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(7.17) Lambs to the Slaughter
(7.17) Lambs to the Slaughter
Six Hours out of Toprawa (Galactic Coordinates O-7)
Twenty Degrees off the Hydian Way
Deep Space, Outer Rim
16th August, 1938
The secret journey from their anchorage at Bandomeer was long and trying. They had to avoid all space lanes and any ship to ensure surprise. Their plan was as near to perfection as any Fleet Commander could have hoped for. The remaining forces of the Free Worlds Council navy was on the move. Not only did the fleet make up the last remaining hundred plus warships that belonged to the Regular Navy, it also contained the might of the corporate sector as well. In total, nearly two hundred warships and thousands of fighters that were taking part the plan to destroy the Union navy in anchorage over Toprawa. It would be their first glorious step to break away from the Republic and secure a lasting peace with the Reich. But for many of the sailors and pilots within the fleet, this was all pay back for the invasion of last year.
The Union Navy was made up of three important former Reich units. The core of the navy had been built around the elite Panzer Haar III and its infamous commander, Field Marshal Erich Von Kessler. Also known as the Star Fox for his cunning and brilliant tactics. The heart of the Navy is the 6th Haar who has served loyally with the Star Fox during his mission to secure the Seswenna Sector for the Reich. However, no unit has earned more hatred among the Free Worlds Council soldiers and sailors alike is the Tenth Hoplight under the command of Field Marshal Walther Model. It was the Tenth Hoplight which had launched a surprise attack against the Jagga-Two the Capital of the Free Worlds Council. The attack was so fast that few of the worlds defenders were able to reach their positions before the world was taken. If not for the assistance of the Azgardians, the Free Worlds Council would have completely fallen on that day. It was the Azgardians who saved the FWC leadership and helped them escape the Tenth's trapping maneuver. A black eye in pride of both the army and the navy and now it was time for pay back.
The guise for peace was just to get support for the attack among those who were on the fence. The war had had its toll on soldiers and civilians alike. It had only been a year but the cry for peace was starting to grow louder in the ears of the remaining senate members. But this attack was for more than peace. It was to ensure that the Free Worlds Council would survive the war as intact as possible. Now the long dark road appeared to be coming to an end. The fleet was just one jump away from fulfilling its part of the treaty with the Reich. And that was to destroy the Union Navy! Reich Traitors who feld the Reich to join the Republic. Admiral Jever Zelerus paced across his flag bridge. He watched his fleet beyond the massive windows of his bridge. He knew the numbers and knew that they had a nearly one to one odds against the Union navy. With odds like this, victory was far from assured. But they had surprise on their side. The Union Navy was not expecting an attack, let alone from their allies. He looked at the latest intelligence and noticed that most of the Union ships were still conducting shore leave and general maintenance on their ships. The intel report was twenty four hours old but he was still sure surprise was on their side.
Due to changes in the mission, he had to change up his plan for a complete surprise attack to send in scouts before his fleet arrived. It was a risk that he had to take to ensure that they had surprise on their hand. He had to catch the Union Navy as off guard as possible. He checked his old pocket watch and calculated that if his timing was right than the first of the scouts should be reaching their positions within minutes from now. He had sent five scout ships from different angles to ensure that he could get a complete image of what was going on there. Soon they should be receiving the last intel update from the system. Soon they would give the final order to attack or withdraw from the attack plan. The waiting before the battle was the worst part of the battle. “Just remember, regardless of how detailed and brilliant this plan seems to be. No plan survives first contact with the enemy” He said to his bridge crew.
“Sir first imagines coming in” Captain For'bus said.
The Admiral quickly walked over to the tactical table. Holographic images of the entire fleet hovered over the table. “We had been warned that they might know an attack is coming. It is the time of truth, let's see what they are doing. Show me” the Admiral said softly. The reports this morning were sketchy at best. There was a urgent call to the President suggesting that the plan had some how been compromised and the Union Navy were aware of the coming attack. The President's orders were simple but far from clear. 'If there is reasonable doubt that the Union is unaware of the coming attack, call it off at once. If there is reasonable belief that surprised can been assured, continue with the attack.'
“Split the image and show us both today and yesterdays images” Rear Admiral Xeniatos asked. He was the fleet's XO.
