Imperial Fleet in Orbit

[John Hammond]

High Imperial Command; Code name Alpha-1:
001 Arc Hammer
002 DCSHA Command SD
003 Vengeance Class ASD
005 Emperor Class SD
060 Ion Frigates
030 Victory Mk. III SD
010 Victory Mk. II SD
045 Victory Mk I SD
020 Nebulon H Frigates
025 Nebulon B II Frigates
250 Carrack Cruisers
250 Starblaze Lancers
005 TIE Transport Carriers
10,000 TIE Fighters
5,000 TIE Bombers

1st Invasion Battlegroup:
030 Doomgiver Assault Ships
005 Victory Mk. II Star Destroyers
010 Victory Mk. I Star Destroyers
020 Nebulon B Frigates
050 Assassin Corvettes
120 Carrack Cruisers
050 Starblaze Lancers
5,000 TIE Interceptors
2,000 TIE Bombers

2nd Invasion Battlegroup:
020 Doomgiver Assault Ships
005 Victory Mk. II Star Destroyers
010 Victory Mk. I Star Destroyers
020 Nebulon B Frigates
050 Nighthawk Corvettes
120 Carrack Cruisers
050 Starblaze Lancers
1,000 TIE Shielded
500 TIE Heavy Bombers

1st Hunter Batallion
010 Ion Frigates
020 Mk. I Victory Class SD
100 Carrack Cruisers
130 Starblaze Lancers
500 TIE Fighters
1000 ATR Assault Transports

2nd Hunter Batallion
010 Ion Frigates
020 Mk. I Victory Class SD
100 Carrack Cruisers
130 Starblaze Lancers
500 TIE Fighters
1000 ATR Assault Transports

3rd Hunter Batallion
010 Ion Frigates
020 Mk. I Victory Class SD
100 Carrack Cruisers
130 Starblaze Lancers
500 TIE Fighters
1000 ATR Assault Transports

[John Hammond]

The Imperial fleet appeared from nowhere, and immediately, thousands of vessels were released from the cargo holds. The Doomgiver Assault Cruisers sped at full speed towards Ossus, and began dropping their cargo.
Over 3,000 ATR Assault transports began making their way to the surface, and the fleet spread out in orbit.

"Assets are on the ground."
"Deploy all squadrons, but ROE is CFO [Cover Fire Only; don't shoot until fired upon]. Set up all equipment."
"Electric field is steady, Force field is constant. Activation ETA is 20 minutes."
"Copy that."

The Imperial army was landing around the Jedi Praxeum. They were being covered by extremely heavy mechanized units, and were scheduled to be provided with heavy air support too. They weren't strictly in sight of the Praxeum, but that was no problem. As long as the equipment was set up, no issues were expected.

[Jalua Solast]

Jalua's hologram appeared in the centre of the bridge, for all eyes to see. There was calm on the bridge, but her sudden appearance made everyone tense. Although she wasn't known to be a ruthless leader, she was still the Empress. Without waiting for any saluting or greeting, she began to talk directly to the crew. "We have a situation" she began, "An Imperial Battle Group came out of hyperspace moments ago directly opposite your position. The planet is likely to give them a blind spot and therefore they will not know of your location or existence. They are deploying landing parties currently and we need the fleet to move with the rotation of the planet around to give us a shield. I want you to broadcast to the Imperial Battlegroup that this planet is currently under Coalition protection, nothing else. I want to be alerted once the Imperial Commander wants to talk back, but don't alert them that I'm on the planet just yet. The Commandos are setting up a perimeter at the temple and I'm protected well for the time being. Although nothing's been agreed, you will still count the Jedi Order like our own, under the ranks I've already mentioned. I also want a full status on what fleets can get here, alert them first to get ready for a jump to Ossus but don't give them the go ahead. While they are preparing I shall see which is needed". That was all, the image disappeared leaving the bridge amazed. "Was that a training message?" one crew member asked in disbelief, before the Admiral cleared his throat and began to walk down the middle of the bridge. "Signal to the Empress?" he asked quickly, "Yes sir" came the response immediately, "Send her the information. I want the fleet to follow her orders and go into battle stations. Give summaries to the other ships while we are rotating around the planet, by the time we form the shield they should know everything. Make sure the signal is boosted not only to all fleets but also to Salanda and Gyndine".

