Last stand of the Galactica?

[MikDaTv]

*The UFN Galactica exits hyperspace at the far edge of the Cal system. 2 of it's engines are inactive, it's rear weapon systems had been completely blasted away. large scorch marks pitted the hull at various places all over the hull and there are multiple hull breaches on it's starboard side. The main Bridge had been completely vaporized off the top of the vessel. Admiral Walton stood up from his place on the floor of the secondary bridge. The exit from hyperspace had thrown him from the command chair into the forward navigation console and then onto the deck of the bridge.*

[Admiral Walton] *Coughs* "Report"

[Sensor officer] "902,456 Kilometers off coarse admiral. we're at the edge of the system. No one could have missed the impact we made on real space when we made the exit jump."

[Admiral Walton] "ETA on our perusers?"

[Sensor officer] "6 minutes."

*The Admiral sighed and looked at the engineering readouts. Hyperdrive off line. Engines at 40%, all rear weapon systems off line, only one Mass Driver operational and only one Shield generator, and that one is working at 60% power.*

[Admiral Walton] "Get us moving, best possible speed. Get us to the planet and maybe we can use it for cover for a while."

[Helmsman] "I'll need more then 6 minutes to get us there Admiral."

[Admiral Walton] "You'll get it. CAG, launch the fighters."

[CAG] "Aye aye Admiral."

[MikDaTv]

*Jor Halcyon sat in the cockpit of his Y-35 Cobra, nestled in the launch tube, ready to go. His new neuro implant at the base of his neck was tethered to the back of the starfighters seat by a data cord. His heads up display information was sent through the data cord, over the fiber optic network that connected his cybernetic and robotic parts together, strait into his synthetic eye. A blinking light on his HUD let him know the bridge was sending him a message.*

"Jor here."

*Admiral Walton faded into existence in his left field of view.*

[Admiral Walton] "We're off coarse. I need you to buy some time."

"Of coarse... *Sight* How much do you need?"

[Admiral Walton] "With no word from Pegasus, and with the state of our engines... we'll need every second. Our hyperdrive is overheated, the thing is nearly melting through the hull. We need time to get to the planet, use it for cover and let the thing cool down enough so we can jump again."

*Jor just sat back and rubbed his face. He was tired and his body ached. They'd been making jumps for the past 72 hours trying to get away clean with no luck. Jor had done 12 emergency fighter launches with no sleep and just an energy bar here and there for sustenance*

"I'll do what i can admiral. but my pilots are falling apart out here. You'll have your time."

[Admiral Walton] "we're almost home. We'll have replacements for you soon. Just keep them at bay for a few minutes."

*Jor cut the link and did a quick check on his fighters systems. The light in the launch tube went from red to green, and seconds later, he was speeding through the tube and out into space. His Cobra was joined by 23 others from the launch tubes, 4 battered X-wings launched from the hanger doors and 2 Dragoons.*

[Jor] "All fighters, form up by pairs. company is on the way."

[MikDaTv]

*The SledgeHammer class Battlecruiser UFN Behemoth exits hyperspace at the edge of the Cal system. Seconds later the Imperial Star Destroyer UFN Leviathan exits hyperspace right behind the Behemoth. Admiral Walton watched the two ships appear on the holographic display.*

[Admiral Walton] "Send targeting data to the fighters. Put all power from the forward guns into the engines."

[Sensor officer] "targeting data is away. Enemy contacts are deploying fighters. X-Wings, TIE Fighters and Dartships. Our fighters are on intercept."

[Admiral Walton] "Force be with them. Cut life support by 10% and put that energy into shields. Double rear the shields and seal off all non essential compartments. All hands brace for damage."

[Odan Thos]

The Interdictor-Class Cruiser Angelwing came out of hyperspace. Cromwell was shocked when alarms started to go off. Sensors where picking up extremely large ships and lots of them. Cromwell had not seen this many ships sense the Mandalorains. He walked over to the sensors officer.

"What the hell is going on lieutenant, are those ships broadcasting any ID?"

The lieutenant looked up at him.

"Sir they are all registered under some group called Union of the Force."

Mathew hear rumors, apparently it was group of force users that worked with the republic before the Mandalorain Wars. They headed beyond the outer rim never to been seen again. They used very advance ships and that is why most of them looked strange to him.

"Send out a message on all frequency."

Mathew waited for the communication officer to signal and then spoke firmly.

"This is Commander Cromwell of the Republic Navy Cruiser Angelwing all ships are to power down weapons and state your intention."

