's retirement.
Captain Ryvil- ISD Kumo Flight officer for 247th Fighter Wing. Often at odds with Captain Kai regarding flight deployments and procedures he is kept on due to his politics inside the Kumo as he continues to be one of the few pilots loyal to Maj. Gridon. Ryvil survived the Halasia campaign and was promoted after the retirement of Admiral Jaeger. Noteworthy for being one of the few officers to take a second tie tour after making his initial run and refusing fleet duty. But also noteworthy for being a leader that holds back and doesn't foray into battle until it's well decided that he's on the victorious side.
Private Karva- ISD enlisted as part of the 73rd infantry. Native of Phosmai and great grand nephew to former Grand Admiral Sigel.
Squadron compliment after Endor battle and before crash of Kumo -
ONYX Tie/ln (4survivng),
MOON Tie/ln (8survivng),
GREY Tie/ln (4survivng),
STRYFE Tie/ln (6survivng),
HAMMER Tie/bomber (4survivng),
STORM Tie/Interceptor (7survivng).
5 Tie/ln fighters of Stryfe and Moon lost in battle over Riptide ... 1 survivng.
Admiral Sequa- IIC Slipstream senior ranking officer in command. An admirlal with experience during some minor action in the Clone Wars Sequa was always more interested in watching the machinazations of Imperial politics rather then shaping them himself. He has a tendency to let his junior officers take command and be the day-to-day face of operations on his vessel while he is often found in his captain's quarters going over Holo-net information on political movements. This has proven to be useful and a hinderance as it keeps his junior officers in the fast track for promotion but often means his own tactics and procedures are seen as too antiquated relegating him to a fleet cruiser and not a more lavish or lustrous position on a Star Destroyer or on Cosuscant.
Commander Faraday- IIC Slipstream 1st officer and day-to-day operations commander of the Slipstream she is often known for her overbearing attention to detail and her unwillingness to back down in the face of opposition. A former tie pilot she finished her year of combat duty and took a fleet assignment where she could be more in control of her surroundings. Which works well with Admiral Sequa's own hands' off attitude regarding the Slipstream. She is often found speaking about her younger brother of which some of her fellow officers often tire of hearing.
(mentions)
Admiral Jaeger ret.- ISD Kumo Former Captain Senior ranked officer in command. Retired after the Halasian campaign.
Colonel Vimoshi- ISD Kumo Senior Ground forces commander KIA during Kumo crash.
Commander Cliner- ISD Kumo Former Lead of Onyx Squadron presumed KIA at Endor.
Colonel Telecco- ISD Kumo Former Ground commander, replaced by Col. Vimoshi, took a new position on Brental 4 after the victory of the Halasian campaign.
Grand Admiral Sigel ret.- Former Grand Admiral retired 8 years before Battle of Endor, still very active in Phosmai planetary politics.
Captain Zaq Vuris- Great grandson to Grand Admiral Sigel currently part of ISB stationed in the Outer Rim.
Lieutenant Pliskin- ISD Kumo Former officer of 73rd detachment during the initial search of Aranae
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REBEL ALLIANCE ----------
Captain Barrax- Mon Calamari Cruiser Riptide Captain. Formerly a Mon Calamari cruise liner captain Barrax hadn't the most combat experience before the galactic civil war, but was known for his keen intuition and having excellent tactical skills. He also has an affinity for cooking and often uses food or kitchen references when speaking to subordinates.
Commander Vorm- Blue Lead of Blue Squadron from Riptide. Vorm was originally a courier for Shell Surf delivery on his home world and came to join the rebellion before the battle of Hoth. He has a knack for exceptional skill for flying larger slower craft, pulling maneuvers that were hard to accomplish in slower moving fighters like the Y-Wing. Eventually forming a Mon Calamari bomber group called Shell Squardon after his old jobs name. He has an abraded working relationship with the Clarion's 1st officer Commander Shellish deeming his ideas and strategy too dangerous. Fortunately Captain Barrax had a more tempered attitude towards aerial missions.
Lieutenant Percy Zovish Designated Blue 3 while on the planet Aranae, he was the veteran of the Clarion's Y-Wing squadron. Starting his pilot career after the Clone Wars with light freighter runs but eventually meeting a younger Mon Calamari pilot Commander Vorm on their home world and both deciding to join the rebellion just before the battle of Hoth.
Lieutenant Cashil Designated Blue 5 while on the planet Aranae the young female Mon Cala pilot joined the rebellion after the battle of Hoth. Being told the evil's of the empire since birth she couldn't wait to find an agent from the alliance to join up with their forces.
