By the time the hyperspace jump abruptly stopped, Han no longer doubted that General Iblis had clearly guessed that an ambush would be organized on the destroyer run.
It wasn't for nothing that he insisted that the main forces move behind the advance detachment.
Lando, standing on the bridge next to Han, whistled expressively when he saw what reality had prepared for them.
Three 'Interdictor'-class Star Destroyers supported by an equal number of 'Venator'-class Star Destroyers.
Han had no doubt that each of these starships had one or two escort ships.
Standard tactics, which he had already had the opportunity to see in the past.
A knot formed in his stomach.
The Hutt 'Venators'...
The latter are undoubtedly problematic not only in terms of the large number of aircraft but also clearly represent carriers of ion cannons, which had caused a lot of trouble last year.
And, like the icing on the cake – a 'Palach'-class Super Star Destroyer with an escort of corvettes.
But now, the entire fleet of General Solo was present in interstellar space almost in full strength.
MC90 – 'Galactic Traveler' – escorted by eight MC80 'Liberty'-class Star Cruisers, supported by eight MC40a light cruisers, six 'Nebulon-B'-class escort frigates, three 'Quasar Fire'-class escort carriers, which had recently come off the slipways of the 'SoroSuub' company and were transferred to the Alliance very recently.
They arrived with Admiral Eclipse's squadron at Lantilles a few days ago.
Along with other starships transferred by the Sullustians to reinforce the allies' fleet.
And all this – not to mention that squadrons were in escort, flying outside the mother ships – materialized in space ten minutes after a dozen 'Imperial'-class Star Destroyers, which had been sent from Lantilles as the first echelon.
The fate of the duty watches on board these ships now is not to be envied – all the destroyers were moving as dead metal by inertia in space.
It's good that there are only a couple of watches on each captured ship – the ferry crew.
Coupled with the fact that all destroyers had undergone crew reduction upgrades, the number of casualties decreases proportionally.
And transport shuttles, spewed from the main hangar of the Super Star Destroyer, were already circling around them.
A little further away, a battle was raging between the aircraft of both sides – it turns out the destroyers managed to launch their fighters.
The enemy intended to board the ships – that's why they weren't destroyed, but shot with ion cannons.
"Battle stations," Han ordered. "Priority target – the 'Venators'. If we don't destroy them, at least jam their ion cannons. Contact the surviving pilots – let them retreat to our ships for rotation. We'll need all our forces to win."
The best thing to do now is to disable these flying ion cannons.
Then – to deal with the attack on the interdictor destroyers.
They are only forty to fifty units away from the Alliance fleet and represent tasty targets.
But the 'Venators' are more dangerous.
In fact, all of Han's ships are currently firing at them.
Then – to throw all our forces at the 'Interdictors' and hit them hard while the 'Palach' is close to its trophies.
Given its size and engine power, it will take some time to reach relatively clear space and fire at Han's starships.
"Star cruisers, in groups of four, direct them towards the 'Interdictors'," Han ordered. "All MC40a and 'Nebulons' – attack 'Venators' designated as targets two and three. If necessary, they must provide support to our aircraft. 'Quasar Fires' stay with us – we are attacking 'Venator' target one."
"Received, sir!" the commander of the 'Galactic Traveler' shouted, relaying the information to the commanders of other starships.
"It seems the 'Venators' have already fired," Lando commented on the situation immediately.
"Everything is fine, thank you very much," Solo replied. "Life is beautiful and amazing."
Calrissian was clearly embarrassed and slowed down.
"Okay, I didn't mean it maliciously," he grumbled. "But I don't like the situation."
"Me neither," Solo replied.
"I might say something blasphemous, but it seems Bel Iblis used these destroyers as bait," Calrissian said cautiously, looking at his friend. "He knew perfectly well that we were being attacked and sent you as the second echelon."
"Long-range communication is jammed.
Well, now there's no doubt who they're fighting against.
A Super Star Destroyer.
'Venators' with ion cannons.
'Interdictors' blocking long-range communication.
The hated and overused favorite tactic of Grand Admiral Thrawn from the last year.
Lure into a trap.
Cut off from reinforcements.
Disable ships with ion cannons and capture them to add to his fleet.
As if the Dominion didn't have enough of the hundreds of Star Destroyers it stole from the New Republic three months ago!
