Bykkora Kraal was not happy.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d the warmaster of the Yuuzhan Vong, the great Tsavong Lah, stated flatly. \u201cDomain Kraal will not<\/em> return to the infidel world of Borleias.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe must,\u201d Bykkora returned harshly, \u201cor all of Domain Kraal will be shamed!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDomain Kraal is already<\/em> shamed,\u201d the warmaster spat. \u201cAmongst all our warriors, only Domain Kraal has seen fit to allow a world to be taken back by the infidels! We have marched from the edge of this galaxy all the way to its core, taken worlds as we saw fit, and even destroyed their pitiful attempts to defend their capital world. And now, Domain Kraal is the only<\/em> domain to lose a world to the infidel fleets! No!\u201d<\/p>\n Bykkora felt rage boil through her veins. Word had reached the Yuuzhan Vong armada at Coruscant only hours earlier: a New Republic task force had fallen on Borleias as a swarm of gnats, wiping away the few defenders left there and taking the world back under their control. Now, instead of moving on and contenting themselves with destroying a thousand Yuuzhan Vong warriors, they were digging in and preparing to defend the world.<\/p>\n The world Domain Kraal had been given stewardship; the world that Bykkora\u2019s domain was intended to protect.<\/p>\n Hours after the news had arrived, Tsavong Lah had summoned Bykkora Kraal, the highest-ranked warrior of Domain Kraal, to a war room. Bykkora had expected to be reprimanded, perhaps sacrificed for her domain\u2019s failure, but the ongoing humiliation<\/em> by the warmaster was too much for any Yuuzhan Vong warrior to bear.<\/p>\n \u201cDomain Cha has been tasked with purging the infidels from Borleias,\u201d Tsavong Lah continued harshly. \u201cDomain Kraal must prove themselves elsewhere if they intend to be greater than Shamed Ones. Perhaps they will sacrifice themselves to the gods; surely Domain Kraal must have fallen out of favor with the gods if the infidels so easily wrested a world away from them.\u201d<\/p>\n Bykkora ground her teeth together at the unveiled barbs. \u201cDomain Kraal will do whatever the gods and the warmaster see fit to regain our place of honor,\u201d Bykkora managed.<\/p>\n For the first time, Tsavong Lah smiled through shredded lips. \u201cDomain Kraal will either succeed in this task, or be utterly annihilated,\u201d the warmaster warned. \u201cAlready great shame is upon you, and because of you, on the Yuuzhan Vong. Success will cast off the shame, but in failure the only redemption will be through sacrifice.\u201d<\/p>\n Bykkora heard the warning, and could hardly believe it when her mind untwisted the truth beneath the warmaster\u2019s words. Either Domain Kraal succeeds in this task, or we will all be sacrificed to the gods to atone for our failure. There will be no survivors.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhat task would the warmaster ask of Domain Kraal?\u201d Bykkora asked with bowed head.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we first entered this galaxy,\u201d the warmaster droned, \u201con the advice of our seers, our tacticians, and the priests, we avoided many of the small pockets of infidels. The gods demanded we begin cleansing this unholy galaxy by striking the head from the infidels\u2014by making our way to the center of the galaxy and claiming Coruscant as our own.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, if we are ever to inhabit this galaxy safely, we must cleanse all manner of heretics from it. Just as the Yuuzhan Vong spent lifetimes preserving our worldships in the great voyage, now we must clean pockets of infection from the galaxy before they can poison our people.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere would you send us?\u201d Bykkora repeated.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a race in this galaxy called the Zabrak,\u201d the warmaster said, his mouth twisting around the unusual name. \u201cThey call themselves warriors of a great warrior tradition, and hold sway over dozens of star systems. Their ways are like all the infidels\u2014they are toolmakers and disdain the gods. Domain Kraal must enter their stronghold and crush them entirely.\u201d<\/p>\n The warmaster flicked his hands, and blaze bugs\u2014tiny insects with glowing abdomens used as the infidels would use a holoprojector\u2014swarmed forward to approximate\u00a0 a star system. \u201cIridonia,\u201d Tsavong Lah said carelessly, \u201cwill be the place where Domain Kraal either regains the favor of the gods\u2026or is sacrificed to appease them. There are no other options.\u201d<\/p>\n Bykkora Kraal studied the blaze bugs in interest. \u201cWhat sort of world is this Iridonia?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHarsh,\u201d the warmaster said with satisfaction. \u201cOne fitting of true warriors. If Domain Kraal succeeds in destroying these Zabrak, it will enter into your stewardship. But like all harsh worlds, Bykkora Kraal, if your domain is unprepared, it will destroy them.