Lieutenant Adax Designated Blue 6 at Aranae. Forming up with Vorm's Shell Squadron just after the battle of Hoth Adax was glad to see other Mon Calamari joining the rebellion to defeat the Empire after Hoth.
Lieutenant Draxan Designated as Blue 8 at Aranae Drax was more following the tales of others about strings of victories by the rebel alliance leading to the dramatic assault at Endor.
Lieutenant Lisson Designated Blue 11 on Aranae Lisson is Shell Squadron's best bomb delivery pilot. She was known for her excellent targeting and also skilled in medical procedures.
Lieutenant Kradam Designated Blue 12 at Aranae Kradam is a relative newcomer to Vorm's Shell Squadron. Joining up with the squadron just before the rebel alliance amassed at Sullust prior to their attack on the second Death Star. A middle aged Mon Calamari Kradam keeps to himself and doesn't speak unless necessary.
Commander Shellis 1st Officer of Riptide. Shellis had lobbied early during the fledgling alliance to get command of a capital ship. He has tactical ingenuity but often is seen as unwilling to listen to ideas that may be contradictory to his own plans and crews often deem him overly confident.
Lieutenant Tarris Riptide's Communication's officer
Lieutenant Klavine Designated LONGSPEAR One of the few humans assigned to the Clarion Klavine was part of Captain Dryce's spec-ops unit "Dryce's Deck". He was very dubious about the assault on the second Death Star but was glad it worked. During the imperial retreat he was recalled to the Riptide instead of the Clarion to rejoin Captain Dryce's main unit. Fortunately for him as the Clarion was destroyed in a plume of fire in the atmosphere of the planet Aranae.
Lt. Aerrel Tritan Designated SPEAR. Part of "Dryce's Deck" Tritan was a well traveled pilot and former imperial academy graduate joined up with the Rebellion after the battle of Hoth. Known as the cool head in the "Deck" Tritan has often used her experiences to guide her in battle. She hopes to live long enough see the Empire's reign end over the galaxy.
Commander Glavyn Riptide Boarding party leader of Team B (Stormie Captain)
Corporal Smoldz Riptide Boarding party member of Team B (Stormie Lt.)
Maintenance LeadSgt. Lactah Riptide Maintenance Lead
Captain Dryce Alliance air/ground unit commander assigned to the Clarion. While technically not part of Captain Barrax's crew he was assigned to the ship under orders of General Cracken. He was originally hoping to capture a wounded ISD with it's computer core intact before being scuttled which had happened by multiple Star Destroyers at Endor. While the capture of the Kumo failed Dryce's Deck will continue to assist in the rescue operations to help the Clarion and Riptide survivors.
Lt. Plosshim Riptide Defense officer Ground commander.
mentions
Uncle Hestem - Big Hes Aerrel Tritan's uncle.
DATAPAD NOTATION: ...Planet Aranae- Originally Aranae was part of the Assembler's colony worlds. With vast oceans and large forested areas above ground that were complimented with deep caverns and large hollowed mountains made for excellent base components for an Assembler colony to start. However the colonie's sentience all but has escaped the most elder of the Viraxen leaders without explanation that even the remaining sentient Viraxen are puzzled by.
Vokral – former overqueen of the Viraxen, neutralized by order of Admiral Jaeger.
The Viraxen- A species of huge arachnids that have a semi-hive mind. They have One Overqueen and 3 visage queens that work as a network for their mind. Rarely does one see what the others do not. Their webbing is extremely durable and very sticky. The few that have seen the Viraxen often say the race's nightmarish attributes scar their minds and senses as the fanged mouths often give a loud wailing scream when hunting. They are comprised of 4 Royal nests, 1 main 3-visage queens in charge of the others. 8 assemblers made the council of of elders to ensure a the hierarchy is kept in check.
Imperial ISD contact at roughly 1-0BBY by accident. Admiral Jaeger commanding. Those that have dealt with the Viraxen have found very little knowledge from them as they cling to old religions of ancient webs of the under and over with their philosophical views changing from the position in the hives they take. 8 elder assemblers created the original colonial council for progression of the race however they're efforts were futile as sentience started to escape later nestlings early on in their growth. Suppression and extermination of the Royal hierarchy per order of Admrial Jaeger and agreement to spare the council of assembler elders.
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Planet received quarantine designate by order of Grand Moff Tarkin.
