The ship assigned for capture by the Fourth Assault Commando Squad outwardly resembled the traditional Star Destroyers of the Imperial and Dominion fleets, specifically those of the Imperial-class.
However, it surpassed them in size while exhibiting several distinct differences.
The most significant of these was the absence of lower hangar bays, and consequently, the lack of a starfighter complement.
Like other hangar-less Star Destroyer models, such as the Tector-class and Procursator-class, this starship could rely solely on its armament in combat.
Indeed, the ship was equipped with several dozen docking and emergency airlocks used for loading and unloading equipment and transporting personnel.
But it carried no starfighters.
Nor an armed contingent.
Nor ground vehicles.
Thus, it required escort ships for its defense.
A Raider-class corvette approached the immobilized giant, struck by ion cannons.
Sergeant THX-0297, like his troopers, as well as the stormtroopers and support droids, had already prepared their weapons and equipment for combat operations.
They, along with four other special forces squads, were tasked with capturing this ship before its crew perished.
It was too valuable a prize to allow the nearly fifty thousand crew members to take measures to restart and repair the disabled systems.
The First Squad and their reinforcements were seizing the main reactor and power systems.
As with Imperial-class Star Destroyers, the primary power plant—a solar ionization reactor—was located in the lower part of the ship. However, it featured additional protection and armor, not to mention its larger size, necessitated by the need to generate greater power to sustain all the systems of this giant.
The Second Squad targeted the engine compartment.
The engine room, which powered the seven massive engines, was also a point of interest for the boarding party, as it allowed for ship control and access to the hyperdrive.
The Third and Fifth Squads were assigned to the weapon batteries and artillery control stations.
The main armament—twelve six-gun turrets of heavy turbolasers—was dorsally mounted on the upper hull surface. Additionally, there were linearly elevated turrets, ion cannons, medium turbolasers in broadside batteries, and much more.
Due to its firepower and size, the ship was colloquially referred to among military personnel as a "heavy Star Destroyer."
The Fourth Squad was tasked with capturing the superstructure.
And it was this structure that THX-0297 now observed.
It appeared far smoother than that of any Imperial-class variant.
Yet, it was better protected than an Imperial-class, thanks to a unique approach to layout and armoring.
THX-0297 had never been aboard a ship of this type, though he was well-informed, thanks to the memories of Colonel Selid, that such starships were produced in limited series.
They underwent combat trials on the galaxy's fringes, embodying the concept of a starship designed solely for ship-to-ship destruction.
The versatility of Imperial-class and even Victory-class ships was inapplicable here.
However, after trials, most of these starships were sent to storage in the Deep Core.
Yet at least one had fallen into the hands of the New Republic.
"Prepare for docking," the corvette's commander announced. "Ten seconds. No enemy detected."
"Understood," replied THX-0297, staring intently at the approaching gray expanse of the ship's armor, a vessel he had never set foot on.
His donor, Colonel Selid, had served aboard one for a time.
Thus, his latest clones, currently operating within the Dominion's regular forces, were deployed to assault this ship.
Even if not through their own experience, they "knew" every major turn and corridor on this giant.
"The other groups are attacking simultaneously with us," continued the man in uniform, eyeing the black-armored assault commando with some apprehension.
"Understood."
"Good luck to you," the corvette commander said hesitantly.
"Understood," replied the sergeant, heading toward the docking bay.
Unlike assaults on ships with minimal crews not disabled by ion cannons, storming an Allegiance-class battlecruiser required entirely different methods and tactics.
The Allegiance-class battlecruiser
With the life support systems inoperative and an oxygen shortage on a ship that had been fully disabled for half an hour, advancing with the Assault Corps was impractical.
The absence of artificial gravity would also pose challenges, but it appeared to be functioning—scanners detected the activation of two backup power sources.
Thus, the enemy was already attempting to revive the ship.
Given that an enemy fleet had arrived in the system, action needed to be swift and without hesitation.
As always, the droids would lead the charge—there were three times as many among the assault commando forces as were typically taken to capture understaffed starships.
The droidekas would bear the brunt of the task of eliminating the Allegiance-class battlecruiser's crew.
THX-0297 approached the airlock, where his deputy, THX-0333, already stood at the right edge.
The flamethrower trooper had prepared his weapon.
As the metal doors slid apart, 0333 thrust his weapon around the corner.
