The Rebel Faction

(O.O.C.: Issue came up, deleted post for now...will throw one up later when I figure out how the hell I'm supposed to insert myself.)

Lucerne’s Quarters, Audacieuse, Confederation Flagship

It was his sanctuary; the flowing, white quarters reminiscent of Alderaanian architecture shortly before the Clone Wars; no doubt designed by a native of that planet: Matthew Lucerne, Rear-Admiral Lucerne’s father. Austere at the beginning of the Audacieuse’s commissioning, under Corise’s stay onboard the vessel, the room began to fill with a variety of the Kashan man’s belongings, including several of his fencing weapons as well as several paintings. This is home. Especially with Christina here.

“Corise?” questioned Pro-Consul.

“A hot chocolate.”

The droid bowed and scurried away to fetch the drinks.

“Chocolate? When did that start happening?” questioned the woman.

The man slowly smiled. “Since I thought it would be a bad idea to go to a briefing smelling of Cambrian Wine.”

“You never drink heavily…”

“But the smell is still there, no matter how slight,” stated the Rear-Admiral, “that sets a bad image, especially for a leader.”

She nodded. “Probably. Speaking of that, what is this briefing about? I heard some mainstream Coalition soldier came over specifically for this.”

He shrugged.

“I’m not entirely sure, and what I do know, I’m not at liberty to discuss about.”

The brunette mock-glared at him, pulling away from him on the couch. Corise winced. She smiled. Leaning back on the opposite end of the couch, Thorn swiped a piece of hair out of her face. The officer’s lips crept into a smile, which he futively tried to conceal.

“What is it now?”

“Nothing; nothing at all.”

“Corise, I have never seen you do anything without reason.”

“Well,” stumbled the man, “your shoe is untied.”

The woman glanced at her feet and frowned. “I’m not wearing shoes.”

“Exactly,” stated the man, “made you look.”

She shook her head. “I will never understand you.”

“And I you,” mused Corise.

“What time is your briefing?”

The officer looked his chrono. “In five minutes. I should be off. I’ll see around when the briefing is done.”

“What about your chocolate?”

“Later, I guess,” replied the man, rising to straighten his uniform.

“I’ll be here.”

“Right. I’ll be in the briefing room with Major McCallister.”

[font=Microsoft Sans Serif]Briefing Room 1-Beta
Pegasus Star Destroyer [/font][font=Microsoft Sans Serif]Audacieuse
Kashan Planetary Orbit

At the very least, he hadn't been forced to wait for too long before someone else appeared. Smiling inwardly at the fact that he now had someone else to deal with on the matter, the major got up and offered a stiff, outwardly-grim salute. "Morning, captain," he said calmly, his voice not betraying the slight sliver of relief inside him. In fact, if not for the new arrival, his inner expression would have been just as grisly. He'd had plenty to worry about during the wait, most of it concerns from Central Command over the entire situation in the Bothan territories.

And it was well-founded concern, at that. With Rodia having recently fallen under the control of an Imperial-sponsored entity, the entire left flank of Leritor was waving the standard of the New Order. Bothan space was close enough to provide military reinforcements--if either of the superpowers really took hold of the place or secured free passage of military-grade vessels through the region. That had Command in a fit; a very important region of Coalition space would be endangered.

Not to mention the other points of significance on that world... Why oh why are the fates trying so valiantly to mess with me? Is it punishment for some sort of sin? Whatever it was, it was sure giving him a headache. Releasing the salute position just a few seconds after issuing it, he took his seat again, going over the datapad he'd been handed prior to setting out for this side of the Coalition. It is not my day...Beyond any doubt, it is not my day.
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From hyperspace emerged first the massive command ship of the whole task force, the Astrus Class Star Destroyer Glory. It was soon followed by an arrangement of other ships. These new ships dropped out of hyperspace in almost perfect formation, a formation that had assembled prelaunch.

This mass of ships was formed into a sort of pyramid formation, with the pyramid laying on its side and the top pointed towards the planet of Krant. At the tip of this formation existed the Astrus Class and onboard the bridge stood Vaseli Zokolev. His face expressionless, but his mind always in thought.

He believed in leading by example and that is why he was here at the head of the formation. His ship would be the first to get hit, but Vaseli would lead his troops into battle without fear. If this was his time to die, then so be it.

"Sir, weapons and shields are up and operations. STLs are charging and all ships report ready." The XO paused before continuing. "The Phase I group reports success, we are recieving targeting data now."

Indeed, as Vaseli turned to look upon the large holo display, ships began to appear. He noted three formations of vessels before him. One was green and turning to race for his battle group, while another formation, this one in red advanced in pursuit. The third, slightly larger group was staying close to the planet of Krant.

The plan working out perfectly for the moment and Vaseli addressed the XO without looking away from the display. "Pass the targeting data to all nearby ships and prepare to launch warheads. Helm, move us foward at three forths."