With that, the Coalition Fleet, although badly outnumbered, began to move. Hopefully the sight of allies attempting to block the invasion route would cause some confusion and delay in the Imperial Ranks. The Admiral however, waited patiently for the call that the Imperial Fleet had been detected. Sensors were now trained to detect them across the edge of the planet once they came into a clear view, the Imperial's would take a few seconds longer to detect them since their scanners weren't directed specifically. But both fleets would soon find themselves in chaos at either the opposing numbers or what they should be doing.

[Dan Zorko]

The 6th Special Forces Force appeared behinf the Imperial Fleet. Admiral Duke stood in the bridge of the Sundered Heart, and didn't like what he saw. "Imperials on the ground!" yelled the radar officer. "Fleet dead ahead!" Duke thought furiously. He had reports that the Empress was on the ground, and he had express orders from Grand Admiral Zorko himself to make sure that he directly or indirectly kept the Empress alive. "Comms, give me control." "Sir!" came the reply. Duke broadcast on all channels. "Imperial Fleet, this is Admiral Duke of the Black Moon 6th Special Forces. Be advised that you are infringing upon a joint Black Moon/Imperial Coalition Operation. Cease and disengage immeadietly, this is your only warning."

[Jalua Solast]

Just before this, the Coalition Fleet began to move from behind the planet into view of the Imperial Fleet. With it's ships being half-way to covering the planet, they were still far enough away not to make a difference but close enough to make radar contact. "Sir, the Imperials have spotted us" came the reply. The Imperial Fleet wasn't that, it was more like a Battlegroup. Before the Admiral could respond, another call came out from the bridge. "Another fleet arriving from hyperspace". 'So soon?' The admiral thought quietly, the reinforcements even with the army on its way wasn't that quick so it had to be the Imperials. "Identification confirmed, it's the 6th", came the response to his thoughts. "Oh bugger" he muttered, the 6th had somehow made an appearence. "It's the Black Moon Pirates! They are here to help!" came a nervous looking comm operator, who had somehow found the frequency the Black Moon was broadcasting on. "They are telling the Imperials that this is a Joint Operation, giving them a final warning!". This was good, although the 6th was a small fleet, it was highly trained and would make the Imperials think about how many more reinforcements would be coming in.

[John Hammond]

The Imperial Army moved in a tightening circle. Over 500 AT-STs had been deployed for assault purposes alongside a mark force of 600 AT-PTs, and 20 AT-STs. Furthermore, CAT units had been deployed, as well as 100 Specter Tanks Mark III. 1,000 Jeeps held the line, with their mounted cannons pointing at the Praxeum, and the deadly, rapid fire AISVs (Anti-Infantry Support Vehicles), numbering 60 units, were spread out, ready to deal with anything that got in the way.

All of this, just to protect the Guardians corp. An initial army of 7,200 Advance Soldiers and 14,400 Penetration Soldiers, 6,000 Shield Troopers, 16,800 elite stormtroopers and 3,600 T-Spec. Ops. to protect a hard-hitting force of 24,000 Guardians.

Advance Soldiers:____ 300 Squadrons
Penetration Soldiers: _600 Squadrons
Shield Troopers:_____ 250 Squadrons
Elite Stormtroopers:__700 Squadrons.
T-Spec. Ops.:_______ 150 Squadrons.
Guardians:________1,000 Squadrons

Total: 3,000 Squadrons = 72,000 Soldiers.