\u201d<\/p>\n Bykkora Kraal, for all her years of experience, her faith in the gods, her unending confidence in her abilities as a warrior\u2014and those of her domain\u2014felt the briefest sense of dread as she studied the blaze bugs. \u201cWho is the leader of these infidels?\u201d she asked, remembering the lessons of her youth.<\/p>\n The warmaster chuckled, a hoarse sound. \u201cHe is called Halyn of the clan Sanshir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat sort of warrior is he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNone of consequence,\u201d the warmaster said. As he spoke, the blaze bugs scattered and re-formed in the shape of the Zabrak leader: smaller than a Yuuzhan Vong warrior, with dark tattoos and a head filled with jagged horns instead of hair. \u201cThe readers have found only that he inherited his position as warmaster of the Zabrak. His elder brother was a true warrior who won many victories, only to be slain at Reecee by our warriors. This younger brother has no proud history of war, no stories of great victory or defeat. If Domain Kraal cannot defeat him, they will be Yuuzhan Vong no more.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Cathleen<\/em>\u2019s hangar bay was a hive of activity as maintenance crews refueled and rearmed starfighters. Dozens of starfighters stood at the ready, prepared to launch into battle at a moment\u2019s notice should the Yuuzhan Vong arrive in-system. More spacecraft\u2014fighters needing more extensive maintenance, pilot retrieval shuttles, tugs, and other utility craft stood further back in the hangar. Several of the fighters had mechanical crews swarming over them, attempting to ensure every craft would be ready for battle.<\/p>\n The corner of the hangar where the YT-2400 light freighter was settling on its struts, however, was relatively quiet. So busy were the maintenance crews that none of them saw the slender, blue-skinned Twi\u2019lek decend the boarding ramp to the hangar deck. Only a single Zabrak, out of uniform, was there to greet the newcomer.<\/p>\n \u201cSandarie!\u201d Halyn said with a smile on his face.<\/p>\n The Twi\u2019lek nodded in return with a smile, then threw her arms around him in a hug. \u201cHalyn!\u201d<\/p>\n The old friends stood that way for a long moment. \u201cIt\u2019s been a long time,\u201d Halyn said gravely.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere have you been<\/em>?\u201d Sandarie demanded. \u201cKat was feeding me some information on your movements until, what, six or seven years ago? Then even she<\/em> couldn\u2019t find you until after Obroa-skai fell.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn nodded, his smile not faltering. \u201cIt\u2019s a long, boring story,\u201d he returned. \u201cI take it you got my message?\u201d<\/p>\n Sandi mock-glared at him. \u201cIf you\u2019re not going to give me any information, why should I be helping you?\u201d she teased. Halyn smiled indulgently, and she relented. \u201cOf course. I found a few of them\u2026in fact, a couple of them hitched a ride with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn arched an eyebrow at that and turned back to the YT-2400 to see several more people descend the ramp.<\/p>\n The first down the ramp was a Zabrak woman, past her prime but still a vital figure. \u201cNisia,\u201d he greeted her. \u201cIt\u2019s been a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJess, Jess, Jess,\u201d she replied. \u201cYou only ever call me when you need something. You\u2019re such a tease.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn grinned at the woman. Her sapphire eyes sparkled under the dark, delicate tattoos lining her pale face. Nisia Eisweep was one of the few friends he\u2019d had longer than Sandarie, and one he saw less often than most. Back before he\u2019d joined the Rebel Alliance, she had been one of his trusted lieutenants during his time running a pirate band. \u201cYou know I\u2019m not a commitment kind of guy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSuuuure,\u201d she replied, then gestured broadly at the hangar bay. \u201cThis isn\u2019t commitment?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d he shot back, \u201cit\u2019s something I got stuck with. I\u2019m trying to unload it as quick as I can. Say, you looking for a job?\u201d<\/p>\n Nisia laughed. \u201cDo I look dumb enough to take this job?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but you were dumb enough to come here,\u201d a distinctly male voice replied from the light freighter\u2019s boarding ramp. \u201cFirst rule of survival is to be somewhere else when the shooting starts. And according to the General here, the shooting will be starting soon.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn turned back to see the second passenger from the freighter walking towards him. \u201cLenn,\u201d he said with a comfortable smile.<\/p>\n The other man stuck out his hand, and Halyn shook it firmly. \u201cGeneral,\u201d he drawled.<\/p>\n The Zabrak general shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m never going to break you of that habit, will I?