Chapter 020:
Chapter 20: Watching the Show
34 BBY (Before Battle of Yavin) - 2 Years before Canon
Sector/System: Bandomeer
Location: Bandomeer Space - Asteroid belt
Quickly enough I received confirmation that the prisoners were all dealt with, somehow I did not feel too bad about them, I mean they were corrupt and basically no better than pirates.
And that the ground teams had taken complete control of the two Corvettes and the Pelta class Frigate.
I was happy that we got three extra ships with their own weapons and shielding in question to assist us
Bolstering our numbers to three Frigates and six Corvettes, however, they do have four of their own and two more Pelta class Frigates so their anti-fighter fire coverage would still be too good for only our five Fang fighters to deal with.
This is the main reason, I told them to hide and wait things out.
If one of the enemy's shield would basically be gone or a damaged ship tried to run away they could give chase and deal with it.
However, none of us noticed the third group watching this all unfold.
— — — — —
Location: Bandomeer Asteroid field
Obi-Wan Kenobi POV:
When we saw the empty star-fighter with an R2 unit return and show the recording of the Jedi Master getting captured, I knew I had to inform the Jedi Council, since my master was out there as well looking for something and I was just here as a Padawan.
Even though my master is rather orthodox in his ways, and he and I freed Bandomeer of corporate control and even dealt with the failed Padawan learner before me who had turned to the Dark Side after being abandoned.
The fact that this Master I … forgot the name of got captured, and me not daring to inform my master who is likely deep inside of a ship or base that me contacting him could spell disaster.
I only had to contact home left… I'm sure I'll get a lecture I always tend to get one for whatever reason… oke, I know the reasons they are just not always my fault… right they tend to be my fault.
Anyway, I should contact the council, enough stalling.
[Young Kenobi, call you are, report to us?] Master Yoda said having taken the call during a meeting.
[What did you do this time?] the stoic and stern Master Windu told me.
"Ehm… well I was told to observe and stay out of trouble, after almost blowing our mission the last time… so Masters Gallia and Qui Gon left me at camp.
However, we found that Master Gallia was captured… by Mandalorians after trying to leave a Pelta class ship of one of the Republican patrols." I told them trying to stay confident but looking at their faces… yeah… at least I remembered Master Gallia's name
[Troubling, this news is.] Master Yoda said before another master interrupted.
[Know more, you do, yes? please tell us all you know.] a beautiful red-skinned Togruta with white stripes on the Council said
'Ah yes… man she's so good looking… down… bad Kenobi bad.' I thought looking at her who made me be distracted.
[Master Shaak Ti, is correct, tell us… now. ] The scary Master Windu stated
"*Gulp* right well, it is better to show you." I said showing the R2 unit recording of Master Gallia's Capture
"And now all the ships in question are fighting two more patrols… and we have no clue what ship Master Gallia is on now." I told them honestly
[We, you say?] Master Yoda asked
"Oh right normally my master is also here I mend I, me, or well myself… hehehe…" I laughed nervously at the end rubbing the back of my head
[Mind showing us this fleet vs fleet?] Master Shaak Ti requested
I knew it was not a request, as she looked all regal and stern, with sharp eyes as if I were prey.
All I could do was press a few buttons and let my own R2 unit zoom in as much as it could and show the battle, that seemed to just have started.
The Jedi were watching and Padawan Kenobi wished nothing more than to make some jokes but dared not to when his master arrived.
"Master!" I said rather relieved, he got back safe since Master Gallia had been captured.
"Not now I'm also rather interested in watching this fight because a third group is likely to join in, with maybe a fourth." I heard my master, Master Qui-Gon Jinn say
This surprised not just me but the entire council as well, the only parties here could maybe be a true loyal Republic fleet, how unlikely it might be.
Maybe the pirates got wind of this and decided to join the fun knowing their times up otherwise, if these patrols were lost, they would be replaced and might not be bought next time.
Or the small Garrison fleet of Bandomeer Militia, consisting mainly of Mercenaries hired to protect them.
