Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 250, Part 242 - Deadly Fire (Bonus chapter 4.7k, total 10.7k)

Exodine Galaxy, Exodine Orbit.

"It seems the Peremian Alliance is preparing to withdraw, Admiral." Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi spoke to the Honorary Admiral via hologram. "My scout ship reports that Trilm has begun dismantling the remaining auxiliary ships and slower support vessels."

Honor muttered to himself, "I thought she would at least check the situation in the Confederacy before the jump. I'm afraid General Procon won't make it in time. If we want to stop Carly Trilm before she escapes, we must act immediately."

Obi-Wan nodded.

It takes a day to fly from Exodusin to Lundli.

Their strategy was to jump to deep space about one light-year outside the Lundli system's termination shockwave, and then, the instant Carly Trilm entered the jump zone, directly micro-jump to above the Peremian Alliance fleet, launching a pincer attack from the north and south.

This strategy does not rely on the presence of Master Procon, but the extra hundred warships he brought, along with his extensive experience, will undoubtedly make battlefield command more relaxed.

“General,” Commander Cody entered the frame briskly, drawing the general’s attention from the other side, “we have received a communication.”

"What's the source?" Obi-Wan asked, noticing the Honorable Admiral watching quietly beside him. "Is it urgent?"

“From General Procon, sir.” The clone commander’s tone was as steady as ever, but Obi-Wan knew his comrade well and sensed something unusual.

After all, it is impossible to send or receive communications during hyperspace travel.

This means that either someone impersonated Procon and sent the message, or that Procon had already left hyperspace.

"Get in!"

After a brief pause, the familiar figure of the Keldor appeared in front of the holographic table and joined them.

“I’ve exited hyperspace in Lyria Kersil,” Prokhor said immediately before Obi-Wan and Honor could speak. “Whatever your original plans have changed.”

“Leia—” Honor said solemnly, “Leia Ksil is still halfway between the Queen Titan System and the Lundiri System!”

“General, your observation is very keen,” Master Procon said like a father to his daughter. “But if I don’t take the time to warn you, this battle may end before it even begins. Abandon your original strategy… The ‘Battle Hydra’ is heading for Lundli.”

“Hydra?” Obi-Wan stroked his beard with concern. “I thought you had banished it from the Queen Titan system.”

“Indeed,” Master Kell-Doll said, his tone rising. “And this is the direction he fled in. I can only assume that the two Peremian fleets are still maintaining contact…”

“Kali Trilm sent the ‘Battle Hydra’ to our aid.” Admiral Honor Salima continued, his voice filled with intense anger. “Honestly, I’d like to ask this devil myself whether he’s paving the way for the separatists or creating trouble for us.”

Given this new situation, it is not hard to understand why Prokhor issued a warning.

If "Combat Hydra" were to suddenly disrupt their meticulously planned interception using its tactical advantages... the consequences would be unimaginable.

On the other hand, this means that the Hyperion task force will be delayed by several hours, leaving the home fleet and the Open Loop fleet to face a numerically superior enemy alone.

“We must devise a new strategy immediately,” Pro Kong advised. “Once I leave hyperspace, I will need to engage in combat. Every minute I delay in Lyria Kersil means one less minute I will be on the battlefield.”

“Alright.” Honor Salima took a deep breath, his face solemn, regaining his dignified demeanor. “General Kenobi, how long do you think you can hold out with a five-to-three numerical disadvantage?”

"How long can you hold out?"

"Hold on until General Procon arrives."

……

The Rendile Galaxy.

Tensions continued to escalate as the united separatist fleet approached the jump zone and the designated battlefield.

Even the usually composed Carly Trilm could hardly contain her tension.

The vacuum seemed to be filled with an uneasy energy, and everyone unconsciously stared intently at the starry sky, mistaking every twinkling star for a flash of light from the pseudo-motion of hyperspace.

The Cronau radiation sensor remains silent.

