Ten years, four months, and five days after the Battle of Yavin...
Or forty-fifth year, fourth month, and fifth day after the Great Resynchronization.
(One year and twenty days since the Arrival.)
Captain Tschel was nervous.
The young officer, standing on the bridge of a Dominion Star Destroyer, maintained an outward calm, but he could not quite pull himself together and banish his anxiety.
It wasn't easy — being on the edge of Dominion territories, expecting an enemy to appear, and not being worried.
Tschel glanced at the tactical monitor.
The Dominion warships were arrayed in a standard blocking formation, a "half-shell," as if awaiting the enemy's arrival from the depths of the northern terminus of the Hydian Way.
But that was not the case at all.
They were waiting — undoubtedly.
But the battle would not unfold here.
They were waiting for the scout droids to transmit data on the enemy's arrival at the trap.
Only then would the Red Star attack.
Until then, they just waited.
Their formation, which included the newest Dominion Star Destroyers and a fast dreadnought, a pair of Venator-class Star Destroyers, and a considerable number of support ships, looked less like a standard interception disposition this time.
If only because four Interdictor-class Star Destroyers were positioned not behind the main force, but on the flanks, generously covered by heavy cruisers.
He ran through the details of the upcoming operation in his head over and over, an operation that would be the Chimaera's first after its refit under the maximum refit program.
The safety margin for deep modifications of this ship type was reaching its limit.
There was almost nothing left to improve quantitatively — the "Threes" had squeezed out the absolute maximum of what could be installed on them.
And at the moment, Captain Tschel viewed his participation in the operation under Rear Admiral Shohashi's command as a kind of professional aptitude test.
Like a diligent student, he intended to pass this test with flying colors as well.
Perhaps after the coming battle, the Grand Admiral would want to return to the Chimaera.
Honestly, there was a certain gloom aboard the Star Destroyer from the fact that Thrawn was making history from the bridge of the Guardian.
Not that any member of the Star Destroyer's crew would be foolish enough to discuss or condemn the Supreme Commander's decision to move his flag to another ship.
It was simply that the Chimaera's crew had grown too accustomed to being at the center of Grand Admiral Thrawn's schemes.
When you've been on the front lines of events for nearly two years since Thrawn's return from the Unknown Regions, finding yourself among the "ordinary" ships of the Dominion's regular fleet felt insulting and disappointing.
Tschel, and the entire crew down to the last cabin boy, knew this was just their own speculation.
But still, they wanted to get back into Thrawn's "rotation."
And even the attachment of the Chimaera to the Red Star — the most effective and successful formation in the Dominion's regular fleet after Thrawn's flotilla — did not smooth over the rough edges of the disappointed public opinion.
The Chimaera's commander had heard more than once that Shohashi was considered the most capable commander among all those commanding formations of the Dominion's regular fleet.
The others were good too, but the Red Star's combat record under the command of the "Butcher of Atoa" far surpassed them, and by a noticeable margin.
And now, the squadron under Rear Admiral Shohashi's command clearly intended to write itself into the list of heroes once more.
* * *
Sykes-Twenty Seven, commander of the Zann Consortium's battle wing responsible for the security of the Aparo sector, eagerly awaited the moment when his flotilla, having successfully completed its mission, would arrive at its permanent station.
As he had assumed — when the enemy sent its blocking forces into the Lur system, they thereby lifted the blockade of the hyperspace routes leading out of that system along their length.
A single interdictor cruiser, which intercepted Sykes-Twenty Seven's fleet during its retreat along the sixth vector, offered no serious resistance, folded its gravity projectors, and made a jump-retreat.
Thus allowing the triumphant commander to continue his flight toward the borders of the Aparo sector.
The victory he had won at the frozen world of Lur was glorious, but it would be a pale shadow of what he intended to accomplish by breaking through the sector's mine blockade and moving into the home territory of the Zann Consortium.
As with the previous operation to lure the enemy onto the minefields, the breakthrough plan was elegant in its simplicity.
Tyber Zann's advisor, Shadowspawn, using his supernatural skills, was to coordinate a double breakthrough of the minefield.
On one side, the barriers would be attacked by starships from the Corporate Sector.
Hundreds of requisitioned transport ships would strike the mines from one side — from the Corporate Sector.
Meanwhile, Sykes-Twenty Seven would attack with the remnants of his light fleet from the Aparo sector side.
The double strike would allow the ships to break through the defenses fairly quickly and thereby evacuate the tools and specialists aboard the destroyers for restoring cloning capabilities directly within the Corporate Sector.
Sykes-Twenty Seven was confident he would manage to withdraw his forces under the protection of the main body before the main Dominion forces, which he had been fighting until now, arrived at the breakthrough point.
Without a doubt, he had not destroyed all the forces opposing him at the Battle of Lur.