"All of you will be rather surprised when you see them… they should join soon." everyone heard Master Qui-Gon say cryptically, and everyone paid attention when the shooting started.
— — — — —
Everyone watching could see the ships of the two patrols and the fleet of the Mandalorians move ever closer when the ships of the Mandalorian side fired an entire salvo of missiles from the front and sides.
From the front, the Kom'rk, Corvettes, and the Mando Frigates launched salvo after salvo, while they saw Fangs fire from the sides before they flew back into the asteroid field.
All the Pelta class Frigates and all their CR-90 Corvettes launched wave after wave of fighter craft, each ship launching eight for a total of forty-eight.
These fighters split up with half going after the Fangs while the others spread out to intercept the missiles.
When the Republic Fighters were in between the two fleets from the same side the Fangs had fired from two CR-90 Corvettes and a Pelta class Frigate showed up, firing all their weapons at the fighters.
All the figures could see the Fighters spreading out with four destroyed outright and another four who lost control hitting the rocks all around them.
Out of the twenty-four going after the Fangs, eight were lost within the first salvo of laser fire.
At that time the five Fangs moved their wings, adjusting them in such a way, that they could turn around with ease, and then use their burners to chase the spread-out Republic fighters.
Watching the Fangs chase after the fighters with the taken-over ships giving cover fire, hitting more rocks than enemies.
[*Gasp* They took over an entire patrol.] a shocked Master Shaak Ti could be heard and soon was quiet again watching intently
In the battle two Republic Corvettes moved away towards the asteroid belt trying to cover their own fighters, who pulled back to recover and regroup or attempted to.
However, watching the Fangs move circles around the Republic fighters before taking them down one fighter at a time shocked all watching.
But what shocked them more was what happened with the other wave of Fighters dealing with the missiles.
Of this group of the remaining twenty-four Fighters who dealt with the first wave of missiles easily enough, the leading six were lost to the second wave of missiles that were found to be heat-seekers making the others use countermeasures and trying to evade by splitting up.
This would have worked normally and it was clear the leader albeit experienced mainly dealt with atmospheric battles before, since space and planetary tactics are different.
The remaining fighters were suddenly fired upon from the right flank when out of the asteroids Fifteen Fangs showed up easily destroying all the remaining Republic fighters.
All before flying back inside the asteroid field they came from.
Before the Fangs could leave the Mandalorian fleet was shown to launch another wave of missiles or with how fast these were they had to be Torpedoes giving the Fangs enough time to bail while the Republic ships tried to do crossfire with their point defense to deal with the torpedoes.
The two Corvettes that had gone after the five Fangs to support the left flank and the fighters there pulled back to the rest of the fleet with all their engines showing to go at full power.
Even the remaining Republic Fighters were seen to regroup and rejoin the fleet to deal with the torpedoes.
Most of the torpedoes were seen to explode in bright flashes of orange light, but even then some got through and were seen impacting one of the Corvettes whose shield dropped in a large flicker of blue light.
This same Corvette suddenly was attacked from the right flank by the fifteen Fangs, who all fired a missile at it turning sharply around and out of sight again.
Due to the close range, the missiles albeit five were destroyed the remaining ten impacted the ship in question, with the ship exploding and breaking apart where it flew.
At this time, the two from the left flank arrived and rejoined the fleet.
The remaining fighters were seen flying back into the other ships when all the Republic ships were seen banking right and flying away to where they had come from.
The Mando fleet followed for a while launching laser fire at the retreating Republic fleet, managing to disable a corvette, whose fighters launched quickly to the Pelta class Frigate closest to them while both Pelta class ships used their tractor beams to drag escape pods of the disabled ship along before pulling them back in.
Everyone watching could see the Mando Fleet stop near the disabled ship when the lost patrol arrived docking with said ship.
Soon after the two corvettes were joined by a third, and flew back into formation.
And could be seen as the entire fleet moved away in the other direction deeper into Bandomeer space.
