The Last Patrol (Procursator Development)

[Lash]

The massive form of Termagant burst into existence in a flash of distended lines. Its Triangular shape distorted and stretched as it crossed the dimensional egress of hyperspace. The vessel came to rest as the hyperdrive motivators disengaged relenting the ship to its sublight engines.

"Sir, we have arrived." said the Chiss officer manning the communications station.

Lash nodded and cut the channel. He had retired to his quarters for the evening to reflect and rest as the trip from Cardia had taken them nearly a two weeks. Choosing to plot around Sith space had extended their trip time dramatically. Lash closed down and locked his personnel console and walked the short distance from his quarters to the turbolift. The command lift went directly into the CIC positioned just aft and below of the bridge. It was the nerve center for the ship and where Lash spend most of his time when no in direct engagement. He chose to sit on the bridge for battle.
He doors tot he CIC opened to an influx of light and the whoosh of positive air pressure maintained in the room. Lash walked into the room to a snap heeled salute and the OOD welcoming him.

"Commodore on deck."

Lash returned the salute and the crew went about the task of running the ship and preparing it for orbit. On the wall the massive display showed the silver grey world of Sirat Wen Prime. The world he had once called home. A world that took him and his people in so long ago when they had no where else to go. He looked at the world in the distance to make out the reason they were back in the Sirat Wen system. Their mission had been planned for since the Empire had left for Cardia and the day had come for the Last vestige of the Empire to leave the system for Cardia. A day for both joy and sorrow as they were severing ties to the peoples of Sirat Wen and moving to Cardia.

 

[Lash]

Lash walked to the large table in the center of the CIC and entered in his access code. The table burst to life displaying the urbanized world in the distance. Lash typed in a command and the image of the Forge seven magnified. Then there sitting beside it his old flagship Judicator. The heavy cruiser had been his command ship as Commander system defense for the Sirat Wen system and his home for most of his time with the Imperials.

"Captain, move us in and form up on Judicator. I think I will visit captain Konit before we see to our inspection."

The Termagants commanding officer nodded and issued the order. The destroyer shook as the mass of the massive ship fought against the thrust now being applied to it. The ship lurched forward then began moving into the system and the last of the Imperials left there.

As the ship moved closer Lash began to make out the reason he had truly come. The Imperials had left the system nearly a month ago having to leave the orbital Yard over Sirat Wen Prime to finish the construction of the first three vessels of a new prototype line. The three ships could now be clearly made out sitting in three of the four slips of the yard. Complete and awaiting commissioning to active operational status. Three of the most advanced ships the Empire has ever conceived and the successors to the Mark three program.

 

[Lash]

The Termigant moved into orbit around the world of Sirat wen next to the Judicator. The two ships sat like charon birds above a dying animal waiting to pounce. Lash disabled the display and turned to the officer at the communications console.

"Inform captain Konit I will be departing and joining him momentarily."

The Com officer did as orders then went back to his conversation with Sirat Wen traffic control. The system had welcomed the Imperials when they arrived and since their departure have been working to stabilize their government and military in the absence of the order the Empire had gifted them. Many of the members of the new Sirat Wen government had been aggravated with the Imperials exodus and the abandonment of the system. While the Empire had left all of the infrastructure it has built in the system for the new governing body they were not tooled to manage the system and left with a formidable chore. The system had prospered under the empire and had grown past the ability of the new governments ability to govern.

Lash knew his presence here would cause tensions with the Sirat Wen new defense force. They had not been welcoming to the last supply run from Cardia to Forge Seven. The pressure was building between the new regime and the old. It was good that today marked the end to that. The new vessels and the station would be leaving for the new Imperial home world. It would leave the Sirat Wen system, leaving it to its own devices. Lash would miss his former home but he knew one day he would return to bring this new government under heel and once again bring it into the glory of the Galactic Empire.

 

[Lash]

Lash stepped off the shuttle onto the deck of his former command and smiled. He had enjoyed his time on the formidable cruiser and the happy memories
rushed in as the smell of the ship washed over him. The Judicator had indeed been a fine vessel. It was built to operate on its own and had everything needed to do so. That is the reason it had been chosen to stay behind as the defense force for Forge Seven.