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Lenn smiled faintly. \u201cNever, General. The academy just drilled it way too far into my head.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot my academy, clearly,\u201d Halyn said with a smile. Lenn Kaman was a former Imperial TIE pilot. He had fought during some of the worst battles in the Galactic Civil War and survived, but after the disaster at Endor he had retired. He and Halyn had met in a bar several years later and, after spending a night in adjoining cells, had become long friends.<\/p>\n \u201cAny other passengers?\u201d Halyn asked the Twi\u2019lek captain.<\/p>\n Sandi shook her head. \u201cNo, but there\u2019s more coming when they can. Everything\u2019s a mess out there.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn nodded grimly. \u201cAny word from Ryian?\u201d<\/p>\n The Twi\u2019lek hesitated before answering. \u201cThe Dauntless<\/em> was part of Bel Iblis\u2019s fleet at Coruscant. There\u2019s been no word since the fleet groups retreated. I\u2019ve been trying to reach him by all the old channels, but everything\u2019s in upheaval. For all I know, the Yuuzhan Vong have intercepted all the messages I\u2019ve tried to send to him. I did let him know I was coming here, so if he had any chance, you\u2019d probably see the Dauntless<\/em> in orbit here looking for me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWere you at\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Sandi said with a shake of her head. \u201cI was on my way back from a purchasing trip. For you<\/em>, I might add. When I dropped out of hyperspace, Coruscant was already under siege.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSpeaking of purchasing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Sandi nodded. \u201cI confirmed with Deuce that your purchases are all successfully in place. Which is good, because the hyperspace route from here to Skako is interdicted now by Yuuzhan Vong mines.\u201d The Twi\u2019lek suppressed a shudder, but a shiver ran through both of her lekku anyway. \u201cThey were mining the route when I came through. I barely made it past the coralskippers.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn nodded grimly. \u201cIt just keeps getting worse out there. And here,\u201d he added as an afterthought. He shook it off and looked at the three newcomers. \u201cWith your help, and the help of others I\u2019ve asked, I hope we can turn the Yuuzhan Vong aside here. I intend to make Iridonia a fortress that the Yuuzhan Vong can never breach.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n I hate being right<\/em>, Halyn thought as he watched the contacts blizzard in across the system-wide tactical display. I really, really wish I would have been wrong.<\/em><\/p>\n Aboard the Cathleen<\/em> in geosynchronous orbit, the general stood with arms crossed as he watched the Yuuzhan Vong fleet transit from hyperspace. It took the Vong long moments to maneuver into a battle formation, but starfighter squadrons positioned by Halyn\u2019s starfighter coordinator, Kryi Rinnet, was not giving them time or peace to do so. Coralskippers launched haphazardly to try to neutralize the Zabrak defenders, but they were quickly chewed apart by the well-coordinated squadrons.<\/p>\n But it won\u2019t last long<\/em>, Halyn thought grimly. \u201cRinnet, start pulling your squadrons back. It won\u2019t take the Vong long\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlready on it, sir,\u201d the woman said. Halyn spared her a glance and saw her hunched over her own displays, her thin blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail that left most of her head bare and her horns clearly visible.<\/p>\n The squadrons\u2014X-wings and B-wings\u2014were already pulling back. The lone squadron of Z-95 Headhunters, slower than the rest, were caught by a coralskipper squadron now displaying the brutal precision Halyn recognized as the trademark of a yammosk. Their war coordinator is already in the game<\/em>, the Zabrak thought grimly. We\u2019re going to need to remove it as soon as possible<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bykkora Kraal studied the blaze bugs intensely. \u201cThe infidels are cautious,\u201d she said aloud, watching the remaining fighter squadrons retreat towards the defensive fleet orbiting Iridonia. She pointed towards a warship hanging in space much further away from the planet than any of the other defenders. The vessel was already nearly as far out from the planet as the Yuuzhan Vong fleet. \u201cWhat is that vessel doing?\u201d<\/p>\n A tactician spoke in hushed whispers with one of the bridge officers joined to the mighty warship, the Ponlick<\/em>. \u201cIt shows no signs of movements, its hull is dark and its weapons do not fire. The yammosk can sense no power or activity from the ship. It appears to be derelict, a leftover from wars fought here previously.