Squeezing the trigger's free play, he unleashed a stream of incinerating flame down the corridor, from where a barrage of small-arms fire erupted from the defenders.
The screams of burned and ignited sentients caused the defenders' fire to cease.
When the man-made flames subsided, THX-0297 peered around the corner.
The sight of a scorched corridor, with sentients engulfed in flames frantically trying to extinguish themselves and each other, neither frightened nor repelled him.
The sergeant observed how gravity affected objects.
Judging by the fact that the heavy containers forming a barricade remained in place when a burning Republican collided with them, gravity was functioning at standard levels.
"Droids, forward," he commanded.
Clattering with their frames, the droidekas surged into the open passage, transforming into high-speed scouts doubling as infiltrators.
THX-0297 watched as more and more droidekas slipped past him.
Dozens, then hundreds of machines, in their wheeled forms, rushed into the dark corridor.
Somewhere, the sounds of combat and distant heavy blaster fire from droidekas echoed.
Finally, the second hundred machines completed their charge, giving way to B-2 series droids.
Clanking with metallic feet, the new combat machines advanced in orderly formations, splitting into squads at each intersection and expanding the territory under Dominion control.
Alongside them moved stormtroopers and assault commandos, aiming to clear individual compartments.
Once the thousand B-2 droids completed their advance, clearing the corridors and compartments of the Raider, the B-1 droids would take over.
The task of these simple and relatively inexpensive droids was to replace the crew to restore systems and manage the battlecruiser, at least until a human crew could be deployed from Acclamators or Star Galleon-class frigates.
THX-0297 led the forward B-2 detachment.
The assault commandos spearheaded their forces toward the bridge.
Scanners indicated the starship was slowly but surely coming back to life.
The other commandos were already engaged in fierce and bloody battles in their respective zones.
Republican specialists and officers fought bravely but ineffectively.
They likely understood they couldn't halt the ship's capture and were stalling for time, hoping reinforcements from the arriving Fourth Fleet would assist.
But that wouldn't happen.
The regular fleet would ensure no starship of Imperial design remained in enemy hands.
They would either be destroyed or captured.
THX-0297 didn't know this for certain, only surmising based on the orders received.
As they rounded a corner, small-arms fire struck the droids.
A pair of B-2s fell, shot down by numerous defenders who had somehow managed to destroy two droidekas.
The machines in this corridor now lay as scorched, shrapnel-ridden heaps of metal on the deck.
Some Republicans used the droid remains as cover, leveraging their armor to deflect incoming fire.
"Rockets," ordered THX-0297.
The dual blasters integrated into the B-2s' right manipulators continued firing as some droids raised their left "limbs."
Crimson charges erupted from medium-sized barrels, and the rocket launchers mounted in the modified B-2s' manipulators fired explosive ordnance at the enemy.
A series of explosions—powerful enough to scatter both the resistance squad and their makeshift cover but too weak to damage the bulkheads—swept through the far end of the corridor, burying the defenders' hopes of holding back the assault.
THX-0297 mentally noted the effectiveness of the modified B-2s, designated B-2-HA, which were participating in full-scale combat for the first time.
This was no longer a test but a trial of these droids' combat capability, which had first appeared during the Clone Wars and proven themselves on battlefields.
To support the assault commandos' advance, each B-2 squad included one B-2-HA, and their firepower was impressive.
The squad reached another corridor, where THX-0333's flamethrower incinerated the enemy, and the droids methodically trampled the charred remains.
The assault commandos pressed forward, their resolve merciless.
Shooting any armed opponent, tearing them apart with fragmentation grenades, or burning entire compartments with the roaring flames of the flamethrower, the Fourth Assault Commando Squad continued executing their mission.
Confirmations arrived of the reactor compartment's capture and the start of battles for auxiliary reactors.
The engine compartment was under Dominion control, while a true slaughter unfolded on the battery decks.
A significant portion of the crew had entrenched there, and the Third and Fifth Squads needed support.
THX-0297 ordered half his droidekas redirected there.
The bridge met the assault commandos with sealed blast doors.
Power had been restored in this section, necessitating swift action.
An offer to surrender, broadcast over the intercom, was met with refusal.
But no one would plead.
The sergeant pointed to the data terminal for the squad's technician.
The commando, retrieving specialized equipment, began reprogramming.