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Now there is.. ."She",... the one that was awakened. She is now current Overqueen and ruler of the remnants of the 4 original nests that now exacts her vengeance on those that slain her.
Phosmai-
Like many human dominated planets Phosmai was originally a Rakatan slavers colony. However with the decline and fall of the Rakatan's Infinite Empire the humans were freed but left to suvive the harsh conditions on Phosmai on their own.
Later after conflicts inflamed and extinquished the prosperity of Phosmai was had by many in the early days of the formation of the Republic.
Once long ago in the early years of the old republic the planet Phosmai was steward to the Valphosmai shipyards. Now no more then a distant memory on the fringe ofthe galaxy.
The remnants of the shipyards have been occupied the last several hundred years with nothing worth of note for the common good and decent citizens of the Empire. Smugglers and Pirates use the decaying orbital platforms and the wrecked hulks of ships long abandoned as hide outs and theives dens. It would have stayed like this long after Palpatine had passed on his inheritance of the Empire to his successor.
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<Backstory: I started this fanfic about 9 months ago when I thought I was going to do it as a Photonovel, the mods may remember a deleted post by me back in May with pics of a stormie figure near a rough dio of pillars covered in vines. I decided to take a more in depth perspective on the story and wrote about 80 pages. I may turn it into a photonovel eventually... but wanted to test the waters 1st. BTW i see an imperial commander in Chewbacca #3 is called Commander Kai... the same last name as my main imp captain... Kai is a word that has a lot of different meanings in different languages around the world... so I'm not sure the reason for Gerry Duggan using it as the imp officer in the Chewbacca series, but that character has no relation to my imperial Captain Kai, just saying... my Kai came 1st!
>
Prologue: The Battle of Endor.
During the battle the second Death Star was destroyed and the Imperial star fleet took heavy losses when the command vessel and many other imperial capital ships were captured or destroyed in the chaos of the engagement against the rebel fleet. During the disaster the retreat order was given by a Captain Paelleon sending many surviving ships to retreat to predestined fall back points should something as unthinkable as defeat taken place.
The escape saw multiple star destroyers captured by the Rebellion. Some imperial vessels were able to flee to their fall back positions while others made blind jumps to get away from the carnage. Some still tried to get away but had alliance capital ships still in pursuit racing behind the imps hoping to pounce on their wounded prey.As the massive imperial star destroyer Kumo flew through hyperspace it's structure showed the heavy hand laid on it by the Alliance cruisers. The destroyer's ivory white armor scarred and torn with blaster marks and bombing hits. Long dark streaks were burned along it's bow as its starboard side showed bulk heads and decks ripped open from torpedo strikes. Burned out turbo laser gun ports put large blackened voids where normally lights illuminated the sides of the star destroyer's hull once showing the life and power of this symbol of imperial might. They now stood as dark sobering reminders of the imperial power in flux. Suddenly the blue tunnel of hyperspace retracted as the star destroyer fell back into real space high above a small blue and green planet.
The Kumo's bridge was controlled chaos. As crewmen and techs rush to different stations shouting reports as officers on the command walkway barked orders down towards the crew pits.
As a technician clad in gray with a back uniform cap looked at his reports he looked up from his readouts towards the command walkway and spoke up with his report. “Captain! Shields are back up to 20% after the micro jump. Repair crews are still trying to cover all the damage.” The words were directed towards the olive drab uniformed man standing in the front of the Kumo's massive view ports. A man of average height, dark blue eyes, pale skin and jet black hair under his green cap turned from the view ports towards the technician and nodded as he replied. “ Have them get on the most detrimental damage immediately especially any damage that may cause future hull breaches or bulk head leaks.” Captain Kai said in a slightly anxious voice. He had a distinct anger under his breath and the technician could tell he was working to restrain it. “Right sir!” the technician loudly replied.
Captain Kai held his arms on his waist, his black gloved hands clenching his belt as he tapped his boot against the command platform's hull. Impatience was growing in him. Impatience or the knowledge of what just occurred was truly sinking in. The strike fleet at Endor was decimated. Not only that but the Death Star destroyed and no reports of Palpatine making it off the station had came through before the jump away from the chaos. Had Palpatine really been killed? Kai thought to himself. A moment later one of the other technicians from a console turned and shouted out of the port side crew pit. “Captain! Multiple hostile signatures coming out of hyperspace behind us!” Kai bit down on his teeth in frustration for a half second before replying “Ready remaining batteries for combat, launch any current prepped Tie flights for defense ready remaining tie flights to prep for launch!”
