Supply runs are never simple

[William Kerkov Sr]

Kerkov was mused when his comms officer told him the fighter had demanded their identity and plans of operation. He thought it was a lot of overconfidence canned up in a little interceptor. But he would answer her no less,

"Mister Walekr, tell them we are..."

Kerkov's mind pondered for a bit, if they told them their true identity it might tun out bad for the Open Circle, that is when he came up with an idea.

"Tell them we are Umbrella Interest Trading, searching for a fringe convoy. Maybe that will rile them up."

Kerkov felt a little bad about using another cover, one of which belonged to a friend of his. But sometimes business required him too. And now that they had the fringe ship right where they wanted, it was time for attack. The 6 ships tilted towards the small convoy, making sure that whatever was in there stayed there.

"Prepare the tractor beams, have them targeted for a the freighter. And have all but two of our 6 activated squadrons lead the first assault. All men to battle stations I repeat all men to battle stations. Do not have any of our ships fire until my command and have the carrier cruisers and our own heavy cruiser prepare all fighter squadrons. Jam all communications around this planet, no one shall be receiving help. Hopefully this will be the only opposition before our looting spree begins."

The alarms started going off, men ran this way and that trying to scramble to their stations. It was the pre-setting before a battle.


[member="Rogue"] [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Rekha Kaarde"] [member="Karen Roberts"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Coren was watching the radar a bit, but had turned off the full suite of his Liberation module. He loved being part of the ship, but for this work, watching and waiting, he didn’t want to get taken by surprise while still jacked in. Cyborgs with a whole fighter at their disposal could be dangerous, but not if they were taken by surprise and the pilot themselves fried, especially if they could start to rally a Fringe resistance.

He needed the help.

“Rek, what’s it looking like? My sky is getting pretty full. Freight, make sure you grab the bare minimum of supplies and bug out. We’re probably not staying here much longer.”

More than he bargained for on this trip already.

And he wasn’t bringing in any of the home ships here. Not alone.

Still, he'd log all the ship IFFs, radar signatures and images that he could. Just in case.

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Rekha Kaarde"] [member="William Kerkov"]

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="William Kerkov"]

"Sir, the other fleet is stating they are apart of the Umbrella Corporation, yet their ships don't hold records with our company sir?" The coms officer stated.

Jaster was surly confused, his fleet was the only one in this sector for the next 3 months. This was the companies policy, no ships were to go around Jasters head, he was the fleet admiral. This only meant they were pirates who stole their IFF codes, and that meant war.

"Sound general quarters, prepare for battle stations," yelled Jaster, "I want all batteries trained an the enemy fleet, I won't have raiders getting away with our codes, show them not to mess with my company!"

A volley of lazed batteries let loose and launched across the space between the two fleets. Only 2 Crusader class corvette and a single Ulur'uur class Frigate engaged the larger fleet.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="William Kerkov"]


Rekha's sensors began to feed the kind of data she did not want to see, "You know Coren, we are two little on our own to be taking on these guys. If your friends are ready, I'd say time to bug out"

Rekha was all for a fight, but not for suicide and for them to take on two fleets of ships that were preparing to take on each other, while they could get lost in the cross fire they could also end up gone in a poof. She had too much to live for, "I'll buy you dinner on Bespin Coren" There she could cook it, and feel some relative safety. Some.

She hoped that everyone got what they needed.

 

[William Kerkov Sr]

Kerkov was very pleased, so far there had only been minor resistance. All Kerkov had to do was say a few words, "Captain Nublar, have all ships pull 50% power to the forward shields, return fire on the crusaders, but only the crusaders. And are the Onslaught's tractor beams primed?"

"Yes sir."

"Catch the freighter with the I.D. Event Horizon, I want that ship in our hangar bay. Have one of our remaining two activated squadrons escort it in, that means shoot down any other fighter trying to stop it."

"Yes sir, it will be done sir."

Kerkov watched out of the bridge's main view port. Within an instant the tractor beams came to life and grabbed the lone freighter. Following the green light was a squadron of Shell Class fighters. Kerkov knew he was spreading his forces thin but if the first assault and the tractor beam failed, they still had two carrier cruisers filled with fighters and bombers. Don't the bad guys always?


[member="Rekha Kaarde"] [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Karen Roberts"]

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="William Kerkov"] [member="Rekha Kaarde"] [member="Coren Starchaser"]

"Sir, the crisader classes, Marry Dawn, and the Starcrosser, are bothe heavily damaged and request that we pull back to the ship yard?" Yelled one of the ensigns.

Jaster knew this would be difficult, but never this hard. His fleet didn't even scratch the other enemy ships, if anything they just gave them a good firework show. Jaster looked to his boarding officer and asked, "What are the teams doing, playing footies over there?"