Or did Pellaeon somehow find out about their plans regarding the Thion Cluster sectors and the impending strike on Kessel?
In that case, yes, it's logical – capture the ships as quickly as possible, without letting them turn the situation around.
And from Bel Iblis's point of view, it's also logical.
Lure the Dominion forces into capturing the Star Destroyers and give them the long-awaited thrashing.
Han carelessly waved his hand at the holographic image of the starry sky in the center of the bridge, around which officers, mostly Mon Calamari, were gathered with serious faces.
They were so engrossed in contemplation that they couldn't focus on anything else.
"War is going on."
"Tell that to Wedge," Calrissian said with indignation. "And those guys on the destroyers," he waved his hand towards a dozen immobilized ships, over which the 'Guardian' hovered like a mother bird over its chicks. "They don't have much time to hold out. Not to mention that over there," Calrissian pointed towards the central viewport, "is the Hutt's 'Palach'! Fully armed and ready for battle. Do you think the guys on board will be very disappointed if they have to blow something up a little?"
"No, I think everyone is having a hard time right now."
"Witty," Lando grimaced. "I don't think I need to remind you that we're most likely dealing with the same 'Palach' that destroyed Admiral Ackbar's fleet in the backwaters of the galaxy? And then, as they say, it was not in the best condition. And now," Calrissian pointed to the Super Star Destroyer, its sides gleaming, "it's repaired and clearly eager to let its gunners have some fun. And the targets are our ships."
"W-well... firstly, calm down. Then Ackbar was opposed by Thrawn – and that in itself is a weapon of mass destruction. Now he's not fighting in this world anymore. So it's not as bad as it might seem at first glance. We still have some time," Han pointed to the squadrons of E-wings and K-wings approaching the 'Venators'. "It seems these guys didn't suspect that the second echelon of our ships was moving behind the destroyers."
Han fell silent.
"And secondly?"
"I have no idea," Solo sighed. "Some thought is spinning around, it even seems like a good one, but I can't articulate it."
"Uh-huh," Calrissian grumbled. "I don't like any of this."
His stomach rumbled as if Ewoks were gathering there for a hat-wearing festival, but Solo carefully maintained a carefree demeanor.
He couldn't show his subordinates that they were indeed in big trouble, thanks to the enemy.
After all, Han had faced much smaller forces on the 'Iron Fist' and 'Razor's Kiss'.
And won.
Not just on points.
"Nobody likes it, my friend," Han admitted. "If I had known that the 'Palach' would come out against us, I would have definitely brought a bigger club. You and Chewie will help me a lot if you take the 'Millennium Falcon' and help deal with their aircraft – I sense there will be a lot of them here."
"And I was planning to rest today," Calrissian said grimly, but nevertheless headed for the exit of the bridge.
Han gave a faint smile.
But he did it in such a way that none of the sentient beings around him could see his expression or hear his words.
"We'll rest in the next world," he promised.
***
"Targets identified," Captain Pellaeon reported. "It's General Solo's 'Galactic Traveler'. Escorted by – eight 'Liberty'-class MC80 Star Cruisers, eight MC40a light cruisers, six 'Nebulon-B'-class escort frigates, three 'Quasar Fire'-class escort carriers. About ten squadrons of 'X-wings' in free flight. Their targets are localized – all the 'Dragons' are attacking."
"They're learning, Captain," Grand Admiral Thrawn remarked in a matter-of-fact tone, without changing his position. "I hope our objective control systems are recording the capabilities of their ships?"
"Yes, sir," Pellaeon confirmed. "Spy droids and all available scanners are set to collect information about the enemy's new starship. And all the others too."
"Good," Thrawn said. "We will need all this data to develop the most optimal and effective methods of countering the enemy."
"Yes, sir."
"Be so kind, Captain," the Grand Admiral continued, "prepare our emergency launch engines for operation and return our interceptors to the 'Guardian's' hangars. Three minutes for rotation and maintenance. Release the 'Scimitars' for free hunting. Light cruisers – destroy. Escort frigates – disable their movement capability. And give the order for the assault gunships to be ready. Send similar orders to the commanders of our destroyers – but their deadline is two minutes. Calculate a microjump to the central group and enter the coordinates into the navigation computer. I want the 'Guardian' to implement the Tartarus attack scheme the moment it joins the central group."