Bypassing the security systems and unlocking the door was possible but time-consuming, during which the enemy could regain control of several systems, given the secondary power sources.
Thus, various scenarios were possible—none aligned with the assault commandos' orders.
Power was present, meaning the compartment's security systems were undoubtedly active.
As was the central computer.
The life support system was clearly disabled since the reactor was under assault commando control.
Thus, with power and connection to the central computer, the latter controlled all sensors within the compartment.
In case of oxygen depletion inside, automation would automatically open the doors, overriding manual locks to prevent crew suffocation.
After all, there was air in the corridors.
It was only necessary to make the sensors fail to detect accurate oxygen levels inside the bridge.
High-temperature shaped charges had already burned holes in the thick blast door, sufficient to complete the enemy's "smoking out."
Small, neat holes, roughly the width of a stormtrooper's palm.
Two were enough—more weren't needed.
"THX-0333, flamethrower," said the sergeant, but his deputy was already in position.
The flamethrower trooper inserted the nozzle of his monstrous weapon and pulled the trigger.
Despite the door's thickness, the sound of roaring flames reached THX-0297, amplified by the acoustics of the second hole.
Into which THX-0297 inserted one activated smoke grenade after another.
"Critical level," warned the technician.
The next second, as THX-0333 withdrew the flamethrower's nozzle, the massive doors slid apart.
Republicans, trying to extinguish flames, rushed at the stormtroopers, frantically thrashing in the open space.
The sentients attempting to escape were gunned down by the Fourth Squad's fire.
The blasters of THX-0297 and his troopers never missed, killing each who emerged from the smoke-filled compartment.
No mercy, no prisoners—all were burning, and extinguishing the flames born of the fuel mixture was no easy task.
It took several minutes for the bridge crew to be entirely eliminated.
The sergeant and his troopers spread out across the bridge, ignoring the soot-blackened ceiling where the fiery stream had been directed.
Transforming into a veritable fire geyser, THX-0333's weapon had doused everyone within reach with burning fuel.
The scorch marks on the transparisteel of the main viewport and small pools of fire on the deck confirmed the flamethrower's stream had spanned the bridge's length.
The assault commandos extinguished these pools with coolant, always carried by troopers serving alongside a flamethrower operator.
The bridge equipment was damaged but not critically.
Melted panels, shattered monitors, molten keyboard plastic…
Nothing that would impair starship control.
"This is the Fourth Assault Commando Squad," THX-0297 opened a channel to the other squad commanders. "The bridge is under our full control."
Confirmations of other squads' planned achievements indicated the mission was executed as required.
"Raider-Four, this is the Fourth Assault Commando Squad commander, Sergeant THX-0297," the clone of Colonel Selid contacted the corvette commander who delivered them. "Inform the Grand Admiral that the Allegiance-class battlecruiser is fully under our control."
"Understood, sergeant," replied the Raider-Four commander. "B-1s are moving to their posts. Do you require assistance in restoring system functionality and restarting the reactor?"
"Not necessary," declined THX-0297.
Such a valuable prize should not be repaired on-site with makeshift means and non-specialized personnel.
The Allegiance would be towed to a staging area, removed from the escalating battle.
For now…
The sergeant surveyed his surroundings, noting the arrival of additional stormtrooper and droid squads.
"Continue the sweep," he ordered his subordinates.
The Republicans had controlled this starship for a long time and might have found hiding spots.
The assault commandos would flush them out.
"THX-0333, we'll need your reserve flamethrower," ordered the Fourth Squad commander.
Without a word, the flamethrower trooper began retrieving components from his backpack, assembling the spare weapon.
Today, the crew of this battlecruiser would experience an excessively vibrant, fiery day.
***
"General Solo!" Garm Bel Iblis's voice crackled through the intercom in the Millennium Falcon's cockpit. "My deepest gratitude for your courage in delivering reinforcements! Now things will be different…"
"Could it get any worse?" grumbled Lando, glaring as Xg-1 assault gunboats unleashed a fiery barrage of homing missiles, mowing down New Republic starfighters.
It didn't even resemble a battle—more like the execution of livestock blindly charging into a slaughterhouse pen.
"Always happy to help, General," replied Han, maneuvering the corvette to a higher altitude, revealing the orbital battlefield.
"Great Force," exclaimed Leia, covering her mouth with her hand.
