//------------------------------// // Chapter 14 // Story: Force of Wills: A Duel of Fates Story // by Shadowsnake89 //------------------------------// As the rebel and royal forces engaged the former's former droid allies on the ground, the skies above likewise had erupted into a chaotic mash-up. The situation in the air was made all the worse by the fact that the gas tankers had just taken off and they could scarcely afford them the opportunity to rendezvous with Flurry Heart's fleet awaiting their arrival for pickup. “All available squadrons form up.” Vapor Trail called out over the channel to her allies as the few groups that were not immediately engaged with the enemy formed up on her location. “We're with you Vapor.” Sky Stinger said as he and his squad joined the group. “Those tankers can't be allowed to get to that fleet. They do and it's going to ruin a lot of peoples day.” She announced as they followed behind the tankers from a distance as they climbed. “We can't detonate them in the atmosphere and risk any of that gas raining down if it doesn't burn up.” “That means we'll have to wait until they're in space. That's a risky move, Vapor. There's gonna be a thick fighter screen up there for sure.” Sky warned. “Then we bring our best. This is all or nothing, everyone. We stick close and the second they are no risk to the surface, we let them have it. The others have this down here, but we need to make our half count as well. Now let's ride!” The large formation tracked the tankers from a safe distance, fending off the occasional droid fighter that strayed from the diminishing aerial combatants from Flurry's forces. Among the various craft in the group was the Shock Jackal flown by Garble. Or rather it would have been. Since his encounter with Sonata Dusk, his lack of one of his arms had limited his ability to fly in a combat situation and despite his objections the astromech Spike had plugged himself into the controls. The captain of the ship had found himself relegated to the gunner position given the single control stick would still allow him to participate in the fighting. “You better not mess up my ship.” Garble howled down the ladder that connected the gun to the cockpit. Spike let out several angry sounding beeps as a response. “Yeah, yeah. You're lucky Rose made me let you take over, rust bucket.” Spike jostled the ship from side to side and caused the captain to fall out of his chair. “Just wait til this is over.” He grumbled as they formed up with one of the squadrons. “Would you look at that.” Patchwork said from the safety of her cloaked ship as it traveled alongside the freighters. “Those fools will be in for quite the shock once that gas starts pouring up to the surface. Almost makes me wish we could stay and watch, but we have a schedule to keep. Zurby, are our defensive systems in place?” “The diminutive alien sat in the pilots seat and checked the readouts for all of the tankers. “All green across the board, doctor.” “Good. We should have no difficulty once we get to the...” She stopped as a communication came through. A hologram of a human man in military gear appeared before her. “Empress Flurry Heart, are you there?” The transmission fizzled out several times before a stronger connection was established and the doctor answered. “Flurry Heart is...preoccupied at the moment. What's the situation?” Patchwork responded. “We've been engaged by the remainder of the Kentoph fleet. They are putting up a more organized resistance. It might be best to delay the pickup of the tankers until...” “No!” Patchwork interrupted. “No. We will press on, commander. The Kentoph forces on the ground are pushing deep into our positions and our allies have turned on us. This is our only chance. Now clear us a path.” The commander gave a confirming nod as he order the crews of his fleet to increase their assault. Many of the already damaged ships of the Kentoph fleet were heavily bombarded, though they stood strong in the wake of this renewed onslaught. “Hold steady.” Admiral Semalir ordered as he sat in his command chair aboard the bridge of the The Somnambula. “All ships focus all fire on that cruiser. And get those fighters launched. Our bombers are no good without cover.” “Sir, we're getting readings that a large number of ships have just left the planets atmosphere.” One of the bridge crew reported. “A large group of tankers and a heavy fighter group behind them. They appeared to be making a beeline for the enemy fleet.” “Why would the fighter escort be behind the tankers and not around to protect it?” Juniper asked as Semalir looked on. “Sir, the fighter group is hailing us.” Another bridge crewman said as he listened in through a headset. “They say they are from the capital being led by one Vapor Trail. They say the rebel faction has split in two and one side is working with us to stop those tankers. They are filled with some sort of toxic agent and our trying to board the enemy carrier.” Semalir and Juniper looked to each other and nodded. “Alright, get