The 19th Mobile Combat Fleet, which has wreaked havoc in the core world for two months, is finally returning home.

This combined fleet of five hundred warships was arranged in a sharp arrowhead formation.

The Rendrey Victory-class Star Destroyer led the charge, followed by a large number of Divine Will-class and Dreadnought-class heavy cruisers, providing the necessary impact to break through enemy lines.

The two flanks consisted of the "Bulwark-class" battlecruisers commanded by Dua Ningo and his captain, providing a solid barrier against possible flanking attacks from a numerically superior enemy.

At the center of the fleet were two Lucrehook-class aircraft carriers and a group of support ships, such as the Captor-class heavy ammunition cruisers, whose hardened cargo holds were filled with all the supplies salvaged from the dismantled auxiliary deep-sea dock.

The rear of the fleet was occupied by the "Generosity-class" frigates, while the main fleet was protected by "Disobedient-class" destroyers and other small escort ships.

They are moving at the highest speed of the slowest ship in the fleet.

Even so, the speed is still extremely fast, and it is expected to cross the hyperspace restriction zone within ten minutes.

The Republic's blow is imminent, and they can only wait.

As the distance shortens, every minute drags on.

With only five minutes remaining before the hyperspace restricted zone, the attack finally arrived.

"Kronau radiation detected!" the operators practically shouted, instantly releasing hours of pent-up anxiety.

"I've detected it here too!" another person shouted, while adjusting the spectrum. "Three hundred warships on the starboard bow, bearing 039 degrees! Checking ship registrations... It's the 'Open Ring Fleet'!"

"There are still 300 ships to port, at a bearing of 305 degrees!"

“It’s the home fleet!” a Sako aboard Dua Ningo’s flagship, the “No Regrets,” exclaimed in a trembling voice, his altered tone revealing fear. “It’s the ‘Bloodhounds’!”

Data flooded into the flagship screens, and people reacted in various ways.

Dua Ningo gritted his teeth, his face showing a cold determination.

Carly Trilm slowly rose from her seat.

Jess Darlin sighed silently.

The overall situation has been decided.

On the other side of the hyperspace restricted zone, the three hundred warships of the "Open Ring Fleet" are advancing in column, about to cut through the "T"-shaped defensive line of the United Separatist Fleet.

The "Open Ring Fleet" intended to use 300 warships to confront the 500-ship separatist fleet head-on, engaging them directly at their bows.

“These people just want to go home.” Jedi General Olga Prave-Doll sighed, the turbulent emotions swirling within the enemy fleet reaching her.

As a therapist by training, Jedi has a more acute perception of emotional energy than most of her colleagues.

This made her less suited for combat and even less suited for command, but everyone has their own responsibilities, and she tried her best not to let these things affect her judgment.

After all, this is not the time to lose courage.

Obi-Wan Kenobi assigned her to the vanguard of the Open Ring Fleet, with its flagship, HMS Joy, personally leading the Republic's battle line, giving her the opportunity to redeem herself from the defeat at Comenore.

Obi-Wan had assured her that although the HMS Joy would serve as the vanguard, it would not be a primary target for separatist missiles.

Although he lacked the experience and knowledge to refute this claim, Olger still harbored some doubts.

After all, this is a battlefield!
Behind her, in the center of the battle line, was the Defender, temporarily serving as Admiral Brock's flagship.

Finally, at the end of the battle line, conspicuously positioned due to its completely unconventional location, was Admiral Obi-Wan Kenobi's fleet flagship, HMS Vigilant.

All three flagships were "Jester-class" Star Destroyers. Given their speed-matching ability with the enemy fleet, the Separatists would directly ram into the center of the "Open Ring Fleet's" battle line.

This was exactly what Obi-Wan had planned, as long as Carly Trilm's ultimate goal was to jump out of the hyperspace confinement zone.

The quickest way to achieve this goal is to cut straight through the center of the Republic's battle line.

