Chapter 28

Location: Epsilon Station

System: Epsilon Solar System

Date: 4 ABY, Month 8, Day 16

…

Beep!

I groan, the single beep waking me from badly needed sleep.

Beep!

I smack the source of the beeping and it stops, giving me a few more minutes of sleep before...

Beep! Beep!

"Karabast…"

I sit up and rub the sleep out of my eyes before looking around my quarters. Hera had ordered me and my crew to take a couple days on leave, and I would normally accept it without hesitation, but I can't seem to catch much sleep. Though it happens on occasion, I keep getting these visions about a massive engagement between us and the Empire. The Death Star, Sabine and I in the bridge of the Resolute...

The fires in the empty bridge...

Beep!

I give my commlink an aggravated smack and Sabine's voice erupts from the speakers.

"Ezra Bridger...!"

"Yes...?"

"You have any idea how long I've been trying to contact you!"

"Nope. And why are you calling? Don't you normally just walk into my room anyway?" I ask.

"Your door's locked," she replies.

"That hasn't stopped you before..." I say with a smirk.

"True... but that's not the point!"

"Where are you anyway?"

"Training room... I'm bored by myself and I can't sleep."

"You too?"

"'You too'? You're not sleeping well either? I thought it was just me."

"Sabine, sleep never comes easy when you have the Force," I say.

"I guess... but can't you control that sort of thing?"

"Not really. Sometimes I can sleep and other times I can't. These past couple times I can't get much sleep."

"I suppose not... Well, then come down here an join me. Maybe we can just look out at the galaxy again. I know you like to do that."

"Meet me at the rec room, then. I don't feel like doing much today."

"See you there."

…

The galaxy is shining as bright as always, but there's something about that light that seems just a bit brighter. The Holonet is on as usual, though instead of being the usual background noise, a group of off duty officers are gathered around it. Something about another planet rising up against the Empire as reports of our activities are becoming even more widespread throughout the galaxy. We may have capital ships and carriers, but we're still keeping up our old hit and run tactics just for the time being. Then again, those old tactics with our new ships are enabling us to execute these tactics with even greater efficiency and scale. Larger targets that we've never been able to hit before are being targeted and I've read reports from our newest spec ops branch successfully infiltrating and sabotaging important Imperial assets. Rex trained them well. Really well.

The door to the rec room opens and I turn to see Sabine entering.

She looks tired...

She sits down across from me and smiles.

"Morning sleepy head," I say with a grin.

She rolls her eyes at me. "I didn't just wake up you know. I told you I was in the training room."

I nod towards the holonet, quickly changing the subject. "You hearing what's going on?"

"What?" she asks me as she turns to the holo.

"Another planet decided they've had enough of the Empire. It's a smaller world, but that's what kind of worries me," I say.

"Because the Empire could blow that one up, too?"

I nod softly.

"Well that Death Star is the Rebellion's priority target, but we don't have the numbers or the strength to take it on," she says sadly.

"Not yet anyway... We were so close that first time," I say. "We didn't have all these ships and equipment back then and we almost had them."

"Yeah, but remember the battle in the nebula?" Sabine reminded me. "We tried to hit it again there but we couldn't even get close to it."

"I know..." I mutter.

There wasn't anything I could say to get through to Sabine or even Hera. They're being cautious and I understand them, but I feel like I'm just sitting around and allowing the Death Star to roam the galaxy. Our recruitment might be relatively high, but we can't just advertise that we're rebuilding in broad daylight. Coded transmissions and broadcasts to the underground are really what we're doing. Personal recruitment sometimes works but only in systems with a light Imperial presence. The Death Star is keeping the galaxy in fear, as it was intended to do. But that light I see in the galaxy is still shining. It's like an inferno trying to escape a sealed compartment... we just need a spark to blow the door down and set it free.

I was just about to open my mouth to say something, but my wrist comm went off before I could. Sabine's comm did the same and she quickly answered it.

"Sabine here..."

"Sabine, this is Hera. I need you and Ezra up in the briefing room ASAP."

