Project Artemis

SUBMITTED BY: EN Zeck Tessia / Kappa 1-4 / VSD Striker
HOLONET REGISTRATION: <
mad_dog_mcd@tdef.freeserve.co.uk>

 

Captain Starbug stared out of the viewports on the Vigilant's bridge at the fleeing Carrack-class cruiser ahead of them. The Artemis had been captured from the Talashar shipyards by a group of pirates. The Grand Admiral had ordered the Vigilant to follow it and capture it. Frigates Brahe and Kepler, supported by the Chimaera's five Assault Gunboats, were providing support and the speed necessary to capture a Carrack cruiser. They were currently inbound from the Covis system in a pincer that would hopefully surprise the pirates and force a surrender.

If not, they would destroy them.

"Tactical," Starbug said quietly. "Raise shields and arm weapons. The Brahe and Kepler should be here shortly. Lets hope they're not too late."

Lieutenant Commander Calcyon, who was standing next to Starbug, shook his head. "I really wish the Red Claw-II wasn't being repaired. An Interdictor would be really useful right now."

"Don't worry, Commander," Starbug said soothingly. "This strategy will work, I assure you."

There was a flicker of pseudomotion directly ahead of the Artemis' current position. "Ah, looks like backup's arrived," Starbug said, "Comms, open a channel to the Artemis."

"Channel open, Captain," the comms officer said from his station.

"Carrack-class cruiser Artemis, we have you surrounded. Surrender now and you will not be harmed."

"Captain," the sensor officer said, "they're coming about. Full reverse heading."

"Ready tractor beams, weapons on standby." He lowered his voice to speak to his First Officer. "I don't like this, Talon. They're up to something."

"I agree," Calcyon replied.

By this time, the Artemis had came nose-to-nose with the Vigilant. The comm system crackled to life. "Vigilant, this is the Artemis. Let us go or we'll destroy your ships."

Starbug raised an eyebrow quizzically towards Calcyon, who just shrugged. "Artemis, this is Captain Starbug. You are hopelessly outgunned. Your four stolen TIEs were destroyed in your initial escape from the Talashar shipyards. We could target your bridge with our initial salvo and kill you in a matter of seconds. We could disable you right now. We're taking the Artemis back to Imperial space. Whether you are alive or dead is of no concern to us." Starbug made a slashing motion across his throat and the channel closed. "Flight Control, prepare Assault Shuttle Omega for launch. Frigates Brahe and Kepler, close in on the Artemis."

The pirates aboard the Artemis must have realised it was all over, and they acted rashly. The Carrack's ten turbolasers and twenty ion cannons spoke, battering the Vigilant's forward shields.

Starbug steadied himself and adjusted his uniform. "Weapons control, open fire, ion cannons only. Assault Gunboats Mu; assist in disabling the Cruiser. Same orders for the Frigates."

The Artemis began firing wildly at the Imperial fighters and cruisers closing the net around them. One of the Assault Gunboats was clipped and damaged, its port wing sheared off.

The Vigilant's ion cannons spoke, spilling blue energy bolts across the ether, raking lightning tendrils across the Artemis' hull. A few minutes later, the light cruiser was disabled.

"Does the Artemis still have comms?" Starbug asked.

"Yes, Captain," the Comms officer replied.

"Open a channel." There was a bleep, indicating the channel was open. "Attention those aboard the Carrack-class cruiser Artemis. You are now under arrest for the charges of Piracy, Grand Theft Interstellar, and any Imperial officers involved in your failed ship-theft will be found guilty of Treason. An Assault Shuttle is now en-route to board and capture you. Surrender to the stormtroopers and you will not be harmed." Another slashing motion, and the channel closed.

"Comms, contact Command. Alert them to our mission success."

"No need, sir," the sensor officer said, "The Chimaera's just arrived."

Captain Starbug stepped into the Grand Admiral's ready room and snapped off a salute.

"Sit down, Captain," Grand Admiral Daemon said, waving the Captain to a chair in front of his desk. Starbug took the chair, and placed the datacard with his mission report on the desk.

"Now," the Grand Admiral said, "Your strike force performed admirably in the capture of that renegade Carrack cruiser. Did you notice anything odd?"

Starbug nodded. "No signs of forced entry anywhere on the ship, but no Imperial runaways."

"Yes," the Grand Admiral said. "They must have had help at the shipyards."

"That's what I surmised also," Starbug said.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Captain." Daemon leaned forwards slightly. "You're probably wondering why I asked you here when I could have got all the facts from your report."

Starbug nodded. "I was wondering that, yes."

"The main reason," the GA said, "is to partially detail to you my plans for the Artemis. I understand you have contacts in the Fringe?"

Starbug nodded again. "There's a large Imperial-aligned smuggling group operating in my area. Why?"

"I need some specialist capital-scale communications and sensor equipment, preferably as soon as possible."