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery well,\u201d Bykkora said. \u201cKeep the mataloks in close to us as we advance. Send all of our coralskippers except a small reserve forward. With the yammosk\u2019s coordination, they can outfight our enemies and clear the way for our heavy ships. With their fighter screen neutralized, we can take their capital ships to pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n Coralskippers, represented by blaze bugs, flashed away in large numbers towards the Zabrak fleet. The enemy\u2019s fighter squadrons turned to engage them\u2014more squadrons than the seers had estimated the infidels could field here. Bykkora could only watch as the infidel forces fought with valor against the Yuuzhan Vong warriors, holding up far better than she initially estimated was possible.<\/p>\n \u201cAll vessels, move in,\u201d Bykkora finally ordered. \u201cKeep the yammosk carrier, the Ritwynd<\/em>, in the rear of the formation.\u201d<\/p>\n The Yuuzhan Vong fleet began to accelerate in to crush the defenders. Bykkora allowed herself a small smile. \u201cTarget their largest vessel, before their starfighter can react,\u201d she ordered. \u201cWe will burn it from the sky, and the rest will scatter in terror.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re beginning their move,\u201d Allanna Saret\u2019s voice carried from the bridge of the Cyclone<\/em>. \u201cWhat\u2019s our plan?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPatience,\u201d Halyn said, keeping any hint of disapproval. \u201cRinnet, how are our fighters holding up?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re not going to be able to break away to engage the Yuuzhan Vong fleet before they get here,\u201d Kryi replied without hesitation. \u201cYou should have let me bring in more of the ground-based squadrons. It\u2019s not too late\u2014we can still salvage this.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn shook his head. \u201cWe need the ground-based squadrons where they are,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n \u201cSir,\u201d Kryi said tightly, \u201cfive of those Vong cruisers are as heavily-armed as the Cathleen<\/em>. Even with one of them playing shy, the other four will cut us to pieces. Without us here to anchor the line, the rest of the fleet won\u2019t have enough firepower to keep the Vong off Iridonia. Even with<\/em> us here, unless we get enough fighters in place, we can\u2019t hold. And that\u2019s not to mention the light cruisers and the skip carrier at the back of the formation.\u201d<\/p>\n The Zabrak general smiled slightly, his eyes showing a hint of a sparkle under his dark jato<\/em>. \u201cYou see, but you don\u2019t see,\u201d he said calmly. The Yuuzhan Vong were coming in faster now, he saw\u2014they were already taking ranging shots at the Cathleen<\/em>. He unclipped his comlink from his pocket and lifted it to his lips. \u201cDeuce,\u201d he said without a hint of urgency. \u201cSpring the trap.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The comm transmission bounced from the general\u2019s comlink to a specifically designated relay in the Cathleen<\/em>\u2019s communications array. The transmission then transmitted to a relay satellite, which in turn redirected it to the surface of Iridonia to a small office in the capital city.<\/p>\n There, a red-and-grey R2 unit showing years of scuffs and dings beeped a simple reply, then changed the transmitter to a different channel and issued a much longer set of instructions in droid language. The transmission flashed back out to space at the speed of light, was captured by a relay satellite that did not officially exist, and was redirected to the hulk of a Star Destroyer in a slow orbit around the system\u2019s star.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n As her vessel began pouring more fire into the infidel defenses, Bykkora Kraal allowed herself a small triumphant smile. They are like all infidels, without inspiration or courage. They will break quickly, or they will die. They cannot stand before us long<\/em>.<\/p>\n The Yuuzhan Vong commander stood close the blaze bugs representing the battle, and fought down the reflex to duck as more of the bioluminescent insects broke off from the battle and flashed past her face. She frowned, studying the combat more c loosely. What ship was destroyed?<\/em> she asked herself.<\/p>\n And then the bugs hummed behind her. She turned to look, and saw tiny stars of light detaching from the infidel derelict, now well behind her fleet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Halyn\u2019s comlink chirped, and the Zabrak recognized the signal. \u201cSystems-go,\u201d he translated to himself. With a slight smile creasing his lips, he leaned forward to watch the display.<\/p>\n Hundreds of droid starfighters poured from the wreckage of the Star Destroyer.<\/p>\n The trap was one years in the making. More than once, the Iridonian government had discussed removing the wreckage of the Star Destroyer from space. Though the vessel was stripped of critical components\u2014weapons, engines, life support, computer cores\u2014the project of moving the hull itself just never seemed to happen. Argus and Halyn had quietly manipulated the situation for years, using misplaced credits to purchase, program, and store every old droid starfighter they could get their hands on. The old derelict was one of the biggest traps in the galaxy, just loaded with droids waiting for an activation signal.