Who threw the Monkey Wrench?

[Gaiaverse]

@Sangga

Spacelane leading to New Holstice, Perlemian Trade Route
Task Force Aurek

Space was certainly vast, quiet and empty. Expect for planets, stations and nebula, it was a black void, an ocean in the sky. Jontos wasn't much a spacer, through he did have experience in naval warfare-having been on the command staff of an Antarian frigate during the Antar-Gyndine War. Perhaps that was why he was assigned to this mission-patrolling the supply line to a Republic space station being built over New Holstice. Despite the fact that the Republic (and by extension the Jedi) would help defend New Holstice against the Sith blitzkrieg-better then if they stayed neutral-members of the population were....less then amused with the thought of their planet joining the Republic.

According to intelligence reports the various rogues and radicals that called the planet home were trying to disrupt Republic operations in the area. Several convoy's had been either destroyed, captured or damaged while trying to reach New Holstice, something GAR High Command found unacceptable.

Which meant three Hammerhead-Class Corvettes had been sent to patrol the spacelane leading to New Holstice, and wipe out any enemy forces in the area while also protecting a convoy* carrying the most recent shipment being sent to the world.

Jontos was aboard the Hammerhead-Aren Krass, a name that Jontos decided was best not to talk about- as a tactical adviser to it's Captain, a James D. Hetsworth. Hetsworth was apparently a mid-level secretary looking for some more excitement in his life. The Aren Krass was in front of the formation, it's scanners diligently keeping on the watch for any ambushes. The enemy forces in here were mostly starfighters, the only warships in the area being two Picketing-Class Corvettes and one Maurader-class frigate.

"This is the Aren Krass, we are entering the danger zone, deploying fighter squadrons Aurek and Besh." He said over the comms to the other Hammerheads in the convoy. The 'danger zone' was the area were the pirates tended to attack from, a nearby nebula preventing scanners from getting accurate readings. The Aren Krass A-Wing fighters began to patrol on the outer edges of the convoy, ready to report and engage any enemies that dared to approach.

*The Convoy is-One Voruda-Class Heavy Freighters, two Alabaster-Class Escort Freighters and three Bantha-Class Freighters

 

[Sangga]

The droid added the newly deployed squadrons of the Aren Krass to it's cogitations. At the tactical readout it remained still and compiled measure of data after measure of data. They were awaiting the arrival of a supply convoy, the droid had conducted its calculations an headed to the Captain of this ship, the Redoubt. Approaching the Command Bridge the droid awaited acknowledgement. The senior officer then waved him forward. "What is it droid, we are about to launch the fighter squadrons."

"Commander Wessiri, I have compiled the data around our formation and the approach of the convoy. You may wish to hold the fighters with us and move the Redoubt lower than the plane in which the rest of the squadron have assembled. In addition to this, we should request that Captain Hetsworth move the squadron to form a picket on the border of the anomaly. We serve no benefit in our current arrow formation, the spread along this border will increase our effective field of fire by-"

The young Commander had raised a hand "Enough droid, I will submit your request. Before the Captain's response this ship will not move. No exception."

 

[Gaiaverse]

The last of the Aren Krass's fighter squadrons had lifted off as Jontos began hearing an annoyed mummer coming from the Captain of the Redoubt. Something about a droid giving the Captain unwanted advice, advice that may save his life on the field of battle. An annoyed grunt dancing out of his throat, as he looked over to Hetsworth, he gave him a simple nod before giving his men the order to move to were Sangga advised. Feeling the warship lurch forward, Jontos turned the comm system connecting the task force together.

"This is the Aren Krass, moving to prescribed location. Also Captain, I advise you be less dismissive to you droid. Unless you want to go home in pieces" He said, clicking off before the man could respond. A large blip emerged on the ship's sensors as the convoy began to roll in, a Voruda-Class Heavy Freighter emerging from hyperspace.

"That's our cue, keep your heads on a swivel and everything should go fine" He said, watching as the fighter squadrons started to patrol the space ahead of the convoy.

 

[Sangga]

The anger bristled through the young commander. "Do as the blasted droid says!" The Captain returned to his command position, waving his officers to the droid. The communications officers issued the orders and the Redoubt began to move into position, turning to form inline with the fleet. Awaiting the convoy to move so it can then provide escort.

"As we are the furthest from the approaching convoy, we may very well be the first to engage any hostile elements that wish to intercept the convoy head on." A series of clicking and a slight whirring emanated from the droid then it raised an index finger. "I would suggest launching the fighters of the Redoubt in a series of flights that pass threw the nebula. Shields will be compromised, but visual scanning is necessary to bypass the nebula's effects. As for the crew of the Redoubt maintain vigil and gunnery teams move to your stations." The ship came to it's final position and the screen was sent out. "Permission to hail the Aren Krass." The Commander waved to the comms officer, a holo-image would appear n the bridge of the Aren Krass. "Greetings Captain Hetsworth, the Redoubt is in position and awaiting further orders or a contact with the mission's standing orders." It awaited a response.

 

[Gaiaverse]

Rolling his eyes as the captain of the Redoubt began to throw his temper. At least he had the decency to take the droid's advice. Too many commanders let arrogance take hold of their decisions, often to disastrous results. Nodding to Hetsworth, the Aren Krass mad it's way through the void of space. The fighter patrols were giving no reports on any enemy concha ts, through the moment of peace was fragile. Watching as the convoy of ships began positioning themselves so that their defense cannons formed a dense kill zone.

A deep beep began ringing in Jontos ear, as Hetsworth ordered his crew to answer the hail. The tactical droid aboard the Redoubt appeared over the holo, telling them of their status.

"Understood Redoubt, we'll hold position and maintain over watch overhere" Jontos said, a yell from the comm officer causing him to turn sharply.

"Aurek Squadron has reported enemy contact, a LR-20R. They are moving into engage" she said, the A-Wings of Aurek Squadron soaring towards their prey, chasing it until it jumped into hyperspace.

 

[Sangga]

As soon as the information was provided, it was analysed and the situation drifted to a potential conclusion. Sangga hailed the flagship and the head of the convoy. "Aurek squadron must engage that recon vessel, and destroy it before it leaves the nebula. It's scanners will be unable to register much with the clouds interference. I suggest the picket pull back so the boundary of the nebula is at effective range of all weapon systems. The convoy should then hide in the silhouettes of the picket. Thus it will seem that the pirates have found the escorts and not the fleet."

 

[Gaiaverse]

Nodding to the droid, Jontos went over to Hetsworth and tapped him on the shoulder. The man nodded, ordering one of the fighter squadrons to follow the fighter and hopefully take it down. He watched as they chased it into the nebula, a single missile hitting the refurnished recon craft in the engine, causing it to spin out of control and eventually explode into a fiery husk.

"This is the Aren Krass, moving our craft to advised location, keeping our weapons and sensors primed" He said, feeling the Aren Krass lurch to the right, heading towards the nebula, were Sangga advised them to go.