Starbug frowned. "Can't our shipyards produce it?"

The Grand Admiral shook his head. "Our facilities are already pushed to the limit producing warships, fighters and the like. And anyway, I hear your fringe contacts are very good at producing and modifying such equipment."

"They've been tapping into Rebel operations in my area through subspace tapping," Starbug said. "We've cleaned out a number of Rebel bases in the past few weeks."

"Yes, I'd heard about that, good work." Daemon said. "When can I get that equipment?"

"I'll have my contacts make me a quotation, then I'll send it out to you. Where would you like it delivered to?"

"I'll arrange a rendezvous point." The Grand Admiral said, giving Starbug a don’t-ask-why look.

"Very well, sir," Starbug said, rising from his chair. "I'd better get back to the Vigilant. Good day, Admiral."

"And to you, Captain." the Grand Admiral replied.

Starbug left the room smartly, the doors to the GA's ready room closing automatically behind him. The Grand Admiral breathed a quiet sigh to himself. I only hope this works out, he thought.

* * *

Another one bites the dust, thought Neil, as the remains of the Bulk Cruiser that Kappa Squadron had destroyed spiralled slowly into the gas giant Pathos C. The Cruiser had belonged to a group of renegade Imperials that had tried to sneak into the area disguised as independent traders. Neil had re-tuned his sensors and had detected traces of a material used only by Rebel starfighters, prompting Omicron Squadron's TIE Interceptors to make an inspection flyby.

Before Omicron's TIEs had even reached the Cruiser, a full squadron of A-Wings boiled out of the Cruiser. Two of Omicron's pilots were killed in the assault, and three of the volatile Rebel fighters had broken through to engage Kappa Squadron's TIE Bombers. Kappa therefore fell back under the cover of the Striker's turbolasers and Concussion Missile launchers. The heavy weapons of the Victory-class Star Destroyer ripping apart the Rebel fighters in a single salvo.

Kappa was then released for a run on the Cruiser, tagged Mainbrace. The old ship barely withstood the volley of heavy rockets from the Bombers, the Cruiser's guns trying to hold off Omicron from making their famed strafing attacks.

The cruiser, as was evident by now, had failed dismally on all accounts.

"Kappa Lead to Squadron, all fighters report in."

One by one the Bomber pilots reported in, chiming off their positions as per regulations. Satisfied, the leader of Kappa Squadron turned his Bomber around and headed back to the Striker.

Lieutenant McDougall reclined in the chair in his cramped office, thinking about the tangle with the Bulk Cruiser. Surely the Area Patrol Groups would have picked up a ship like that, he thought. I mean, two of the group's Corvettes were passing though this area less than two days ago.

A bleeping from his compad broke his chain of thought. Neil reached over and activated the comlink.

In one-quarter sized holographic form, the image of Grand Admiral Daemon stood before him. "Lieutenant McDougall," he said. "I have a proposition for you…"

* * *

Line Captain Macker Calorn, Senior Fleet Officer to the Grand Admiral, chafed uncomfortably in his dress uniform. He had no idea why he was here at Bilbringi and the Grand Admiral had told him nothing. The other Captains were here; Stele, Starbug, Dervin, as well as a smattering of other officers of varying ranks, including the famed Admiral Ravensburg, the commander of Sector Force #3, and one of the Grand Admiral's most trusted advisors.

What's going on? I don't see any new ships in the shipyard. Why don't I know about this, whatever it is?

Macker's thoughts were interrupted as a gruff voice barked from behind him. "Calorn."

Macker turned to see Captain Stele, decked out with full medals and dress uniform, clutching a black pointer behind his back. "Maarek, good to see you. Do you have any idea as to what's going on?"

Stele shook his head. "I've got a feeling it has something to do with Agony though. He was taken from the Striker for classified reasons by one of the GA's Envoys. I don't know where he is and I don't know why."

Macker frowned. "What about Kappa Squadron?"

"Pavz got the job. I offered it to Priyum, but he wasn't interested."

The doors at the end of the room opened.

Macker turned to see Grand Admiral Daemon and Lieutenant McDougall step through the door into the room. Macker instantly snapped to attention. "Supreme Commander on deck!" he barked, the officers present snapping to attention.

"As you were, officers," the Grand Admiral said. "Now, I have gathered you here for a very grave occasion. The trial of Lieutenant Neil McDougall."

A murmur of discontent spread throughout the room. Captain Stele looked stunned.

"Silence," the Grand Admiral said quietly. "Lieutenant McDougall, as High Inquisitor of the Emperor's Court, I hereby charge you with the crimes of Exceptional Ingenuity, Extreme Loyalty, Bravery, and Continual Exceptional Service to the Empire. The punishment is the removal of your rank of Lieutenant-" Daemon tugged the rank plaque from McDougall's tunic. "And to bestow upon you the rank of Captain."

A confused silence fell upon the room. Is this some sort of dream? Macker thought.