<\/p>\n Halyn had to give the Yuuzhan Vong credit\u2014they were quick on the uptake. He had hoped the old Vulture droids get a crack at the yammosk carrier\u2014most likely the vessel at the back of the formation\u2014but many of the smaller vessels in the fleet were turning to screen it and engage the droids. The few coralskippers the Yuuzhan Vong had not thrown directly against the Zabrak defense fleet joined them, determined to keep the droid starfighters away.<\/p>\n He studied his tactical display acutely, biding his time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bykkora Kraal allowed a small triumphant smile to tug at her lips. The infidel trap\u2014loading up the derelict vessel with hundreds of starfighters\u2014had failed. It bothered her, a bit, that the infidel commander had accurately guessed that the yammosk vessel would be at the back of the formation. According to the seers, the Zabraks\u2019 warmaster had inherited his position, not earned it through blood and valor. It appeared that, in spite of it, he had some small degree of tactical skill.<\/p>\n But it had been for naught. Her rear guard of coralskippers and mataloks was holding the infidel fighters\u2014a type they\u2019d never seen before\u2014at bay. Coralskipper pilots reported they were faster and more agile than almost anything else the natives of the galaxy had thrown at them, but far more predictable.<\/p>\n The Yuuzhan Vong commander allowed herself a small moment of triumph. The ambush had slowed her advance, certainly, but it only delayed the inevitable.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Halyn allowed himself a small smile of triumph as he thumbed his comlink on again to bounce a message to his droid. \u201cBegin phase two, Deuce.\u201d The astromech tweetled in response, and Halyn ended the transmission. And now we really spring the trap.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMore ships reverting from darkspace!\u201d one of the officers called in alarm to Bykkora.<\/p>\n The Kraal commander spun to the blaze bugs again. New contacts were flashing in golden light as they decanted from hyperspace, positioned directly between the fierce fighting between the Iridonian fleet and the Domain Kraal advance force, and the skirmish between the infidel starfighter trap and the Yuuzhan Vong rearguard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Wookiee berserker Anishor bared his teeth in a wordless growl of triumph. The coatrack timed our entry perfectly.<\/em><\/p>\n Standing aboard the bridge of the battle cruiser Kerarthorr<\/em>, Anishor heard a familiar voice over his comlink: \u201cRelaying your primary target now, furball,\u201d Halyn\u2019s voice came in Basic. \u201cEliminate it and it\u2019ll make the Vong think twice.\u201d As the Zabrak spoke to him, Anishor saw the new tactical data relayed to the Kerarthorr<\/em> from the Iridonian fleet. One of the Vong cruisers, the one closest to the Wookiee fleet, was highlighted in red. \u201cJudging from their fleet movements,\u201d Halyn continued, \u201cthat\u2019s their yammosk carrier. Nail it to the wall.\u201d<\/p>\n <Brothers!> Anishor called as he relayed the data to the other two Wookiee battle cruisers, and t he squadrons of Agr starfighters. <Strike at this vessel!><\/p>\n The Yuuzhan Vong tried to turn against the new arrivals, but the droid starfighters held the rearguard at bay, while the Cathleen<\/em>\u2018s heavy guns prevented the advance group from disengaging quickly. The three Wookiee battle cruisers opened fire on the Yuuzhan Vong\u2019s advance group, trapping them in a devastating crossfire, leaving the yammosk carrier to the starfighters.<\/p>\n The Agr starfighters were unique to Kashyyyk. The starfighters were a dozen meters long. Consisting of a primary hull with a pair of broad stabilizers with the pilot sitting on a secondary, offset hull, powered by three engines, and mounting a turbolaser in the primary hull, they were fast and heavily armed and armored. While not as agile as an X-wing or A-wing, the firepower they brought to bear made them flexible and deadly, particularly against an opponent that had not anticipated their arrival.<\/p>\n Proton torpedoes flashed from the starfighters to the yammosk carrier. Voids intercepted most of the damage, allowing the fighters\u2019 turbolasers\u2014weapons usually reserved for capital ships\u2014to burn holes through the yorik coral hull.<\/p>\n Stunned by the ferocity of the assault, the yammosk tried to turn away from the fighters and fleet, abandoning any pretense at attack. But there was no try, nor was there do. There was only die.<\/p>\n And the Wookiees were happy to oblige.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bykkora Kraal was choked by the smoke boiling through the Ponlick<\/em>. The greasy scent of burnt flesh assaulted her nose, and she snarled in displeasure. The blaze bugs painted a stark picture of the situation: her primary fleet caught in crossfire between the Iridonian defenders and the new infidel assault group, her rearguard still tied up by the infidel starfighter trap.