Which means – to emerge from hyperspace "above" the enemy ships.
The Supreme Commander sat in his chair, observing the situation unfolding in front of the 'Guardian' at a distance of a hundred units, with genuine interest.
"Yes, sir," Pellaeon agreed. "The priority targets of the enemy ships are the 'Venators'."
"Because of their main caliber," Thrawn agreed. "But, pay attention to the maneuvers of our opponents – they are bringing star cruisers closer to the 'Interdictors'."
"They intend to disable our gravity trawls," the commander of the 'Guardian' instantly determined.
"And again – correct," Thrawn nodded, agreeing with the assessment of the situation. "This is a double attack aimed at eliminating our advantage. If the attack achieves its goal, we will lose the ability to disable their starships with the 'Dragons'' ion cannons, and we will also not be able to hold them in place. The calculation is based on the time it will take the 'Guardian' to reach a confident engagement range. General Solo intends to deprive us of additional forces – the 'Dragons' and 'Interdictors' – to throw all his forces at attacking the 'Guardian'. He intends to win this battle – the numerical superiority is on his side. Thus, he will not only destroy our formation but also save those twelve destroyers, which have already been boarded by assault troops of the 501st legion, from capture. Without a doubt, the bet is on small aircraft. In fact, as always."
"Do you believe that General Solo commands the enemy fleet?" Pellaeon clarified.
"Yes," Thrawn replied. "Consider it yourself. A double attack is a lottery, and with quite good chances of defeat. This is an adventurous risk that only Corellians take. In fact, this entire operation was also developed by a Corellian. But, another one – our old acquaintance, General Bel Iblis. The strategic plan is interesting and entirely adventurous, which indicates the enemy's experience in such attacks. The tactical implementation, however, is more crude. The division of forces is reckless. And it completely repeats the principle of Solo's attack on Warlord Zsinj's 'Iron Fist' two years ago. The changes made to it are minimal."
"But then he divided his fleet in search of Zsinj's fleet," Pellaeon reminded him.
"Yes," Thrawn agreed. "The real attack was carried out by one-third of the fleet. And it was successful only for the reason that Zsinj had the burden of defending the unfinished 'Razor's Kiss'. Solo didn't understand this. He decided to repeat his success. By throwing his forces into an attack in two directions, Solo leaves no reserves of large ships in his fleet. His goal is to inflict maximum damage now. By the way, Captain, give the order. To the commanders of our destroyers and their escort corvettes – prepare for a microjump in two minutes. All except the central group. For the 'Guardian' – repeat the same order, but with a minute's delay after our ships are in position. All pilots who do not make it in the designated time – maintain course for the central group."
Thrawn meant that pair – the 'Dragon' and 'Interdictor' – which was located in front of the 'Guardian'.
And towards which General Solo's flagship, supported by escort frigates, was heading.
"Yes, sir," Pellaeon reported the received orders. "Should I order our boarding parties to be recalled from the destroyers?"
Alliance fighters will undoubtedly try to storm the 'Guardian' – and additional military contingent will not be superfluous in the upcoming confrontation.
"Under no circumstances, Captain," Grand Admiral Thrawn stated in a tone as if he were discussing repair work on some remote outpost. "We will not abandon our trophies. Moreover, we will acquire new ones. Do you understand how?"
Pellaeon ran through the Supreme Commander's orders in his head, repeating them one by one.
Then he looked at the tactical diagram.
He calculated what would happen when the orders were sequentially executed and implemented.
A involuntary crooked grin appeared on the 'Guardian's' commander's face, which his original used to favor in the past.
"Yes, sir," he replied. "I understand."
"In that case," the Grand Admiral looked at him with his burning gaze, "command. It will be simple."
"Yes, sir."
Captain Pellaeon moved on to control the orders.
The Grand Admiral's plan, as always, was simple but elegant.
The 'Guardian' was not going to play the modest role in this battle, and soon its guns would open fire on the enemy.
The Alliance fighters would be best advised to prepare to be ruthlessly crushed.
***
Major Krebb banked the machine to the side and managed to riddle the cockpit of an 'X-wing' with fire, and it immediately filled with smoke.
After that, catching the enemy on a turn, he riddled his fighter with precise fire, turning it into a fiery flash.
He had a few moments to figure out what was depicted on the scanners.
