Attack on New Republic R&D Platform..

[General Scorpion]

*Rumors have spread about a new super heavy cruiser being researched by the New Republic. Wishing to comfirm whether or not these rumors are true, Lord Scorpion has instructed High Admiral Truus to detail a force to attack and capture a New Republic R&D space platform, located at Bonadan in the Corporate Sector.

Already on their way are the Nebulon-B Frigates Akaga and Dictator. The Imperial Star Destroyer Manticore will follow a bit late, as it has begun its hyperjump from a system farther away from Bonadan.

The Akaga and the Dictator, with a squadron of TIE MK III Daggers and a squadron of TIE Advanced Mark IV aboard each, are very close to exiting hyperspace...

***

Captain Rifk paces across the bridge of the Akaga. To him, this was the first assignment he had been given command of that was actually important. If the scouts' information was correct, this would mean a victory, and possibly a promotion. Winning a battle here would certainly gain him the recognition he was sure he deserved.

Rifk checks his chronometer, then the monitor in front of him. Barely five more minutes left.

He turns to the young man beside him, "Lieutenant, get the pilots to their starfighters. I want them to launch the moment we exit hyperspace."

The lieutenant quickly nods and starts to walk away, "I'm on my way, Captain."

Rifk checks his chronometer again, eagerly awaiting the approaching battle.*

[General Crix Madine]

[i]General Crix Madine looked out the viewscreen of the Corellian Corvette Hail Cloud 1. The Space Platform "Sunrise" rised majestetically over the planet Bonodan. Right next to it was the Corellian Corvette Hailcoud 2, newly repaired after its last mission at Corellia. Huge metal structures were docked to the R&D space platform.. it was evident something very special was under construction..[i]

[Pics of how a spaceplatform looks like <a href=http://www.angelfire.com/va/imperialnavy/platforms.html>here</a>]

::A huge warrior like droid entered the bridge..::

General Madine: Report

"We just entered planet orbit"

"Commander Shellsparks, what does your database say of planet Bonodan?"

"The data is quite extensive.. General.."

::The droid plugs into the 3D holographic projector..::

<font color=lime>
Processing data..


An industrialized, heavily-populated factory world in the system of the same name, Bonadan is one of the busiest ports in the Corporate Sector. The constant air traffic is regulated by the highly-advanced systems of Traffic Control. Its yellow, parched surface is highly eroded, and its topsoil has been destroyed due to countless drilling and construction projects. The remaining surface is covered with factories, refineries, docks, and shipbuilding facilities located in ten spaceports, the largest of which is Bonadan Spaceport Southeast II. This sprawling city, composed of low permacite buildings on fusion-formed soil, contains an Espo command post, an Authority Merchant Marine academy, the Landing Zone bar, the Alien Quarter, and the luxurious Imperial hotel. Mountains are located northwest of the city along with a massive weather- control station. Weapons are banned on Bonadan, and being caught with one by the omnipresent weapons detectors is grounds for immediate arrest. The planet is home to the popular Bonadan Blasters shockball team, which is heavily merchandised by the Corporate Sector Authority.

The modified protocol droid C-3PX managed to assassinate the brother of Vojak on Bonadan by using concealed, internal weaponry. Han Solo was involved in a high-speed swoop chase during an early visit to Bonadan. The smuggler Shug Ninx rescued a mile-long shaft for a Death Star prototype from a Bonadan industrial junkyard, then had it installed as an entrance to his repair facility on Nar Shaddaa. Six years after the Battle of Endor, a faulty timer manufactured on Bonadan resulted in the failure of a Galaxy Gun projectile to explode, which gave the New Republic high command enough time to evacuate their base in Nespis</font>

"Quite an busy and productive planet.. something that definitely should be protected from the evil Sith and Imperial forces.. but that is not our concern now. Our mission is to protect the Space Platform at any cost. Anything more to report?"

"Yes, we have received messages of fleet concentration of URSF at Epsilon sector.."

"Prepare for fighter launch.. the perimeters should be patrolled in case any surprise attack occurs.. guard possible approach points from hyperspace.."

[General Scorpion]

*The frigates, which exited hyperspace very close to the platform, enter flanking positions around the Sunrise, and launch all fighters.

Captain Rifk grins, "Open fire."