"Why? What's going on?" she asks.

"I can't explain through the commlink, just get up here."

"We're on our way," Sabine says before shutting off her commlink. She looks at me. "What do you think it's about?"

"I don't know... The Force isn't really helping me with this one so I can't even guess," I reply as I stand up from my seat.

Sabine stands up right after me and we make our way to the briefing room.

...

The door to the briefing room opens to reveal every commander standing around the holotable. Some of our commanders aren't physically present since they've been deployed to rebel outposts and bases throughout the outer rim, but apparently they've also been called up which means something big is going down.

"Ezra. Sabine. Glad you could join us," Rex says.

"What's going on, Rex?" I ask.

"You'll see in a moment. Hera's just about to start the briefing," Rex replies.

I stand next to the table and the chatter dies down as Hera stands up from her seat, putting down a datapad and approaches the table.

"I thank everyone who could make it on such short notice. And to our commanders in the outer rim, glad you can call in," Hera begins. "I'm going to just get straight to the point. Commander Rex's reconnaissance units have reported irregular Imperial activity and movements. Their fleets are massing at the Ord Mantell system. Our only explanation is that they're preparing for a major operation, but that's not the biggest news I have for you. There are reports of the Death Star in that very system."

I reach into the Force and sense a lot of uneasiness among the commanders. Rightfully so...

"I'm sorry, did you say the Death Star?" one of our commanders asked.

"I did," Hera says. "Rex, bring up the map."

Rex hits a button on the holotable and the map of the galaxy appears. He concentrates on the Ord Mantell system.

"We don't know exactly where the Death Star is or where the fleet is massing in the system, but we know they're there," Rex begins. "There's nothing important there that would cause a massive Imperial presence, so we think they're using Ord Mantell as a staging system for some kind of operation."

"Ord Mantell isn't too far from Mandalore," Sabine says.

"And right now Mandalore is the most openly defiant of the Empire in spite of their martial law," I point out.

I look at Rex and he nods. "Exactly what I was thinking," he says.

I glance at Sabine and she looks pissed.

"They're trying to start a fight with my people?" she asks.

"They've tried deterring them with martial law, which did not work obviously," Ursa says. "The only way they could attempt to put our people on our knees is through fighting."

"And they know they can't win against the Mandalorians except through overwhelming force," I say. "Which they really seem to enjoy very much."

"Yes, but they mostly use large guns and capital ships. But their fighters are a pain when grouped together," Hera says.

"We ships do we have?" Kanan asks.

"Battleships, mainly the Avenger-class star destroyers, but they're mostly carriers and long range artillery. Then there's the Legacy-class star destroyer, which fills the battleship role. Arquitens light cruisers, Artemis destroyers, CR90 corvettes," Sabine begins to list our ships. "Our Pelta frigates are being refitted, too. Some for combat, most others for medical purposes. We even have several of our Intrepid class assault ships waiting."

"Some of those Peltas being refitted are going through major structural changes," Tenith speaks up. "We're attempting to turn them into light carriers for patrol operations."

"Good," Hera says. "We'll need that. Anything else?"

"We also have a handful of new CD-710 heavy destroyers and Nebulon E class destroyers ready for combat," Tenith reports. "We have several more of them, including Artemis destroyers, under construction. Our battleships and carriers are being constructed outside the hangars."

"Our Terran and Praetor allies also know something's up. The Terrans reported an increase in starship production from Quasi Hydra Manufacturers, while their own population are increasing their own production for the cause. Their new ships have returned from their trials and ready for combat, including their new carriers and battleships with countless more support vessels and destroyers," Tristan reports.

"And what of the Praetors?" Kanan asks him.

"They're stretched thin from defending hyperspace lanes and outer rim trade hubs," Tristan replies. "I don't think they'll be able to help, but we can count on the Terrans for assistance."

"Do we know the size of the Empire's forces in Ord Mantell?" I ask.

"We don't have a number but we can count on a lot of star destroyers and cruisers and countless more fighters," Hera says.