However, while General Brock engages the main separatist forces, the front and rear sections of the Org and Knox forces will carry out a flanking maneuver, effectively surrounding the enemy with fewer troops.

The only key is that the Defender and the central part of the Open Fleet must go all out to fight the enemy with a one-to-five disadvantage and hold out long enough for the Jedi forces to complete the encirclement.

Otherwise, the entire front line could be breached.

Meanwhile, on the Separatist fleet flagship "Sereno Star," as the distance between the Republic and Separatist forces rapidly decreased, the tactical map was covered with dense dots of light.

From the bridge of the "Divine Will" class warship, the clusters of lights indicate that the United Separatist fleet is steadily approaching the midsection of a long line of Republic warships deployed horizontally.

However, in the final closing stages, Carly Trilm reassessed the plan to attack down the middle.

Attacking the right flank of the Republic fleet is not feasible, as that would allow Kenobi to outflank the Separatist fleet on the right, while the Home Fleet would seize the opportunity to launch a fierce attack on its vulnerable left flank.

Attacking the left flank of the Republic's fleet would produce a similar result.

This will result in a doubling of pressure on its port flank, but in exchange, all pressure on the starboard side will be relieved.

Furthermore, if Ryan Bontry's 28th Mobile Operational Fleet arrives in time, they will launch a direct surprise attack on the rear of the home fleet, thus effectively achieving a counter-encirclement.

On the other hand... Carly squinted as she examined the tactical hologram.

The home fleet did not move.

Apart from a few small propeller wakes that she deduced were covering ships, they were completely still, seemingly content to watch how the Combined Fleet would tear apart the "Open Ring Fleet's" defenses.

Carly Trilm knew there was competition between the Republic's Admiralty and the Jedi Order... but had it really come to this?

There's no time for deeper thought...

The Rendelli Victory-class battleship fired the first shot of the battle with a devastating salvo of shock missiles.

At the last minute, Rear Admiral Trilm decided to execute her hastily conceived plan, ordering the Combined Fleet to decelerate by several gravitational accelerations, thereby causing the enemy battle line to slide further to its left and moving the interception point closer to the Knobi flagship.

Fortunately, both Jess Darlin and Dua Ningo had handed over supreme command of the Combined Fleet to her, and the 19th Mobile Operations Fleet, the "Bastion Fleet," and the Lundli Defense Fleet all carried out their orders to the best of their ability.

After being attacked by the Rendili fleet, Brock immediately retaliated with a broadside salvo, cold blue energy beams spewing from the muzzles of the cannons.

Meanwhile, General Olgo Prave-Doll had already commanded the vanguard fleet to turn left, bringing the separatist fleet into its firing range, and the latter's left side was instantly engulfed in the flames of the explosion.

On the "Warning", Obi-Wan Kenobi, who was relatively less involved at the moment, was focused on controlling the overall tactical situation.

He noticed that the separatist fleet was slowing down.

Through tight communication, an order was transmitted from the "Vanguard" to the "Defender".

The Defender and at least a hundred other warships in the same column suddenly turned left in unison.

At this moment, they are facing the separatist fleet formation, and their firepower has increased exponentially.

They simultaneously activated their reverse thrusters to move backward, attempting to reduce the speed difference with the separatist fleet and prolong the effective engagement time as much as possible.

Upon seeing this, the captains of the Separatist Vanguard Fleet reacted swiftly, disregarding existing orders and sending all power to the forward thrusters.

The decision itself was not wrong, but for Carly Trilm, who was weighing the overall strategy, it was a misjudgment at that moment.

The spearhead of the "Victory-class" warships suddenly surged forward, forcing the main force of the United Separatist fleet to accelerate to maintain the integrity of their formation.

Just as Obi-Wan Kenobi had hoped, this effectively ruined Carly's new plans.