<\/p>\n And now the yammosk was dead. With the coralskippers no longer joined, the Yuuzhan Vong fleet was rapidly losing ground to the Iridonian defenders. \u201cPull back,\u201d she called, choking on the words. \u201cOrder all survivors to pull back.\u201d<\/p>\n The villip tender turned to her in shock. \u201cCommander, we cannot\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRelay the order!\u201d Bykkora shouted him down. \u201cAll vessels but the Ponlick<\/em> must fall back to the edge of the system and regroup, rather than waste their lives on an assault we can no longer win.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat of us, Commander?\u201d one of her officers asked.<\/p>\n \u201cRrush\u2019hok ichnar vinim\u2019hoks!\u201d she called. Die well, brave warriors!<\/em> \u201cTarget the infidels\u2019 flagship, and we will fight until we join the gods!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Halyn leaned back as he watched the Yuuzhan Vong warships begin their retreat. His expression was somewhere between triumph and depression. We\u2019ve driven the Yuuzhan Vong off\u2026but there\u2019s no doubt anymore that Iridonia is a target. It\u2019s time to start calling in favors<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cKeep the pressure up on that cruiser,\u201d he called, tapping one of the Vong warships on the display. \u201cRinnet, keep the E-wings on it. Maybe they can crack the hull open. It\u2019s too far out of position for the other cruisers to cover it.\u201d<\/p>\n He heard the starfighter coordinator\u2019s shout of acknowledgement but didn\u2019t bother looking away from the tactical. The cruiser fell further out of formation, and abruptly, Halyn realized he misunderstood. They\u2019re coming for us!<\/em> \u201cRinnet!\u201d he shouted again. \u201cThrow more fighters at that thing, it\u2019s coming for the Cathleen<\/em>! Saret, I need the Cyclone<\/em> on it, too! All turbolasers, fire fire fire!\u201d<\/p>\n The Yuuzhan Vong cruiser was accelerating now, into the Zabrak defense. Turbolasers lanced into it from all angles, and its dovin basals had no chance of defending from it all. Yorik coral sloughed from its hull in great chunks as turbolaser fire lanced into it.<\/p>\n Coralskippers took parting shots with Zabrak starfighters, attempting to keep the squadrons too occupied to prevent the cruiser from reaching the Cathleen<\/em>. Now, though, the Wookiee Agr starfighters entered the fray, concentrating on the aft of the Yuuzhan Vong cruiser. E-wings and X-wings volleyed proton torpedoes at the warship and, less than a kilometer from the Cathleen<\/em>, the vessel cracked in two.<\/p>\n The turbolaser fire reduced the stricken vessel to molten slag. Halyn sagged in relief as he watched the rest of the Yuuzhan Vong vessels pulling back, even from the droid starfighter ambush. Fifteen minutes later, the engagement was over, and Iridonia stood untouched by the Yuuzhan Vong.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The bridge of the Cathleen<\/em> was nearly as busy in the aftermath of the battle as it was during the engagement. Officers bustled in out, couriers delivered messages, coordinators locked down battle damage and began repairs, starfighters were brought in for repair and replenishment, and rescue shuttles were dispatched to pickup extravehicular pilots. Through it all, Halyn stood watching out the bridge windows, listening with half an ear to the bridge crew with the rest of his attention on the comm chatter.<\/p>\n \u201cSir,\u201d the ensign at the communications post called up to him. \u201cGeneral, the commander of the Wookiee battle group is requesting permission to come aboard.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGive him clearance for the auxiliary hangar,\u201d Halyn instructed. \u201cThe primary hangar is going to be a bit busy.\u201d Of course Anishor would want to come see me in the flesh,<\/em> the Zabrak thought to himself. \u201cTell him I\u2019ll meet him there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlso, issue the recall order.\u201d<\/p>\n The words, spoken softly, brought the entire bridge to a halt. Zabraks turned from their posts to look at their commander, expressions ranging from surprise to shock to suspicion. \u201cSir,\u201d the ensign choked, \u201cI thought only the Council could issue a recall.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have your orders, Ensign,\u201d Halyn said, turning on his heel and heading towards the turbolift. He ignored the stares following him. \u201cI\u2019ll be meeting the Wookiee commander in the auxiliary hangar if I\u2019m needed.\u201d<\/p>\n The turbolift doors wooshed open for him. He stepped inside and turned just in time to see another Zabrak, broad-chested but close to his height, slip in before the doors could seal shut again. \u201cGoing to try to talk me out of it?\u201d he asked the other.<\/p>\n Senator Ceikeh Alari shook his head. \u201cThe Council may not be happy about you issuing the order without consulting them, but no one is going to try to stop it. I just wanted to say thank you for getting me off Coruscant\u2014I didn\u2019t have a chance to say it before in person.