Bikes: 200
Jeeps:1,000
Carrier Transports: 1,000
AISVs: 60
S. Tanks Mk. III: 100
AT-STs: 500
AT-PTs: 600
CATs: 50 ... Carrying capacity: 6.25 squads. Total: 312.5 squads.
AT-ATs:20
MSAS: 5
Power Generators: 700 Generators (Held Within Carriers)

Unknown Function Antennae: 687.5.
Unknown Function Large Antennae: 20. (Held Within Carriers)
Unknown Function V. Large Antennae: 4. (Held Within Carriers)

[John Hammond]

"Commander, the Black Moon is here. Also, it appears there is a joint Black Moon/Coalition operation ongoing at Ossus."
"What? Open a comm. link with the Black Moon, and relay the following message:

Imperial Presence at Ossus.
Current Status towards planet: Neutral.
Reason for invasion: Threat to Galactic Security.

Black Moon, Imperial Fleets cannot retreat. Maximum reinforcements are on standby. Will use force if necessary. If interfering with operation, open comm. link channel with Commanders. Empire will support Coalition missions, insofar as they don't cause conflict of interest. Maintain 2 clicks distance from the Jedi Praxeum."

"I'll relay the message, Sir."

"Good." Hammond sighed, and ran a hand through his hair. This had been supposed to be a top secret mission, fast and easy. Now, it was fast turning into a dangerous situation that threatened to send all of his alliances down the drain.
"Get me Moff Kirla. We're going to give those pirates a gift they won't forget."

[Jalua Solast]

A small fleet of shuttles and small craft descended out of hyperspace, visible to all parties. They were Coalition Shuttles, under official orders to get the troops out. It was then that they overheard the Black Moon Pirates offering their assistance. The lead transport replied. "This is Omega-C372, our convoy looks like it will need protection if the Coalition Fleet remains in it's current position. Are you willing to help us with the evacuation?" the pilot called on a direct link to the Black Moon Pirates.

[Dan Zorko]

"Coalition shuttles, Black Moon copies, sending starfighters." said Duke, nodding at the Starfighter commander. With that, all starfighters disgorged and fell into formation with the shuttles.

[Jalua Solast]

There was over three hundred shuttles, they did have their own escorts but these were mostly corvettes and assault ships which would also be part of the evacuation. The 1st Royal Dragons headed to the surface where they would make the evacuation process speed up considerably.

[John Hammond]

OOC:

How did you get past the blockade around the praxeum?

[Dan Zorko]

OOC: You never said there was a blockade, just troops around the area. Plus we're coming in from the air, and not threatening your forces, so under the current Rules Of Engagement for your troops, you can't shoot us down.

[John Hammond]

OOC: A fleet around the Praxeum IS a blockade... That's where my ships are.

IC:

The soldiers were now within sight of the Praxeum.
A soldier holding binoculars to his face raised his fist, holding it high in the air.
"The Praxeum is within range. 200 metres and closing."

With a jerk, all of the transports came to a halt. The largest antennae began to be raised, while the rest of the carrier transports began to advance slowly. Troops behind them rushed to hook up the Generators to all of the equipment, providing power to the Imperial War Machine.

The antennae were lage and ominous, instead of reflecting light, they seemed to absorb it. The 6 largest antennae were set up, and at a distance of 150m further the large antennae began to be set up too. The smaller antennae would have to wait until the area had been secured.

"All equipment is set up."

"Initiate Force-dampers."

With a sudden whirr of engines, the antennae began to work.

"Force field is down to 3% of its original value."

"Good. Tell the Commander."

The Force had just left the battle.

Hammond was coming.

[Dan Zorko]

OOC: No, that's just ships around a planet. You see BM ships over Coalition planets all the time. Is that a blockade? I think not. You need to physically state it's a blockade. Plus, you're only covering a small portion of the planet. Not much of a blockade if you ask me.

[John Hammond]

OOC: I'm not going to argue with you. It is a blockade around the Praxeum, insofar as it is my fighters, destroyers and troops that are establishing a 3-dimensional perimeter around the Jedi Temple so that nothing goes in or out. Get it? Not a planetary blockade, just a partial one.

Sorry for the quick temper... had a rough day so far.