Turbolaser and laser fire lance out from the pair of warships, instantly striking the corvettes and the platform. A flight of Y-wings launches from the facility. Laser fire splashes against the hangar shields, and tears through one of the slow ships' fuselage. Leaking atmosphere, it turns back, and is greeted by another burst of fire, which finishes the job.*

[xshellsparkx]

"Yes sir. I'll get right on it."

Shellspark leaves the bridge grumbling. "I realize he's the commander, but I wish he'd stop treating me like one of his mindless protocol droids. I'm a Cybertronian. Oh well, to fleshies we're all just robots."

Shellspark walks down to the hanger where the X-wings rest to meet the rest of the pilots.

"Okay folks, we're going out on patrol. Man your fighters and follow me. We're going to be watching all hyperspace jump points, General Madine seems to believe an attack is emminent. It's quiet out there now, but stay sharp, trouble could start at any moment."

Shellspark climbs into the @#%$pit of his x-wing and tries to settle his bulky figure into the uncomfortably small space.

He engages the engines and lifts off, the rest of Grey Squad following.

[xshellsparkx]

"SLAG, that came quick. Grey 6, you're with me, lets see if we can give the Akaga some trouble. Grey 2, 3, and 4 try to keep those Daggers off our back. The rest of you, try to keep those Advanced busy."

Shellspark pulls his x-wing in a sharp right turn, heading straight toward the Akaga.

"Shields, double front"

He increases his speed to maximum, flying across the side of the Akaga, stabalizes his shields and targets the laser batteries, destroying three of them on the first pass. Grey 6 follows and takes out two.

[General Crix Madine]

The alarms yelled through the corridors of the Corellian Freighter Hail Cloud 1:

"All battlestations, red alert! We are under attack! This is not a drill.. repeat: This is not a drill!"

At the bridge:

General Madine: They are too many! Send distress signal for reinforcments. All fighters, attack those incoming fighters.. and protect that Space Platform!

::HailCloud 2 takes position at the rear starboard flank of the Dictator, firing their six ion cannons into the sensor arrays.. Hailcloud 1 takes position at the Space Platform, firing turbolaser at incomming fighters.. Y-wings attacks the engines of the Akaga with ion cannons..::

[xshellsparkx]

::chuckles::

Don't worry Madine, I'm way ahead of you.

: ulls up sharply, bringing an Advanced tailing one of the Y-wings into view::

Uh-uh, must leave the Y-wings *alone*,

::targets the Advanced and destroys it in a barrage of laser fire::

[General Scorpion]

*A pair of TIE Advanced swoop down, with no fighters attacking them, behind a trio of Y-wings, setting up for an attack run on the Akaga. The first TIE launches a pair of advanced missiles at the lead Y-wing. They rip through the shields and into the engines. The ship spins around and around, its pilot dead in his @#%$pit. The remaining Y-wings break off, but are too slow and cumbersome. The TIEs link their quad laser cannons and blow the pair into oblivion.

The Dictator focuses on Hail Cloud II, while a squadron of TIE Advanced, armed with proton torpedoes, split in half and bear down on the Hail Cloud I and the Sunrise.*

[xshellsparkx]

::notices a pair of Daggers on his back::

Umm, is anyone free to give me a hand? I have a problem.

::rolls and pulls left, hoping to loose the persuers, but they stick tight::

(shellspark's x-wing is rocked by laser fire)

Slag, anyone! I need help!

(more blasts hit the x-wing)

Computer: shields to 30%, torpedo launchers offline

Okay, lets try something else.

:ulls up, decrease the trottle, and pulls back down in between the to following Daggers, the one further back opens fire, but shellspark pulls up again and the blasts hit the other Dagger instead, he does a quick U-turn, brings one of the trailing Daggers into view and pulls the trigger::

*KABOOM*

(the Dagger explodes)

Well, that's better. Never mind guys, I got it.

[xshellsparkx]

Well that just won't do.

4,5,6,7,8 help protect those Y-Wings, they're getting masacred. Everyone else, we have some Advanced to hunt.

[General Scorpion]

*The TIE Advanced, faster, and more maneuverable than the X-wings and Y-wings, tear into their ranks. Y-wings are shot down by the pair, until there are only three left. The X-wings, still running strong, circle around the Sunrise, hoping to gain some cover fire. The Daggers and Advanced turn back and regroup.*

[xshellsparkx]

Grey 10: Sir, the fighters seem to be withdrawing, should we persue?

