Interlude III: Unforseen Consequences

Tarkin frowned ever so slightly as laser fire impacted the shields protecting the bridge. While he wasn't concerned about the possibility of the Hutt fighters penetrating the shields of his heavily modified Valiant-class star destroyer, the Arrogant Trespasser, the fact that a Hutt fighter had gotten close enough to do so in the first place was unacceptable.

"Divert power from starboard batteries to point defense. Have Gold Squadron close with the nearest carrier and harass their launch bays. Instruct the Herald of Contempt and the Peacebringer to concentrate fire on their corvettes."

The two Venators to either side of the Arrogant Trespasser began to surge ahead of Tarkin's ship, turrets shifting fire to the numerous anti-air corvettes trying to prevent the RORSF from achieving fighter superiority. The sudden Hutt offensive was a brutal one, the cartels had reactivated a great deal of ancient, carefully maintained ships, acquired over the course of millennia. The line was holding, but Tarkin had no doubt this was merely a delaying action, an attempt by the Hutts to buy time to reactivate their long-dormant military industries and begin producing truly modern warships.

Fortunately, Tarkin had managed to break through to one of the Hutt shipyards, now he needed only break the defense fleet.

"Admiral, multiple star destroyer class ships just came out of hyperspace! Sensors identifying them as Sabaoth Squadron!"

Tarkin frowned, glancing at the display and confirming their position. Of course, the Hutts had hired Sabaoth squadron, and by the looks of things, had given the crack mercenaries the resources they needed to expand their fleet. Five Sabaoth destroyers to his three. A proud man Tarkin might be, but he wasn't stupid.

"We're outnumbered and outgunned. Recall all fighters, enter hyperspace the moment all strike craft are aboard. All ships, ahead full, concentrate firepower on the nearest ships, I want this scum broken by our passing."

There was a slight shudder as the Arrogant Trespasser's engines roared to life. The three capital ships began ripping into the Pirate ships with mass drivers and turbolasers alike. Behind them, the Sabaoth destroyers pursued, the heavily armed mercenary ships closing the distance much faster than a capital ship had any right to be moving. Missiles began pouring out from the lead ships, screaming forwards towards the Peacebringer.

Bright, green-tinted explosions dotted the Venator's hull, mixed with faint blue of her particle shields resisting the assault. Unfortunately, the Peacebringer's shields were strained by having to run both the particle and deflector shields at once. Combined with the immense weight of the missile volley, the shields failed, allowing the Sabaoth destroyers to begin ripping chunks out of her hull.

"Peacebringer, report your status!" Tarkin demanded over comms. There was no response.

"Peacebringer, respond!"

Still no response. The wounded strike carrier began to veer off course, and Tarkin vegan to fear her engines had failed. Then he noted what was in the Peacekeeper's way.

The Arrogant Trespasser's hyperdrive activated mere moments before the Peacebringer rammed into the Hutt shipyard, detonating her entire store of the nuclear ordinance.