Sensors confirmed that out of the nine 'X-wings' that had intended to take his life, four were already gone.
Krebb credited three to himself, the fourth was handled by his constant wingman.
As the technicians sometimes joked: "All kills by the 'Avenger' squadron should be credited to Major Krebb."
True, at the moment, the joke was no longer relevant – fulfilling the mission was the most important thing.
The aviation that the enemy managed to launch before the star destroyers were de-energized was by no means small in number.
But it was inferior in quality.
The fact that they managed to launch almost all of their aviation – twenty-four squadrons out of forty-something stationed on a dozen destroyers – indicated that the enemy had managed to take advantage of the exclusively duty squadrons.
According to general imperial regulations, half of the air wing was on combat readiness during interstellar transit.
The Alliance built its military regulations on decades-old doctrines.
Including in the matter of pilot training.
One by one, Kreb saw that the enemy ships were performing mid-air maneuvers mostly in a templated, rather clumsy, and slow manner.
Element by element.
Which spoke of their lack of practice.
And this, in turn, indicated that the "Krebs" were not fighting professional pilots, but young recruits.
For the most part.
And this allowed them to quite promptly cut off the enemy's attempts to counter-attack and destroy their attacks.
Therefore, at the moment, it can be said that the pilots of the Alliance, cut off from the Star Destroyers, and thus unable to prevent the landing of troops on the de-energized ships, will soon be annihilated.
He was sure of this until new enemy ships appeared on the battlefield.
And just a minute after this phenomenon, the remaining ten squadrons of the Alliance from the first echelon began to retreat from the scene of their destruction under the protection of the newly arrived.
Which were also numerous.
Especially the aviation.
"Command Post 'Guardian' to 'Avenger-Leader'," the dispatcher's voice rang out. "Interceptors are being withdrawn to the flagship. You are tasked with pursuing the enemy. Be ready for a micro-jump."
"Avenger-Leader to Command Post 'Guardian'. Understood."
New directives were passed to the remaining eleven pilots.
The TIE Avengers began their pursuit.
And they didn't care at all that they were left without additional cover and were outnumbered by the enemy almost tenfold.
The task is set – it must be completed.
Kreb registered movement – a pair of "wishbones" were trying to escape, noticeably lagging behind the main group.
Together with his wingman, the squadron leader rushed in pursuit of the retreating, firing accurately from his cannons.
The major destroyed one bomber without the slightest resistance from the enemy, the second – stripped, with black scorch marks on its armor – was still determined to escape.
The wingman engaged.
The enemy dodged the first burst and immediately exploded, much to the astonishment of the young major, who knew for sure that the wingman had missed.
But at the same time, he noticed that he himself had fired – the enemy had entered his kill zone and his reflexes had kicked in.
Far ahead, one of the "Dragons" supported by an "Interdictor" – the central trap group – was firing at the newly arrived Alliance ships pressing them.
The Dominion forces could not realize the advantage of the "Venator's" main caliber, because the ship was caught off guard as it was retreating from the position from which it and its two sister ships had destroyed a dozen enemy Star Destroyers half an hour ago.
And after that, the enemy starships continued their movement in a straight line, obeying the laws of inertia in a vacuum, until they were caught one by one and slowed down by the "Guardian's" tractor beams.
Which then landed droid assault troops and stormtroopers on board the ships to capture trophies.
To fire at the enemy with the "Venator's" ion cannon from the central group, it was necessary to make a 180-degree turn, which it was trying to accomplish.
Simultaneously, it was firing a defensive broadside at the new type of Mon Calamari starships approaching it.
MC90.
A starship for which intelligence of the Dominion had no technical data yet.
Now the "Guardian's" targeting systems were recording and analyzing the capabilities of this ship.
And after some time, a methodical recommendation regarding the counteraction to the new enemy Alliance ship will be "released" to the regular fleet from headquarters.
As it already happened with the latest enemy K-wings, a large number of which the Dominion captured some time ago.
The "Venator's" turbolaser cannons and the supporting "Interdictor" did not cause significant damage to the deflector shields of the Alliance star cruiser, which was undoubtedly performing flagship duties.
Nor did the defending TIE interceptors and other small attack craft from the wings of both Dominion destroyers.
Of the three groups, the central one was the only one that did not return its aircraft to the hangars.