From behind the star destroyer two large Mon Calamari cruisers emerged from hyperspace and start to flank the imperial ship in a pincer maneuver.
As the remaining starboard batteries erupted with defensive fire towards the closer side Mon Calamari cruiser Tie fighters poured out of the Kumo's main hangar heading towards the further away port side rebel cruiser. Turbo lasers from the closer Mon Calamari vessel scored direct hits over the few remaining starboard batteries trying to defend the imperial capital ship.
“Captain! Damage control reports all starboard batteries aft of the main hangar are now destroyed or disabled!” An officer from the starboard crew pit reported hastily towards Kai. “Bring us about to put the planet to our starboard side as quickly as possible so the port batteries can try to get an angle on the closer cruiser! Where is it?!”
Suddenly another score lurched the entire bridge of the imperial star destroyer. Making the officers stumble and replant their feet for balance. The blonde haired technician who reported the shield and damage earlier turned in a panic towards Kai ”Sir batteries report the closer cruiser went into atmosphere, but the port rebel ship is starting a barrage!” Captain Kai exhaled quickly and mumbled to himself “Most of their fighters are back at Endor then. Track the closer cruiser if able!” One of the technicians from a console spoke loudly but never turned from his view-screen, “The planets atmosphere is interfering with scanners and targeting we can no longer track or scan the rebel vessel Captain!”. A split second later Kai barked orders down into the crew pit and finished his sentence loud enough so the entire bridge could hear “Follow it into the planets atmosphere!” The helmsmen looked up from his displays in disbelief “Sir?” Kai yelled his reply “Do it!”. As the helm officer complied Kai continued “I want us deep into the planets atmosphere, make sure the storms and interference cover us.” The helmsmen nodded and complied. As the Kumo started into its new trajectory the previous technician spoke up “Sir the second cruiser is in pursuit!” Kai waited a few moments before acknowledging the information and spoke his orders back towards the helmsman. “Have engines ready to preform an all-stop descent in the atmosphere and reverse thrust at the rebel ships incoming heading, have remaining port batteries ready the ships heading as it comes closer”. “Yes sir!” the Tech replied.
Outside the Kumo's view ports the squadron of Tie fighters that launched had broken off from following the missing second Mon Calamari cruiser and returned to orbit with Kumo. Flight officers on the Kumo's bridge ordered them to run interference on the second Mon Calamari cruiser now in pursuit of their star destroyer.
A few moments later another officer from the port crew pit reported “Sir engineering is ready.” Kai swallowed and crooked an eyebrow as he turned back from the crew pit towards the view ports and replied “ All-Stop reverse thrusts! All batteries fire at target! All remaining fighters stay space side of the rebel ship! Keep it engaged on both sides!”. Kai clenched his teeth a moment after the words left him. He knew it was a cheap parlor trick for a strategy which was basically the same pincer maneuver the pair of Mon Calamari cruisers had tried to do to the Kumo but without the same amount of fire power. In the back of his mind something felt off to him, he knew it was risky but some odd bit of intuition told him to be mindful of the missing Mon Calamari cruiser. Though he put the feeling aside with the mental training he had learned at the academy reassuring himself the ion storms over the planet may have taken the other Calamari cruiser as a victim.
The Kumo's engines hummed loud in the planet's high atmosphere as it came to a stop and reversed skyward. The Mon Calamari Cruiser while agile in space for a capital ship was much as it's imperial counterpart was in atmosphere, slow and sluggish to respond. Giving all the more time to the star destroyer's gunners and Tie fighters to tear into it's hull as it's shields failed under the barrage from the turbo lasers on bow and the tie fighter squadrons at its aft. With most of it's A and B wing's launched during the assault on the second Death Star it had no umbrella of fighter cover to speak of.
The Kumo's turbo lasers were now so close the gunners could not miss as they unleashed volley after volley onto the hull of the rebel ship.
As the the battle between the Star Destroyer and the Calamari vessel raged the bridge crew of the Mon Calamari cruiser Riptide watched the battle above them as they were trying to gain altitude out of the planet's atmosphere. A gray skinned Calamari wearing his white naval uniform, the Mon Calamari captain sat in his chair. Captain Barrax barked orders in a grumbled tone towards his comm officer ”Status of the Clarion!?” A Mon Cala officer looked up and replied “It's shields have failed their getting pummeled from both ends sir!” Barrax turned back towards the view ports looking at the small outline of the Star Destroyer's arrowhead shape far above him. “Bring us about and start towards the Star Destroyer from its lower starboard quarter. We'll have to be quick!” he ordered. The bridge crew scrambled and bristled with urgency to comply with Captain Barrax's orders.
