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Viscount Star Defender: Independence

Sorus sighed as he went over the reports again. "So we are now at war, Resistance joins the Republic and we now have to fight with barely any intel on what were up against." The Admiral groaned, his ship buzzed having gone from skeleton crew to full staff and troop complement he had plenty of requests coming in. He shoved the tablet away and began going over things, first he was waiting for his fleet to arrive in sector. Then he had to wait for intelligence on the next Imperial convoy. Lastly he had to log reports every three hours by Admiral Iblis's request.

X-wings practiced formations outside the ship as they continued to train pilots. The's holonet connection was rather annoying since it meant that they could receive signals from command quickly it was useful for co-coordinating things. However between all his commanders needing reports and the paper work out new crew he felt like more like a desk jockey than a captain. He'd assigned most of it to Commander Thara to take care of only typing what he had to, he slipped out and grabbed his paints. Heading down to the observation deck he began to paint the stars before them, the view out of the window.

He planned to wait each ship of his fleet as they arrived putting the fighter pickets and such around them. This painting would one day hang on Coruscant, perhaps even be stolen by art thieves to be sol to some rich king or warlord. People would want the painting because of what it meant, it would stand for Phoenix fleet striking at the New Order and proving that they could defeat anything that stood against the Republic. This painting would show the ships that formed the fleet that struck back against this deplorable New Order and all it stood for.

Captain Vakelb Vilreth, Bridge

"Understood Admiral, we'll be there momentarily," Vakelb said, cracking a stiff salute at the holocoms. The wavy image of Admiral Garm Bel Iblis merely nodded in response, and then he was gone. The Admiral did not like Vakelb, did not trust him; indeed, the Captain was in little doubt that the Republic was scraping the barrel, if it needed the Honour Bound to jump so quickly into the fight.

Vakelb pulled himself from the captain's chair that sat central to the spherically shaped bridge; his knees ached as he stood straight, and the weariness of old-age was ever present. Dozens of petty-officers stood rigidly at attention by their stations - all of them were Neimodian, and they represented the cream of the crop, as far as his own peoples were concerned. There were no droids on his bridge, no mercenaries or hired labour - no sir. They awaited his instructions, though they'd all heard his exchange with the admiral; yet it was the Captain's formal duty to give a speech to his bridge staff prior to a fleet muster, at least that's what he had learned from the Chronicles of Ackbar.

"Men and women of the Republic, Neimodians, my flesh and blood," he began to address them, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. "24 hours ago, the Hosnian System went dark, as you are all mostly aware; initial reports have confirmed that the entire system was wiped out by a new Remnant weapon the likes we never thought possible."

A few gasps escaped the crew, and a commotion broke out as they mumbled to each other about the massive loss of life - and exchanged concerns for relatives who would have been in the area. The Captain silenced them with the raise of a hand, and they snapped back to attention.

"It is with this in mind, that the Honour Bound is being mustered into a fleet. We will be heading to the border regions, bearing coordinates 4353.536.253 to rendezvous with the other ships. From there, we shall embark upon a counter-offensive, and we will bring these murderers to heel," Vakelb continued, as he started to walk forwards, mingling with his crew. His old eyes appraised them, weighed them, and the crew felt the weight of such a gaze heavily. "This is not a drill. This is not a simulation, nor a training run. People will die in the coming days. We will lose many friends, we will lose those we consider family; alas, this is the truth of war.

Alas, if we were to do nothing, then more systems will fall, billions will die. Indeed, it is ironic that the might of the Neimodian navy, as small as we may be, is called to defend those our fathers would have wished destroyed. Yet, let us not forget the oaths we have taken to the Republic, and let us not forget that we are honour bound to see this mission through to its completion."

The Captain's voice fell silent, and he marched back to his chair and carefully lowered himself into it. "Report."

At the mention of his request, the bridge staff broke out into a noisy buzz of anxiety. They hurried this way and that, frantically hitting away at keyboards, voicing numbers to each other and racing to reach their conclusions.

"Stardrive is it 85% efficiency sir!"

"Droid Battle Comms is fully operational, all software is installed and we're seeing no conflicts!"

"Droid Fighter Comms is on standby, all drones are ready for battle."

"Engineering is green, Captain!"

"Coordinates are locked, awaiting your command sir!"

Captain Vakelb nodded, but kept a smile from his otherwise stern face. His men and women were as green as they came, but they were eager to please - he was sure the Honour Bound would make an ample sacrifice on the alter of freedom. "Initiate Hyperdrive," he said abruptly.

---

The Honour Bound passed from hyperspace, entering into proximity with its charge - the Viscount Star Defender: Independence. The observation screens displayed the ship as it was actively preparing for war; X-Wing squadrons prowled around the fringes of its profile, whilst larger transport ships flurried to and thro in a hive of activity.