"I'd put it stronger," Solo said grimly, reaching for the comm panel. "General Iblis, where's the fleet?"
"You need answers too?" Lando said, surprised. "It's as clear as day."
"Destroyed in battle," replied Han's fellow Corellian.
"And the orbital docks?" Solo pressed.
"Most likely, they've left the system, along with some of the ships we captured," Bel Iblis's voice held no trace of optimism. "Thrawn used my own tactics against me…"
"Oh, he's a master at that," Lando quipped.
"We underestimated the number of Venators with ion cannons and their rate of fire," admitted Bel Iblis.
"So we've essentially lost a fleet of Imperial-designed starships because they were hit by ion cannons?" clarified Leia.
"Cannons, plural," corrected Bel Iblis. "He has ten, all different types. We're deploying forces to destroy them now."
"But what about the crews?" Leia asked. "They're without functioning systems, oxygen…"
"Imperial ships have a better chance of restarting auxiliary systems," explained Bel Iblis. "I understand your concern and have ordered some Fourth Fleet ships to evacuate crews from starships we can't restore to combat readiness soon."
"That's clear," said Solo. "But… what's the attack plan?"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you that," declared the Corellian. "You've done a lot, but it's best you don't engage in the battle with a freighter. Once we deal with the Venators, you'll lead one of the fronts, General Solo. Over and out."
Silence fell in the Falcon's cockpit.
But not for long.
"Han, has your beloved "Senator Iblis" lost his mind?" asked Calrissian. "Did he just sideline you?"
"No," Solo shook his head. "It's a hint to focus on secondary objectives."
"Like what?" asked Lando.
"How'd you figure that?" echoed Leia.
"He's Corellian, I'm Corellian," Han shrugged. "It's obvious. Garm's drawing the Dominion's and Thrawn's attention to disabling the Venators and evacuating crews. We need to oversee the second objective, as the first is a feint."
"That's convoluted," muttered Leia.
"It's actually logical," said Calrissian. "Imperials love intercepting frequencies, and their codebreakers crack our codes out of boredom. That's why Bel Iblis used this method to pass info to Han."
"Exactly," agreed the Corellian. "From what I gather, Garm's planning to attack Thrawn, who's separated us with our own ships hit by ion cannons. If I'm right, Bel Iblis intends to evacuate crews from some "Imperial ships" and use them as cover for the Fourth Fleet's attack."
"How'd you figure that out?" Leia said, stunned.
"I'd do the same," Han shrugged, watching the clash between Dominion and Republican pilots. "Our side's retreating."
"The attack's stalled," confirmed Lando.
"I don't see Thrawn attacking either," noted Leia. "His starships are pulling back…"
"Those aren't his starships," Han said, his voice heavy. "The Grand Admiral's starting to "dismantle the wall" of our ion-blasted Star Destroyers."
Calrissian cursed under his breath.
"We need to act fast," declared Leia. "Otherwise, Thrawn will clear the starships one by one, then simply leave the system. Not to mention, he could repair our Imperial-designed starships and turn them against us!"
"Sometimes I think we're fighting not a humanoid but an artificial intelligence that really hates sentients," remarked Calrissian. "I just can't figure out what he wants."
Silence was Lando's answer.
None present knew.
"We need to contact the Sluissi," Han said decisively. "They've got ships we can use to speed up the evacuation. I've got an idea…"
"What idea?" Leia perked up.
"Oh, sweetheart," Han shook his head, "trust me, you won't like it. Fey'lya will have my hide for this. Unwashed, unshaven, and reeking."
"You sure know how to inspire," Leia said with a strained smile.
***
"Sir, new data on the trophies," said Gilad, handing the Grand Admiral another data pad with fresh operational updates.
"Escort carriers, heavy cruisers, Star Destroyers…" Thrawn listed the categories of captured starships currently being towed toward heavy cruisers for outfitting with transfer crews and urgent repairs for dispatch to the rear. "Good work, Vice Admiral. We're almost done."
"Just over fifty Star Destroyers," confirmed the Chimaera's commander. "The enemy has begun evacuating crews from the starships closest to the Fourth Fleet's hyperspace exit point."
"Predictable," said Thrawn. "Order our interdictor cruisers and Interdictor-class Star Destroyers to deactivate their gravity well generators immediately after completing their final task. They'll depart in the third group, escorting our latest trophy acquisitions. In other words—five-minute readiness and withdrawal via the first route once we secure the remaining Star Destroyers and return them to their rightful owners. The Dominion."