The Kumo continued the barrage against the Mon Calamari cruiser. The Clarion tried to turn to reach space as it came about. However a volley of fire from the Star Destroyer's lasers hit their marks right through the center starboard hull. The Clarion then shuttered hard as multiple explosions are seen bursting through the rebel ship hull. The Mon Cal ship starts to roll over never achieving even a low orbit. The Calamari ship starts to roll over like a huge fish turning in the sea and then explodes in a huge fireball raining debris down through the planet's atmosphere, raining over its killer the star destroyer now slowly ascending back towards a low orbit above the planet.
Captain Kai watched as his ship's adversary exploded through the view port. He felt slightly relieved as he listened to the imperial officers and crewmen start to congratulate each other when loud clangs are heard and felt on the ship. The instant Kai heard the hull register the sound the feeling of unease from the back of his mind came back. He mentally stifled it and turned to one of the crew pit officers. “Was that debris?” he said concerned. The technician he spoke to widened his eyes in surprise and looked up from his console flustered “No! The second rebel ship came up through the chaos and is attaching a pair of boarding clamps!”. Kai's expression changed in an instant from concern to surprise and anger “What!?”. Just then another officer reported aloud “Sir their ship attached starboard and aft of the main hanger where the batteries are out of commission! We can't blast them away!”. Less then a second passed and the excited and fearful ramblings of the crew pits were starting. Kai turned toward the helmsmen barking orders “ENGINES PULL US INTO HIGH ORBIT! GET US AWAY FROM THEM!”. The helm officer flashed his hands over the console to comply with his orders and then stopped with a look of shock at his view-screen readouts, he replied back towards Kai “ Sir, there's no response from engineering. Not even negative confirmation...”
Kai stood there a second processing what was happening why wasn't Vimoshi replying had he been killed in the damage the Kumo took? If so one of the junior officers should have replied. A thought ran through Kai's mind just as another technician called up from the starboard crew pit “Sir! Reports of boarders on levels 27 and 35!” As the situation started to become panicked Kai's training started to take over as his thought process became more damage containment oriented. He turned towards one of the officers in the port side crew pit. “Seal all functional bulkheads! Contain them! All stations prepare to repel boarders!”. As soon as the order was given the initial technician who had reported the shields and bulk heads turned back towards Kai, the young man in his twenties with blonde hair had a frightened look over his face. “Sir only partial response from the bulkheads because of the damage.” Kai had figured as much. He had resigned himself to the realization that surviving a day like today will be a task in and of itself. A moment later a different officer updated the boarding party reports “Sir we have reports of boarders on levels 35 through 48 now! They are using slicers to shut down everything except life support and deck hatches!”. Kai clicked his teeth in controlled frustration before walking to the rear of the command walkway looking toward the large double doors that lead to the rest of the Kumo's decks he inhaled deeply and gave orders in a more clear and steeled manner “Troopers to the bridge! The rest of you arm yourselves!”. Kai pointed to an officer in the communication's alcove gesturing an order to him. A moment later the officer in the alcove bent down into a locker compartment under the terminal and took out an armful of holsters and officer issued SE-14r blaster pistols. The officer ran towards Kai handing him one and then dispersed the rest to the officers coming towards the center of the bridge to obtain a side arm. Kai strapped on his holster and watched as the rest of the officers in the crew pits did much of the same. His mind flashed for a second to his former commanding officer Captain Jaeger's words several years ago “Conscripts will fight as well as any man that has fear of death in them. The men that don't fear death are the one's you cannot trust.”.
Aboard the Riptide's bridge Captain Barrax looked out through the view ports at the massive image of the Star Destroyer filling the space outside as his ship was clamped onto it's hull. Without turning from the scene of the Kumo's damaged starboard side he started requesting reports “Status of our boarding parties?”. A Mon calamari officer looked up from her terminal at the captain and replied “We locked down their engines with TEAM A. TEAM B is fighting their way to the bridge. TEAM C is making their way towards the armory. TEAM D is encountering heavy resistance on their way towards the main flight hangar.”. Barrax gave a nod of acknowledgment as he continued to stare out of the view ports with his large eyes. He clamped his gray colored hands behind his back anxious to hear the boarding teams objectives completed.