This means it's part of a larger plan.
A blinding flash of explosion appeared in the bow of the "Venator," splitting the ship in half.
The helmet's light filters worked as they should, and Kreb managed to notice the cause of the explosion.
The enemy had destroyed the ship's ion cannon, causing a detonation of the reactors connected to it.
Instantly, the "Interdictor" was left alone, being squeezed from various sides by enemy ships.
And all that Major Kreb and his subordinates could do at the moment was to reduce the number of retreating enemy pilots.
Well, this task was within his capabilities.
Taking aim, the major destroyed the "razor" with a precise shot and launched two cumulative missiles with active homing heads at particularly agile "X-wings."
No more prancing in interstellar space for them.
***
"From 'Dragon-Eleven' they report that the integrity of the compartments and the structural frame is critically compromised. The ship is uncontrollable, a series of internal explosions are being registered. The ion cannon was hit by cumulative missiles from the 'Millennium Falcon' and proton torpedoes from the 'Galactic Traveler', leading to an energy surge in the auxiliary reactors and an explosion."
Grand Admiral Thrawn, as if enchanted, watched the tiny but growing bright spot; soon the streamlined lines of the Mon Calamari flagship could be recognized.
"A critical design flaw," replied the Supreme Commander, without leaving the state of all-consuming calm, which, like a protective field, spread around him. "As I said, the enemy has become smarter. They have developed a tactic to counter our ships from the 'Sunburn' project. Inform the commander of 'Dragon-Eleven' to focus on rescuing the surviving crew members. The air wing and the escort of both ships must concentrate on defending the 'Interdictor'."
"Understood, sir," Pelleon shook his head in distress. "The 'Guardian's' launch engines are ready, sir. Other units report that their aircraft have returned to their ships."
"Good," the Grand Admiral said in the same tone. "Have both units already engaged the enemy?"
"In two minutes, the Alliance fighters will be within range of the destroyers' artillery and their escort."
"They will not," the Grand Admiral objected, stroking his ysalamiri. "Navigators – calculate the jump coordinates for both units according to their position. I want them to be on the left and right of the enemy's leading group in a minute and a half."
"Yes, sir. Target designation?"
"Interdictors – fire on General Solo's flagship," Thrawn ordered. "Venators – disable the 'Quasar Fires'. These ships will still be useful to us in the future."
"It will be done, Grand Admiral."
"And one more thing, Captain," the Grand Admiral said. "Launch the 'Scimitars'. Let them occupy General Solo's light cruisers for a while. Let them use tactics well known to our enemies."
"'Hit and run'?" the star superdestroyer's commander clarified just in case.
"Precisely, Captain," Thrawn replied.
"The enemy will quickly understand what's what," warned the commander of the 'Guardian'.
"The more humiliating this defeat will be for the Alliance fighters," the Grand Admiral replied imperturbably.
***
Lando's voice sounded triumphant: "Han! We blew up their Hutt 'Venator'! We finally took down their Hutt 'big gun'!"
A Wookiee's roar echoed on the comms.
"Except they still have two left," Han grumbled, watching on the tactical monitor as Mon Calamari-designed starships approached two other enemy groups.
Strangely enough, they weren't retreating.
But they were clearly preparing for it.
They were firing an active defensive barrage at Han's light cruisers, ignoring the MC80s.
The enemy didn't touch the larger "brothers," apparently deciding that the shields on the MC40a would be weaker.
Weaker, of course.
But not much.
"Hutt!" Calrissian's joy turned to anger. "Their corvettes took down our deflectors and fried our guns!"
"Retreat to the 'Traveler'!" Solo ordered.
"I don't need Lando to wreck the 'Falcon'," he thought grimly, continuing to survey the battlefield.
And in the next moment, four light cruisers in one of the groups disappeared from the tactical hologram.
Solo blinked, thinking it was a hallucination.
But when he opened his eyes, he realized that things were much worse.
The 'Galactic Traveler's' computer registered the absence of ALL MC40a light cruisers.
And the six "Nebulons" were showing signs of distress due to their engines being hit by proton torpedoes.
The main forces, apart from their own aircraft, capable of dealing with the hated Alliance TIE-series machines, had simply disappeared.
As if they had dissolved.
Just like the two "Venators," two "Interdictors," and four other ships – the escort corvettes of the Star Destroyers.