"Hail them," Vakleb said. A light went green on the holocomms desk in front of his chair, and though no image revealed itself - and wouldn't until the other ship accepted the call - he decided to speak at once. "This is Captain Vakelb Vilreth of the Honour Bound. We are at 98% in overall efficiency and integrity, and are ready to receive orders."

"Intensify forward firepower!" Ordered Captain Millon, as he stood on the bridge of the "Regardless", with his fleet fully deployed. While on patrol they had received word that pirates were attacking a supply convoy in the outer rim. Being the closest fleet, they responded immediately. Now they were fully engaged against the pirates. "All cannons target the bridge, maximum firepower!" The cannons obliged, instantly unleashing their volley of blue cannon fire on the vessel. Within moments, it erupted in flames, killing anyone aboard it. Moments after that, several escape pods jettisoned from the crumbling vessel. "Let's end this then, finish off that cruiser!"

Moments after the command, the ship crumbled, eliminating any left on board. Another successful mission in the Outer Rim. Some still doubted the power of the old GAR Venator Class Cruisers, but battles like these would eliminate any doubt. "Okay, that's done. "Regardless" to "Yavin's Fist" and "Sacrifice", pick up any escape pods, I want the prisoners alive." After a response of "Yes Sir's", one of the officers under him approached him. "Captain, incoming transmission from the "Home One", highest priority." Millon turned to face the officer. "Thank you, I'll take it immediately." Millon walked into the communication room, removing anyone else for such a high priority message. Through the door, however, you could hear his voice faintly.

"Admiral, it's an honor... what... Hosnian... Impossible, then the fleet... I see... Understood, We'll be there as soon as possible." The door opened, and Millon headed back onto the main bridge at a brisk pace. Immediately he contacted all of his ships. "This is "Regardless" to all ships, recall all fighters, and prepare to make the jump to lightspeed. I'll transmit coordinates immediately. This is not a drill." Millon watched as squadron after squadron came flying back into their respective ships, and soon received the all clear that all fighters were home. He also received a message saying that the escape pods had been collected and their occupants jailed. "Affirmative, all ships are clear to jump to lightspeed. Commence hyperspace jump now." The fleet of ships disappeared into hyperspace, soon to arrive at their destination.

---

After about an hour in Hyperspace, Millon returned to the bridge from his personal quarters. The ships were about to come out of hyperspace at the specified coordinates. He decided to put out a signal before they even jumped out. "This is Captain Millon of the Republic Cruiser "Regardless", we are coming out of hyperspace in moments." As he sent the message, the small fleet of an old Venator Class Cruiser, two MC-80 Cruisers, and two CR-90s jumped out of lightspeed to a spectacular sight, one of the most powerful ships of this day and age: The Viscount Star Defender, created by Admiral Ackbar himself. It gave off the beacon "Independence". There was another ship too, an old Lucrehulk battleship, formerly used by the Trade Federation and the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars. "Guess I'm not the only one who likes classics." This ship was giving off the beacon "Honor Bound".

At all signs, it seemed everyone was preparing for war, and Millon couldn't blame them. Everyone would be on edge now after what happened to Hosnian. He had briefed his officers and crew on what they knew for now about the situation, but at this point everyone was performing their duties as normal. "All hands, we have arrived at the rendevous point." Millon said through the PA, as he watched the possibly hundreds of squadrons of fighters flying around the "Independence".

Ryan slept in his quarters, for the last few years this ship had a skeleton crew, and was relegated to secondary duty. In the span of 24 hours, Ryan had to bring in the full crew, supplies, fighters, and the land detachment. The Ship was 90 percent ready to depart to meet with the rest of the fleet, At the moment medical and the last of the fighters were being loaded. For the last 23 hours Ryan had been in meeting after meeting. Due to shortage of manpower Ryan had been forced to enlist any civilian who was willing to join while this made it possible to ensure the full crew needed was available, it brought up other problems. One of the major issues being the Ground detachment. The force was comprised of a single regiment of volunteers. 1,000 light troops along with their supplies and support staff, comprised of volunteers from multiple worlds and races. The required material the ground forces took longer then expected, Rifles,Ammo,Anti Armor weapons and gear all took time to load, since The volunteers were the last to be formed, their supplies were the last to loaded on. Sadly the supplies were taking longer then expected. with the over taxed and undertrained loading crews, it was taking alot longer then Ryan would like
Suddenly over the Captains quarters intercom "Captain Altwood to the bridge, Repeat Altwood to the bridge." A female voice says as Ryan opens his eyes and sits up. after a few seconds he get dressed in his Uniform. Unlike most naval officers Ryan wore light combat armor the combat fatigues of the marines stationed on board. Ryan knew that while he may never see combat like the regular army with enemy forces firing at him, but he knew he would never be the kind of leader that hid away from the action while better people died in his stead.