The Kumo's bridge was becoming as anxious. Chaotic chatter had broken out on the bridge as technicians and officers in the crew pits were hunkering down behind their consoles. The command officers and navy troopers readied themselves in the communication and security alcoves to the sides of the crew pits. Kai now wearing his holster and blaster reach up and turned his cap backwards and pulled it down tight over his thick black hair. His breath was heavy as the dread started to creep back into his mind. He looked over towards the communications alcove and inquired with a mid-level shout “Where are the troopers!?”. A comm officer clicked a few controls on the panel and turned with a hastened reply. “They are encountering heavy resistance two decks below us!”. “Do we still control the flight hangars?” Kai replied. The comm officer turned his head towards the views-screens and back at Kai and nodded as he spoke “Yes sir for now, orders?” Kai's mind raced he turned toward the flight officer hunkering down behind his console and spoke “Have all remaining fighters launch now! All remaining flight crews and pilots to their ships. I want bombers flying sorties on that bastard boarding us!” The flight officer acknowledged the order with a nod as he came back to the front of the console and started punching in orders. He looked up at Captain Kai with a worried look “Will it be enough sir?” Kai continued to stare at the double doors at the rear of the bridge. Kai replied in a calm tone “No, launch everything. All bombers, shuttles, even transports and drop ships. Anything to break us free. Have all flights join with MOON Squadron in attack vectors, with luck we'll break free of them.”. As Kai finished his words an officer shouted from the security alcove “Sir troopers are here!”
A trio of stormtroopers with burns and scoring on their armor ran into the bridge towards the Captain, their boots clanging on the metal deck plates. Two of the troopers were in normal armor as the lead soldier was wearing a white sergeant's pauldron. Kai put his hands on his waist as the troopers stopped in front of him “Report!” he barked. The lead trooper's com crackled on as he spoke “Sir a large assault team is one deck below us. Most of my team are gone. We wont hold them off for long without additional support immediately.” Kai nodded at the news and it was as grim as he assumed it would be. He waived towards a pair of technicians standing in the security alcove giving them the command he had set up while the bridge crew armed themselves. The pair of techs went to the double doors with plasteel welder torches obtained from the maintenance lockers and started welding the doors shut in case the rebel slicers were good enough to get into the security overrides that kept the rear entrance sealed. Perhaps a physical barrier may slow them down. Kai's feeling of dread was creeping into his mind again as it did earlier but now he let it envelope his thoughts allowing him to think of worst case scenarios. “There is no time for reinforcements now sergeant, ready your men.” The trooper acknowledged the Captain's comment with a “Understood sir!” and ordered his pair of troopers into each crew pits. The technicians finished their welding and moved to the security alcove and readied their blasters. Loud banging on the hull were heard from behind the rear doors as well as the occasional blaster fire and yelling. Kai shouted out “BE READY!” as he sprinted to the security alcove with the other officers readying their blasters in a defensive position. As Kai knelt to one knee as he trained his blaster on the door. As if on cue the sound of a cutting torch was heard as sparks and smoke started to slice through the center of the recently sealed double doors.
The cutting torches stopped and then a moment later the rear bridge doors exploded open with a loud BANG! Before the smoke cleared laser shots shot through the charred opening. Blaster fire darted from both crew pits and the alcoves towards the opened whole. Kai unleashed short controlled bursts into the smoke as he watched the silhouettes of boarders crumble and fall to the waves of blaster fire. He had a rush of adrenaline going through him and for a small instant he thought maybe the few bodies on the deck plating were all they were going to need to deal with. He reminded himself he knew better and a moment later he was reminded his experience would be correct as a flurry of shots came into the bridge from the other side of the double doors blasted portal. The blasts found their mark on several of the techs and officers in the security and communications alcoves. Kai returned fire then a massive explosion rocked the bridge as the double doors flung open and several rebel troopers rushed the bridge of the Kumo. Many of the rebels wore green field uniforms with large blaster rifles. The Kumo's bridge became a web of laser fire as the rebel boarders and fought to gain control as the imperial officers and technicians shot from behind consoles and the crew pits. Both the imperials and the rebel boarders took massive casualties in the melee of laser fire some of the rebel troopers rushed the starboard crew pit and leaped into it being shot as they landed on technicians and officers allowing other rebel boarders behind them to follow and start close quarters fighting in the pit. The rebels fought savagely. Kai blasted away at them as they turned the alcove corner assuming the rebels didn't wish to use thermal grenades to damage the bridge beyond repair, it gave him and the officer next to him some advantage in the fighting.
to be continued...