However, Trilm was not discouraged by the setback and quickly abandoned his previous idea, reverting to the original plan.

She ordered the fleet to advance at full speed, fearlessly charging towards the battle line of the "Open Ring Fleet" that was waiting in full battle array.

At this moment, the fleet led by the two Jedi generals of the "Open Ring Fleet" was clearly inward-curving, as if it were about to pounce on the flank of the Separatist fleet at any moment.

Viewed from above, the separatist fleet looked like an iron fist striking out, but was enveloped and absorbed by a flexible barrier.

Just as the Jedi had planned, the Separatists were surrounded.

If they cannot quickly break through the middle of Admiral Brock's defenses, their fate will be to be crushed into stardust.

……

Millions of kilometers to the north, the home fleet, relying on Admiral Honor Salima's new strategy, patiently awaits the opening of its battle lines.

While waiting for the minelayers to lay the interceptor minefield to the north of the temporary formation, the Honorable Admiral observed the progress of the battle on the tactical hologram of the flagship "Arione".

Her flagship captain, Terinard Skreid, broke the silence with a forced admiration in his voice.

"I'm astonished that the 'Open Ring Fleet' has been forced into this situation, and even more astonished that the separatists have actually run headlong into the encirclement. Compared to the quality of our personnel, I truly envy their captains..."

Captain Skreed's last few words were almost a whisper.

On the hologram, the "U"-shaped area between the Republic and the Separatist fleet has been engulfed by a raging inferno from all directions, fueled by high-density Tebanar energy beams, whistling missiles, and torpedoes.

The "Open Ring Fleet," driven by the efficiency of its clone soldiers and a strong desire to avenge the suffering inflicted on the Core World by the Separatists' relentless attacks, is launching a full-scale assault on Carly Trilm's fleet.

however……

“The separatists are not brave, they are insane,” the Honorable Admiral calmly corrected. “Our crews are driven by revenge or a thirst for justice… but the separatists… at least those in the 'Bastion Fleet' and the Peremian Fleet… are driven by something more powerful… desperation.”

Despite the situation, Admiral Brock skillfully preserved his strength and maintained the front line under immense pressure. Unfortunately, his reverse thrusters could never match the forward momentum of the Separatist fleet, and Carly Trilm would eventually break through. Nevertheless, he executed his assigned mission flawlessly—the Jedi's mission being to flank Trilm's fleet before that happened.

As for the mission of the home fleet...

"Kronau radiation detected!" Captain Jane Donatand relayed the sentry unit's report.

"Home Fleet!" Honor Salima commanded sternly, "Prepare to engage the enemy!"

The light trail of the pseudo-motion in hyperspace pierced straight towards us like a giant spear, radiating energy in all directions over several light-seconds until it was detonated by the intercepting lightning.

The artificial gravity well imploded in the void, violently tearing everything out of hyperspace and the region in between, and the originally empty space was instantly filled with nearly two hundred separatist warships.

Terrence Skreed saw a burning, fin-shaped wreck drift past the observation window of the Arione.

“A ‘Crest-class’ frigate,” he commented, “it seems the Givens did indeed help it traverse the depths of the core.”

Other ships of the Peremian Alliance were also in poor condition, with interceptor torsion tearing through multiple sections of the hull and outer shell, and fires breaking out in several places within the separatist fleet.

In addition, many occupants undoubtedly felt extremely uncomfortable due to being forced out of the hyperspace.

Ultimately, the two hundred warships of the "Battle Hydra" were precisely pulled out into the very center of the three hundred warships of the Coruscant home fleet, which were waiting in full battle array, as they traversed hyperspace.

"Captain Donaden," the honorary admiral called out, "has all of the Hydra's warships been confirmed?"

“Confirmed, Admiral,” he replied. “All enemy ships in the fleet composition provided by General Procon have been identified.”

"Home fleet," Bloodhound grinned, "autonomous command, free to fire."

(End of this chapter)