those bombers reequipped and back out there. Tell them they've got a new target, those tankers.” The order was given as the crews were soon scrambled and took off, the bombers getting the fighter cover they needed while the Somnambula gave support fire with her big guns, taking down a nearby frigate. “Looks like we've got incoming.” Patchwork said as she looked out the window of her ship which was still cloaked to keep it safe and for added measure had drifted away from the tankers. “Activate tanker nanite shielding.” She ordered Zurby as he complied and activated a switch on his remote. The signal was sent as each of the tankers quickly began spraying out the blaster resistant micro machines. “Activate magnetic coating.” She then ordered as the tankers activated a mag field around them that kept the nanites from drifting off into space. They were than manipulated to spread over the entire surface of the vessels now giving them a defensive coating of the machines. No sooner had they done this then the large squadron that had been shadowing them from the planet had gotten into range and Vapor ordered all weapons to be fired. True to form, the nanite shielding easily dispersed even the heavy blasters from the fighter craft. “What the...?” Vapor shouted as she looked on in disbelief. “We didn't even dent it.” The fighters broke off into their respective squadrons as the droid fighters from the enemy fleet soon joined in and a fierce dogfight erupted. “Barley, look out. You got two on your back.” Pickle called out as he maneuvered to get the droid fighters off his sister's tail, not noticing the droid that targeted him. Fortunately it erupted in flame as Spike and Garble shot it down and allowed for the younger pilot to defend his sister and claim two kills for himself. “Got 'em!” He celebrated, none the wiser of the near death experience he was just in. “You owe me one, sis.” “Yeah yeah...” Barley said in annoyance as the two formed back up. Spike released a set of excited beeps. “Eh, let him have this.” Garble said as they got back into the fight as the bomber squadron from the Kentoph fleet attempted to unload their ordinance onto the tankers. The effects of even the heavier proton torpedoes of the bombers were almost negligible as the nanites deflected a good chunk of the damage, many being destroyed but more spreading out to fill the vital gaps. “We didn't even dent those ships.” One of the bomber pilots said just before his craft erupted into flames as the droid fighters rained down on the group as they broke off and the fighters engaged one another again as the escort helped to protect the bombers. “We need more fire power if we're going to stop them.” Vapor said as she evaded another droid fighter on her tail. “There has to be...” She stopped and realized something. “The engines aren't protected by those shields. We focus fire on them and those things go up.” “Good idea, Vapor. It's not gonna be easy with all these vulture droids all over the place.” Sky noted as he was currently involved in a heavy dogfight. Meanwhile, the Somnambula was taking heavy fire while her crew fought to keep the enemy fleet distracted and to help prevent the tankers from escaping to the carrier. “We've lost the forward heavy cannons sir.” One crew member reported to Semalir as he sat in his chair. “This is not good sir. Without those cannons we might as well be shooting blanks at that carrier.” Juniper said as she stood by him with a worried expression. “Our only hope is for our bomber squadrons to reload and get through that screen of point defense guns.” The Chiss thought to himself before answering. “What's the status of our hull strength?” “Hull holding at 95%, shield strength down to 40% and dropping.” Juniper reported. “Prepare to divert all systems to the engines and prepare to order an evacuation.” He said calmly. “Sir?” “Order our bombers to land in the Sphinx's hanger bay. And have the Giza prepare for emergency pod retrieval in it's direction.” He still sat without much emotion on his face. “If we can't stop those fuel vessels from escaping then we need to cut off their escape route.” His response caught Juniper off guard before it finally clicked in her head and she immediately opened a ship wide channel. “All hands, abandon ship. I repeat, all hands abandon ship.” Everyone was likely caught off guard as the bridge crew did as Semalir ordered and began diverting all energy to the engines before taking an orderly leave from their positions to the escape pods. “Do you think this will work?” Juniper asked with concern as the admiral got up from his chair. “Without those big guns we don't have much chance of destroying that carrier. If nothing else, seeing a dreadnought barreling towards them at full speed with get those guns focused on us and take the pressure off those fighter squadrons and give them a chance to down those tankers. Now go.” “What about you?” His second in command wasn't planning on leaving him behind. “Once everyone is accounted for and away