"As planned," nodded Gilad, retrieving the data pad.
"Also, include in this convoy the starships that have completed their tasks or are combat-ineffective but capable of hyperspace jumps," Thrawn said evenly, with commanding tones. "This wave will be the largest, requiring substantial escort."
"Yes, sir," responded Gilad.
"You're finishing," came Luke Skywalker's voice.
"A small batch of our ships remains, after which we'll leave the Sluis Van system," confirmed the Grand Admiral.
"Just like that?" Wedge Antilles said skeptically.
"They won't let us leave without a fight," Thrawn mused. "General Bel Iblis is preparing a counterattack, correctly judging that the starfighter assault yielded no significant results."
"And how do you plan to counter his plans?" asked Irenez, not hiding her disdain and distrust.
""Counter"?" the Grand Admiral said, surprised. "How curiously you say "destroy"…"
Gilad glanced at the young Jedi near Thrawn and the pair of Corellians—general and agent—noting the grim determination on their faces.
But he had no time for such trivialities—it was time to contact the second fleet contingent and move to the campaign's finale.
The moment had come for the final participants in the operation to reclaim Imperial assets from the New Republic.
***
It took immense time and patience to navigate the Sluis Van defense command and civilian dispatchers before Han finally got what he wanted.
The Sluissi (not without some cursing from each link in this "short" communication chain) complied and dispatched their available rescue ships, tugs, and even moderately spacious shuttles along the outer perimeter's boundary.
These ships were now to participate in evacuating crews from several starships, after which Han would likely commit a court-martial offense.
"Likely"—because he didn't know how his actions would be classified by a New Republic tribunal.
The Falcon hung in the upper echelon, far from the New Republic's star cruisers, in a space sector where it was the least convenient target.
With its power sources off, making it minimally detectable to enemy gunners relentlessly firing on the Fourth Fleet's starships, the old freighter served as an observer with a clear view of the battlefield.
Using short-range laser comms to avoid enemy interception, Han consulted with Bel Iblis, reaching a mutual understanding of the situation.
The remaining transport ships, no longer suitable as makeshift carriers or landing craft, were now evacuating crews from disabled starships.
But not all.
His fellow Corellian creatively adapted Han's idea, reasoning that transport starships, not depleted combat vessels, were best suited for the plan.
Using combat ships as fire ships was too wasteful.
Transports, however, could easily fulfill that role.
All that was needed was a pair of astromechs to control such a starship, setting a course and pushing the engines to their limits for rapid enemy engagement.
"I doubt Thrawn anticipated an attack on his fleet with transports and cargo containers," Leia giggled childishly. "I can't imagine how you came up with this."
"I just thought, if the Grand Admiral isn't above throwing junk at us, why can't we do the same?" Han posed a rhetorical question. "Right now, the priority is saving people from the Star Destroyers while the Fourth Fleet's star cruisers trade fire with Thrawn's remaining fleet."
"Think we'll have to sacrifice the disabled Star Destroyers?" asked Lando.
"I'd rather not," admitted Han. "They're all polished and repaired. Imagine if Thrawn captures them, crews them, and turns them against us?"
"Or trades them to Palpatine to be left alone," Leia added grimly.
"Doesn't matter what he does with them," said Han. "What matters is that whatever happens to the ships he's captured, it'll hurt us more. Look," he pointed at the Dominion fleet. "With the starships he's already taken here and at Sullust, he's got nearly a superior sector fleet. For defending his sectors, it's more than enough."
"Considering an Imperial sector fleet had just two dozen Imperials, and the Grand Admiral's captured nearly a hundred," noted Lando.
"That's why he doesn't spare his heavy cruisers," Solo concluded. "He found the Katana fleet, repaired it, brought it to combat readiness, and nearly destroyed it in the Sluis Van battle. But for every heavy cruiser lost, he's gained a few better-class, newer starships. In my view, this guy knows how to trade bad cards for a winning hand."
"And our inability to predict him only shows we're mere pawns in his game," Lando said glumly.
"I don't like this," Leia complained, watching the intense barrages between both fleets' ships, firing with surgical precision while positioning to use disabled Star Destroyers as cover, which Dominion ships repeatedly tried to tow from the battle line with tractor beams.