It took a second as the communications officer was listening to a radio-in from the Marine Boarders, then turning to Jaster ha said, "Sir, it seems the boarding team was able to capture 4 Spewer class assault ship and 2 Sovereign class Heavy Cruiser, they are just about to jump into Hyperspace."

"Roger that coms, send a signal to all fighter left in the field, board this ship and prepare for Hyperspace, tell the two crusader classes to hold the line just a little longer!" Jaster ordered on the bridge of his ship.

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Coren knew the odds. It seemed these fleets were going to be making life a living hell for the people around Annaj. They’d go find supplies elsewhere. He had his AEI contacts, after all. And that meant he was going to get himself his supplies no matter what. The trick? That was just that he was too proud to get the help. He knew it was there, but with these fleets?

He wasn’t moving either mobile base into the area. That was not a smart move, and the families on the Treader, this wasn’t there fight. They were looking for their place in the galaxy, and while they were fighters, the Sanctum was home for now. Teaching at the LAA and helping to settle the Rim? That was good.

The really good trick was that Event Horizon nor the Dawn Treader were in the area. A freighter called Freight 1, half a dozen Cutter Class interceptors and a Rassilon were, though.

And with Freight 1 getting tractored?

They couldn’t bug.

“Freight 1, pull to heading three-three-aurek.” Coren pulled his fighter towards the freighter, priming an energy torpedo, looping around and doing his best to keep from range of the tractor beach, he activated his module and grinned.

“Yeah, getting’ too rich for me anyhow, everyone prepare to bug, method Alpha Besh.” That meant scatter. He had a few programmed jumps for the ships. “See you in a few days.” He said to the closed channel. Cutters would make a jump Sullust way out to Soulstine and then a few microjumps to Csilla, from there? Back to the Horizon safely in the Unknown Regions. Freight 1 would hop out to Bomis Koori to Duro, then cut a path in to where Horizon was.

Coren was sending his fighters away, if [member="Rekha Kaarde"] did as well, he’d meet her on Bespin. For now? He was going to find that tractor beam, disable it, get his freighter back and he would cut through whatever fighters came his way. He was sinking into the Force, and into the cybernetics. The Starfighter was his primary home.

The Starfighter was him. He’d get that freighter back. Missile away, his fighters clearing the zone, enemies incoming he needed all his people safe, and then he’d leave.

This party was too rich.

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"]
[member="William Kerkov"]

 

[William Kerkov Sr]

[ Theme ]​

Kerkov was pleased with the retreat of both fleets. All that was left now was a fighter desperately trying to free it's comrade, and the freighter filled with unknown cargo stuck in a tractor beam. Good, Kerkov thought, Very good, Once they had the freighter and it's contents they would begin their descent towards the planet, but first they must recall their forces.

"Have all squadrons report back to their assigned carriers, and launch a new wave of 6 squadrons of shell class. Have the squadron still protecting the fleet go after that lone fighter. I want no more complications. Send two of our escort consular class cruisers along with two sentinel class landing craft and a umbara class carrier cruiser to the surface, we must begin the ransacking. Continue bombardment on the crusaders as well, it keeps the other fleet in check."

His orderly nodded and went to tell other officers. Kerkov was pleased as he saw the last engagements of the battle being prevailed by his own men. Soon the freighters would arrive and the looting of Annaj would truly begin. The age of the fringe was over, and it was time for the Open Circle Armada to prosper on it's remains.

[member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Rekha Kaarde"] [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"]

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="William Kerkov"] [member="Coren Starchaser"]

Jaster noticed enemy fighters were flying off to attack an unknown star fighter. Jaster then noticed it was trying to fly off to save the freigate, seemed pretty desperate going against a whole fleet. Jaster figured helping it would create a large enough distraction to get out of dodge.

"Coms, radio Green Squadren to assist the Unknown Fighter, with that it could create a nice enough distraction for our fleet to escape."

The coms officer relayed the message and 4 Blackfire Class left the defensive formation and flew to assist Coren.

Pulling up next to Corens ship, Green Leader radioed him, "This is Green Leader, 3rd wing detachment from 1st Umbrella Escort, we have been given orders to assist you in freeing your ship, we have your six."

They detached and began to enter engagement with the Shell Class fighters. The piloted were able to give Corens one pass before ships started to escape them.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

She opened her channel to Coren, "Do you help? I can stay..." She waited, she never left anyone behind, never would. It just wasn't part of her make up to run out when things got tough.

She had learned many a lesson when sticking it out, she had her own share of scars and tales because of it. Coren was her friend she'd not leave him to be fodder for the fleets. Emerald green eyes stared at the numbers gathering around them and took note that he had sent his fighters away. She thought he had just lost it, but what did she know..he could have some mad arse plan that made sense..

Or went boom when over.