From the presence of a fast dreadnought in the enemy's forces, he understood he was facing Eric Shohashi, known even in the Galactic Empire as the "Butcher of Atoa."
And he harbored no illusions that the enemy hadn't understood what he intended to do.
Yes, they had sacrificed their auxiliary forces — as Shadowspawn had promised — for the breakthrough to Lur.
Undoubtedly, the Dominion needed the same Lurrian cloning capabilities as the Zann Consortium itself.
But Sykes-Twenty Seven would not encounter any major forces on the path to operational space.
Shohashi had recalled hundreds of his small ships from controlling the territories of the Aparo sector.
And now that he had lost them, now that his fleet had escaped the trap, Shohashi would undoubtedly rush to defend the exposed territories.
The loss of auxiliary forces would mean Shohashi would have to use his own Star Destroyers and heavy cruisers as station-keepers.
Consequently, even if he guessed what was happening, he could only assemble forces far from the largest under his command to the breakthrough point on the Hydian Way.
Given the number and combat capability of Sykes-Twenty Seven's own destroyers, as well as the support starships the Zann Consortium would deploy to meet and escort them, whatever Shohashi brought to the breakthrough point would be destroyed in a short time.
But the clone had little faith that a battle would occur.
Shohashi had too much territory to guard right now, so even if he understood exactly where the breakthrough forces from the Lur system had gone, he would surely rush to storm the planet itself, rather than finishing off the surviving Zann Consortium destroyers.
And run into the camouflaged starships left precisely for such an occasion.
Sykes-Twenty Seven knew Shohashi had already begun implementing this plan — he had again sent his blocking forces into the Lur system.
This time, he had sealed off all six escape routes.
He obviously thought no "surprise" had been prepared for him.
Too bad the interference generated by the Dominion's ships made it impossible to understand what was happening in the system itself, but the result would still be as the Zann Consortium had planned.
In any case, wherever Shohashi appeared, inevitable and logical defeat awaited him.
Sykes-Twenty Seven, unlike some other clones of the original Jared Sykes who had gone missing during the offensive against the Dominion several weeks ago, understood the psychological significance (for both the enemy and his own forces) of such easy victories, where the main goal was mass murder and chaos.
The more panic — the more demoralized the enemy.
The more killed — the more motivated his own subordinates were to continue the war with the Dominion.
Undoubtedly, the attack on the Aparo sector, the HoloNet crash, and the minefields on the routes leading to neighboring sectors were part of the overall plan for the assault on the Zann Consortium.
And if so, the defeat that would be inflicted on the "Butcher of Atoa" would be significant and utterly painful.
Not just militarily, but morally as well.
The fast dreadnought commanded by Shohashi was, without a doubt, one of the few Dominion "super" class ships that were the elite of any fleet.
Disabling, or, if luck smiled, destroying the enemy flagship would not only reduce the Dominion's military power but also deprive it of qualified and experienced personnel.
Who were always of greater value than the best pile of metal turned into military hardware.
One way or another, striking forces weaker than your own was the best way to destroy the enemy.
Personally, Sykes-Twenty Seven preferred to strike without meeting resistance, rather than getting drawn into protracted battles against a strong enemy capable of defending itself.
"Admiral, two minutes to the exit point," reported the navigator on the other side of the bridge.
"Prepare to open the main communication channel," commanded Sykes-Twenty Seven, eagerly awaiting the moment when the fleet would emerge from hyperspace and he could begin issuing orders.
"Aye aye, sir."
A smile flickered across Sykes-Twenty Seven's thin, cracked lips.
He felt the familiar vibration of deceleration beginning, and the image in the viewport beyond the combat bridge transformed from the whitish haze of hyperspace into real cosmic darkness.
They had arrived at the far borders of the Aparo sector, where solar gravity had minimal effect, but just a few minutes' flight from the line designated by Shadowspawn, which had been mined by the Dominion Armed Forces.
Sykes-Twenty Seven checked the tactical hologram.
Not a single enemy ship.
"Sir," the watch officer addressed him, "we're receiving a transmission from the flagship of the fleet from the Corporate Sector. They are in position and ready to begin breaching the barriers. They're asking about our status."
Excellent.
He had outplayed his opponent.
"Send light forces to breach the minefield along vector twelve," ordered Sykes-Twenty Seven. "Report to the flagship of Sykes-Twenty Eight that the ships are combat-ready. The equipment and slaves are in the destroyers' holds. The Lurrians are frozen in carbonite."
The response took about five minutes to arrive.
Still, the minefield was wide enough that even a powerful, amplified laser beam couldn't cross it in a short time.
Sykes-Twenty Eight had also begun his breach of the mine barrier.
Within half an hour, Sykes-Twenty Seven had lost half his light forces, but had also advanced twenty percent into the minefield.
Clearing enough space to begin safe movement through the minefield.
Triumph was near.