The image changed as the staff officers slowly went over it. “Look” said Captain Fur'Bus, “they moved their larger capital ships closer to the yards and pushed their smaller destroyers and corvettes out further. Clearly they are setting up a fighter screen.”
“Hmmm” Xeniatos mumbled, “yes, but we are not seeing any evidence of power on any of the ships. Look, the moorings are still in place on all ships. Plus look at their carriers. If they knew an attack was coming they would have cleared the yard's arms from the carriers allowing them a chance to flee once the battle started. Also look at Kessler's flagship, her armor plating has been removed around the engines. They are overhauling the engines as part of routine maintenance. I highly doubt Kessler would take such a risk with his own flagship.”
The Old Admiral sighed, “all are valid points. By moving their smaller ships outward could be a sign that they are preparing to repel a fighter based attack. This could be a sign that they are aware of a coming attack. Kessler is a cunning and wise leader, the carriers and yard arms as well as the moorings are not compelling one way or the other. However none of their ships show any signs of power It would take hours to bring a ship from zero energy to full power. That is a clue we can not ignore. One can't not hope to repel an attack without power. The armor plating is the key, no Commander in their right mind would leave their ships unsecured in such a way if he was expecting an attack. Not even the StarFox himself, not Field Marshal Kessaler. Give the order, all ships enter hyperspace for the final jump. Once we are back in real space we will launch all fighters and bombers. By this time tomorrow we will have destroyed the Union Fleet.”
Toprawa Anchorage (Galactic Coordinates O-6)
Toprawa Republic
Outer Rim World of Toprawa
17th August, 1938
The Free World Council fleet slipped from hyper space just as they had planned and before them laid their unsuspecting pray, the mighty Union Navy. While many of the details behind this attack remained a secret. One thing was clear, success on this raid meant peace for the Free Worlds Council. Not a single sailor or pilot misunderstood what was at stake during this battle. For families back home, loved ones in POW camps, for Worlds that were under the boot of the Reich, this battle was for it all. There was not a person aboard that knew what was at stake. To bring an end of the Union Navy meant bringing home loved ones and family members. With minutes before the battle, there was a sense of calm and surreal about everyone. It would be the first time that the Free Worlds Council would fight on behalf of the Reich. Final briefings were given as wave after wave of fighters were launched. The bombers followed shortly behind them.
As the fleet made its approach on the anchorage, the entire solar system's defensive network lit up with alarms as the fleet refused to identify themselves. This sent cheers through the Flag Bridge as it told them they had achieve the surprise that they desperately needed. The order was given to form up on their attack vectors and the order for the the fighters and bombers to start their attack runs. Within minutes the Union channels were filled with sounds of alarm as they attempted to contact their supposed allies. The Admiral cast off the deception and ordered no reply. He was not about to conceal his intentions any more. Admiral Zelerus gave himself a chance to smile as he watched his forces spreading out in to their attack vectors. “I have you now, Fox” he whispered speaking of the most hated and feared Reich Officer, the Star Fox.
“Sir, Our attack wings will be making contact in three minutes. They are passing lunar orbit now. We will be in firing range in ten minutes.” one of the bridge officers announced.
“Exillent, maintain speed and course. Inform all ships once they are in firing range hold till we fire first. I want Kessler's flagship to go down in flames” Admiral Zelerus said coldly. The last time he and Kessler crossed swords, Kessler had blown Admiral Zelerus' own flagship out from underneath him. He ran his hand across the command console of his station, “It time to avenge your fallen sister” he said with as much kindness as possible.
“FIGHTERS SIR!” Cried out one of the Ops officers.
“Fighters?” Admiral Zelerus questioned. The Union had deployed their fighters a lot faster than he had expected. Still it was too late for Kessler. His fighters would never reach the FWC fleet in time to stop them. “The from the carriers? How many so far?”
The Opd Officer ran his hand over his controls, “No Sir. not from the carriers. From a lunar launch site. And I think their entire complement”
'Lunar launch site? Thats not possible' Admiral Zelerus thought in horror. That could only mean that they didn't have surprise. “No” he mumbled, “how long till they are on top of us?” He asked then turned to his communications officer, “inform the fleet to change course and....”
“Sir they are not heading for us, they are engaging our own air wings” The Ops Officer corrected.