"Captain Faihe, this is Red Leader Jayme Lukes Checking in. All Wings are Present sir." Jayme said on the communication channel to the Independence. Her wing had just returned from scouting the near by areas searching for First Order patrols. so far there had been little luck finding them. "Red Leader to Hangar Bay, are we clear to land?" Her X-Wing was running low on fuel and she could use the time it would take to refuel to get some food and maybe a drink. "Hangar Bay this is Red Leader, are we clear to land" she said on the comms channel. after a few moments of silence a voice crackled over the comms "Red Leader this is Hangar Bay one. you are clear to land."

"Understood, Admiral. Plotting a course now."

The bridge of the Daccian Sunrise immediately erupted into life but, with Captain Dann as his officers used to being asked to jump halfway across the galaxy on a moments notice, the momentary bustle of surprise soon settled into an almost melodic chorus of fingers tapping at computer terminals and voices shouting status reports and requesting readouts. This was the sound that Vohrel Dann liked to hear more than any other: The sound of productivity.

Within minutes, the herculean task of preparing the two kilometre long ship for a hyperspace jump was complete and as the manoeuvring thrusters fired up to move them into position, Vohrel stood from his chair and paced quietly. This was it. War. His heart skipped a beat as he imagined the thrill of true battle, the chaos of two battle fleets engaging in the ultimate contest of power, wit and command. This was his chance to write his name in history alongside the Skywalkers, the Iblises, the Antilles... the Ackbars, even. Perhaps one day history would look back at him and the name 'Vohrel Dann' would be synonymous with greatness. The idea brought a smile to his curled lips.

"Okay.. listen up." He belched over the ship's comm system, his low raspy voice seeming to almost growl as it echoed around the busy corridors. "You all know that I'm not one for speeches... that said, the occasion seems to call for it. So here it goes."

"The weeks that follow will be some of the hardest you or I have ever seen. Perhaps the hardest we will ever see. We fight an enemy whose military power is practically unknown to us; we have no real idea of their numbers, their ability or even their positions. The odds.. are stacked heavily against us. This is not the sort of battle that any of us would choose if it were a choice." He paused, allowing the crew to mumble quietly to each other for a few moments before carrying on. "But it is not a choice. These villains must be brought to task, and by the ocean gods of Mon Cala we will bring them to task if it means we have to drag this ship through the flames of hell itself! And make no mistake, ladies and gentlemen.. there is no crew in this or any galaxy that I would rather have by my side on a trip into the lake of sulphur. For the Republic!

---

The Daccian Sunrise popped out of hyperspace just outside of the formation and immediately made its way towards the flagship of the fleet, the rather majestic-looking Viscount-class Star Defender Independence. The Sunrise was a beautiful ship, designed to be a luxury starliner and with a profile to match, but the Independence was on another level. Designed from it's inception to be the backbone of the New Republic navy, form and function merged magnificently to create a warship which could not only match the Imperial Super Star Destroyers, but surpass them. At just over seventeen kilometers long, it dwarfed every other ship in the formation and cast a rather intimidating profile on Captain Dann's viewscreen.

"Captain Vohrel Dann of the Daccian Sunrise reporting for duty, Admiral!"

Admiral Faihe stepped up to the holo-communicator. "Hail all vessel's and show them the info we just received." He told the Ensign assigned to the controls. It took the boy a few minutes to fathom out how to ensure all ships were receiving but new officer figured it out, eventually.

Faihe spoke to all the captains in Phoenix fleet as he showed them twelve Victory class Star destroyers, near thirty Imperial raiders, and two Resurgent class Star Destroyers. "This is the New Order fleet over Jakku, we need to secure it in order to give ourselves a clear hyperspace route into enemy territory. With that in mind were going old school on this one. Since the New Order trains it's officers much like the Imperials did they will use the Raiders to hold back fighters that go after the Victory's. However, they will advance to attack your vessels, blockading us does them no favors, you'll hold position and launch fighters, meanwhile the Independence will be dropping in just behind the main enemy line, targeting the Raiders first all fighters and bombers will launch to assault the enemy Resurgent class vessels and disable any TIE's they encounter. The Independence's shields will hold up against the Resurgent guns long enough for us to mop up the main fleet, forcing the New Order out of the system or to lose two of their most powerful ships in the first battle." As he spoke the holographic displays moved as he showed them the plan in actions. "Simulations states at worst we lose a dozen squadrons and a cruiser, compares to Imperials lose's... That would new twenty TIE's to every one of ours fighters we lose. Simulations are not real however so everyone stay on your feet. I'd like to say our first victory had no ships lost."

Faihe then turned the Holo-communicator to himself, letting them see him. He dressed in full uniform, Admiral's bars pinned on his sleeve. His hair a tousled mess and a strip of cloth over the place his eyes would have been if he was human. "If can disable some of the Victory's please do, if we can recover data from the ships it would earn us a of love with the New Republic Intelligence Service. More they like us, the better our intel is going to be, which means more supplies and more trouble we get cause for these New Order captains."