Mathew did not think anyone would pay the message any attention, but in a time without war he had protocols. Mathew thought this was a just his luck, survive two wars and destroyed because he was looking for a small time pirate base.

[MikDaTv]

[Sensor officer] "New Contact, designated Delta Zero Two. Fresh out of hyperspace. Her IFF makes her out to be the RNS Angelwing. Profile suggests a Interdictor Cruiser but damage is making sensor data iffy at this range admiral."

[Comm officer] "She's hailing us."

[Admiral Walton] "Put it through."

"This is Commander Cromwell of the Republic Navy Cruiser Angelwing all ships are to power down weapons and state your intention."

[Admiral Walton] "Commander, this is Admiral Walton of the UFN Galactica. All power to my weapons is currently being used to get this bucket over 35 kilometers an hour. We aren't a threat."

*The bridge of the Galactica rocked slightly as they sustained a long range hit from a proton torpedo fired from the Leviathan*

[Admiral Walton] "The other two on the other hand might have a little more then foul language to fire at you. And i'm sorry but i can't recall my fighters at the moment."

[Odan Thos]

Mathew looked at on as the Leviathan fired the Torpedo at the Galactica. This is was serious and Mathew realize it was time to act. He walked over and flipped on the P.A.

"ALL CREW! BATTLE STATIONS!"

Captain Cromwell walked over to the tactical station and leaned over the shoulder of the Twilak tactical officer.

"Larmaro, I want you to get a lock on that ship that fired on the Galactica. Target those torpedo launchers and wait for my signal to fire. I want to use the mine turbolaser and Ion cannons. Keep the quad ready if fighters approach."

He then headed back to the communication officers.

"Jennie, I want you to flood those guys with everything we got. I guest this as good as time as any to test the ECM. Do everything you can to make looking onto other ship difficult."

Cromwell headed to his helmsmen to plot a course. It was parabolic to take them around the Leviathan and Behemoth and bring the behind the Galactice to provide additional protection to the already damage ship. Mathew walked back to the sensor station to see what the three ships where up to.

[MikDaTv]

"Second wave comming in! Break and fire!"

*Jor pulled hard on the stick, putting his fighter into a hard left turn. A dozen proton torpedo's shot past, headed for Galactica, the torpedo's, fired from Leviathan were clustered in groups of 3 and locked onto her few remaining operational engines. Jor and his wingman circled and fell in behind the missiles.*

"Three and Four, cover our tails. Keep those TIE's off us. Five and Six, cover the X's on their torp run. The rest of you engage at will, try to stay alive. Don't take risks."

*Jor pulled the trigger on his stick and sent a burst of laser fire towards the missiles. the laser bolts stitched across a formation and struck the lead torpedo. The missile exploded in a brilliant explosion. the explosion caused the other two torpedo's in the formation to lose their sensor lock, send them spiraling off into space.*

"Thats one group. Ok Two, your up."
_________________________________________________________

[Sensor Officer] "Admiral, Angelwing has gone to General Quarters. She's moving into a support position behind us."

[Admiral Walton] "Status of the Nest ships?"

[Sensor Officer] "Leviathan is moving in on us, Behemoth is hanging back, probably scoping out Angelwing to see how her presence changes the fight."

[Admiral Walton] "She doesn't. If Behemoth wants to fight, there isn't much we can do about it. Her main gun can cut us both in half in minutes. Status on the engines?"

[Comm officer] "Engineering reports they might have engines five and seven back online soon. Hyperdrive still needs work. They're ripping parts out of the primary hyperdrive to use as replacement parts for the backup hyperdrive. Fighters report they've done minimal damage to Leviathan's port side shields."

[Admiral Walton] "Give me every ounce of speed the ship can churn out. If we make it to the planet we can buy another 15 minutes."

[Helmsman] "Aye aye Admiral."

[Odan Thos]

The Angelwing slowly pulled in behind the Galactica rotating so that its bow was facing the two ships which the Galactica was running from.

"Reverse speed to match the Galactica. Keeping the bow one the Leviathan."

He then ran over to the ships defensive station.

"All additional engine power and all shield power to forward shields. Put in the receive power also, I don't want those big guns punching a hole in use."

The crew fallowed the orders and waited for the attack, but one of the junior officers walked up behind the captain.

"Sir, why are we doing this. We are out gun and out class, this is a useless fight."

Cromwell turned to face the officer and the officer seem to shrink in this presence.

"Son, a Navy officers duty if to civilians first, then to the republic, then to his crew, then to his ship and finally himself."