"What the Hutt?!" Solo cursed.
And in the next moment, eight new marks appeared near the 'Galactic Traveler'.
"Micro-jump," Han realized.
The MC90 shuddered.
With its entire hull.
The deck underfoot tilted, the lights in the bridge flickered and died, and several sheets of internal paneling tore loose from the ceiling, landing among the watchstanders.
Han sprang to his feet.
"What happened?"
A stupid question, because he already knew the answer.
The commander of the 'Galactic Traveler' remained silent.
One of the decorative paneling sheets had pierced the Mon Calamari's head, sending him into unconsciousness.
With completely unpredictable chances of survival and retaining his sanity.
"Ships from two enemy squadrons made a micro-jump and emerged on the port and starboard flanks relative to our position," reported the senior assistant. "We are under concentrated fire from three sides."
They had pulled Grand Admiral Thrawn's well-known trick again.
They used the tractor beams of the "Interdictor" type Star Destroyer in the center to pull eight other ships out of hyperspace.
And they were close enough to immediately attack the 'Galactic Traveler' with their artillery at point-blank range after exiting hyperspace.
Thus bypassing the eternal bane of starships traversing the light barrier.
Blinded sensors and excess radiation on the hull prevented aiming with electronic sights and defending in the standard way – with deflectors.
The enemy didn't need to.
They fired point-blank.
And the unprepared gunners of the 'Galactic Traveler' only now came to their senses, shifting their attention from the "Interdictor" they were bombarding to the new targets.
And the "Interdictor" itself wasn't that badly damaged, in fact.
Its shields were holding, and two escort corvettes and twelve (two from the "Interdictor" itself, and ten more, like one of the corvettes – "inheritance from the 'Venator'") still fully operational TIE interceptor squadrons were calmly taking the brunt of the attack from the 'Galactic Traveler's' aircraft and three escort carriers.
But the retreating fighters from the first echelon should arrive soon, and then the Star Destroyer would be encircled and destroyed.
And the other two groups were supposed to destroy the remaining ships!
After which Han could offer the enemy on the Star Superdestroyer either to retreat – and flee.
Or to engage in battle and be guaranteed to lose.
But something told him that now their roles and the Dominion's were being reversed.
And he himself was the prey.
Because the arriving Star Destroyers brought with them not only four more corvettes, but also two dozen squadrons of TIE interceptors!
And that's not to mention the huge amount of turbolaser and other artillery on board these starships!
"The enemy is turning the 'Venators' on us!"
"Correction! They are targeting the 'Quasar Fires'!"
An idea formed in his head and finally took shape to turn the situation to his advantage.
"All star cruisers!" Han shouted. "Prepare for hyperspace jump."
"What course, sir?"
"Who cares!" Solo snapped. "Repeat their maneuver! Use the tractor beams as a stopping mechanism!"
A small window of time was needed for such a maneuver.
The Star Destroyers that had moved from their previous positions no longer blocked a huge piece of space with their artificial gravitational anomalies.
This means that eight star cruisers can perform exactly the same maneuver, without worrying about the accuracy of their jump and without performing overly complex navigation calculations.
It is necessary to simply hold out for a short time.
And not turn into a pile of scrap metal by the time reinforcements arrive.
Or until the Star Superdestroyer finally breaks out of the encirclement of numerous trophies and comes to the rescue.
It is necessary to simply hold out for about a minute until the star cruisers turn their bows towards the unfolding tragedy.
***
"Command Post 'Guardian' to 'Avenger-Leader'," the dispatcher's voice sounded again in the squadron commander's helmet.
Major Kreb pulled the trigger, and green energy beams pierced the remnants of the deflector field of the "X-wing" he was pursuing.
And then – tore through its fusion main engines.
As a thank you for such precise work, the Alliance fighter was torn to pieces.
A tiny flash on the right indicated the death of another enemy pilot.
The wingman was also doing an excellent job of his combat mission.
"Avenger-Leader to Command Post 'Guardian'. Listening."
"When ready, make a jump to point seven-nine-four," the dispatcher ordered. "Evasion is not permitted. Ensure zone security. Free hunt is allowed within a ten-unit radius from the micro-jump completion point."
Kreb instantly oriented himself, realizing that the dispatcher was talking about space in the upper echelon relative to the current position of the central group's "Interdictor."
