Faction Objective 3: — Defensive perimeters

[Laphisto]

The Lilaste Order fleet hangs in position around the Tracyn, forming a protective barrier around the ancient ship. The warship itself drifts quietly in space, its hull scarred from battles fought long ago, worn down by centuries of drifting through the stars. Despite its stillness, the air around the fleet is thick with tension. Everyone knows that something big is coming.

In the distance, the Dusate Pirate fleet emerges, led by two massive star destroyers. Their size is intimidating, and they are slowly making their way toward the Lilaste fleet like predators stalking their prey. Flanking the destroyers are smaller ships—cruisers, corvettes, and frigates—moving into formation, ready to protect the destroyers and give cover to the boarding craft rushing ahead of them.

From the destroyers' hangars, sleek boarding craft speed toward the Tracyn, their engines glowing as they cut through space. These ships are loaded with pirate troops, all racing to be the first to breach the old warship's hull. They're moving in waves—some heading straight for the main hangar, while others aim for the more vulnerable sections of the ship. If they make it inside, the pirates will take control, and the Tracyn will be lost.

But the Lilaste forces are ready. Fighter squadrons from both sides clash in the space between the fleets. Lilaste interceptors zip through the chaos, trying to cut off the pirate ships before they reach the Tracyn. Pirate fighters swoop in, engaging in fierce dogfights to protect their boarding craft. Bright bursts of blaster fire streak across the battlefield as the fighters battle for control of the skies.

Meanwhile, the Lilaste capital ships hold their ground around the Tracyn, determined to protect it at all costs. They fire back at the incoming Dusate fleet, their weapons glowing as they try to slow the star destroyers and knock out the pirate ships before they can get too close. Frigates and corvettes form the first line of defense, shields flaring as they take hits from the pirates' attacks while returning fire, trying to stop the boarding craft in their tracks.

Despite the chaos, the Dusate star destroyers press on, inching closer. Their heavy cannons begin firing, unleashing waves of destruction toward the Lilaste capital ships. The Lilaste commanders watch the battle unfold on their tactical displays, tracking the movements of the pirates and issuing orders to defend the Tracyn. The battle is fierce, and the pirates are pushing hard to break through.

The Lilaste boarding teams prepare to make their move. Their own ships launch from the defensive line, racing toward the Tracyn alongside the pirate forces. The battle outside rages on, but the real fight will be inside the ship, where the two forces will clash for control.

As the fighters and boarding craft weave through the blaster fire, the tension rises. The outcome is still uncertain, and both sides are determined to win. The Tracyn is the key to the mission, and whoever takes it will hold the future in their hands.

The battle for the Tracyn has begun, and there's no turning back.

 

[Spek Zhio]

It all felt out of place for him. The sole occupant of the Azure Alcyone, a heavily retrofitted YT-1930 transport freighter, was reading an old holobook while resting on the couch of the ship's main hold. Usually, Spek Zhio, this one-Zeltron skeleton crew, would be meditating to astrogate the best route towards their destination. This time, however, he was provided exact jump coordinates. The story he was reading was an enjoyable one, and he had been planning on finishing it for quite some time. Still, it was weird not being needed and having spare time for himself.

He paused in introspection. Feeling anxious about something he could not quite figure out. It was not the jump, or the idling. He quickly realized what it was, though - excitement. After a long time surviving paycheck to paycheck, for this job, all he had to do was join a defensive perimeter around some dusty old derelict and he would get some new parts for his ship. There were even some words exchanged about it being paid in advance. Spek let out a long yawn that gradually turned into a groan.

"Alcy," he addressed his ship's heuristic droid brain, "are we there yet?" She replied, as usual, with a cacophony of beeps and bops and the blinking of several system lights.

"Yeah... I know, I know. I've asked this a bazillion times already. But this time, we have to be about to jump out, right?"

After Tatooine, where he had met Laphisto, the High Commander of the Lilaste Order, Spek was given the prospect of doing gigs for the Order. He was given the Lilaste's HQ coordinates and, upon arriving at the place, was told that the Commander had left on this salvage mission of sorts. He was also given a frequency by which to reach him, as well as the coordinates to join the operation. En route through hyperspace, he was debriefed on the mission and the pay through hyperwave relays. Now, all he had to do was finish his holobook before they arrived.

He tossed the book aside, onto the couch.

"I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to read that during the so-called mission," getting up and walking towards the flight cabin, Spek continued to chat with the ship, "it's a derelict smack-dab in the butt crack of space, I'm sure no one is going to disturb the teams salvaging it! It's going to be a snoozefest..."

As if on queue, right when he arrived at the cockpit and finished uttering those words, the Alcyone jumped out into realspace, the inertia dampeners allowing Zhio to experience only a mere jolt. Also as if on queue, they jumped right into the middle of an ongoing space battle.

"Dank farrik! Would you look at that!" the ship also exclaimed in surprise, by way of multiple red and yellow blinking lights across a multitude of instrumentation and displays. Spek was already engaged in evasive flight maneuvers. "Guess I was wrong! No, Alcy, this won't be a rerun of Tatooine, Bestine Part Two: Electric Boogaloo! We won't have to choose between flying or shooting this time..." The Azure lacked automated weaponry systems but, fortunately, had an above-par automated flight systems thanks to its droid processor. During past skirmishes, when Spek was the sole occupant of the ship, he had to choose between expertly flying the ship himself or let the computer adequately handle that while he fired the laser canon turret.

"We were promised guns, dammit! Hail the Lilaste on the frequency we've been given. I'll let them know we'll be doing a quick pit stop before engaging..."

---

Laphisto

 

[Laphisto]

GM POST

The comms flared to life as Admiral Theron Vayl's voice came through, calm and steady despite the chaos unfolding outside. Spek Zhio

"Azure Alcyone, this is Admiral Vayl. You've arrived right in the middle of a firefight," he began, his tone direct but not rushed. "I've transmitted docking coordinates. Proceed to the Carrier Indomitable at the rear of our formation for immediate resupply and refitting. We don't have the luxury of time."

Outside the Alcyone's viewport, the scene was a chaotic web of laser fire and explosions. Lilaste capital ships held their line, firing on the advancing Dusate Pirate fleet, while smaller vessels darted in to intercept boarding craft. Fighter squadrons clashed in tight dogfights, weaving through volleys of blaster fire as they struggled for aerial dominance. The darkness of space was filled with flashes of detonations, debris, and the bright arcs of turbolaser fire from the massive Dusate Star Destroyers that loomed like giant predators on the hunt.

"High Commander Laphisto spoke highly of your skills," Vayl continued, his voice unwavering despite the chaos. "He said you were the kind of pilot who could make a difference when it counted. We could use that now."

The Indomitable's landing bays came into view as the coordinates aligned on the navigation display. The carrier was positioned at the rear, providing a line of support to the front while keeping a safe distance from the brunt of the enemy fire.

"The pirates are focusing their efforts on the Tracyn, and their boarding craft are making a push as we speak. Once you're docked, you'll receive a full combat loadout. I expect you to be ready for immediate action. We need every ship out here."

Admiral Vayl's voice took on a firmer tone, his words carrying a sense of expectation. "Make your preparations quickly, Azure Alcyone. The longer we delay, the more ground the pirates will gain. We need to keep them off the Tracyn. Don't disappoint us."

The transmission cut off, leaving the echoes of Vayl's calm but commanding voice resonating in the cockpit as the Alcyone