The officer wanted to crawl into a corner and die, but before he could apologize the Commander continued.

"And we may be out gun, but we are never outclassed."

Cromwell pushed a button on a datapad which he carried.

"All pilots to there fighters. I want you to fly cover for the Galactica's fighters."

Cromwell knew his Aurek Fighters were no match for the advance Union fighters, but they may buy them more tim. Also if they destroyed even one that is one less that the union ships had to deal with. The thirty six Aurek Fighters took off out of the hanger bay. The fighter pilots were well seasoned, fighting mostly pirate, but still the equipment would be their undoing. They flew towards the small group of fighters. Cromwell lowered his head as they flew away the ship, saying a small prier for the pilots souls, knowing that those thirty six men where going to give their life to help buy more time for the Galactica.

[MikDaTv]

"Whoa!"

*Jor pulled hard as a strange fighter flew past his canopy, pulling his fighter into a leftward spiral. He switched to missiles and tried to get a lock but his targeting computer was flagging them as friendlies.*

"All fighters, all fighters, we got new arrivals. Flagged as friendlies. Cobras, form up... i think i have a plan."

*Jor pulled his fighter around and pulled in behind the formation of Aurek's. His tactical readout was telling him the Aurek's wouldn't stand much of a chance against the enemy X-wings, but they'd fair much better against the TIE's and Dartships.*

"Cobra's, stick with the new arrivals and use them as bait. When the enemy decides to try and get on their six, you get on theirs. Dragoons, decoy pattern Foxtrot, Sierra one one three."

*The Two Dragoons broke from the main fighter group and started deploying drones. 12 drones flew out into space. From a distance, they'd look like a new squadron of X-wings jumping in out of hyperspace. A nice distraction for the enemy to chase down uselessly.*
________________________________________________________

[Sensor Officer] "Admiral, energy spike from Behemoth, i think they're getting ready to jum..."

*The Behemoth suddenly disappeared, jumping to hyperspace.*

[Sensor Officer] "Behemoth is gone, her vector sends her back into the deep unknown regions."

[Admiral Walton] "She's gone off to settle somewhere and prepare her nest for planting. We led them to a brave new world. Plenty of new planets for them."

[Helmsman] "What have we done?"

[Admiral Walton] "We survived, and we're going to keep on surviving so we can get Galactica repaired, come back, find the Behemoth and make sure no nests spread into the known galaxy. Keep in mind, we also need to go back and find Pegasus."

*The crew listened and seemed satisfied by the Admirals words, then went back to work.*

[Comm officer] "Fighters report continuing success against the enemy fighter units, but they're running out of missiles and without missiles."

[Admiral Walton] "Without missiles we can't make a dent."

[CAG] "Admiral, i thought the idea was to escape, not make a dent."

[Admiral Walton] "It still is, but remember that Leviathan is carrying a nest now to. If she isn't dealt with thats another future problem we'll have to deal with. If we can deal with it now, i want to."

[Odan Thos]

Commander Cromwell watched as one of the ships made a jump to hyperspace. He debated turning on his gravity well generators, now that it was even money for ships. He held back however.

He walked back over to Com.

"Patch me through to the Galactica."

The communications officer nodded that the Channel was open.

"Galactica, this is the Angelwing. How long tell you can make it out of here safely."

Cromwell did not wait for them to respond, he needed every second. He turned off the outgoing audio to the communication channel so that the enemy could not pick up the communication either. He flipped on the P.A. system.

"All crew on decks ten through sixteen sections one through twelve, evacuate to upper decks. Once everyone is out seal the blast doors and drain the atmosphere."

The tactical officer rotated and looked at Cromwell.

"Mathew, you wouldn't."

The junior officer looked at the tactical officer then to Commander Cromwell.

"Do what sir."

Mathew just smiled. But his tactical officer looked worried as he protested.

"Mathew, we aren't near a repair yard this time, and we got no other ships to give as a tow."

Mathew had used this tactic before during the Mandalorians War. It was the second engagement which the Angelwing took part in. The Mandalorian Battleship was decimating the fleet of twelve Hammerhead-class Cruisers, ten Corvettes and the [i[Angelwing[/i]. Cromwell got sick of seeing ships falling to the Mandalorians so he charged head first at the battleship. Evacuating the lower decks of his ship he slammed the lower half of the bow of his ship through the command deck of the Mandalorian ship to the shock off both the Republic and Mandalorians. It was that day that the Mandalorians gave him the title "Or'dinii Tsad Droten" or "Lunatic of the Republic." It did devastate the Battleship, knocking it out of commission for the rest of the war and costed the Mandalorians several good Admirals. The captain looked at his tactical officer and the Junior officer.