Each time, Fourth Fleet starships and fighters repelled them, swarming the star cruisers to prevent the enemy's unidentified bombers from using their accelerators for devastating strikes on New Republic starships.
"It'll take just a little time, and once our guys on the Star Destroyers are safe from suffocation, the transport fire ships will attack, followed by the Fourth Fleet," said Han Solo, nervously eyeing the Dominion ships in the conditional "second line."
"You look tense," Leia noted.
"I am," Han didn't deny. "See those interdictor cruisers and Star Destroyers?"
"Yes," replied Leia. "Some are our ships, staying near Thrawn's cargo starships…"
"No, I mean the ones originally with Dominion identifiers," clarified Han. "The ones keeping us in an artificial gravity field."
"Got an idea why they're still doing that?" asked Lando, intrigued.
"Yep," nodded Han. "They're used to prevent enemy ships from escaping into hyperspace. But no one's planning to flee. Iblis won't abandon fifty Star Destroyers to Thrawn or withdraw the Fourth Fleet. Thrawn doesn't seem to be leaving either, so…"
Leia noticed her husband's expression change.
Lando paled so much his dark skin seemed to vanish into the universe.
"You don't think…" Lando began.
"Maloy mentioned refitted Star Destroyers!" Han roared, racing across the control panel to activate it. "But these are all standard ships!"
"Oh, Force!" Leia's eyes widened in horror as she grasped her husband's meaning.
Han was already turning the Falcon, shouting into the comm system to contact Bel Iblis immediately, but all frequencies were jammed with static, and scanners, disrupted by Dominion ion cannon barrages, could barely discern anything…
The Corellian was calculating an approach vector to Admiral Duplex's flagship, where his fellow Corellian was, when the freighter swung its nose toward the Fourth Fleet's ships…
"This is outright mockery!" shouted Lando as the Millennium Falcon's cockpit was overshadowed by a Star Destroyer, its underside adorned with the Dominion's golden "gears."
The freighter shuddered, nearly throwing its three occupants from their seats—the Millennium Falcon's deflectors absorbed the full fury of Dominion gunners.
Han threw the freighter into a dive, dodging a second shot, the turbolaser beam grazing the deflector shield.
Amid the engines' wail, he heard Lando disentangle from his harness, leaning on corridor walls to reach the Falcon's laser cannons.
"I'll help Lando," declared Leia. "I'll find a turret that suits me…"
"Upper turret," Han interrupted, his tone making it clear arguing was futile.
But the former princess stood her ground:
"We're evading them belly-up," she said. "The Force will guide me at the lower turret…"
"Do as I say!" roared Solo, focused on piloting. "Because…"
He meant to explain that, while on Sluis Van, he'd upgraded the Falcon again, adding extra deflectors to the upper hemisphere, making it safer than the lower turret.
"I'm already at the lower turret!" came Lando's voice, who knew of his friend's modifications and made the right call.
Han owed him a drink—if they survived.
Leia, lips pursed (now was not the time for grudges!), silently left the cockpit.
Han, no longer restraining his rich Corellian vocabulary, cursed the Dominion, Republicans, Sluissi, the Emperor's black bones, and even his cousin—Thrackan Sal-Solo—for some reason.
Venting helped him wrestle the controls, pulling the Falcon out of the Star Destroyer's fire and its starfighter wing, which didn't delay.
Punctuality, blast it!
The secure comm channel crackled to life.
"Attention, all New Republic fleet!" Garm Bel Iblis's voice boomed. "We've got at least two dozen Dominion Star Destroyers in our rear. Continue rescue operations! Engage the attack!"
"Garm!" Han slammed the comm key. "What's going on? Where'd these Star Destroyers come from?"
His hands darted across the console, eyes insufficient for all the instruments, and a deafening explosion echoed from the corridor.
"Another Thrawn ambush," growled Bel Iblis. "He was waiting for our fleet and has now deployed his main forces! It's a full-scale attack on our cruisers from both fronts!"
Han saw it himself.
Enemy Venators fired precise shots at the maneuvering Fourth Fleet star cruisers.
Fighters, bombers, gunboats, Corellian corvettes, and Raiders charged through the "barrier" of disabled Star Destroyers.