The Admiral waved his hand, “Hold that communication” he turned to his holotable to confirm what he was being told. It was true, Kessler had made a tragic mistake. By engaging the fighters, Kessler has allowed the FWC capital ships a chance to close to firing range. “Com, send to our CAP” He said speaking of their own Combat Air Patrol. A large group of fighters held in reserve to protect the ships from enemy fighters and bombers during a counter attack. “Inform them to move with purpose to assist our embattled air wings. Free them up so they can continue their attack. Inform all ships, advance to flank speed. Let's close this gap while we have a chance. Once in range, fire on that fleet Carrier. She is our prize today. Let us cripple the Union Navy!”
The Free Worlds Council fleet moved closer to the Union Navy which still showed no sign of movement. Between the two massive fleets small flashes of light light up the space. Each light told the story of lives being lost. The battle was joined by the pilots of both navies. Each fighter and bomber danced in a dance of death with one an other. Those few that managed to get through were cut to ribbons by the fast attack ships of the Union Destroyers and Corvettes. A hard line had been drawn and the fighters couldn't push through. Not one of the Free Worlds Council attack wings had been able to push past the line of Union Fighters. None of that would matter in two minutes as the massive guns of the Council's warships were closing in on the helpless larger ships of the Union navy. Sensor showed that the ships were attempting to build power to move but time was ticking against them. Kessler had gambled heavily on his fighters and screens of smaller ships. Would that gamble pay off now? It was just a matter of time till this battle was over. If the Large guns of the FWC fleet could be brought to fire on the Union Fleet it would all be over. If Kessler's ships could build enough power to move than they could escape the battle. But there was still one last unit to move on to the battle field.
“Admiral! Hyperspace events!” Another Ops officer called.
The ship rocked as it took a near point blank shot. Everyone held on as the ship rocked more as more shots hammered away at the ship. “Where!?” The Admiral called.
His answer came as the entire bridge lit up with a bluish glow and a shadow of a massive ship was starting to be cast from the glow. Admiral Zelerus rushed to his observation arm of the bridge and looked around the near by space. There were as many as fifty of these blue holes in space. Each brought a large ship of unknown design right in to the middle of his fleet. Along each unknown ship were swarms of fighters. Then the largest of the holes opened up right above his own flagship. Slowly came forth was the largest warship he had ever seen. Over three kilometers long as it hammered away at his own flagship. His ship rocked by the near by explosion of one of his ships being blasted to pieces. Still that monster of a warship above his flagship kept firing down on them. He tried hopelessly to wave off a set of red bolts that rained down on his ship. They hit across the bow blasting massive holes across his ship as the ships jerked and shook against the hits. Terror filled his eyes as Admiral Zelerus watched his own sailors being sucked out of their ship and in to space. He cried out for his men but there was nothing he could do to stop this attack.
As he continued to watch the battle around him, he could hear his officers calling out for orders. Admiral Zelerus was frozen in the moment as he just watch this massive ship slip in to real space above his own ship and pound away at his beloved flagship. He could easily make out the large silhouette of a black dragon across its haul. 'The Azgardians have come to their aide' he thought as he watched another of his ship vanish in a bright flash. The ship was replaced by a field of derbies. Once more the cries for orders echoed in the back of his mind as he watched that massive ship continue firing down on his flagship. He watched helpless as bright red blast leaped from the ship above and hammered his own ship. “We had surprise” his voice was lost in the explosions as he felt his XO pulling on his arm. Admiral Zelerus face glowed red as he looked up and saw a giant red bolt rushing down to him. “Damn you! We had the surprise” he yelled out while waving his fist at the massive ship. Then he was, no more. The bridge exploded under the impact as more blasts ripped the rest of the spine FWC flagship appart.
Free Worlds Council Senate Building
Free Worlds Council
Colonies World of Carida
20th August, 1938
The folder was slammed closed as the sound of Sabilia Zall disapproval snarl was heard. “I can not believe that with all you were given. You were able to loss one hundred and eighty six warships. And for what? Ten enemy ships?” She tossed the fold filled with papers back in to the face of the President of the Free Worlds Council. He tried to catch them but they flew from the folder and scattered across his body before landing about the floor. “You are no more competent than my grandson. Both of you are failures.” She moved right in to his face and stared the man down till he looked away from her eyes. On that she gave a smile, “I don't have to kill you to disown you. You have that going for you. For the moment.”
