Synergy of Storms by WedgeantR2

Part 4: The Bespin Melee

The four Nebulon-B frigates were being dragged slowly the UPA base. The four frigates, the "UPA Moonstalker," "UPA Saratoga," "UPA Peacemaker," and "UPA Guardian," had all been heavily damaged by debris from the Imperial-class star destroyer "Supercell," which had self-destructed in hopes of taking the UPA fleet with them. Unfortunately for the Imperials, the "Supercell" had not been close enough to do any signifigant damage. The damaged friagtes were being taken back to the UPA base by several tugs and heavy lifters, where they would join the other four ships in the UPA fleet that were undergoing repairs. On board the UPA base, GoldLeader said, "Hey guys, suppose Task Force Storm discovers that the transmission supposedly sent to them about the "Supercell" being caught in an uncharted meteor shower is a fake? If they come and attack us, we have no chance of winning without several of our main ships." WedgeantR2 said, "You're right GL. I'll go send a message to Mon Calamari. I think they just finished a new fleet yesterday that is still awaiting an assignment. They could probably get here by tomorrow. They will be adequate until our fleet is fully operational. Of course, by then, we won't need any reinforcements because we have my plan, which should take out most of the task force." R2 went over to the comm unit and sent a transmission to the shipyards at Mon Calamari. Drewhead said, "OK I'm assuming that it will be quite a while, possibly several days before Task Force Storm will attack us. There should be more than enough time to prepare. By the way GL, have you found a place where we can get a Murrian transport? We will need one for R2's plan." "Yeah," said GL, "I think we can get one from these pirates somewhere in the Nocto system. They are a small group. I think they only have a Nebulon-B frigate and two corvettes, and probably a squadron of "starchasers" or "headhunters." I believe they have two or three Murrian transports as well." Drewhead said, "Alright. Should I send some of our ships to go capture those ships?" "Sure thing Drew," said GL. "OK," said Drew, "I'll send the "UPA Startide" with defiant squadron, and I'll also send the "UPA Avenger" and "UPA Raised Fist." WedgeantR2 came back from the comm unit and said, "OK it turns out that the New Republic can get that new fleet from Mon Calamari to our base before tomorrow evening. They have two MC90s, five MC80s, and three MC40s. Do you think that will be enough?" GoldLeader said, "Well, against, an SSD and about 10 other star destroyers and a frigate, they might not last long. We need some sort of backup plan." WedgeantR2 said, "Hey I have an idea. GL do you still have that old Lambda-class shuttle, "Dictum's Pride," from when we captured the "UPA Virtue?" "Yeah," said GL, "But I never use it." R2 said, "OK. Drew, do you have any space bombs on board the "UPA Stonewall?" Drewhead said, "I have a few that I keep in case we need to hit a really big target. I would have used them on the "Stormreaver" last time, but we were out of range." "Good," said WedgeantR2, "We could use those. Here is my plan..." A damaged Gamma-class assault shuttle came out of hyperspace in the Roon system where the SSD "Stormreaver," two VSDs, and a Nebulon-B frigate were waiting. The rest of the ISDs had not yet returned from their scouting missions. The shuttle opened communications with the SSD. "This is the gamma-class assault shuttle "Delta 3" to the super-class star destroyer "Stormreaver." Our base ship, the imperial-class star destroyer "Supercell" has been destroyed by the United Pilots Alliance in the Bespin system. We will provide you with the exact coordinates of their base once we get on board." "This is the SSD "Stormreaver" to "Delta 3." We have received a message saying that the ISD "Supercell" was destroyed in an uncharted meteor shower. The UPA must have sent a fake transmission. We will begin an immediate attack on their base once all our ISDs return to the fleet which should be tomorrow. Meanwhile, we will send Storm squadron to perform reconnaisance on the UPA base. They won't have enough time to get all their ships and personnel evacuated after the damage we've done to them..." Later that day, repairs were still being conducted on the UPA fleet. Then, twelve TIE advanced starfighters came out of hyperspace. It was Storm squadron! They flew toward the UPA base, and fired a few shots, but they did not seem to intend to do damage. Rather, they appeared to be checking out the area, conducting reconnaisance. Blue and Rogue squadrons were launched, but Storm squadron evaded them and went back into hyperspace. On the UPA base, WedgeantR2 said, "So, the task force has indeed discovered that the tranmission was a fake." GoldLeader said, "Should we evacuate?" WedgeantR2 said, "No, the New Republic fleet will be here tomorrow, plus we have that shuttle you had. Drew, have you transferred those space bombs to the shuttle yet?" Drewhead said, "Yeah. I'll have it dock with this platform right now." The next day, the New Republic fleet from Mon Calamari arrived at the UPA base. The pilots of the UPA base were glad to see reinforcements after most of their capital ships had been damaged and three more were on a mission to the Nocto system. Also, the shuttle that WedgeantR2 had prepared was docked with the UPA base. Suddenly, Task Force Storm came out of hyperspace and launched several squadrons of TIEs, including Storm squadron. The New republic fleet and the remaining UPA ships moved to attack the task force. Also, the lambda-class shuttle, which was being remotely controlled by WedgeantR2 from the UPA base, flew at top speed toward the enemy fleet. The two fleets clashed and began firing all they had at each other. Although the New Republic ships were outgunned, they rotated on their axis so that they could constantly bring fresh shields to face the enemy. This made them tougher to destroy while not limiting their firepower. The enemy VSDs and frigate were quickly destroyed, but an MC80 had been destroyed as well. Meanwhile, Storm squadron and the other TIEs seemed to be holding off the UPA pilots quite well. No one had gotten a clear shot at any enemy capital ships yet. Suddenly, all the New Republic ships concentrated their fire on the "Stormreaver's" bridge. Its bridge shields held for a moment, then collapsed, then were reinforced, but with over a hundred turbolasers hitting it, it collapsed again. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the lambda-class shuttle, filled with space bombs, rammed the bridge of the "Stormreaver." The two deflector shields domes were destroyed instantly, knocking out the SSD's shields, and the bridge was literally vaporized. Turbolaser fire poured into the SSD's hull. The Imperials had been caught completely off guard. They had not been expecting the New Republic to be here, nor did they anticipate the UPA's startegy. Two more MC80s exploded, but two ISDs were also taken out. The enemy task force began to retreat. All squadrons were recalled. It appeared that the UPA had won this encounter, with help from the New Republic, but this victory had cost the New Republic three new heavy cruisers. However, they had another problem to deal with. After the battle was over, GoldLeader said, "Well now what do we do, now that the task force knows where our base is?" Drewhead said, "Well the New Republic will stay here until our fleet is fully operational. By the way, I received a report from the "UPA Startide." It appears the pirates agreed to surrender one of their Murrian transports after their Z-95 squadron and their corvettes were destroyed. The "UPA Startide" and the other ships should be returning tomorrow with it." WedgeantR2 said, "Good. Task Force Storm will not attack for a while. They will probably wait for their interdictor to be repaired, and repair the "Stormreaver." Once the fleet is operational again, we can carry out my plan. After that, as long as nothing unexpected happens, victory should practically be ours." GoldLeader said, "OK then. Once that Murrian transport arrives, have it dock with the Falcon Wing HQ. I need to begin modifications on it. Meanwhile, Drew, R2, place an order for some more drinks. We're gonna need a lot more in the coming weeks if we want to celebrate our victories." END OF PART 4