safely, then I'll depart.” The Chiss was the picture of composure as he watched the battle unfold outside. Meanwhile, the fighter squadrons had quite the task ahead of them. While getting behind the tankers sounded simple, it was a task made ever more challenging by the fact that the swarms of droids made it near impossible to slow your speed at the necessary angle to get clean shots on the engines. “Well, no one said this would be easy.” Garble muttered as he and Spike worked together to get behind one of the tankers with about four other fighters. Even after getting into a firing angle the group was set upon by the mass of vulture droids that picked at the group and forced two to break off. “Hold on there. Stay on target!” Garble shouted over the com to the two fighters that stayed on as he spun the freighter's turret around to ward off the attacking droids. They responded by pounding the Shock Jackal with heavy fire. The ship weathered the storm of punishment as it returned fire. “Take the shot!” Garble shouted as the ships shields were wearing thin as the two fighters launched their remaining proton torpedoes right into the tanker's engines as the entire vessel ruptured into flames. The two craft quickly broke off as did the Shock Jackal as the fighter squadrons saw that it was not an impossible task. Unfortunately, while not impossible, it proved to be quite difficult as others attempted to do the same with far worse results as more fighters began to fall from the swarms of droid fighters as they attempted to make their attack runs. With every failed attack, the tankers grew ever closer to their destination as the carrier awaited the arrivals, even as the Somnambula with it's engines in full blast, charged through the enemy perimeter. The enemy carrier and support ships continued to hammer away at it in hopes of stopping the massive vessel as the former ship could do little to evade it at this range. The fighters kept up their attacks on the tankers which were still proving extremely difficult as the fighter screen was still considerably heavy despite a number of droid fighters breaking off to assault the Somnambula. “We've got to hurry.” Vapor shouted as she watched the dreadnought taking heavy damage. “I don't know if the Somnambula will even reach them but it's helping to take the pressure off of us. Form up with me I'm going in.” The remaining members of her squad then swung around as they made another assault against the tanker nearest them. “I'm with you.” Sky called out. “No. You stay with your squad. That's an order, pilot.” Vapor scolded. Sky chuckled. “You already pulling rank on me?” “They need you, Sky.” She said in a softer tone. “Don't worry, I've got this. Just keep them off our backs.” Vapor and her squad came in at an angle and like the last few unsuccessful attempts tried to target those engines. At the same time a flurry of droid fighters broke off as they went after the group. Vapor and her group came under intense fire as they did their best to maneuver to the exposed engines which was proving difficult as they had to constantly be wary of the swarm of fighters on their tail. Sky quickly glanced away from his dogfight for just the briefest of seconds and could see the crossfire his friend was in. “Vapor, get out of there!” “No. We can't let these ships reach that carrier. You know it and I know it. Stay focused. That's an order.” Vapor shut off her com channel and angled herself several times unsuccessfully to her target as the fire around her intensified. Her fighter took several shots from the droid forces, wearing down her shields and damaging the hull of her vessel. “Vapor! Vapor get out of there!” Sky yelled to no answer as the twins managed to blast two fighters on his tail due to his distracted mind. “Sky, look out!” Barley called to him. “Don't worry, we've got your back, sir.” Her brother reassured as they duo took out another fighter in unison. On the edge of the field of combat, Patchwork's stealth vessel circled the area, waiting for the right moment to approach the carrier. Onboard, the doctor watched in pleasure as her nanite defenses were getting the better of the combined force. She smiled as she watched failed attack after failed attack on the tankers as Zurby worked the controls. Behind them both the towering figure of the cyborg abomination that was Wallflower watched in horror. The former Jedi looked out to the carnage and then to the woman who seemingly held all the cards in the situation. She thought about the control that Patchwork held over her and knew that despite her hatred for the woman there was nothing she could do to her. But that didn't mean that there was nothing she could do. The cyborg slowly approached the doctor who was adequately occupied with the action outside. Wallflower raised her hands high as her shadow enveloped Patchwork who turned around as her mechanical arms were brought down on either side of the woman, smashing the controls. Unlike the unfazed doctor, who believed that the attack was aimed