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn allowed a small smile to stretch his lips. \u201cDoes that mean you\u2019ll back me up before the Council?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Iridonia had led the coalition of Zabrak worlds and colonies in joining the New Republic decades earlier. As with nearly all worlds joining during those early days, there wasn\u2019t a set procedure or process in place, which resulted in a variety of obscure treaties and clauses unique to each world or government\u2019s entry into the New Republic.<\/p>\n Because of the devastation the Empire had wrought on the Zabraks, both at Iridonia and among the colony worlds, the Zabraks had been cautious to the point of paranoia about the defense of their worlds. Iridonia\u2019s military history was legendary, and as such, the New Republic had expected the Zabraks to contribute a large number of pilots and soldiers to the New Republic Defense Force. In return, the Zabrak negotiators\u2014including the first Senator, Kaysil Verwood, had insisted on a clause to allow Zabraks serving in the New Republic Defense Force to be recalled from New Republic service should Zabrak space be imperiled by an outside force.<\/p>\n Internally, the ability to invoke the recall was reserved for the Council\u2014the government body consisting of a voting representative from each of the self-sustaining colonies, and a non-voting representative from colonies that had not yet reached self-sufficiency, with the president of the council\u2014and the veto-holder\u2014always being the representative from Iridonia. As far as the New Republic was concerned, the recall would be legitimate\u2026but internally, if Halyn had enemies among the Council, he may have just written his own prison sentence.<\/p>\n Halyn turned to study the Senator. Ceikeh Alari had been a colonial Zabrak and mercenary during the Galactic Civil War, and had been among the many who had responded when then-Rebel Alliance General Halyn Lance had sent out the call for volunteers to liberate Iridonia. Alari\u2019s tattoos resembled claw marks, much lighter than Halyn\u2019s own designs. Combined with his broad-chested and muscular stature, he looked like a man not to be trifled with.<\/p>\n Ceikeh turned and caught Halyn\u2019s eye. \u201cWithout the recall, I doubt we can stand against the Yuuzhan Vong. Even with everyone who will return, I think our chances are not good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt depends,\u201d Halyn said slowly, \u201con how willing the Council is to defend our worlds. Most members of the Council saw the devastation that happened under the Empire, and won\u2019t want to see it happen again. I have no doubt they\u2019ll be willing to fight, but I don\u2019t know if they\u2019ll be willing to continue<\/em> fighting when Iridonia\u2019s rivers are filled with blood.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe only alternative is genocide,\u201d Ceikeh pointed out. \u201cOurs.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn could only nod grimly as the turbolift hissed to a halt. The doors slid open, and he walked out into the Cathleen<\/em>\u2019s auxiliary hangar bay, with the New Republic senator flanking him.<\/p>\n The Wookiee leader\u2019s shuttle wasn\u2019t a shuttle at all. Anishor was visible to the two Zabraks through the battle-scarred canopy of a B-wing starfighter, which itself showed years of scrapes, dings, and scars. Halyn couldn\u2019t help but smile at that, knowing the starfighter dated back to before the battle of Endor. Anishor never changes. Probably the only B-wing left from the initial prototypes the Verpine sent out for field testing<\/em>.<\/p>\n The B-wing\u2019s canopy raised silently, and the largest Wookiee either Zabrak had ever encountered pulled himself up and over, landing on the hangar\u2019s deck with surprising agility and grace. Halyn always swore the Wookiee cheated the laws of physics to fit into the damn thing.<\/p>\n Anishor strode toward them, kilos of muscle rippling under his hair. War bandoleers criss-crossed his chest, and an oversized blaster hung from his hip. The bandoleers each showed empty hooks for massive Wookiee rykk blades, and though they were missing, Halyn knew his old friend and honor brother normally would carry a pair.<\/p>\n The big Wookiee smiled toothily. <I see you haven\u2019t lost your touch, Coatrack. Your timing was impeccable.><\/p>\n \u201cSo was yours,\u201d Halyn said with a grin. \u201cIf you hadn\u2019t gotten here on time, we\u2019d be in a whole lot more trouble right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Anishor chuckled, a deep booming sound that Halyn could feel in his chest. <Yes, because you\u2019re not in any trouble at all.><\/p>\n \u201cNaw,\u201d Halyn deadpanned. \u201cIt\u2019s all going according to plan.\u201d<\/p>\n <What is<\/em> the plan?> Anishor asked. <Even with what I\u2019ve brought from Kashyyyk\u2019s defenses, the Yuuzhan Vong will break through.