"Sir, we're registering the emergence of four Star Destroyers aft of our position," reported the watch officer.
"Identify them!"
"They're Interdictors, sir!"
"Ours?" Sykes-Twenty Seven asked, just in case, not really believing it possible.
"No, sir," came the expected reply.
Shohashi had brought ships to intercept his forces.
But he had sent too few destroyers here…
"The enemy is deploying gravity trawls, sir."
"Deploy the Imperials and Victories to intercept the Interdictors," ordered Sykes-Twenty Seven. "Order the Venators to begin moving along the channel in the minefield."
Apparently, Shohashi intended to hold them here and bring in more of his forces using artificial gravity zones.
The distance between the opposing fleets was about fifty standard units.
As soon as the ten most combat-capable destroyers in his fleet completed their turn, he would be able to meet with fire any enemy ships Shohashi could bring here.
One, two destroyers — it didn't matter.
Even if spy droids were present in this space, the "Butcher of Atoa" wouldn't have time to bring ships from distant systems.
And as soon as the channel was ready, and the gravity stations in the minefields were destroyed by the breaking-through Zann Consortium forces, the reinforcements from "corporate" territory wouldn't leave a trace of Eric Shohashi's squadron, let alone memories.
The backup plan had worked.
Now he just needed to destroy the Interdictors and…
"Turn complete, sir!"
"Enemy fleet emergence registered!"
"Destroyers, sir!"
"Heavy cruisers!"
"The Crimson Dawn!"
Sykes-Twenty Seven was speechless.
Instead of seeing only the darkness of space dotted with distant sparks of stars and nebulae, Sykes-Twenty Seven discovered the Dominion fleet, led by a fast dreadnought, drawn up before his ships, ready for battle.
And the enemy had a full dozen Imperial-class Star Destroyers.
Exactly the number of ships Shohashi had possessed during his attacks on the Lur system.
Consequently…
Had the "Butcher of Atoa" actually calculated Sykes-Twenty Seven's actions and realized he did not intend to attack any system in the Aparo sector, but planned to break out of the sector entirely⁈
How could the enemy have understood so effectively a tactic developed not only by Sykes-Twenty Seven, a clone of the famed Clone Wars-era commander who had led the Zann Consortium to victory over an entire galaxy, but also by Shadowspawn, through whom the organization had subjugated the best and most profitable part of the galaxy⁈
He thought: "This is impossible!"
Then he shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Shields to full power!"
But the enemy had already opened fire.
Two massive red streaks of ion charges disabled the pair of Imperials closest to the enemy.
Thus Sykes-Twenty Seven learned that he had not disabled all the Venators with ion cannons belonging to Dominion Rear Admiral Eric Shohashi.
The "Butcher of Atoa" had arrived at the trap prepared for him fully armed.
And what was there to hide anymore⁈
He had used Grand Admiral Thrawn's tactics.
Had set his own trap within the ambush meant to defeat his fleet.
* * *
The battle had not yet begun, but Rear Admiral Shohashi, leaning on his cane, stood in the center of the Crimson Dawn's main platform, his eyes already fixed on the display monitors.
From the decoded dispatches he had read, he knew the enemy fleet had left the Lur system consisting of five Star Destroyers of each type: Imperial, Victory, Venator.
Initially, the enemy had also possessed nearly a hundred corvettes, frigates, and cruisers of various types.
But after the battle with the Dominion's drone-controlled assault fleet, the enemy's destroyers had sustained non-critical but serious damage, though they were still almost fully combat-capable.
At the same time, the enemy's light forces had been destroyed by nearly forty percent.
The Crimson Dawn's central computer displayed seventy-one markers for the enemy's light ships.
Consequently, the Zann Consortium had a fleet of eighty-six starships of various classes.
But that data was from before the ships of the Red Star squadron had appeared at this point.
Now the situation had changed — in Shohashi's favor.
Eric could oppose them with one fast dreadnought, ten Dominion Star Destroyers — the latest "triples" four Interdictors, and a dozen Avenger-class heavy cruisers.
And two Venators equipped with w-180 ion cannons.
Second-generation "Dragons," which needed only a single shot from their main caliber guns to disable any enemy capital ship.
"Activate gravity trawls," Eric ran his thumb over the engraving of Iran Ryad and closed the lid of his archaic pocket chronometer with a distinct click. "Deployment direction: vectors six and seven, twelve and eleven. Begin jamming."
He felt no serenity.
Somehow, the ritual that had become ordinary over the long years no longer brought him peace.
But it no longer mattered.
The enemy ships had not fallen into the trap of the minefield's gravity snares.
They had emerged from hyperspace well in advance, indicating what Thrawn had spoken of.
The enemy had spent a long time preparing for the blockade breakthrough and had managed to calculate the suppression boundaries of the hyperdrive generators created by the gravity well generators scattered throughout the minefield that cut the Corporate Sector off from Aparo.
