Chapter 1 Submission

SUBMITTED BY: LT Antillies / Aurek Leader / ISD Chimaera / Imperial Navy
HOLONET REGISTRATION: <emperorfrecks@aim.com
SUBMITTED ON: 2008.05.16

Lieutenant Ramius Antillies sat in his command chair on the bridge of the Imperial frigate Chinook and looked out into the tunnel of blue and white. His elbows rested on the arms of his chair and his fingers were laced together, save his index fingers which rested against the ridge of his nose. His usually wavy red hair was subdued underneath his cap and his eyes were locked on the viewport.
A console beeped and Sub-lieutenant Wilson popped his head above the cluster of computers.
“Sir, one minute until we exit hyperspace,”
Wilson said, his features taught and lined from lack of sleep.
Ramius inclined his head. “Pass the stand-to for reversion, Lieutenant.”
“Aye, Sir.”
Wilson’s head disappeared behind the bank of electronics.
The only other officer on the main bridge was a green Ensign, Miles Fox was his name, who had just graduated from the Academy two or some weeks prior before being posted on the Chinook. Ramius didn’t complain; he was in desperate need of men, especially officers. The ship was being run by a skeleton crew and his two officers and he had been working double shifts lately, not good when a battle of somewhat large proportions was brewing.
“Ten seconds, Sir,”
Wilson said, either too tired or unwilling to complete the sentence, but Ramius understood.
The blue tunnel of hyperspace faded back into the black darkness of space with a whine of the faster-than-light engines.
The Chinook’s bow dipped downward, revealing a gigantic space station inside of a ring of more than a dozen defense platforms. Flanking the station were two very old Acclamator-class assault frigates. Ramius was shocked that such ships from the days of the
Old Republic were still in the service of His Imperial Majesty, but however archaic, combined, they had enough firepower to slag the ship Ramius commanded. Ramius was unsure if he was comforted or made uneasy by this fact; Ramius opted for the former.
As the Chinook moved closer to the station, the sleek, white hull of a Star Destroyer slid from behind the station’s bulk. It was of the Victory-class, much smaller than her Imperial cousins but still more than match for anything the rebels were capable of sending their way.
The communication’s console pinged and Ensign Fox moved to it.
“We are receiving a hail from the Victory Star Destroyer Striker, Sir,” Fox said.
“Thank you, Ensign, route it to the portside holo projector.”
“Yes, Sir.”
With a great effort and a grunt, Ramius lifted his body out of his chair and walked slowly to the left side of the crew pit. He reached the projector and hit a couple of buttons in succession, making the image of the Striker’s captain flicker to life. Ramius snapped to attention and saluted, his body reminding him of how tired he was.
Line Captain Calder returned the salute and said “At ease, Lieutenant.”
Ramius complied and the captain continued: “We will begin the assault on the Rebel fortifications momentarily. The Imperial Star Destroyer Nemesis has taken a portion of the fleet and is attempting to capture a mining facility at the top of this sector.”
The blue image flicked for a moment but then steadied.
“You will follow us in and act as the rear guard. The Rebels have been using Corvettes to outflank our battle groups of late and inflicting damage upon the aft portion of our vessels and, in some cases, damaging their sub-light drives. You must prevent such actions. The Vice Admiral has seen to this operation personally, Lieutenant, I don’t want any slip ups.”
“I understand, Sir,” Ramius said.
“Good, we are relaying the coordinates and attack plans into your nav computer now,” The captain’s image flickered and disappeared.
Ramius strode back to his command chair and sat down, his senses fully alert now that adrenaline was running through his veins.
“Ensign, bring us on the heading given to us,” Ramius said.
“Aye, bringing the ship to 1-2 mark 4.”
“Very good, match speed with the Striker and prime all cannons.”
“Aye, Sir. Weapons primed and green.”
“Lieutenant, status report on the shields.”
“Shields are one-hundred percent and holding,”
Wilson said.
Ramius nodded in satisfaction. The toiling hours of work had not been for nothing; the Chinook was ready for battle.
The defense platforms could be seen from the side viewports as the Chinook glided past. The two Acclamators were on both sides of the frigate and slightly ahead, holding the outermost position in their attack formation. Ramius tapped a button on his command chair and tuned into the encrypted command channel they were using.
All craft, prepare to engage the enemy. We count thirty Rebel fighters and two supporting frigates. Launch your fighters and prepare to engage.”
Ramius smiled; the Rebel snubfighters would be no match against the TIE Interceptors the Striker had been just recently equipped with. Serves them right, scum, Ramius thought.
“Sir!” Fox’s voice was filled with excitement and a touch of fear. “Two Rebel Corvettes have appeared on our scopes!”
“Right.
Ensign, have the TACCOM plot us a firing solution,” Ramius noticed that Fox was jittering slightly. He added, “Calmly, Ensign.”

A few seconds passed before Fox said, “Firing solution complete, Sir.”
"Comply with it and prepare to fire all guns,” Ramius said, his heart racing a little faster now.
The two Corvettes, not expecting such staunch resistance that had not been evident in their previous quarry, hesitated and stopped accelerating in their wide arcs. That was all Ramius needed.
“Fire!”
The deck shuddered as the Chinook’s guns discharged a broadside of magnificent green energy bolts into the first Corvette. The Corvette’s shields shimmered, seemed to steady, but than buckled and several lances of energy punctured the ship’s hull. It began to vent oxygen and small dark objects, which Ramius assumed to be bodies, from multiple decks and into space.
“Bring us around, Ensign. Prepare a second broadside!” Ramius bellowed.
The Chinook swept in an arc and again let lance after lance of pure energy drive themselves into the Corvette’s hull. The ship shuddered and snapped in half, the strain being too much for the durasteel support beams.
The sister Corvette seemed stunned at the loss of her sibling and stood, gaping. Fools.
Fox was learning and brought the ship so the Blockade Runner was in their sights. Ramius opened his mouth to order the guns to fire but was stunned into silence.
The white wedges of two Imperial Star Destroyers reverted from hyperspace directly behind the Corvette. The Corvette’s captain, obviously panicking, order the engines to a full burn and tried to escape; it was his only and last attempt.
The Star Destroyers unleashed concentrated volleys of emerald turbolaser fire onto the Corvette and shattered it, sending debris in every direction. Ramius couldn’t help but gape; such a magnificent show of firepower made him feel that he had chosen the right side to fight for indeed.