Synergy
of Storms by WedgeantR2
Prologue:
While the
courageous pilots of the United Pilots Alliance celebrate their
latest victory, the Imperial forces have sent a large task force,
known as Task Force Storm, to eliminate the UPA. This task force,
led by the Super-class Star Destroyer "Stormreaver,"
consists of 3 ISDs, 3 VSDs, 4 Nebulon-B Frigates, an
Interdictor-class Cruiser and 6 Carrack-class Cruisers. While the
UPA is planning its next attack on Lwhekk, the task force lies in
wait, poised to strike a powerful blow to the UPA...
Part
1: Task Force Storm
"OK
guys, let's do this," said Drewhead over the comm. The UPA
Fleet prepared to jump into hyperspace. All fighters were ready
to launch once they came out of hyperspace near Lwhekk. The New
Republic had sent the UPA to eliminate the Ssi-ruuvi fleet there,
so they could begin an invasion on the capital planet of the
Ssi-ruuk. Things had been going well for the UPA recently. They
had scored several victories over the Empire, and they were
expecting eight new capital ships soon, which were going to
pilots who had flown exceptionally well in the UPA's last
engagement. The fleet suddenly shot into hyperspace, not knowing
what awaited them when they emerged... GoldLeader was asleep by
the time they came out of hyperspace. He awakened very suddenly
and checked the time. "Huh?" he said, "We are
supposed to exit hyperspace a hour from now. It's too early"
He went to the main viewscreen on the bridge and was shocked at
what he saw. In front of the fleet was an Interdictor-class
Cruiser, but that is not what got his attention. Next to the
interdictor was about six star destoyers and some frigates and
carrack-class cruisers, and next to them was a five mile long
SSD. He got on the comm with WedgeantR2 and Drewhead. "Guys,
what should we do? They pulled us out of hyperspace before we
could reach Lwhekk, and it doesn't look like we'll be able to get
there at all now." "Launch all the squadrons,"
said Drewhead, "We need to take out that interdictor so we
can escape." The UPA fleet moved into position to attack.
All fighter squadrons were launched. Meanwhile, the enemy fleet
had launched six TIE fighter squadrons, and one squadron of
advanced TIE models. The UPA pilots formed up and clashed with
the TIEs. Several TIEs were quickly overwhelmed by the superior
skill of the UPA fighters, but more came out of the star
destoyers to replace them. The UPA pilots seemed to be having
some trouble with the TIE advanced, as they seemed to be more
skilled than the others. WedgeantR2 said, "Let's change our
vector. We should hit the interdictor from the left. Even though
those ISDs will be able to fire on us, we should be out of range
of the SSD, and those frigates and VSDs will be too slow to get
to us before we take out the interdictor." The fleet changed
vectors, and the carrack-class cruisers and ISDs moved to
intercept them. Gold squadron, meanwhile, had gotten clear of the
TIEs and launched their warheads at two of the carrack cruisers.
The two cruisers exploded nicely. The "UPA Paradigm"
was the first to get into firing range of the ISDs. For a few
seconds, it exchanged fire with all three star destroyers before
the rest of the fleet came up. Both sides fired all they had. The
"UPA Paradigm" and the "UPA Stonewall" took
the most damage, but they were able to continue. Gold squad
launched their remaining warheads at one of the ISDs, which
exploded after its shields collapsed under heavy fire. The
remaining ISDs and carrack cruisers regrouped and waited for the
VSDs and the frigates to arrive. Suddenly, WedgeantR2 spotted an
opening. He said over the comm, "Rogue squadron, Vortex
squadron, cut in between those two ISDs. The carrack cruisers
won't be able to reacti in time and the ISDs will hit themselves
more than they hit you, if they get you at all. Once you are
through, launch all your warheads at the interdictor and come
back around. All other squadrons, cover them, but watch those
"brights". Rogue and Vortex squadron increased to full
throttle, and shot between the ISDs. The Imperial ships had no
chance of hitting the small fighters with their turbolasers. The
carrack cruisers tried to clock them but they were too slow. The
two squadrons fired all their torpedoes at the interdictor and
turned around. Behind them, the interdictor lost its shields, and
several torpedoes hit its gravity well projectors and bridege.
The gravity well projectors immediately went off. The UPA fleet
turned around so they could jump to hyperspace, but they saw four
frigates blocking their way. Now they knew why the frigates had
taken so long to get there. They had moved behind them to cut
them off, and the ISDs were begining to close in on them. All
ships opened fire on the frigates, and the frigates fired back.
They had to destroy them before the ISDs got in firing range, or
else the fleet would be caught in a crossfire. Two frigates
exploded, but several UPA ships had been damaged. The interdictor
had taken severe damage, but it was not destroyed. It began to
slowly move toward the SSD, which had remained in the same place
the whole time. The remaining two frigates then unexpectedly
began to move forward toward the UPA fleet. Several escape pods
were jettisonned from them. They were moving too quickly to be
attempting any sort of tactical maneuver. Suddenly, Drewhead
realized what was happening. The frigates were going to ram the
"UPA One!" "All ships, open fire on those
frigates," he yelled. The frigates took a lot of punishment,
and one was disabled, but the other got past the guns. A
tremendous explosion rocked the "UPA One." A large
chunk of the ship has been reduced to scrap. "Now's our
chance! Go into hyperspace now!" said WedgeantR2. The
battered fleet and fighters shot into hyperspace, leaving the
Imperial fleet behind them. Back at the UPA base, the damages
were assesed. The "UPA One" had been heavily damaged,
and would be out of action for a while. The "UPA
Paradigm" and "UPA Stonewall" were also damaged
badly, and the "UPA Saratoga," "UPA Raven,"
and "UPA Golden Bear" had minor hull damage. The
Supreme Council held a meeting that night. "OK we need to
get more information of this new threat," said GoldLeader.
"So far, we know that the fleet is called Task Force Storm,
and the flagship is the SSD "Stormreaver." We also know
that the elite pilots who were flying the TIE advanced are known
as Storm Squadron." "But how are we ever going to be
able to tackle a super star destroyer?" said WedgeantR2.
"I don't know," said Drewhead. "Any ideas?"
"I've got one," said WedgeantR2, "But we will have
to wait for the "UPA Paradigm" to finish repairs. Plus,
I don't know if GL will like the idea..." END OF PART 1