The President carefully backed up. He had heard stories of Sabilia Zall. The kind of stories best left behind closed doors. He looked over at the lovely Orthana who watched silently. His own personal guards knew better than to interfere with what was going on. On the surface, she had all the abilities to be just like the grandmother she appeared to be. However, deep beneath the surface laid the demon its self. A spawn from hell was what she was and the President knew better than to cross her. She had built a corporate empire that rivaled all other during her life time. The wealth that the Zall family enjoyed today was all made by her. She turned a small regional family in to a galactic name and force to be reckoned with. She had brought in the best trained mercs to build her own security force to protect this empire. There was not a person who knew her, believed that she didn't have her skeletons. And like the rest, if there were skeletons in her closest, the President didn't want to know. “I....I warned them that their attack had been compromised...I....”
“I...I....I...” she mocked with venom in her voice. “Oh shut up, you fool!” She snapped even causing his own guards to question rather they should shotting her or not. Still it was fear that held them in their place. She was not just dangerous, she could unleash a nightmare on someone. The kind that lives long after she was done with you. “Your situation is not completely lost” she said turning and walking towards her grand daughter. “It was a good thing that you returned my call and decided to seek my help.” She smiled and nodded to her granddaughter who handed her a datachip. “Luckily for you Mr. President” again her voice still filled with mocker and sarcasm. “I watched my grandson create this mess. I set back knowing this would blow up in his face. This was the very reason why I forbid his father from allowing him in to the Family Business. His incompetence was noticed at a young age.” She explained while looking at her Grand daughter as she ran a hand through Orthana's hair, “his parents should have drowned him when he was a baby, like I suggested. Oh but his mother cried and screamed at how much of a monster I am.” She further explained she finally turned to face the President once more. “I never liked her either. Like mother, like son. Both of them failures at everything they did. She was drug addict and slut who had my baby rapped around her finger.”
She walked forward towards the President once more, “You know I tried to have her killed but the little slut survived. Oh she knew I was behind the attempt. It was my only moment of failure that I regretted. She paused and turned back to her granddaughter and smiled, “But than she had you. Oh my love. You were the only thing that slut ever did right. So prefect. So filled with promise. Not like your other failures of siblings. So much like me.” The lovely Orthana smiled and nodded at the compliment. It was clear that the guards hated her. There this vile woman stood insulting the dead mother of this young woman. Sabilia turned back towards the President and handed him the chip. He took the chip and started to read them as she spoke. “Read this carefully and follow the instructions carefully. Do these things and your Presidency will be spared the disgrace of this attack and the actions that will surely come soon enough. Trust in my guidance and you will survive the foolish actions of my grandson.”
He looked up in shock, “how could you know these things?”
She smiled and looked over her glasses, “Your father and I had a very long and very profitable relationship. And I expect nothing less from you boy.”
“This will ruin your grandson, Xan, and many of the Free Worlds Council leadership. Why would you do these things.” There was clear shock in his voice. “Why” he question with disbelief.
Once more she moved closer and looked in to his eyes, “I have watched my Grandson ruin the empire I built with my own hands. He wasted valuable resources and personal. And the end result was as expected from him. Failure! He is lucky I have only time to ruin his life and nothing worse. But I will not be finished with him for some time. I will ensure that his name will known for the failures that he has laid.” There was almost a hint of glee in her voice and eyes at that statement.
She turned to look through the one way mirror to see General Hushner in the interrogation room. His hands shackled and his uniform stripped of all honors and rank. He was a broken disgraced man. Gone was the proud officer of just a few days ago. “The rest of them, those bureaucrats, are loyal to other corporations. If they don't want to be in my pocket than to hell with them. Let them burn in the fires of reconstructions. You WILL welcome the chancellor with open arms and show true gratitude for the Chancellor's help in cleaning house. The Free Worlds Council will fall to the Republic. But in its death will raise a stronger union. At its heart will be your leadership.”
The President stepped forward and joined her at the window, “And you will be there to reap the contracts and profits to be had. All for you...right?”