"Sir, we're detecting laser beam transmissions," reported a specialist from the communications bay. "Directed along the Hydian Way."
"Toward the Corporate Sector?" Eric clarified.
"Affirmative, sir."
So Thrawn was right again: the sector blockade breakthrough was happening from two sides simultaneously.
"Order the Dragons to begin engaging enemy starships," Shohashi commanded. "Imperials first, then Victories."
"The enemy has crossed forty percent of the mine barrier," the watch officer warned the Rear Admiral. "The Venators are entering the formed channel."
Eric looked at the tactical monitor.
The Crimson Dawn's scanners were picking up information at a range of two hundred units.
The distance between the opposing fleets, taking into account mutual closure, was currently forty-five units.
Which the enemy's Victory-class Star Destroyers were actively exploiting.
Their generous missile volleys were not reaching their target — the anti-ship self-propelled projectiles were intercepted either by covering corvettes or by the point-defense artillery of the Dominion's destroyers themselves.
The Dominion forces were not using their own launchers — according to Thrawn's information, the Lurrians and the equipment the Dominion needed for cloning were aboard.
Plus, the probability of missile interception at a distance of forty-five standard units was too high.
Consequently, the maximum range the scanners could currently "reach" was one hundred fifty-five units behind those ten Star Destroyers moving toward the Red Star.
The width of the previously established mine barrier between the sectors was three hundred units.
In that case, it could be assumed that from the Corporate Sector side, the Zann forces had also carved a channel of approximately the same length as the retreating flotilla from his direction.
It was not without reason that he had ordered the vectors of the gravity trawls deployed to block both the enemy's advance and their retreat into the Aparo sector.
These same measures would contain the enemy's reinforcements from rushing into the sector after the mine barrier was breached.
"Targets 'one' and 'two' have been hit," the watch officer reported. "Target 'three' is maneuvering; targets 'four' and 'five' are changing course."
Eric understood why the commanders of the last three remaining operational enemy Imperials had done this.
Having recognized the threat from the Dragons, they sought to use their crippled brethren as shields to close with the Dominion's Star Destroyers.
Which, in turn, were generously hammering the enemy ships with turbolaser and ion artillery, not letting the Zann forces relax.
Meanwhile, the turbolasers were firing exclusively at the enemy's combat-capable ships, and the ion cannons at those that had already lost power to their onboard systems.
A safety measure to prevent the enemy Star Destroyers from accidentally "coming back to life" after being hit by the w-180 ion cannons.
Eric had only two Dragons at his disposal.
But more weren't needed.
A third Imperial and the first Victory were added to the list of Star Destroyers already hit by the ion shots from his squadron's Dragons.
"Assault element of the fleet — advance," Shohashi ordered. "Boarding parties, prepare to take enemy ships by boarding action. Dragons, switch to engaging the Victories. We will deal with the enemy formation's flagship ourselves."
"Aye, sir!"
"Concentrated fire from all weapon systems!" Shohashi barked. "Strip the target of shields and weapons! Disable the ship!"
"Aye aye, Rear Admiral!"
The Red Star began to move across the entire front.
Each triple-class Star Destroyer pushed forward, frantically pouring fire from every gun onto the still combat-capable Zann Consortium starships.
Consequently, all ships except the Interdictors and the four heavy cruisers covering them began closing with the enemy for a single purpose.
Within their holds, stormtroopers and battle droids were preparing to attack the immobilized Zann Consortium ships.
Yes, they were not facing Vengeance-class frigates or Aggressor-class Star Destroyers, which used self-destruct systems when capture was threatened.
But there was no guarantee that the crews of the enemy ships hit by ion fire would not use the emergency or engineering reactors of the Imperials to blow up the ships and thus prevent their "trophies" from falling into Dominion hands for later use.
Only when the enemy ships were under the complete control of Dominion stormtroopers could it be said that neither the cloning equipment nor the Lurrians were in any danger.
The Crimson Dawn closed with the enemy flagship, identified by the numerous communication actions addressed to other Zann Consortium ships.
Powerful artillery salvos shattered the enemy's deflector shield in seconds.
The remnants of its starfighters were mercilessly destroyed by the laser armament and fighter wing of the fast dreadnought of the Dominion Armed Forces' regular fleet.
Eric informed the commanders of the other large ships to concentrate fire exclusively on destroying the enemy's starfighters and maintaining ion control over the damaged Zann Consortium ships.
No closing with the disabled destroyers was permitted, in case the enemy decided to blow up their own ships.
And at the same time, the tactical hologram showed hundreds of transport and boarding-assault starships bursting from the holds of the Dominion's Star Destroyers, flying tens of standard units to slam into the hulls and emergency airlocks of the enemy ships.
Others were meant to rush into the open hangars of the Star Destroyers and land troops in the landing bays, allowing the stormtroopers and battle droids to advance on the most sensitive and dangerous areas of the ships.
