"What do you mean the rebel ship is down?" Vice-Admiral Corr asked, shocked by his Lieutenant Commander's report.
"After destroying the frigate, we sent in a boarding team. They're hidden in the debris and have taken out the ship's reactors, so all power is down. But my men can't hold the reactor room forever," Aaron replied, his tone grave. Corr's eyes widened.
"You want to capture the ship?" Corr asked.
"Yes. Imagine the intel we could gather. With their electronics and power offline, they can't wipe their systems. If we hurry, we can seize the ship and its data." Aaron said, and Corr smiled broadly.
"But we still need to deal with the remaining X-wings and Corvettes." Corr warned. Aaron nodded.
"Give me command of the TIE Fighters; I'll handle them. You just need to board that MC80 as soon as possible." It was a bold request—unusual for a Lieutenant Commander to take charge of the entire TIE Fighter swarm.
"You've proven yourself. The command is yours." Corr saluted. Aaron returned the salute before the connection cut out.
"Alright, transfer command codes to all TIE Fighters. C-2, you handle communications with the TIEs," Aaron ordered as he turned and moved toward the holo-table.
The Corvettes and their escorting X-wings had clearly realized something had happened to the MC80 Star Frigate, but with its systems down, they lacked intel.
However, the nearby Nebulon-Class frigate had received a short-range transmission—likely from a battery-powered transmitter—and was now attempting to flee toward Jump Point Aurek on their starboard side.
But as their hyperspace sensors detected a massive gravitational disturbance at Jump Point Aurek, Imperial-coded transmissions followed—the ISD Zaryuu had arrived.
"C-1, send a status report to the Zaryuu and request TIE reinforcements," Aaron instructed as the ISD opened fire on the unsuspecting Nebulon, tearing it apart while TIE Fighters swarmed out of the ventral hangar.
"C-2, inform all TIE Fighters: prevent the Corvettes and X-wings from reaching the jump points. Likely escape routes are Jump Points Cresh and Besh," Aaron said, turning to the pilot.
"Full throttle ahead. Gun the Corvettes."
"Gunnery stations one through nine, fire at will. Target their hyperdrives." The gunners sprang to action as the TIEs broke off dogfights to regroup.
Meanwhile, Vice-Admiral Corr's ship headed toward the MC80 Star Frigate.
"C-1, coordinate with the Zaryuu. Have their fighters cover Jump Point Besh. We'll take Cresh. C-2, direct our TIE Fighters to jump point Cresh," Aaron said, studying the tactical map.
There were four jump points: North, South, West, and East. Aaron's ship had entered from Jump Point Dorn (East). The rebels had arrived from Aurek, and Corr from Cresh (South). The Zaryuu had just jumped from Besh.
"But what about jump points Dorn or Aurek? They're undefended," Luca asked, watching the map.
"If the rebels tried those, they'd have to cross the entire battlefield first. Without their capital ship, and unless their pilot commander is some kind of legend, they won't organize a crossing. Even if they did, they'd only end up deeper in Imperial space. X-wings aren't built for anti-ship combat—only anti-fighter roles." Aaron said as the Hound pushed into the fray.
The X-wings had rallied under their lead Corvette's command, reacting to the destruction of their backline and the silence of their capital ship.
They were charging straight from jump point Cresh, just as Aaron predicted.
"C-2, order the TIE Fighters to encircle their formation. The TIEs have superior speed—use it," Aaron commanded, the Hound closing in on the Corvettes.
"Pilot, don't stop. Ram as many X-wings as you can."
"Maximise particle and concussion shields. Lower ray shielding to minimum necessary, but keep weapons at full output." Aaron grabbed the pilot's seat, steering the Hound directly into the swarm.
"Sound yellow alarms! Prepare for impacts!" he shouted as the Arquitens-class cruiser slammed into the X-wings, catching them by surprise.
"C5 through C8, focus on rebel fighters. C1, 2, and 9, take out those Corvettes. C3 and 4, focus on fighters!" Aaron barked orders as the Hound tore through the formation, crushing five X-wings with sheer size alone.
Caught between the cruiser and the swarming TIE Fighters, the rebels were trapped.
The lead Corvette's inexperience in commanding TIE Fighters was evident—the X-wings simply kept flying into a trap and getting shredded.
Eventually, the lead Corvette prioritized its own survival, but too late—seven X-wings broke off the formation.
If they'd done so sooner, they might have survived. Instead, the seven were quickly pursued and destroyed by TIE Fighters in a 20-to-7 fight.
The remaining X-wings were wiped out, boxed between the Hound and a squadron of ten TIE Fighters.
Before they were even two-thirds through the battlefield, the Corvettes were isolated. The Hound was close enough to prevent any escape, and any attempt to flee would weaken their shields—making them easy prey.
"Imperial Arquitens, this is Corvette-30123, speaking for Corvette 30134 as well. We surrender." The voice came over the open comm channel.
"Good. Order them to lower shields, reduce speed to 20 MGLT, and disable hyperspace drives," Aaron told C-1.
"Inform Vice-Admiral Corr of the surrender and that we'll escort the Corvettes to the ISD. Order TIE Fighters to form an escort—no escape today."
"But sir, why not board them?" Luca asked.
"We only have 50 Stormtroopers onboard. I don't want to risk a counter-boarding. Better safe than sorry," Aaron said, folding his hands behind his back.
"Alright, status reports—how much damage have we suffered? Keep weapons locked on those Corvettes," Aaron ordered as the skirmish officially ended with an Imperial victory.
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