The acknowlegdments came quickly and the ship slightly vibrated as the engines pushed it through space, accelerating the massive craft slowly. As the formation accelerated targeting data from the Phase I recon group was sent to the weapons officers who prepared weapons for action.

As it turned out Vaseli's formation was moving head on into that of the Phase I groups. Sensors could register that some of the group's ships were damaged, but nothing too serious. Those gunships and single Fire Class Frigate would continue to fight.

The sensors also started receiving data from the larger formation near planet. That one had quickly formed up and was causiously moving foward in a defensive screen, while launching squadron after squadron of fighters. With a Republic Class Star Destroyer and two Bothan Assault Cruisers as its backbone, the formation would be a worthy opponent.

Vaseli snapped out of those thoughts quickly and focused on the task at hand, he still had an enemy formation moving towards his ships. The Bothan group of ships had another bigger than a frigate and could not hope to stand up against the mighty task force at Vaseli's command. As if reading Captain Zokolev's thoughts the Bothan's broke off pursuit and turned to port, moving away into space.

As they broke off, they moved from a sheltered position behind the TNO ships to one of exposure. With one word from Vaseli's mouth, the forward vessels in the Task Force let loose with a volley of warheads. These fast movers quickly chased down the Bothan formation. While most of the warheads had been targeted for a Corona class Frigate, they had in turn impacted against a lighter corvette. This ship had moved position at the last moment, whether it was intentional or not was unknown, but the action had disrupted the path of the warheads. When the explosions faded only the battered remains were left.

This warheads, however, were not the only threat to those vessal. Heavy turbolasers soon started lancing out towards them. At ranges this great, it was no surprise that most of the blasts missed their targets. The purpose had been not to damage or destroy those vessels, but reather to keep them occupied. While they were being assaulted, the Imperial ships they had pursued were in turn coming after them.

As Vaseli's large fleet closed on the planet, it would have exposed its rear to the Bothan formation. To provent that, Vaseli had sent his recon units to hold off the formation until Phase II had been completed. Hopefully after this second Phase, the other ships will not be neccessary.

Vaseli looked out the forward viewport and could now make out the Bothan defense line. He had to make his timing perfect or else the plan will fail. He checked the planetary display and location of one of the planetiods around it. Quickly calculations raced through his mind and he cursed at himself when he realized the timing of the rotation was a few minutes off.

"Helm, slow to half and alter course to One-Three-Nine."

"Aye, sir, Half and One-Three-Nine." Replied helm.

As the ships in the formation turned, the sensor operator called out. "Sir! We have enemy fighter and bomber formations coming around to starboard. They are arching towards us."

The Bothan commander had decided to strike.

Awdin stood and saluted standing at attention as the doors slid open and in walked Rear-Admiral Corise Lucerne commander of the Audacieuse. Awdin looked over to the major and watched as he snapped off what wasn’t the greatest military salute ever, "Good morning," he began, clearing his throat a little. "We may now begin.” Awdin set his arm at his side once more and sat down bringing out a datapad for the briefing which he presumed was about to start. Within a moment the Holoprojector starting working and the briefing began.

In the air appeared the southeastern corner of the galaxy showing the bothan planets and Azguard space. Awdin watched carefully making sure he remembered everything that the major was saying, and taking careful note of anything important. But the briefing or at least the start ended quicker than he thought they would have, but none the less outlined the situation well.

Awdin watched as the holoprojected images began to shift as more worlds turned from red to green on the display meaning that the imperials were making progress The major was definitely right about the threat that could pose to the coalition and especially the Azguards that lived on that side of the galaxy. With all those planets and resources so close it would make things easier for the imperials to invade Azguard space. Awdin did however not know much about the Azguards except for a few tidbits he had caught in conversations.

The projector finally focused in on one planet in particular, the major explained that this was Krant where the operation would be taking place. The major turned around looking at the Captain and rear-admiral his eyes showing his focus and intensity, the major then turned back to the holoprojector.

Another thing that directed his attention was that their were both Jedi and Sith temples on the planet, which would definitely alter things a bit. He wondered whether or not the Jedi and Sith knew that they were there.

Awdin could see that when the man finished the briefing that he wasn’t very experienced at it, but he had given the outline for the plan and now opened the floor for the two officers in the room with him. Awdin remembered the course he had taken at the academy specifically on delivering briefings effectively, and if he remembered correctly he wasn’t all that good at it either. His mouth stretched ever so slightly into a grin at the though of the pudgy man who had taught the class, but quickly dismissed it and got back to the matter at hand.

Awdin not seeing the Rear-Admiral putting forward any questions put some forward himself, “First of all thank you for the briefing on the situation, but could you possibly go into detail a little more about what we will be doing there. Things like what species we’ll be working with, the current situation, what resources we’ll have, and how we’ll get in. Also who is the officer attempting to take Krant.” Awdin sat down again and waited for the major to answer.