And it was completely empty there right now.
Dominion aircraft were driving away the encroaching enemy from the ship and the Star Destroyers that had arrived to help him from other units, keeping them in the middle perimeter from the "Interdictor."
Without forgetting to properly bombard the enemy starships with fire from their onboard weapons.
"Received, Command Post 'Guardian'," Major Kreb reported, switching to the squadron channel. "Cease current order. Prepare for micro-jump to the given coordinates…"
***
"All 'Scimitars' have hit the light cruisers, disabled the escort frigates, and returned to their bases," Captain Pelleon reported. "Rotation is in progress. Interceptors and strike gunships are ready for launch on first order."
"Excellent," I said, smiling slightly. "Activate emergency launch engines, Captain. Maximum acceleration."
"Yes, sir!"
The 'Guardian' shuddered with its entire hull at that very moment.
Numerous engines, which exist only to transition to a higher orbit in the current position, not to circle a celestial body, began to slowly lift the Star Superdestroyer "up."
And the acceleration provided by the main engines effectively turned a vertical "takeoff" into an angled ascent.
Thanks to which the 'Guardian' found itself beyond the surrounding Star Destroyers in a matter of seconds, despite its size and sub-light speed, which was small compared to that of the "Imperial" ships.
"'Guardian' has taken the upper echelon, sir," came a report from the "pit." "The space is clear."
"Jump calculated!"
"Coordinates entered into the navigation computer."
"Squadron 'Avenger' has arrived at the designated jump point!"
"All systems ready for transition."
And now we were objectively "higher" than the battle between the Dominion and the Alliance was taking place directly ahead.
"Enemy star cruisers have maneuvered and are preparing for hyperspace jump to the central group!"
"Inform the 'Interdictor' – turn off the tractor beams as soon as the enemy jumps into hyperspace."
The distance between the central group and the current position of the enemy star cruisers is about one hundred and fifty units.
It will take some time to cover it.
Significantly shorter than what the same Imperial Star Destroyer needs for a similar jump.
This is because the 'Liberties' had a more modern, first-class navigation computer.
And the "Imperial" ships, as well as the starships of the entire Imperial Star Fleet inherited by us, had a second-class one.
It also takes time to deactivate the gravity well generators.
Equal to pressing one key on the enemy's control panel.
The marks of the Mon Calamari star cruisers rushing to General Solo's aid disappeared from the tactical hologram.
"Excellent," I said, scratching the ysalamiri's tiny nose. "Execute the jump, Captain. Time to surprise the enemy."
***
The major smashed another enemy fighter to pieces, dodged to the side to avoid hitting the hull of his "Avenger" with a cloud of debris.
After which he immediately shifted the control stick in the opposite direction, moving away from the line of fire of an E-wing that had come head-on.
The enemy had already begun to turn to deal with the Dominion pilot, but, apparently due to lack of experience, had forgotten that Dominion pilots fly in pairs.
The wingman raked the enemy's machine, tearing off its energy shield.
Just as Kreb flipped the "Avenger," exposed its frontal deflector to the enemy's fire, and with deadly calm fired a burst from his cannons into it.
The "E-wing" erupted in a familiar fireball.
The major pulled the machine away, then repositioned himself to defend the stern of the wingman who had moved ahead.
The nearest few K-wings, realizing they were left without cover, tried to diverge synchronously and flee.
But not with their speed to perform such maneuvers.
Kreb caught one of the fleeing machines in his sights while the wingman dealt with the second.
The laser cannons pierced the bomber's hull.
Return fire knocked off the remnants of Kreb's deflector, but the pilot had already launched a cumulative missile.
The homing projectile sped off after its target.
And scattered the clumsy ship into tiny fragments.
Kreb straightened the machine, compensated for energy consumption, directing it to restore the deflector shields.
The entire battlefield opened up before him, where three enemy escort carriers, turned into dead wrecks, were lazily scattering in all directions, unable to be controlled.
A lone MC90 was desperately fighting off five large ships.
Its deflectors were still coping with the increased load, but the enemy was not retreating at all.
Even though the gravity well generators had been turned off a moment ago and there was a way out of the system.
All that was needed was to turn its stern towards the enemies, pass the immobilized escort carriers, and accelerate for the jump.