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="William Kerkov"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

They needed their freighter. Coren wasn’t about to leave any pilot behind, even if it was the newbie redshirt. Shoot them down? That was one thing, capture them? Yeah, not on his watch. If Coren could prevent it, he was going to keep his men flying. All of them. And the women too. Equal opportunity here, leggo.

“Rek, keep my path clear. I’m going to pull Freight One out and then we’re going. Keep me open to our path. If it goes south, you clear out.”

And that was when he saw the other fighters coming in. That was new. He was working in his head that all these craft were against him, but… Umbrella, huh? He’d have to remember them. Send off a post card, and make a meeting with their leader.

“Roger that, Green Lead. Just wanna free them from the tractor. Whoever that other fleet captain is, he’s playing hard ball. I ain’t one to sit ‘round.” Coren was talking while doing. His fighter was pulling closer to Freight One and his energy torpedo was away towards the tractor beam launcher, he was keeping an eye on the enemy ship, watching for additional tractors.

“Freight, come to heading. Push it to hyperdrive. We’ll meet you, but get your ass outta here. Green lead! Thanks for the assist, get your people out of here, this other fleet…” He let that go, shaking his head. Yeah, no one could see you Coren!

Was he making a new ally?

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"]
[member="Rekha Kaarde"]
[member="William Kerkov"]

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Rekha Kaarde"]

Green Squadren lost 2 of hits fighters and both of the Crusader class Corvettes were unable to get their hyperdrive online. None of the crew were left alive as the Hyperdrive engine of one exploded taking out the other one. Jaster lost a lot of good men this day, and worst part was he was allowed to be here.

Radio transmission from the old Anaaja Goverment requested evacuation, Jaster obliged and was rewarded with the ships. Only a routine rescue operation turned into a awesome quicker then Jaster would like to admit. His sensors were still down and he needed to get out of this system, with the sacrifice of his men he was able to get outside the gravity well and start up his Hyperdrive. Green Squadren barely made it back to the Hangerbay before they entered hyperspace and left the planet behind them.

"164 dead," Jaster said to himself, "too many."

Jaster exited the bridge to walk the halls of his craft.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

[SIZE=12pt]Rekha was not happy really about this but they had one little surprise one that was slowly making its way toward them. But she would keep Coren’s path clear she rolled the interceptor over and made for the incoming fighters. Not too close, not yet.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]There had been slow and steady progress for them all and each time the brief flicker of light vanished, and reappeared Rekha knew it could only be one thing. Help. But for who.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She listened to the chatter there was nothing but Coren and the fleets around them.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]The fethin freighter was moving slower than netra’gal for goddess sake. So…she smiled. How do you ambush a squadron in space? Most times you wait for them to come to you. The NavComp kept blinking and she knew the fleets would soon pick that up.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]A hostile fleet to once side, a possible friendly to the other, and now coming at them…the unknown. They were running slowly out of options.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]So move or sit. Rekha opted to move, slowly she inched her interceptor forward.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]The element of surprise is a formidable advantage in any situation[/SIZE]​

​

[SIZE=12pt]She had used this idea in many different situations she was gambling right now with her life, Coren’s life, and the freighter.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Her thumb rolled over the controls she was ready to fire, the blips blinked and reappeared again. If the blips kept moving the way they were, they’d be here in five minutes. It was going to be a long five minutes.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Rekha was so nervous, she watched her life flash before her eyes just in case this was it. There was a humming noise as weapons were completely powered up.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]A squadron of 24 interceptors broke from hyperspace, and Rekha began to laugh. She could see the emblems blazed on their wings, it was the recently graduated class from the academy. She never felt such relief, the ships flew past her and headed towards the freighter. They began firing immediately upon exiting hyperspace.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]They would now be able to protect the freighter, “Coren…help has arrived we are not alone. “ The squadron quickly split half staying with Rekha the other half went and formed up around the freighter and soon a volley of missiles was clearing a path.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Do or Die.[/SIZE]

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="William Kerkov"]

 

[William Kerkov Sr]

With the tractor beam destroyed, Kerkov was displeased. The operations officer explained to Kerkov,

"Sir the active tractor beam has been neutralized, shall we have any of the nine left grab the freighter?"

"Yes, this time have two trained on it and once we have a firm grip fire 6 concussion missiles at it. Have the squadrons of fighter attack the 24 starfighters that have entered the system, and the two that managed to destroy the tractor beam. Once they mop 'em up order the fighters to return to us in orbit of Annaj. Have all remaining ships including the Onslaught head into the orbit of Annaj, we are done here."

Kerkov decided he had enough of this little skirmish. And the thought of the billions of credits that were about to be the OCA's was to distracting for him to think. It was time to rest.

Spoiler: OOC

If you guys could give me an estimate how much the OCA would get from looting Annaj that would be great

[member="Rekha Kaarde"] [member="Coren Starchaser"]