"Don't worry, it is a last resort, but I well buy that ship enough time to get away. And see lieutenant, guns are not everything, sometime the crazier ideas would the best."

Cromwell waited to hear if he would need to pull the Lunatic Maneuver again. The nice thing was that the ship had a large conning tower in on the top, similar to his ship which made it the perfect target from ramming maneuver.

[MikDaTv]

*Jor's laser cannons stitched fire across the rear flank of a enemy TIE fighter. The bolts sliced into the engine compartment of the bow tie shaped craft. The ion engine sparked and fell out of it's housing before exploding, sending the rest of the fighter spiraling off into space, shedding parts as it went. Jor felt the life within it fade until finally it was gone. He felt awful. These people used to be his crew, but now, they were something more, and at the same time, something less. And it killed him inside that he hadn't yet found a way to block the nests presence from overriding their own judgment.*

"Scratch one more Eyeball. Starting an attack run."

[Suicide King Three] "Lead, i just dropped my torpedo on the upper superstructure near the base of the port sensor dome. Two and Five hit the same place with concentrated laser strikes. That would be the place i'd drop a missile right now."

"Understood Three, i'm on it."

*Jor's fighter pulled up tight against the dorsal hull of the Star Destroyer. At his speed, if he wasn't force sensitive he'd have been a splatter of guts and metal against the hull of the larger ship 3 times over by now, but years of being a fighter pilot and his force senses had done a good job of protecting him from his own maneuvers.*

"Lets see if we can't end this good run of bad luck."

*His targeting computer started giving off a solid, flat tone as the missile in the tube got a firing solution and a sensor lock.*

"Missile one away!"

*The missile fired true and headed strait for it's target. An area of weakened shields at the base of the port sensor dome. Jor's fighter got tone again.*

"Missile two away!"

*The second missile streaked out just like the first. Jor followed up both his last missiles with a stream of laser fire. The bolts streaked past the slower moving missiles and started hammering the shields first. The first missile struck and a meter wide circle of the shield went opaque. The following laser bolts struck one after another until the shield collapsed. The second missile got within 3 meters of the hole in the shield when a Dartship flew past, peppered the missile with laser fire and detonated it before it could impact.*

"SITHSPIT!!! Does anyone have any more missiles?!?!?!"

*The fighters started sounding off. Everyone close enough to engage was out of missiles, and those that had them were off downing the enemy fighters. The rage and frustration rose within Jor, almost boiling over to the point of a emotional breakdown.*

"Son of a Sith, i swear to the force...."

*Jor pulled hard to port and got on the dartships tail. Laser blasts poured from his guns. The dartship was quick and agile though. it pulled out of the stream and headed away from the star destroyer. Jor followed in close pursuit. Just then something erupted in front of him. A Blinding green light filled his canopy and he had to close his eyes to keep from being stunned.*

"Oh know..."

*The realization of what it was hit him like a sack of bricks.*

"They're in range."
____________________________________________

[Sensor officer] "BRACE BRACE BRACE!!!"

*The Bridge of Galactica rocked. The comm officer was thrown from his seat and the helmsmen's secondary control console exploded, showering him with sparks and burning the right side of his uniform.*

[Admiral Walton] "Damage control team to the bridge."

*The Admiral sat down in the sensor officers empty chair and looked over the readouts. Leviathan was in weapons range of Galactica now, and they had just been hit by a salvo from the Star Destroyers main battery and secondary turbolasers. Galactica had 3 new hull breaches and they had lost another engine. Another hit like that and the Admiral doubted they'd be able to survive. The Admiral returned the seat to the Sensor officer who had now gotten off the deck and returned to his station, a large gash running down the side of his head.*

[Admiral Walton] "Hyperdrive?"

*The comm officer looked up to the Admiral and just shook his head. Then glanced back down to his console. The Admiral had no doubt, the look in that officers eyes would haunt him till he died. There was no hope. Their shields were down, they were operating on less then half power, they couldn't fight unless they turned, which would present their broadside, and probably the kill shot, to the enemy. Even with Angelwing's presence, the situation had grown far past hopeless.*

[Admiral Walton] "Then thats it... All hands, repeat, all hands, prepare to abandon..."

