Chapter 4 Submission

SUBMITTED BY: CPT Longstreet / Demon CO / 1st Brigade / Imperial Army
HOLONET REGISTRATION: <FriederLeimenstoll@gmx.de
SUBMITTED ON: 2008.05.16

Ensign James Longstreet threw away his smoke and entered the lounge of Gimel Squadron; now permanent equipped with TIE-bombers. It was a strange feeling - ordered to be a priority target without a chance of outrunning enemy fighters in every battle they were in. But he knew that he was serving something greater then himself, and the fact that he always would have his comrads and if possible escort with him made his mind a bit more optimistic about the future.

The squadron was already assembled (did he always come as the latest?) and now with him here Sub-Lieutenant Crognale, acting CO of the squadron, started the meeting right away.

“Ensign Longstreet, nice that you could accommodate it. Now that you are here we can start, and we´ll start with you. You are the ranking historian in the squadron. What can you make with the name Harrsk?” asked the SL in a lengthier sentence. “Well,” Longstreet started, “Harrsk was an Admiral in our Navy. Commanded a flotilla at Endor and afterwards became an independent warlord, styling himself as `Supreme Warlord`. He´s said to be not a genious, but has firepower. Nowadays hold several sectors in front to rebel territories and also to ours. Our policy towards him is war like to so many others, but only passive as we can´t wage full scale battle against his fleet. As far as I know the backbone of his fleet are a lot of ISDs and he is able to produce several new at a time, as well as other caps.”

That´s damn right!” said SL Jubei, in his traditional sharp and cursing mood. “But we´ve found a way to make some trouble.” “Indeed Jubei, indeed.” said SL Crognale hastily, wanting to stop the cursing within a second. “VSDs Aggressor and Formidable, as well as the Frigate Monsoon, all of our old 4th Systems Force, on patrol near Harrsk-space have managed to capture one of his Carracks. You all know how … efficient General Rommel´s ISB-methods can be when it comes to interrogation; and we now know that this Carrack transported rebel prisoners till it was boarded by them and they were freed. Also the rebels attacked some of his installations in Atravis sector, as far as our … guests know with strong forces including several MonCal Cruisers. Luckily for us the Carrack also held other guests, too, including a minister of Harrsk. So we also know that he sent forces against them, and after the prisoners. A certain system, who´s name is not known to me, has been ordered to sent nearly it´s whole fleet after them, so it´s stripped of and ISD, several VSDs and a dozen of cruiser and cruiser types. Only half a dozen of caps is left there, the biggest of it being a Dreadnaught. Beside having the chance of destroying or even capturing those, the Grand Admiral has further objectives there. Harrsk is mentaly … distracted right now, and that system is one of his ship production areas, admitted a smaller one. But small in case of Harrsk still means that there are a good number of capital ships on dry docks there. We are talking about an ISD, nearly complete, 3 VSDs and at least 4 Nebulon-B frigates. And so they will be captured by us as ordered.”

Leandis stood up and asked “What forces will do this? And what has this to do with us? Crognale answered “Capital ships will be VSD Ravager and frigates Fog, Pileus, Hail, Drought and Radiatus, as well as all corvettes from the 4th. We don´t have so many ships in reserve to strike with bigger force. As the Ravager as flagship, as well as the Fog and Pileus and the corvettes, are from the 4th Systems Force they look for bomber support with experience with them. And now they´ve seen - we are the only bomber squadron with experience with then in the whole Navy. So we are in for it. Rear Admiral Calorn will have command, sadly without taking the Vigilant or other forces of his 3rd. Beside this we´ll have Iota Squadron with us; their Gunboats will do most of the ion-gun-work we need against the enemy fleet. And we have a large number of storm trooper transports with us. Reserve personnel will board the ships and pilot them, accompanied by infantry, lead by Brigadier Starbug in person. Out job is to help disabling the security fleet with Magpuls and Ionpuls, and afterwards to support and escort the boarding teams. Further intelligence for us: none! We have much to do their, and little time for it, and even lesser time till we start - 5 hours left.
Make yourselfs ready. Dismissed!”

Longstreet went to his cabine, smoking a cig and trying to get a clear head again. When “The Crog”, as we was known, started a briefing his style of talking was so strange that everyone was happy when they were dismissed and could fly into battle. In theory a good thing, but nevertheless a strange way to achieve this. The Ensign shook his head and whispered to himself “Magpuls - the GA DOES know that I need a minute to make those things sharp and aiming, does he?”