"So we can throw our entire fleet at the Empire and they'd still outnumber us?" Tristan asks.

"The Empire has a lot of resources and shipyards... I'm afraid there's still nothing we can do with that being realized..." Hera mutters. "But I've been doing nothing for too long. We have to do something about it."

"Hera, you've been doing nothing but the best you can do," Kanan objects.

"No, I alone have been ordering no direct combat with the Empire," she counters.

"If I may," Rex begins, "I suggest we sever their supply routes as best we can. Maybe the Praetors can spare some ships to cut off the Empire's reinforcements."

"I agree," Ursa says. "Perhaps if we can ambush them at Ord Mantell..."

"No," I interrupt. All eyes turn towards me. "If we ambush them at Ord Mantell and lose, they'll have a straight shot for Mandalore. They have the Death Star sitting there. But if we wait at Mandalore, they wouldn't send it in until the system is secure. They always put their capital ships first before sending in their prized superweapon."

"Ezra's right," Sabine said. "At Yavin they didn't have their fleet. They did at the nebula though, but they put the Death Star first. That was the second time we got close, but it wasn't good enough. Then at Mon Cala they put their fleet first, then when our fighters were taken out they sent in the Death Star."

"If we don't go and fight, Mandalore will be destroyed," I say. "We have to do this. We'll start off with Rex's plan to disrupt their supply lines. Do you still have contact with your people, Countess?"

Ursa nods. "I do. I require them to check in once a week. My last contact with them was a couple days ago. They know something's not right."

"We need you to tell them to use as many ships as they can spare. We need to make sure they don't send in the Death Star."

"Without a doubt they will have a defense fleet, but it's better half than their full fleet," Sabine says.

"What are you thinking, Ezra?" Kanan asks.

"The Imperial fleet will detect the Mandalorian ships and jump into the system without their Death Star," I begin. "Right after they arrive, we'll need to deploy whatever we can spare to cut off hyperspace lanes so they don't get reinforcements, but we leave one hyperspace lane open and make everything look alright."

"So we don't risk the Imperials raising alarm to the rest of their fleet, we'll need to jam their transmissions," Sabine says. "Maybe we can send in some of our ships and attempt to draw some ships from the DS defense fleet to the main battle."

"We have to keep most of our ships together to stand a chance," Hera says.

"Maybe the Praetors or the Terrans can spare their ships to hyperspace blockades. Do they have some form of interdiction ships?" I ask.

Tristan nods. "They do but they don't have any ships capable of utilizing them. They're mostly orbital and brand new."

"We'll need them. They can be transported, correct?" I ask him.

"As a matter of fact, yes. I see your point, shall I contact them now?"

"Yes, they need to be in on this," I say.

Tristan nods and turns to a different comm panel at the side of the room. A few minutes go by and the Terran Chief Minister appears at the table via hologram.

"I hear you're forming a plan to combat the Empire?" he asks.

"We are," Hera confirms, nodding. "General Bridger?"

I nod at Hera and look at the Terran. "You have interdiction devices in orbit of your planet, correct?"

"We do."

"And they can be transported?"

He nods.

"Perfect. We'll need those interdiction platforms to set up a trap for the Imperials. We believe they're gathering for an assault on Mandalore and we need your platforms to pull anything and everything out of hyperspace going to the system," I explain.

"It's part of a strategy to cut off any reinforcements without raising too much alarm," Rex adds.

"Ah, that would make sense. Yes, we can do that. And I assume you would want to keep their transmissions jammed?"

"We have to make sure the main enemy fleet and even the Death Star doesn't receive any distress calls," I say.

"We've got something for that, too. It's a subsystem on the interdiction platforms. These jammers are powerful enough to cover an entire star system. They're untraceable so it wouldn't be the first thing they'd suspect to be the source of the jamming."

"Perhaps we need to use something separate from that. If they take out the interdiction platforms the jamming will be gone, too," Sabine suggests.

"Yes, you have a point. We've never used them officially, but of course they've been tested. They work as intended."