— — — — —
Location: Bandomeer asteroid field - Inside a small outpost
[So many losses and the Mandalorians lost none.] A surprised Master Shaak Ti was heard
[Losses, we did, not good it is.] Master Yoda said
[Those ships, they look much better than the group that was taken out, by the Mandalorians… And much more capable as well, we have to find out if they are loyal or corrupt.] Master Windu was heard saying
"If I may, they are as clean as clean can be. Their commander showed up after I informed him I felt a loss in the force… Sadly I now know it was Master Gallia's capture.
However, this did spur the good man on to try and deal with the enemy and maybe retake the ships or at least attempt for us to save our fellow Jedi." Master Qui-Gon Jinn was heard saying, stroking his short brown beard
[Failed it did, good attempt if not for the fact they had to deal with Mandalorian.] an old green woman with hair in a small ponytail and many wrinkles on her face was heard saying.
"Yes Master Yaddle, this is correct… sadly we did not anticipate Mandalorians " Master Qui-Gon was heard saying, with a small frown.
[I will be arriving shortly, we will contact these Mandalorians and hope for a peaceful solution and release of Master Gallia.] Master Shaak Ti was heard saying making all look rather Surprised but soon enough gave their consent allowing the woman to leave the council chambers.
[Wait, you will… return home all of you must.] Master Yoda said before closing the call
"That depends… are we good Padawan at waiting around?" a smirking Master Qui-Gon was seen saying
"No… but I know I'll get the blame as always." Kenobi said shaking his head
— — — — —
Location: Bandomeer - Pelta class Frigate 'Valitas'
While this quick battle had played out, on board the captured Pelta class Frigate, 'Valitas' all the commanders of the Mandalorian side could be seen.
Even the leader of the Deathwatch fighter group had joined them albeit temporarily, inside the ship's command and planning room.
"Alright so they pulled away in quick order, do we know who the person in command was?" Jack quickly asked as soon he stepped into the room.
His gruff bass-filled voice, made even the Deathwatch Flight leader stand at attention.
In pure surprise with discipline taking over.
"Negative, those who survived and were captured refuse to speak." Butch quickly reported
"Indeed, when we docked with the crippled Corvette they put up an honorable fight, seems they quickly got their pilots and non-combatants out of the ship and pulled them away with the Frigates tractor beams and subsequently pulled them into safety." Lazy bones were heard
"Hmm… that is troubling, knowing who we deal with would halve the potential battle and future trouble since they know we are here." Jack stated
"Chuck and Nora, report on your findings from the computer data we gathered before those two patrols showed up." Jack was heard demanding, sitting there with crossed fingers at the head of the table
"We found more than enough and had to recheck a few times thinking it might be a trick or trap… they had no codes or anything in place to protect any data." Chuck quickly reported
"Indeed, we found a true treasure and if used wisely could damage many in the so-called senate." Nora finished the report.
"..." all stayed silent, almost sensing as if Jack was a predator and they were the prey.
It was not too far from the truth, since clearly something happened to put Jack in a bad mood.
And the answer came soon enough when the doors opened.
"Sir, reporting… Rin has been detained… the Jedi though is not in good shape, I managed to find a suppressor in the gear near the door… but I doubt it will assist for long." Sera reported with a salute.
This made everyone who knew about Rin's tendencies shake their heads and look at Butch the girl's father who could only facepalm and grumble under his breath.
Jack hit the table with a balled fist even denting it due to the power involved.
"Dam woman… I gave an order and seems she decided to adjust those orders… she is a loose cannon and I will deal with her, I have had it!" Jack growled
"... You and your men can return to the rest of your Deathwatch group, I thank you for the assistance since it helped shorten the battle immensely." Jack sternly said to the Flight leader of Deathwatch
"I just followed orders, sir, and forgive me for overstepping but we are looking for someone." the man said
"Who?" Jack after a calming breath requested making the man know it was anything but
"This man." he said taking out a data-pad and showing a hologram of a man who made everyone react shocked
"...Fuck…" was all Jack was heard saying near the end