Near the foot of the shuttles ramp stood three Chiss officers. Lash knew them all well. Commander Estri had been his CAG when he had held the position of defense commander. He was one of the most gifted pilots Lash had ever known. Beside him in the middle Captain Konit stood with the expressionless face lash had come to expect for the stonch man. He had not served with Lash on the Judicator but had been the commander of one of the defense forces other cruisers. He had shown outstanding command skills and Lash had hand picked him to take over as commander of the defense force. Beside him Tensia stood smiling as she always did. She had a way of lighting up a room. She had served as Lash's chief tactical officer and stayed with the Judicator at his request. If things had escalated in the system or some outside force did move on the shipyard Lash wanted his best minds there to defense the project and Forge Seven. Estri was the first to greet Lash. HE saluted as did the others then reached to shake Lash's hand.

"Welcome back Commodore. It is a pleasure to have you with us once again. I hereby relinquish operational command of Judicator and Forge Seven to you. How may we serve?"

 

[Lash]

Lash shook captain Konit's hand and then exchanged greetings with the other officers.

"Thank you captain, You honor me. I think we have some time before the inspection. Lets have a drink shall we. I an anxious to hear how things are here."

The four walked to the lift and then to the small officers meeting hall just aft of the Judicator's CIC. They exchanged information about the project and the move to Cardia. Lash had not had time to just sit and talk with other Chiss officers since the move to Cardia. So many humans to deal with on the world. He had longed for a meaningful exchange of intelligence. Not the undeveloped ideals the humans had and the conversations they brought. Lash extended his glass to Tensia and waited as she refiled it. The two exchanged smiles as the captain Konit continued the conversation.

"Commander Estri tells me the new Maverick fighter design is exceptional. The squadrons you sent has been fully integrated into the Judicator's wing and we donated the old wing to the defense fleet. While they were grateful the exchange was very formal and even seemed distanced. The government here is growing more and more so daily."

Lash nodded then listened as Estri spoke.

"Yes they are fine craft. I look forward to the elite version being developed now. I think it will be one of the greatest achievements in engineering in Imperial history."

Lash sat his glass down and spoke.

"It has had issues in testing but the main concept is sound and the craft is by far more advanced then our current attack craft. It will be a formidable opponent for the forces who oppose us."

Lash looked at the chrono and pushed the glass away from him.

"Gentlemen, Lady, It is time. Shall we make our way to the Hanger. I am ready to see these new ships."

 

[Lash]

Lash walked out onto the observation catwalk and looked down at the three ships docked in the yards slips. The Procursator Mk III's would be the first of a new line of Fast Destroyers produced by the Empire. The ships sat like sleeping beasts awaiting commissioning. They would use the long trip to Cardia as their break in cruiser and once the Yard had been moved to Cardia and set up would under go their final load out and repairs if needed. It was a glorious day for the Empire. The new ships would usher in the dawn of the Advanced Warfair Vessel System as the third class in the new program. The Victory Mk III and Evakmar Mk III had been the AWVS programs first and second vessel classes, and had seen very promising returns for the very high production price. The advanced warfair systems had presented the Empire with vessels as advanced as any currently operating in the known galaxy. Lash looked forward to the continued progress of the system and had High hopes for the forth ship of the program which would begin its construction as soon as the Yards were up and running above Cardia.

His companions walked up and stood next to him looking out at the new destroyers. Each were very recognizable by the three massive gun batteries on the dorsal axis. Thes new heavy Umi Ganzu cannons gave the Procursator a very formidable main battery and booted the offensive power by more then forty percent over the previous Victory MK III class.

"They look very formidable Commodore, I think they will make a nice addition to the Imperial Fleet. The lead engineer says they have plans for laying down two more while they develop the new frigate."

Lash nodded and watched the tiny supply shuttles finish up loading supplies for the trip to Cardia. The trip would take nearly three weeks to make and the three new destroyers would be carrying the last of the Imperial personnel in the system with them. Nearly four hundred thousand Chiss, Ragithian, and humans would be cramped into the hangers, holds, and quarters of the three ships as well as Judicator and Termangant. It would be a long uncomfortable three weeks but They would make due.

A man walked up and took up position beside Lash.

"Commodore, I have been hoping you would arrive today. We are ready to leave here. The political situation has escalated and I fear if we stayed any longer It would not go well for either side once open fighting broke out."