He paused as co-ordinates for the fleets jump were sent out to all of them. "Make ready to jump to Light speed... May the force be with us all." He bowed, as the call ended and all his fighters were accounted for he sent the signal telling the rest of the fleet to jump ahead of them, wanting ten minutes behind them the Independence made it's jump. the Mon Calamari projection experts prepared the shields as gunners lined to fire, in two hours they would be facing the first true space battle of the war.

Millon put his hand up to his chin in thought. "Well, good to see he's already ready to get moving, I doubt I know half of the Captains in this fleet... I can see this going "perfectly", can't you all?" Millon said after the holotransmission had ended. He received the coordinates for the jump, but decided to have them double checked. "We don't want to be slamming into the planet's surface or drilling through a star do we?" The coordinates checked out, but they concerned Millon a little as they would be taking a basic Hyperspace Lane all the way to Jakku, no surprise stealth attack, no element of surprise... They enemy would surely be watching the entry point like a vulture. He was outranked, though, there was nothing he could do about it.

"All crew, prepare battle stations, we will be jumping to lightspeed momentarily. Have all starfighters fully repaired and combat ready by the time we arrive." This was what he could do at least. He still had direct command over his own ships. They weren't much, but he seemed to have brought more to the table than the other Captains from this unit. He had brought with him a small patrol fleet, the rest had brought one ship each. "Wing Commander Kochiro, report to me when all fighters are ready for battle." The bridge was now bustling as naval officers readied the ships cannons, shields, and hanger doors. A few moments later, he received the message from the hanger. "Wing Commander to Bridge, fighters combat ready sir." Millon acknowledged, and contacted the Star Defender. "Admiral, cruisers "Regardless", "Colossus", "Crusader", "Yavin's Fist", and "Sacrifice" all check in green, ready to commence hyperspace jump."

"Captain on Deck!" One of the bridge personnel said as Ryan entered the bridge. "At Ease, anything new developed?" he asked as one of the staff handed him a chart. one of the junior staff walked over to him "Captain everything is squared away, Waiting for your order to jump to the rally point." the officer said as Ryan went over the chart "Disappointed that it took this long, but nothing can be done about that now....Radio command that we are on our way..." he said as he handed the chart to the junior officer "Make sure that when we arrive in system our IFF is working. During to drills It wasn't...ensure that engineers deal with it." he said as he looked to his pilot "Alright lets get it done." he said as one of the officers informs the rest of the crew of the jump they were about to do. After about five minutes The ship jumped
After a few hours The outsider arrived in system. "Captain we have arrived." Linda said as she looked at her console screen "IFF is green, Hailing any ships in the system." she said as Ryan looked out from the bridge windows "Alright I want gun crews on alert and squadrons prepared I want to be ready to assist our fleet.

"You heard the man," Captain Vakelb Vilreth uttered as he stepped away from the holocom. "We're going into the thick of it, head first like a plasma hammer. The Honour Bound will lead the charge, but she will not be alone."

The bridge was quiet, as the anxiety of his untested crew was reduced to apprehension. In the next hour, they may well all be dead. The New Order Fleet was no doubt battle hardened, and it would fight tenaciously against an assault - an assault they would no doubt see coming. Captain Vakelb Vilreth was not phased, but his men and women were, and he needed to snap them out of it.

"The moment we jump, I want the full might of our numbers to flood hostile air space. I want them on the back foot, fighting against the suffocating waves of our numbers. Our drones may be obsolete, but they will put the pressure where it is needed. Additionally, begin assembling droid boarding parties. We'll put these dogs under every ounce of strain we can chuck on them," he said quickly, taking too little time to breathe. Seemed he was nervous too!

His crew broke into silent life, tapping away at their keyboards and reading out sterile readings. However, right now, the Captain knew Engineering and the Droid Battle Command would be bursting into life.

"Coordinates engaged, initiating jump in 5," his first officer started to say. "4... 3... 2... 1..."

The bridge rumbled, the Captain threw himself into his chair and struck digits into the keyboard mounted to his right arm rest. Dozens of displays flicked up on a hologram, showing him the condition of Honour Bound's drone compliment.

And then they broke from hyperspace, and the New Order Fleet's presence oozed red from the bridge's various warning lights. His crew stammered at distances, numbers, force projections and ranges.

"Launch the drones," the Captain uttered.

1,500 Vulture Drones spewed from the Honour Bound like angry hornets, and sped eagerly towards incoming New Order interceptors. Within moments, the space between Honour Bound and the New Order Fleet exploded into violent combat. The Drones were no match for the TIE fighters, but there were hundreds upon hundreds of them, and they would keep the worst of what the New Order had to offer fairly busy.