The boarding parties fought their way to the bridges, reactors, engineering and engine rooms, and adjacent compartments.
The Crimson Dawn and its crew did not need to receive orders every time the situation changed.
The eight-kilometer giant came to a halt over the hull of a coasting Imperial-class Star Destroyer.
The powerless flagship of the Zann Consortium flotilla shuddered as invisible grips of tractor beams latched onto it.
The ship slowly bled off its velocity through the counter-motion of the dreadnought.
And at that same moment, streams of boarding troops poured from the depths of the Red Star's flagship.
The ship coordinating the actions of all the other starships in the flotilla had to be captured at all costs.
The faster, the better for the counter-intelligence officers, who would be grateful for the promptness.
And the opportunity to dig through whatever data remained on the ship's computers by the time it was cleared.
"Dragons — shift your firing echelon," Eric ordered. "Engage the enemy Venators with main caliber fire for effect."
The distance still allowed it.
Shohashi looked at the tactical hologram.
The enemy had crossed forty-seven percent of the minefield.
And there their advance had ended.
As had the light forces at the disposal of the fleet commander who had escaped the Lur system.
But that didn't mean the breakthrough was neutralized and the blockade would remain intact anywhere.
No.
This battle was merely a prelude to the greater fight.
The Crimson Dawn's sensor systems registered numerous enemy starships charging through the minefield, heedless of casualties.
Eric watched the markers of the gravitational field generators that comprised the minefield flicker and die.
Only one installation remained.
And the enemy on the far side of the blockade would be able to jump to his fleet's position.
Well then...
He was ready for that too.
"Sir," the watch officer addressed him. "Sensor control reports approximately sixty Victory-class Star Destroyers of both modifications registered on the far side of the minefield."
"Acknowledged, Lieutenant," Eric replied calmly. "Let them break through. We have the means and the manner to meet them."
"Yes, sir," the watch officer answered, somewhat flustered. "The Dragons report that all five of the enemy's Venators are immobilized and drifting toward the remaining mines along the channel cleared by the enemy's light forces."
"Don't worry, Lieutenant," Eric advised, watching the minefield thin on the tactical display. "The breakthrough forces from the Corporate Sector have accelerated their efforts to breach the blockade. The immobilized starships won't be harmed."
"Yes, sir."
"Notify the Interrupter and the Detainer," he named the Interdictors that were blocking vectors eleven and twelve with their gravity wells — "to stand by to deactivate their installations and break the light-speed barrier on my order. All other ships prepare to turn."
"Will comply, Rear Admiral."
The Interrupter and the Detainer controlled the zone at the very edge of the minefield from the Aparo sector side.
At the right moment, they would shut down their installations.
And the only thing holding back the Zann Consortium ships breaking out of the Corporate Sector would be the other two Interdictors.
The Stopper and the Lurking in the Shadows.
But their vectors were deployed far from the zone controlled by the Interrupter and the Detainer.
On the exact opposite side.
Deep in the rear of Shohashi's ship positions.
The enemy could clearly see that the Dominion possessed Dragons equipped with ion cannons.
And they could see that ships with valuable cargo were being boarded.
They wouldn't waste time trying to force the channel through the minefield.
Not when they could jump.
Right into the trap waiting for them.
Eric pulled an antique chronometer from his tunic pocket.
With a practiced motion, he opened the lid and ran his thumb over the engraving of Iran Ryad.
The Red Star no longer brought the Rear Admiral comfort.
Something had changed.
Not in her — she had died long ago.
But in him.
His heart no longer shattered at the thought of her death.
Not after the death of the true Iceheart.
One could say he had tasted the blood of the one who ordered the destruction of the love of his life.
Could it be that some part of his psyche considered that promise fulfilled?
No, that wasn't right.
Baron Fel was still above ground.
When he died — then, and only then, could the vengeance be considered complete.
As promised.
But for now...
"Sir, the minefield has been breached," the watch officer reported, a hint of unease in his voice. "The Interdictors and other ships have received their designated orders."
The Crimson Dawn was currently positioned closer to the minefield than any other ship of the Red Star.
As planned.
And the fast dreadnought's sensors were as sensitive and long-ranged as ever.
"Grav-acoustic sensors register enemy ships transitioning into hyperspace!"
"Order the Interrupter and the Detainer to jump," Eric commanded. "All other ships — launch the Scimitars and set a preliminary course one unit closer than vectors five and six. Attack as soon as the enemy starships emerge from jump."
"Will comply, Rear Admiral!"
Eric snapped the lid shut and returned the archaic chronometer to his pocket.
A grand battle was brewing.
* * *
The dim twilight of the quarters was dispelled only by the hologram of the battle fought by the blocking detachment under the command of Captain Valum Vigor.