She only nodded at his statement. She didn't even bother to hide her true goal. She had found that it made things move along allot smoother. Simply let people know where they and you stand. She motioned towards General Hushner as she paused for a moment. Then she said plainly, “you will release him. I have plans for him and his troops.”
The demand was beyond his authority and had pushed her last hand. “Now that is too far. I can't just release him. The charges against him are too server. He has to stand trail for what he did. Hell woman its all over the Lord's Voice. There would be an outcry against that” the President protested.
She turned her gaze right in to his eyes, “I don't care what you have to do. But he leaves with me.”
Finally Orthana Zall decided to speak up. Her voice was soft and gentle but there was that same hint of darkness that filled Sabilia's own voice. “Gran Gran” she said with affection and love in her voice, “how do you know he will choose to serve us?”
Sabilia turned and ignored further protests from the President as she smiled to her granddaughter, “trust me, child” she said as she walked toward the door. “Follow me and learn how to turn a man's loyalty against those he serves” she commanded her granddaughter. The younger woman followed behind her silently.
The General didn't look up at those who entered, still Sabilia spoke clearly. “You served with my husband many times. You served him loyally for years. This is the only reason why I am here today. To give you a chance for revenge. To give you the opportunity to repay my Grandson for the betrayal he attempted on your own troops.”
“Why would I betray Xan Zall. He has shown me nothing but loyalty to me this whole time. I won't betray him.” General Hushner said without looking up. Sabilia knew that the man was not lying, but still there was a chance to turn the man.
“I know you face a hard choice right now.” She placed a holocommunicator on the table. “I know you love your troops and I know what you would do to protect them. They are your family. So all I ask is to listen to your own troops. Hear that they have to say to you. Their leader. Three soldiers and a pair of pilots. Listen to what they have to tell you. Listen to how my Grandson gave the order, not once, but five times to blow the shielding in the landing bay. To murder your own troops while they fought for survival. While you fought along side your troops and was even wounded my Grandson hid and ordered mass murder. These brave men and one woman disobeyed that murderous order even though they knew that betraying Xan could have meant death. They did the right thing, and they should have their voice heard now.” She released the device before the general and nodded. He only looked at the device as she smiled, “I will be waiting outside that door. You have one hour General. For your years of service to my husband, I will give you one hour to decide where you should rest your loyalties. After that, I will never speak your name again. I will never lift a finger on your behalf. One hour General” she said softly. She turned and started to walk out of the room but paused and looked over her shoulder, “listen to your own soldiers, General. Hear what their loyalty to Xan got them.”
The President and his men had left while Sabilia and Orthana were in the interrogation room. As they walked out it was Orthana who spoke up, “Why do we need this General, Gran Gran? You have so many others that you can call on.”
Sabilia turned to her granddaughter and smiled, “Your brother has skeletons. It is only a matter of time before he comes after me. He will want your fathers ledger. I will not give it to him. The President will ensure that your bother is creditless. He will ensure that your brother had no value at all. His friends will dry up. His influence will vanish. It will not take Xan long to realize that it was my hand which caused this. So he will come after me for both the ledger and for revenge. We need General Hushner to find Pessk. Pessk knows about all of Xan's dirty little secrets and where the bodies are. Pessk is the key to truly destroying your bother once and for all. Pessk is the key to it all.”
Orthana nodded, “Is that why you sent Pessk the warning of Xan's betrayal during the battle?” Sabilia nodded, “So what is your next step?”
Sabilia's smile grew, “Its time to leave retirement behind and to rebuild our empire. Piece by piece. And this will be the corner of our new corporation” she said as she activated a holoplayer. Hovering between them was a bluish image of the Marauder. Its secrets all unlocked and ready for construction.
“How did you get those?” Orthana asked in disbelief.
“Honey” Sabilia said softly, “One can get so much more with honey than with vinegar little one. I merely spoke polite to the scientists. Once the chaos started I offered to hide them so that the military wouldn't discover these plans. The cloaking device isn't part of these plans but there is more than enough to create a powerful warship.” she turned it off and handed it over to Orthana, “Take this to Hapes and speak with the Kosh Sisters. Tell them we are ready to fulfill where Xan has failed at. Show their lead techs these plans. Then have them contact me to seal the deal. Understand?” Sabilia rested on her cane as Orthana nodded her understanding.
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