><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve already ordered the recall,\u201d Halyn said. \u201cIn two days, we\u2019ll have close to another thousand starfighters here, plus platoons of soldiers and a few smaller capital ships.\u201d<\/p>\n <It won\u2019t be enough.><\/p>\n \u201cIt will be,\u201d Halyn said with confidence. He caught himself, then turned slightly. \u201cSorry, Senator\u2014I forget sometimes that not everyone has my connections. This is the Wookiee berserker Anishor, a warrior among the warriors of Kashyyyk. I\u2019ve known him since the Civil War. He\u2019s one of the few berserkers that survived the purge the Empire executed among his kind.\u201d<\/p>\n Anishor accepted the billing with a nod of his head.<\/p>\n \u201cAnishor, this is Senator Ceikeh Alari. He was on Coruscant during the Yuuzhan Vong invasion and barely made it off with his skin intact. Alari fought during the liberation of Iridonia after Endor, and was a mercenary before that.\u201d Halyn smiled slightly. \u201cHe\u2019s a bit more capable than the average politician of being helpful when the shooting war starts.\u201d<\/p>\n <I think it\u2019s already started, Coatrack,> Anishor said, then bowed before the Zabrak senator. <A pleasure, Senator Alari.><\/p>\n \u201cLikewise,\u201d Ceikeh said in return with a bow.<\/p>\n \u201cHow many Wookiees did you bring me?\u201d Halyn asked.<\/p>\n <The three battlecruisers plus six squadrons of Agrs,> Anishor replied. <And forty Wookiee berserkers who have been training to fight the Yuuzhan Vong.><\/p>\n \u201cBut they haven\u2019t been blooded yet?\u201d<\/p>\n <Not yet. This will be their first battleground.><\/p>\n Halyn accepted this with a nod. \u201cAnd what about you?\u201d<\/p>\n Anishor smiled. <You are honor family. I will be here until the Yuuzhan Vong are driven from your world.><\/p>\n The general led them back into the Cathleen<\/em>\u2019s turbolift, setting it for the officers\u2019 quarters. \u201cHow are the preparations at Kashyyyk?\u201d<\/p>\n The Wookiee shrugged. <We have wings of Agrs ready to fly. Thirty battlecruisers are fully ready for combat. The New Republic fears what the Yuuzhan Vong shapers could do with our wildlife, how they could be turned against us all. And I have spent the last several years training every berserker I can in preparation for any attempt the Yuuzhan Vong may make to invade. But I do not believe they will move on Kashyyyk.><\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d Ceikeh asked. \u201cI\u2019d think Kashyyyk would be a prime target for the Yuuzhan Vong. After all, they struck hard against Ithor and burned it to the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n <The Yuuzhan Vong are obsessed with honor and glory of personal combat,> the Wookiee replied as dryly as Shryiiwook could convey. <They will avoid fighting warriors capable of ripping them limb from limb. And those are the normal Wookiees on Kashyyyk. My berserkers have spent two years in training with rykk blades against amphistaffs; they are more capable than any battalion of Yuuzhan Vong warriors.><\/p>\n \u201cSounds like Kashyyyk is where we should setup the capital,\u201d Ceikeh commented. \u201cWith Coruscant gone and the Senate in disarray, we\u2019ll need to pick somewhere well-defended as the New Republic\u2019s capital.\u201d<\/p>\n Halyn led the way to his private, oversized quarters. The door slid open to admit the three, although Anishor had to duck to squeeze his massive frame through the portal. The tactical hologram of Iridonia space stretches throughout the room from end to end, updated with constant tactical feeds from the Cathleen<\/em>, the Cyclone<\/em>, and various surveillance satellites and reconnaissance craft spread throughout the system.<\/p>\n The glow of red showed the Yuuzhan Vong fleet huddled at the edge of the system, recovering from the brutal ambush that had eliminated a third of their force. <We\u2019re evenly matched now,> Anishor noted. <Or we will be, when your starfighters return.><\/p>\n \u201cNot for long, though,\u201d Halyn said. \u201cThe Yuuzhan Vong will be reinforced shortly, I\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then what?\u201d Ceikeh asked. \u201cHow long can the fleet hold?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt will hold as long as it can,\u201d Halyn replied, not really answering the question. \u201cThough if you tell anyone outside the room I\u2019ve said this, we can\u2019t allow the fleet to be destroyed\u2014it would be better if Iridonia fell. The New Republic can\u2019t afford to lose the Zabrak fleet here if they want to eventually win the war.\u201d<\/p>\n <Then you will evacuate Iridonia?> Anishor asked dubiously.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d Halyn\u2019s voice was cold. \u201cIridonia will not capitulate to the Yuuzhan Vong. We\u2019re going to drive the bastards out of our system.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Bykkora Kraal was not happy. \u201cNo,\u201d the warmaster of the Yuuzhan Vong, the great Tsavong Lah, stated flatly. \u201cDomain Kraal will not return to the infidel world of Borleias.\u201d \u201cWe must,\u201d Bykkora returned harshly, \u201cor all of Domain Kraal will … Continue reading