The "guest of honor" himself silently observed the analysis of his actions, compiled from data obtained by the buzz droids and spy droids launched from his own detachment's ships before the assault fleet's vessels entered the action.
After the holographic Aggressor-class Star Destroyer and Vengeance-class frigate exploded, and the exact copy of the latter was swarmed by Dominion landing craft, the hologram froze.
"Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel Tierce," I addressed my adjutant quietly, who stood by the tactical holoprojector.
Turning my gaze to Captain Vigor, I inquired:
"How do you explain this? Why was my order to destroy the enemy starships disobeyed?"
The man, lips pressed tight, stood rigidly at attention, drilling his gaze into the dark ceiling panels.
"I gave the order to capture the enemy vessel, sir," he said clearly, loudly, without hesitation.
"I take it Captain Makeno did not act on his own initiative," I agreed.
"That's correct, sir," Vigor continued staring at the ceiling, not daring to meet my eyes.
Sharp and by the Empire's regulations.
You can recruit a man or accept a defector.
You can keep his rank.
You can provide "advanced training."
You can entrust him with one of your state's most modern Star Destroyers — of which there were currently only five in active, combat-ready service.
You can make it clear to him and his comrades that no one holds a grudge for the past.
But you cannot understand his logic.
The order was simple and clear: disguised starships were to be destroyed, no matter what.
No exceptions.
But this commander acted differently.
I needed to know the reason for violating an extremely simple and precisely formulated order first and foremost.
Because, even though disobeying an order was a serious disciplinary offense bordering on a crime (depending on the severity of the consequences).
To understand how severely the offender should be punished, it was necessary to grasp his motivation.
Over the past year, there had been many cases where orders were broken out of purely good intentions.
Take Rear Admiral Mora, for example, and his attack on the Kuat-subordinate planet of Xa Fel, when he disobeyed orders and inserted his own initiative into a carefully planned algorithm for capturing the planet and the hyperdrives we so desperately needed at the time.
He sat in a cell.
He explained himself.
He wrote a textbook on tactics.
Now he commands a fresh, newly formed squadron for the second phase of the counteroffensive against the Zann Consortium's allies.
By the time reconnaissance identifies everything necessary for the attack, the sector borders and regional hyperspace routes are mined, and other preparations for the assault are complete, the new strike force will be fully crewed and have completed combat integration.
But the question of what drove Vigor at that moment, when he sent our special forces donors to storm the disguised ship, still remained.
Could he have guessed that our special forces were sent to his ship not for counter-boarding operations, but to restrain him and his former military comrades from the Pentastar Alignment who made up the Raider's crew, if necessary?
No, unlikely.
Makeno wasn't one to talk — not when it came to the mission.
So it was either "good intentions," plain stupidity, or an underestimation of the danger.
The situation needed clarification.
"Sir," Captain Vigor coughed into his fist after hearing my question to the end. "I understand my actions posed a threat to anyone who boarded the enemy's disguised vessel. But risk is part of our profession as servicemen."
Quite correct words.
"There's a difference between risks, Captain," I reminded him. "The risk of a common soldier dying in battle is far lower than that of a special forces squad you sent to storm a ship equipped with an actively used enemy self-destruct system."
"I understand that, sir," Captain Vigor agreed after a brief silence. "During my advanced training, I was informed that the Zann Consortium blows up its ships when threatened with capture or lures prize crews aboard, then detonates the reactor and munitions. However, I analyzed the enemy's tactics and concluded on conducting a covert operation — infiltrating the enemy vessel using low-observability assets, diverting its attention with an attack by our ships to facilitate access to the reactor, the primary self-destruct threat — and then capturing it. The enemy starship was deprived of maneuvering capability and the ability to fire. After which it was bombarded with ion cannons, and a full landing force was deployed."
"That's a statement of facts, Captain," I said. "Nothing more."
"Yes, sir."
I couldn't deny the elegance with which the operation had been conducted.
But I also couldn't ignore the fact that it had been carried out in direct violation of the prevailing order.
"Do you consider your order correct, Captain?" I asked the Raider's commander.
This time, he needed a few seconds to answer.
Not to invent one — Captain Vigor's face already made his attitude toward his actions clear.
He was choosing the right phrasing.
Which might speak to him as a tactful man.
Or as a schemer choosing his words to avoid being found guilty of a serious offense and evading deserved punishment.
The difference wasn't hard to spot.
It would be enough to hear him appeal to my own actions and cite distorted facts.
"My order contradicted yours, sir, which is unacceptable," Captain Vigor said. "I acknowledge this fact and am ready to accept responsibility for my actions and the consequences that followed."
"Excellent," I nodded, glancing at Tierce. "Lieutenant Colonel, document the fact that Captain Vigor is subject to disciplinary action for disobeying a superior officer's order."
"Yes, sir."
A shadow crossed Vimar's face, clearly visible thanks to the hyperspace streaks illuminating the quarters through the porthole.