Shellspark: Negative. Lets regroup back at the Sunrise. How many do we have left?

Grey 5: We lost Gears and Talin, and we're down to 3 y-wings.

Shellspark: Those reinforcements better get here quick or they'll be nothing left to reinforce

[General Crix Madine]

In hyperspace

*Mon Calamari Cruiser MC-80 Blizzard 1 and 2 travel through hyperspace as they receive distress signal. A crackling sound through the communications indicates a poorly connected transmission.. Madine's voice is heard over the NR network channel..*

"This is General Madine! We have an emergency at Bonodan! Request for reinforcements!! Opening transmission.."

*The image of a NR captain appears on screen*

"We are not there yet.. you must retreat and rendezvous with us at sector 54A. We will then join forces and return to "Sunrise" to recapture it.."

Madine: But our R&D project! The MC-200! It is critical they dont capture our research data and blueprints for production!

"We dont have much choice at this point.. retreat and rendezvous at sector 54A.."

Madine rolled his eyes skyward and reached for the comlink..

"All units, prepare for quick retreat.. we are badly outnumbered.. and their Star Destroyer is on the way.. we will regroup with the reinforcments so we can return stronger. We will hopefully stop them before they escape..::

[xshellsparkx]

Hold on Madine, one more thing. Computer, had that R2 unit got those launchers back on-line?

Computer: negative

Slaggin thing, I swear, they couldn't fix a wheelbarrow. Never mind Madine, Grey Squadron, prepare to......retreat.

[General Scorpion]

*Just then, the white triangular shape of the Imperial Star Destroyer Manticore appears just three klicks from the Sunrise and opens fire on the Hail Cloud II as it begins its retreat. The engines spark and die, then start again, but slower this time.

As soon as the Star Destroyer is within range, the ion cannons fire on the platform. Its electrical systems are devastated and completely go offline. Squadron after squadron of Daggers are launched, and begin to pursue the retreating X-wings.*

[xshellsparkx]

::shellspark slows, turns quickly and increases throttle to full again::

Grey 10: Sir, what are you doing?

Shellspark: Just a little unfinished buisness. I still have comrades back there.

::he streaks back to the space platform, out of range of the SD, he picks up a distress signal from Gears and closes in, when he is within 5 m of the downed pilot, he opens the hatch and activates the jump jets on his back, drifting towards the pilot. He grabs the unconcious pilot and flies back to the x-wing. He places the pilot in the x-wing, sets the auto-pilot to follow the rest of the squadron, and closes the hatch. As the x-wing turns to retreat, shellspark hangs onto an s-foil for dear life::

Shellspark: Primus help me, I hope this works.

[xshellsparkx]

(From the right, a pair of TIE Advanced, close on the fleeing X-Wing with lasers blasting. The X-Wing shudders with the impact of the shots and shellspark is thrown loose. Turning on the approaching fighters, he takes out his portable ion pistol and lets a fierce series of shots loose at one of them. Many of them connect, and one of the Advanced slows to a stop. The other, however, continues on an intercept course with the X-Wing, which is quickly pulling away from shellspark)

[General Crix Madine]

"Commander Shellspark is in trouble! Engage tractor beam!"


::As the Corellian Corvette Hail Cloud 1 approaches, Shellsparks is tractor beamed on board the ship.. the magnetic meam places him safely into the opened docking bay and the airlock closes::

"All Ships clear.. set coordinates for sector 54A, where we will rendezvous. Jump to hyperspace!"

*The NR fleet enters hyperspace with a roar..*

[General Scorpion]

*With the New Republic forces gone, the Manticore safely recalls all fighters and sends tugs to those in distress. Transports and shuttles launch from the Manticore. The first transport klings to the side of the Sunrise, and cuts and airsealed hole in the hull, then deploys its troops. The second and third arrive. Then the next three. The hangar bay is secured and shuttles are allowed to land. Troops are deployed and very quickly the base is URSF controlled.*

[General Crix Madine]

::The fleet jumps out of hyperspace at sector 54A, regrouping with the MC-80's Blizzard 1 and 2. The ships start refueling, rearming and recharge shields.. fighters load advanced concussion missiles and advanced proton torpedoes. A squad of B-wings loads Ion Pulse warheads. At the bridge of the Blizzard 1, they plot the fastest route to Bonodan into navigation computer..::