"That's good to hear," Hera says.

"How soon do you need them?" the Chief Minister asks.

"Soon. Do you have them elsewhere besides your planet?" Hera asks.

"I make sure all my freighters carry them in launch tubes," he replies. "That way if they fall under attack, they can hold down the attackers until reinforcements arrive. I make sure our corporate buildings and stations carry extra so all I need are coordinates and I can get them set up for you."

"Can you tell us more about these platforms?" Sabine asks.

"Certainly. We've got two types; Interdiction and Communication jammers as I've said earlier. They're undetectable to most scanners, but not all. No doubt the Empire would have something capable of finding them, but even then it will take time."

"And in the heat of a battle they wouldn't have much of that," I say.

"Exactly. They can also be controlled remotely by any capital ship capable of launching them, but I'm afraid this equipment would be complicated for your people to use so you will need my ships."

"That's the plan, Chief Minister," Hera says. "We can't afford to split up our fleet too much so we are asking for your ship's part in this operation. We need you to cut off every hyperspace route to and from Mandalore."

"Consider it done. We'll have to be discrete about it so I'll have my freighters deploy them ahead of time. Once you give the word, we'll activate them."

"You mentioned needing a capital ship capable of operating them?" Sabine asks.

"Indeed. Preferably carriers, which I have. My fleets will have to be in position before we set them off just to be safe."

"Understood. How soon can you get them deployed?"

"I'll send word immediately. We'll have them up in a matter of hours."

"Good. I'll leave you to form your interdiction fleets. Now we just need to figure out how to separate the majority of the Imperial fleet away from the Death Star," Hera says.

"When my people engage the forward fleet," Ursa begins, "They should have to send reinforcements. If and once they do, we can hold them there while your capital ships get into position."

"Wait, don't you think putting our capital ships around the Death Star would be suicide?" I ask everyone.

"This entire operation is suicide as it is," Hera says. "But Ezra is right... The Empire could use that laser cannon against our fleet."

"So then what we should do is try to stay away from their laser," Sabine says. "We can't go in there with just fighters anymore, especially since they'll have their escort fleet."

"Right..." I mutter.

"I have a suggestion," Bastian speaks up.

He's just been standing here listening to us the entire time. It's about time he decided to speak up.

"Many of our star destroyers and carriers are operated by droids, right?" he asks. "We should use that to minimize our casualties."

"That's right," Rex says. "We can get more droids from that Kristinal guy we met a while back."

"I almost forgot about him," Sabine says.

"We are supposed to maintain strict comm silence with him so the Empire doesn't locate his facility. That's why we have Han doing a lot of our transfer orders to him. It's all personal contact," Hera says.

"I still don't like him," Sabine mutters next to me.

"He also is responsible for our Legacy class star destroyers. Since our own facilities are busy constructing other ships, a majority of our Legacys come from him," Hera says.

"Here's what we can do," Rex begins as he opens up a simulation of the battlefield. "We'll split our fleet up into two fleets. Our Legacy class star destroyers will engage the enemy fleet around the front of the Death Star while our Avengers flank the station and attack it from behind. There will be imminent contact with the rest of the escort fleet, but our fighters can advance on the Death Star while our cruisers and destroyers provide cover. All of our Avengers will provide artillery support against the Imperial ships and if possible, on the Death Star itself. If we have any hope of damaging the battle station, we'll need to have those ships fire their BACs at full power."

"That's awfully risky, Rex," Sabine says. "But with support from the rest of the fleet..."

"We'll have to take that chance," Hera says. "Ezra and Sabine will take the Resolute and form the artillery fleet. Take all the Avenger star destroyers we have. We'll split our droid fleet into three parts. A small portion of that fleet will go to Mandalore while the largest of that fleet will be engaged with the Empire's front escort fleet. The third fleet will help provide support for Ezra's fleet."

"There's a lot of work that needs to be done in order to make this work," Rex says.

"Agreed," Hera says. "Commanders, prep your ships. We're throwing everything we have at the Empire once again."