"Captain McDougall will not be a captain of a ship-of-the-line, however. He will command the newly reconstructed and upgraded Carrack-class light cruiser Artemis. The vessel's specific designation is one of Reconnaissance, and his primary task will be to scour the near and far reaches of space in order to find ways of expanding the Empire, to seek out rebel strongholds, to conduct diplomatic negotiations. In short, to be a beacon of Imperial glory in a dark universe. Captain, would you like to say a few words?"

Agony stepped forward. "Of course," he said. "Officers of the Empire, as Director of Reconnaissance Operations, I will not be working alone. My staff will be as follows; Sub-Lieutenant Ricaud will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and will serve as my First Officer. Sub Lieutenants Priyum, Neo and Mikfarlant will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and will serve as my Reconnaissance pilots."

The four newly promoted officers stepped forward and joined the Fleet's newest Captain on the podium. "The Artemis is docked at Bay Nineteen undergoing final preparations for launch, so if you'll head towards the ship, my crew and I will give a demonstration."

* * *

Sub-Lieutenant Jrysk Hrovan, the Artemis' sensor officer was alone on the bridge, overseeing final repairs to one of the sensor consoles.

A noise from the back of the room spun his head around. "Captain on the br-" he began before seeing the white-clad figure behind the Artemis' CO. "Grand Admiral on the bridge!" Hrovan snapped to attention.

"Thank you, Sub-lieutenant, at ease," Neil said. "How goes the work on the console?"

"Almost done, sir."

"Well, finish it later. Long range gamma sensors won't be needed where we're going at the moment. Take your post and prepare for launch."

"Aye, sir," the Sub-lieutenant replied.

The rest of the Carrack cruiser's bridge crew, who came in behind the Captains and Admirals, took their stations, awaiting the Captain's orders.

The order came.

"Helm, take us clear of dock, one-quarter thrusters. Once we're clear, make the jump to the pre-set hyper co-ordinates."

"Aye, sir," the helmsman said.

Captain Stele growled impatiently. "Where are we going?"

Daemon forestalled further comment with a raised hand. "Patience, Captain. You'll see soon enough."

The Carrack made the jump to lightspeed effortlessly.

Thirty seconds before the reversion to realspace, the Grand Admiral began to speak. "Today is a momentous occasion in the Galactic Empire. Today has not only seen a new branch of High Command being created, but the re-establishment of a fine tradition in the Imperial Navy. It's resources were annexed by Warlord Zsinj prior to Grand Admiral Thrawn's tenure, and since then its facilities and operating procedures have been going under reconstruction.

"Officers of the Imperial Navy, I give you-"

The Artemis reverted to realspace near a group of platforms and starships.

"-The Imperial Academy."

A Victory-class Star Destroyer came around from behind one of the larger training platforms.

"Comms, open a channel to the Victory-class Star Destroyer Vigilant and Academy Central."

"The Vigilant?" Calorn said, a shocked tone nibbling at his voice. "It's in the Mid-Rim!"

"Was, Captain," the Grand Admiral said.

The main viewscreen at the front of the Carrack's bridge showed a split-screen picture. "Officers, I present to you, on the left of the screen, the new Commandant of the Academy, Commodore Starbug, and the new Captain of the Vigilant, Captain Calcyon."

"Well," Dervin said. "It's been a day of surprises, hasn't it?"

"Indeed, Captain," Daemon said. "Captain McDougall?"

Neil nodded. "Helm, take us in to dock with the Academy platform. Comms, signal the Striker, Stalwart and Chimaera to join us at our present co-ordinates. Once that's done, Lieutenant Bastoris will keep things ticking over here."

"Where are you going, sir?" Bastoris asked.

"I'm going to the promotion party for Commodore Starbug, of course," Neil said, as he followed the other Captains and Admirals to the bridge doors. "Mr Bastoris, you have the bridge."

* * *

Of course, the party didn't start straight away. You can't party in a dress uniform…

I spent most of my evening chatting with the other captains and the Grand Admiral. Once most of the junior officers left about midnight, myself, Stele, Starbug, Calcyon, Calorn, Jupant, Dervin and the Grand Admiral sat around drinking Varsuvian Brandy and talking about the 'good old days' and swapping war stories.

After the storytelling (with most of us, including the Grand Admiral, quite affected by the Brandy at this point), Stele broke out his ever present Sabacc deck. As usual, he won. Dervin nearly bet the Stalwart, until Daemon reminded him that it belonged to the Empire, not him.

Ah, the Grand Admiral…he'd only played Sabacc twice in his whole life and ended up owing everyone a lot of money. For a master strategist, he is a terrible card player. Now I know why he never uses visual comms in battle negotiations. His Sabacc face is non-existent.

I didn't come off unscathed though…Four hundred credits owed to Stele…

But the grand and a half owed to me by Daemon should more than cover it…