And the dim lighting.
"In addition," I continued, "note that the Captain should be commended for developing a tactic for capturing large enemy starships equipped with cloaking fields."
Now surprise appeared on the Raider commander's face.
"Captain," I addressed Vigor, "after the Guardian breaks the light barrier, return to the Raider and continue commanding your destroyer. Additionally, by the end of the month, the regular fleet headquarters and I personally will expect a detailed memorandum from you."
"On what subject, sir?" the officer forced out.
"Your tactical maneuver requires study and, if necessary, refinement," I explained. "The approach is useful. And the fact that you captured a combat-ready, virtually undamaged enemy starship equipped with cloaking technology in violation of a superior officer's order to destroy enemy vessels does not negate your merits. However, I must warn you: you may not be so lucky next time. And the gamble may not pay off. I hope I've made my view of the situation clear?"
"Perfectly, sir."
"Dismissed."
"Yes, sir."
Turning over his left shoulder, Captain Vigor left my quarters on barely steady legs.
Only Tierce and I remained.
"Sir," the latter addressed me quietly, "this case could set a precedent for other commanders. Misinterpretation of cause and effect could lead to an increase in gambles among ship and formation commanders."
"True, Lieutenant Colonel," I agreed. "However, you are the one responsible for Captain Vigor's punishment. And it is within your power to ensure that the subordinates understand precisely what I intend by simultaneously punishing and rewarding Vigor. The story of Rear Admiral Mora is beginning to be forgotten. Inevitable, given the dilution of personnel. It's time to remind them that orders must be followed. And that they are issued based on purely rational considerations. Therefore, do not forget to include a thoroughly justified rationale for both decisions — both the punishment and the reward. Everyone who studies the order must understand the thin ice Vigor walked on. And, in fact, he receives the commendation for what his subordinates did, not for what he did himself. Yes, add Captain Makeno and his subordinates to both lists."
"Yes, sir."
"You don't judge victors" that was nonsense.
Winning at any cost, or at the cost of heavy losses, or because of unjustifiable stupidity — that was not something to be encouraged.
Rewarding idiocy sent a signal to subordinates that you would guaranteed get a reward no matter how you reached the coveted victory.
Incorrect explanations and motives for rewards and punishments led to a misunderstanding of how the mechanism worked.
"Rewarding the uninvolved and punishing the innocent" that was not our method.
Both Makeno and Vigor had violated a direct order — inevitable and harsh punishment would follow.
But both had planned and executed an operation that allowed us to develop a tactic that was sometimes as necessary as air.
Once headquarters and the tactical and strategic analysis department received Vigor's memorandum (I already had Makeno's detailed report), they would work through the situation and produce a digestible methodology with optimal action guidelines.
"Since we've touched on the subject of 'personnel dilution,' let's get to the business that brought us to Lur," I said. "Have you received accurate data on the actions of the 501st Legion?"
"Yes, sir," Tierce placed an information chip on the table. "Efficiency is high; casualty numbers are slightly above the baseline based on the 501st's peak activity during the Imperial era."
"Higher or lower than our own statistics?" I clarified, inserting the chip into the receiver.
"The current composition of the 501st operates more efficiently than immediately after its formation last year."
"Casualties among the latest reinforcements?"
"Slightly higher than those of the 501st veterans," Tierce said. "But this is also explained by the fact that this is the legion's first combat deployment in its current composition."
"Conflicts between veterans and new reinforcements?"
"None, sir. However, there is a certain wariness on the part of veterans toward the reinforcements."
"Which is logical," I said. "Everyone knows perfectly well we don't control Kamino, the original DNA source for the Grand Army of the Republic has been dead for over thirty years. Yet new Jango Fett clones are appearing in the 501st. Their concerns are understandable."
"Yes, sir. I reached the same conclusion."
It took me a few minutes to study Tierce's report and the attached reports from regimental and battalion commanders.
"So," I concluded, looking away from the monitors. "Combat effectiveness falls well within Dominion clone statistics. Mental disorders?"
"None manifested, sir," Tierce reported. "Identity crisis, psychosis, mental disorder — none detected."
"And yet," I reminded him, "Doctor Zyix K'zzt warned that standard weeks were the timeframe for the development of personality-body conflict. The new clones passed that mark without issue. No cognitive problems detected, no dementia."
"Yes, sir," Tierce nodded.
"Based on the available data, it can be concluded that the GeNod-Dominion project, using Boba Fett's DNA and imprint matrices from his father's clones produced using Kaminoan technology, is stable in terms of compatibility," I summarized.
"Yes, sir," Tierce confirmed. "We have a full-fledged source of reinforcements for Snowtroopers, Marine Troopers, Sappers, Incinerators, medics, and Sandtroopers."