Lash turned and saw the lead engineer of the new program holding a data pad. He was short for a Ragithian but still taller than any of the Chiss present. He was massive standing there in the bright white smock and dark grey suit. Like all of his race the Ragithian's were massive humanoids standing nearly nine feet tall in some cases. Kels'ton was a dwarf by their standards as only two and a quarter meters. Most of the race Lash has been in contact with had been well over two and a half meters tall. Lash reached out to shake the giant mans hand.

"Good afternoon Mister Kels'ton, I hope We have time to get a tour of one of the ships before we depart. I have heard alot about the command functions of the new design."

 

[Lash]

The group stood looking out at the ships and talking about the new design and what it meant for the Empire. A man walked up beside Lash and handed Kels'ton a message pad. The man looked it over and then up at Lash.

"Commodore, It seems there is an issue, Moff Greth has requested the ships be placed into his command group and that we divert our destination to a new set of co-ordinates." Said the engineer handing Lash the message pad. Lash looked over the message then handed it to Captain Konit. He had no idea why the government wanted the ships diverted from Cardia but the security check was double checked and accurate.

"I see, It seems I have made the trip for nothing then. The Moff will take possession once they arrive. I have been ordered to return to Cardia." Lash said begrudgingly. He had no idea what the Moff was doing or why the ships were being assigned to some special group. Once back at Cardia He would make inquiries into it but foe now he had his orders.

 

[Lash]

The Chiss returned to the Judicator to prepare for the trip back to Cardia. Lash was still curious as to why Moff Greth had assigned the ships to this new battle group and where they were to be stationed. The Co-ordinates were well outside the Republic space near Javin. As he knew the Republic had no operational bases there. It was a mystery he would ponder and meditate on for the long trip back to Cardia. He stood looking over the order once more. Something was not right about it.

"Captain, I need to borrow your communications station for a moment to make a call. " Lash said motioning for them to walk to the comm station. Captain Konit nodded an afirmitive and they walked to the side of the bridge to where the communications and sensor stations were.

"Lieutenant Please open a channel to Moff Greths office. I have a question about this order." The Chiss stood waiting for the Lieutenant to finish setting up the connection. The the image of Joren Greth appeared on the display.

"Ah Moff Greth, I have a question for you concerning the Procursator's and the shipyard."

 

[Joran Greth]

Moff Greath had been expecting this call. The Chiss commander had been sent to escort the new destroyers to Cardia. This was something Greth could not let happen. He had plans of the three ships. Plans for the shipyard as well. These were plans He did not feel The Chiss or the other Imperials needed to be included in. He smiled and opened up the transmission. The image of the Chiss man appeared.

"Ah Commodore, Forgive me, I had sent word to fleet command but you had already left for Sirat Wen. I apologize for the inconvenience I really do. I am overseeing a new offensive tactical program and will be utilizing the new vessels as the back bone of it. They will fight for Imperial Glory." Greth looked off away from the camera like he was glancing at someone off screen then turned back to the cam.

"I will speak with you more about this once you have returned to Cardia." Greth smiled then cut the transmission. He did not want to give the Chiss time to ask to many questions. Besides he was a busy man and did not have to to dabble with the fleet. at least not this fleet. He glanced at his aide and nodded indicating he was ready.

"Put him through major." Greth said straightening his uniform. He waited for the image of the man to appear. The smiled.

"Everything is going as planned, The ships will be there within the week."

 

[Lash]

Lash listened to the Moff and before he could respond Greth closed the channel. Lash stood staring at the blank screen for a moment then turned to Captain Konit. The two men knew something was not right but they had their orders.

"Captain, I will be returning to Termagant. We will be jumping for Cardia within the hour." Lash said as he walked to the lift. The Chiss captain nodded as Lash passed and went to his station to prepare Judicator for departure. Lash walked the distance to the hanger contemplating the one sided conversation he had just been apart of. The Moff was intentionally being vague and Lash knew the man was up to more than a new offensive program. That could have been done at Cardia. What ever the man was doing out in the southern edges of the galaxy had nothing to do with the creating a new offensive force for the Empire. It gave lash something to ponder over the next week as they made their way back to Cardia. Once there we would get to the bottom of what ever the Human was doing.