at her and would be halted, Zurby dove for his safety as the control panel was smashed to pieces. “What are you doing?!” Patchwork yelled as Wallflower continued to smash the controls as the systems began to shutdown. The ship's shielding went down and then the stealth field and finally the nanite controls went offline. “No!” The doctor quickly grabbed the remote from her pocket and sent an electrical shock through the damaged cyborg that sent her sprawling on the ground as she wails in pain. Just outside the ship's failed cloaking system did not go unnoticed as a royalist fighter group spotted the ship. “Hey, Rolling Thunder, check it out.” A male pilot called over his com as a young woman with purple skin and a scare running over her eye answered. “I see it, Short. It's not one of ours and it's making a bee line toward the enemy fleet.” Thunder responded. “It's not flying our markings, it goes down.” The small group of three fighters broke off and went after the straggler. Onboard, Patchwork was still in the process of punishing her creation for it's impudence. “Zurby, get back on those controls, we need to get out of here.” The alien obeyed as he fought with the console to get something back online. The doctor placed a boot on Wallflower's head as the former Jedi could only look out to space through the window and see the telltale glint of the incoming fighter group and slowly closed her eyes as the woman over her continued her rant. “And as for you, once I'm finished you won't be able to...” Her dramatic speech was cut short as the small vessel turned into a ball of fire in space. “Woo! Ain't that a pretty sight!” Short sang over the com channel. “For sure, now let's get back to the action.” The group spun around and saw the new conditions of the battle. The tankers shielding had failed, the miniature machines drifting off into space in patchy clouds. “Everyone, the shields are down. Give them everything you've got.” Vapor reopened the channel as all squadrons could now attack the transports from any and every angle they pleased. One by one the tankers went down in brilliant flashes of light, their contents departing the galaxy forever. Finally, the last one was hit with a series of proton torpedoes and just like that, the threat of the chemical agent was gone. The very real threat of the large swarms of droid fighters was still all too real however. Aboard the Somnambula, Semalir watched on the bridge as the ship still barreled toward the enemy carrier that was doing everything in it's power to stave it off. “Sir, we need to go.” Juniper said as she and the Chiss wore fully enclosed space suits, the life support long since shut off aboard the dreadnought. The commanding officer sat still in his chair as he guided the ship manually to the target as the hull strength was now down to less than fifty percent. “Semalir!” Juniper called again as he continued to wait, running the numbers in his mind. He made a few minor adjustments before nodding to himself as if confirming some small detail and got up. “Let's go.” He said simply as the duo raced down the hall. “Forgive me. Needed to make certain this will hit clean. We take out that carrier and their droid forces are done for.” The two were met by a handful of other crewmen who had been waiting loyally by the final escape pod as they all piled in. Once everyone was secured the final pod jettisoned from the ship at high speed towards the rendezvous coordinates. The crew watched with baited breath as the burning dreadnought met with the rival capital ship and both erupted in a massive explosion that shook the pods even from that distance. The crew as well as the fighter squadrons erupted in cheers as the droid fighters shut down and the remainder of the enemy fleet began to flee. “We did it!” Sky sang over the com channel as he found Vapors fighter and flew above her. “That was some risky move you pulled off there, Vapor.” “What can I say. I learned from you.” She laughed. She fought with the controls momentarily as the ship shuttered, several key parts damaged in that risky maneuver. Unknown to its pilot, the ships internals were barely holding together. “Hope that means the ground forces got some heat off of them too.” “Me too.” Sky breathed a sigh of relief. “So, Air Commander, you think we can get a long shore leave after all this is over?” “You better believe it.” Vapor said as she held tightly onto the stick to keep her fighter from shuttering. “We are definitely all gonna need it. It'll be nice to kick back and not have to worry about....” The conversation was cut short as the left engine of her ship outright burst into flames and soon she'd lost any semblance of control as it spiraled through space. Vapor tried to access the emergency panel only for the main set to explode in her face and rendering her unconscious as the craft continued to spin and tumble through space. “Vapor!” Sky called out as he chased after her through the field of debris, not knowing what he could do but staying close all the same.