Simultaneously, Dominion Star Destroyers pressing from behind freely fired, exploiting the fact that many commanders outside the enemy's range followed protocol and kept deflector shields inactive.
The fleet was paying for such carelessness.
Though, in truth, no one was to blame—such were the military protocols of the Old Republic, adopted by the Galactic Empire, then the Alliance to Restore the Republic, and now the New Republic Defense Force.
A flawed practice revealed in full.
"Thrawn's blocked our retreat with his Star Destroyers and is using interdictors and gravity wells to pin us," Bel Iblis reported calmly.
"Orders, General?!" asked Han.
"We need to reduce pressure on at least one front," said his compatriot. "We see Thrawn, under cover of the planetary attack, is towing disabled Star Destroyers to his side. That must stop."
"Disrupt his advance on one front to deal with the new Star Destroyers," Han grasped.
"Yes," replied Bel Iblis. "Admiral Duplex will handle the incoming starships. You, Han, will command our fire ships. Make Thrawn regret his decision."
Han had hoped to save those ships.
"Permission to spit in Fey'lya's face if I'm court-martialed for this?" asked Han.
Not for actual permission.
Just a Corellian way to ease tension with humor.
"We'll do it together," promised Bel Iblis. "But Thrawn must not get those ships. Act, Han. I need to identify the new fighters Thrawn's reinforcements are using."
"New fighters?" groaned Solo. "He's got more than Xg-1s and those elusive bombers?!"
"Truncated cones with brick-like aerodynamics," Bel Iblis explained vaguely. "No such "uglies" exist in any galactic warship database."
Han's mouth went dry.
Truncated cones?!
"Sir," he addressed the Supreme Commander, "are you sure they're fighters?"
"Truncated cones?" Lando's voice joined the channel. "With circular plasma cutters upfront?"
"Seems so," muttered Bel Iblis. "Yes, confirmed—circular plasma in the front. Some unknown weapon. Highly ineffective against our starfighters, though."
"Forget the weapon!" shouted Calrissian amid the clatter of his laser turret. "That's equipment for cutting metal, rock, anything solid!"
"Lando, you don't think…" began Han.
No, it couldn't be. Even Grand Admiral Thrawn, renowned for his military cunning, wasn't mad enough to deploy…
"Plasma drills, Han!" yelled Calrissian. "The ones he stole from me at Nkllon! Not fighters! He took nearly a hundred—working and not—from Nomad City."
"And we thought he was mining ore," Han said distantly.
"Mr. Calrissian, are you certain these are your "diggers"?" asked Bel Iblis.
"Matches the description! I can describe them in detail if you want…"
"No need," Bel Iblis said dryly. "I think Thrawn didn't just rob you."
"Meaning?" Han was stunned.
"Our ships aren't being attacked by a hundred "diggers,"" replied his compatriot. "There's at least three times that number."
***
"All Alpha group ships, attack," ordered Commodore Mor, removing his cap to wipe sweat from his face. "Full power to batteries. Send bombers to finish damaged ships. Fourth and fifth squadron interceptors from all group Star Destroyers—organize defense of capital ships. Others—stay with the drills."
The group commander, whose rank now matched his duties, stood at the bridge's main viewport.
He watched the Fourth Fleet's star cruisers clumsily attempt to regroup to meet the enemy.
Caught off guard, they acted disjointedly, worsening their situation.
He received confirmations of his orders, then turned to Grand Admiral Thrawn's hologram:
"All Alpha group ships have engaged, Supreme Commander. The Millennium Falcon has been detected and fired upon."
Thrawn gave a barely perceptible nod.
The Grand Admiral seemed distracted, looking at his subordinate but lost in thought.
"Don't waste time on that starship," he said. "The groups' target is the Mon Calamari cruisers, not that freighter. Remind the boarding coordinators not to linger on target selection for the plasma drills. The collective result matters, not individual scores."
"Yes, sir," Alexander squared his shoulders, allowing a smile. "Today, the Fourth Fleet's star cruisers will cease to exist."
Thrawn's face remained an impassive mask.
"Follow the plan precisely, Commodore," he said. "I've handled the rest."
As Thrawn's hologram vanished, Alexander permitted a broader smile.
Well, it was time to test his tactical calculations, set aside by the Grand Admiral.
And he'd start with those two star cruisers boldly firing on his Star Destroyer.
For the New Republic's forces, the time of suffering had come.
***
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