"True," I agreed. "Given the stormtrooper base that transferred to our service along with the former Inquisitor Obscurial on Vjun, a significant portion of the Stormtrooper Corps specialties can be restored, based on the tests conducted."
As curator of the Dominion Stormtrooper Corps, Tierce had done considerable work optimizing stormtrooper specializations.
And the so-called "Marine Troopers" were no longer stormtroopers stationed on starships for boarding and counter-boarding operations, as they were under the Empire.
These were stormtroopers trained for operations in coastal zones and on the surface waters of oceanic planets.
We hadn't managed to bring back many of Jango Fett's clone stormtroopers to the 501st.
Primarily the Snowtroopers, operating on planets like Lur and Hoth.
The Hazard Troopers were trained and equipped for operations on planets with high levels of adverse environment: radiation, acid, volcanic rock, and so on. This category included the so-called "Acid Troopers," whose armor was identical to Imperial stormtrooper armor for volcanic planets, radiation zones, and so forth. The only difference was in the training program for these clones, and even that was minor. But separating them into different units, given the circumstances, was an unaffordable luxury.
We couldn't afford to "split" the budget to create several types of stormtroopers, provide them with different types of the same equipment, just to justify their special necessity.
The Incinerators — they were the direct descendants and ideological successors of the flamethrower clones.
Sappers and medics...
Well, it was obvious who they were and what they served for.
"However, we still have a problem with staffing the Assault Commandos," I reminded him.
"As well as several other stormtrooper specializations," Tierce agreed. "Reconnaissance is searching for Jango Fett clones who might be useful in restoring these areas of activity."
"Results?" I inquired.
Tierce was silent for a second.
Which was very unlike him.
"Lieutenant Colonel?" I inquired.
"The scouts verified the information from your agents," Grodin "unfroze." "Indeed, an entire community of deserter clones from the Grand Army of the Republic has been discovered on Mandalore. Not all were identified, but individual representatives of Null-class and Alpha-class Elite Republic Commandos were noted, as well as fighters from Delta and Omega squads. All of them were connected in one way or another to a Mandalorian mercenary, a former instructor named Skirata."
As if that was supposed to surprise me.
"Have you made contact?" I asked.
"No, sir, only remote observation."
"Continue monitoring," I ordered. "Bravo-Eleven is handling the search for deserters on Mandalore, correct?"
"That's right, sir," Tierce confirmed. "There is other information from Mandalore. Related to Jedi."
"Interesting," I didn't hide the obvious. "Am I to understand that the deserters are accompanied by Jedi they previously worked with?"
"That's correct, sir. But that's not all," Tierce continued. "As far as Agent Bravo-Eleven has been able to ascertain, within the same community, not only do the clones not look their age as old men, but there is also suspicion that the young man living with them is the son of one of the clones. And a female Jedi."
"Is that so," I said.
So this part of the universe coincided with the reality surrounding me after all.
Maybe it was time to stop being surprised by this, but the habit of double-checking information hadn't gone away.
"All the data is on the chip, sir," Tierce said. "Along with the deserters' personnel files and data on the Jedi."
"Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel," I replied. "Continue the search for other Jango Fett clones. We need to fill the gaps in a considerable number of specialties."
Not to mention that we simply didn't have a Jango Fett clone of the most common specialization.
We didn't have a standard infantry stormtrooper with Jango Fett's DNA.
Which was quite understandable — they died on all battlefields in the greatest numbers.
Yes, specialized clone stormtroopers had combined-arms training, but...
How reasonable was it to use a chisel or a hacksaw as a hammer?
"May I give the order to expand Boba Fett cloning?" Tierce asked.
Yes, we had very few stormtroopers.
And those we had were spread thin as a wafer across the regular fleet ships.
So thin that we'd had to use Kavil's Corsairs and Mandalorians as ground forces in a huge number of battles during the first phase of the counteroffensive.
"Yes, Lieutenant Colonel," I said. "Equip the newly formed legions of new clones with Phase II Grand Army of the Republic uniforms. Award the existing legions the title of Guard — they've earned it. Boba Fett's clones will fill the newly formed regular units."
That way, at least, we could tell them apart.
Because the Imperial-design stormtrooper armor production facilities we had couldn't even handle the meager influx of our own stormtroopers.
Eventually, we would reach uniform dress for all our stormtroopers, regardless of when and how they were produced.
The only question was when the comparative tests of the Imperial Stormtrooper Corps armor sets and the Clone Wars legacy we had in our warehouses would be completed.
It was possible that some clone armor sets, after appropriate modification, would return to service.
And the galaxy would shudder once more, seeing Jango Fett's face in Phase II armor sets.
But for now...
"Grand Admiral," the comlink crackled with Captain Pellaeon's rapid-fire speech. "We will arrive at the designated point in ten minutes."
"Acknowledged, Captain," I replied. "Sound general quarters."
It was time to end this blitzkrieg.