[Sensor officer] "New contact! Just exited hyperspace off Leviathans port quarter. Sensors are calculating. Visual sensors are off line. Contact is dumping fighters... sensors still can't get a clear confirmation of IFF or even ship class... Wait... Admiral, your not going to believe this."
_______________________________________________________

*Jor started laughing. It first started as a short giggle but quickly grew into a roaring laughter that he almost thought might be heard by the people in Leviathan across the vacuum of space. 80 meters away, right in front of him was a ship he thought he'd never see again. The Homeworld Class - Assault Carrier, UFN Pegasus, Galactica's sister ship, was now less then 300 meters from the Leviathan. All her forward guns started blazing, and Jor could make out fighters launching from her tubes. 24 new Cobra's and a full squadron of 12 Nova Wings.*

"Suicide Kings, form up off Pegasus' bow. We're going to plow the road for our brothers who've just joined in the fight."
______________________________________________

[Captain Keyes] "Admiral, sorry we're late. Let us take some of this work off your hands."

*The Admiral smiled and laughed.*

[Admiral Walton] "By your command Captain. Hit em hard."

[Captain Keyes] "Sorry Admiral, i can't give you all the facts now. But prepare to receive refugees."

[MikDaTv]

*Jor watched as Pegasus started moving. Her engines sprang to life propelling the ship forward. Her forward guns fired salvo after salvo of turbolasers into Leviathan's Port side. Pegasus didn't have enough guns to do any significant damage to the ship in time to save Galactica, but at least the odds weren't so astronomical anymore. Jor put his Y-35 into a slow arc to bring him back towards the Star Destroyer. Laser cannons blasting away, he started strafing areas where the shields were weakening. If they could manage to crack the Destroyers shields open, Pegasus's Mass Drivers could be free to work.*
_____________________________________________________

[Sensor Officer] "Shuttles launching from Pegasus. They're packed with life forms."

[Admiral Walton] "Captain, what's going on?"

[Captain Keyes] "I'm sorry Admiral, But Pegasus is lost. most of the crew were made into joiners. i have Warrior Killiks on all lower decks and saboteurs have gotten to the hypermatter reactor. I'm fighting on borrowed time as it is. I'm evacuating all my personel, and i'm wiping out the infestation on both Pegasus and Leviathan at the same time."

[Admiral Walton] "No, your orders are to hang back, let your Nova Wings do their work and wait for reinforcements."

[Captain Keyes] "what admiral... sorry your breaking up."

[Admiral Walton] "Damn it Keyes, do what your told."

[Captain Keyes] "sorry Admiral... i'll have to call you back with a better connection. Keyes out."
_______________________________________________________

*Jor's fighter skimmed the surface of the star destroyer. Fire was raining down on Leviathan now. half her guns had shifted to fire on her new target, and thanks to the jamming done by Angelwing, the guns pointed at Galactica weren't very accurate. Torpedo's from the Nova Wings erupted against the destroyers superstructure. The shields in that area collapsed and the attack was quickly followed up by a few turbolaser strikes from Pegasus. Jor saw worker and warrior Killiks spill from a breach in Leviathan's hull.*

"Take that you little insect goobers. Not so tough when the odds are even are you?"

*Jor turned to look at Pegasus and noticed she hadn't changed coarse. her engines were taking her to flank speed, strait towards Leviathan. Leviathan had turned in order to get some distance but it wouldn't be enough.*

"What's she doing? she had better turn or she'll collide."

[Admiral Walton] "This is the Admiral to all fighters! Clear the area, Hypermatter mass reaction eminent. Minimum safe distance is 30,000 meters. Plot micro jumps if you have to."

"What the hell? whats going on?"
_________________________________________________________

*Captain Keyes stood on the bridge of Pegasus, the skeleton crew on bridge was finishing up their work. Everything was being set to automation.*

[Captain Keyes] "Set forward batteries to automated targeting pattern alpha. Remove safeties from all torpedo's and set them to impact detonation."

[Weapons officer] "Forward batteries set, safeties coming off torps."

[Helmsman] "Coarse set and autopilot engaged. slowly gaining on Leviathan. Power from life support shunted into engines. Engines 2 through 8 running hot, failure eminent."

[Captain Keyes] "They only have to hold for a few more seconds. Clear the bridge, all of you, get to your escape ships."

*The crew cleared out, leaving Captain Keyes by himself on the Bridge. He took one last glance around, rubbed his hand along the top of his command chair and stared at the ships seal mounted over the forward viewport.*

[Captain Keyes] "Thank you."

*The Captain turned and ran to the turbolift which brought him to the forward hanger deck where a Dragoon was waiting for him.*