Perhaps the enemy hadn't realized what had happened yet.
Honestly, the major himself didn't quite understand why such a grand gesture was being made and why the enemies were being allowed to escape.
But these were command plans.
Not his level.
If it's necessary, then it's necessary.
His task was to shoot down the enemy in a specific area of space above the "Interdictor's" hull.
In order to…
Suddenly, the situation above the major changed.
Where there had just been a starry sky, cold metal of a warship appeared.
And this metal began to spew fire.
A lot of fire.
Because too much metal had arrived.
***
"Han!" Lando's voice rang out. "Chewie and I have repaired the main engines and weapons. Ready to return to battle!"
"Wait!" Han barked into the commlink. "Better double-check everything! There's enough work for everyone here."
"But…"
Without waiting for his comrade, the Corellian turned off the commlink.
"What the Hutt is going on?!"
It seems this question will soon become rhetorical.
At least in the context of this battle.
Because several unpleasant and extremely regrettable incidents occurred at once.
To connect them…
It's better not to – you'd go crazy.
The Mon Calamari star cruisers jumped into hyperspace.
And they will be here any moment.
This will help.
Because if not, they will have to abandon the damaged ships and leave this inhospitable corner of space…
"The Super Star Destroyer has disappeared!" the senior assistant reported.
"What do you mean 'disappeared'?" Han asked, bewildered by what he heard. "Son, it's a nineteen-kilometer embodiment of tyranny, you could wet yourself just looking at it. There are millions of tons of metal! Such a beast doesn't just disappear!"
He turned sideways to the central viewport to look at the frightened sensor system operator.
"Sir, but I'm telling the truth…"
"And I'm telling you," Han looked at the tactical screen mounted opposite him.
Where he could clearly see the large-scale hologram symbolizing the enemy flagship's location.
"Son, open your eyes," Solo advised. "There it is! Better connect me to the star cruisers! What the Hutt are they not here yet?! Did they stop for a snack?!"
And then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught something strange.
The black sky, sprinkled with star smudges, became monochrome.
Which is quite strange in interstellar space.
Unless…
Solo slowly turned his head.
He looked straight ahead.
He swallowed.
He blinked.
He pinched his thigh.
He blinked again.
"You're kidding me…" he managed to say, looking at the open hangar of the Star Superdestroyer.
Which was frozen just fifty units away.
And was releasing hordes of interceptors and strike gunships.
Not to mention that it opened fire with all its guns.
And launched anti-ship missiles.
***
"Fire only with precision," I ordered, watching as the 'Guardian's' turbolasers began to tear at the MC90's deflectors.
Like a pack of predators seeing a weakened prey.
The Star Superdestroyer, not distinguished by its cruising speed, paraded past General Solo's flagship.
Both ships exchanged broadsides.
The 'Guardian's' deflectors absorbed the shots and didn't even notice this minor inconvenience.
Several sections of the 'Galactic Traveler's' hull were torn away.
And on some decks, through-holes appeared.
Flames gushed from the breaches in the armor.
Vast areas of armor were depressurized, causing real fountains of fire to erupt, licking at the remnants of the Mon Calamari plating.
And they almost immediately extinguished when the oxygen ran out.
But the ship's guns and launchers did not cease their work.
"Galactic Traveler" made a turn—slow and pointless, exposing its side, still undamaged by the "Guardian," to the hurricane of fire.
The gunners of my flagship corrected this oversight.
I must admit—the Mon Calamari ship was built to last.
The starship withstood the full salvo of the "Guardian," only suffering the left side of the star cruiser to melt, turning into a black, fused mass, interspersed with sparks from broken wiring, streams of air and debris being ejected outward.
Then the starship was hit by a missile salvo.
There was a blinding flash in the central section, and fire began to consume the dying ship.
Several Alliance fighters, still lingering nearby, scattered in different directions.
They were immediately joined by "escorts" of Dominion small combat craft.
"Another salvo," I ordered.
The gunners of the "Guardian" did not keep me waiting.
A wave of white-green fire broke from the side of the Super Star Destroyer and rushed towards its tempting target.
Another bright flash, and the most modern creation of the shipyards of the planet Dak began to fall apart.
The bow, the hangar section, the engine compartment, hundreds of small debris, each no smaller than a corvette, or even a cruiser.
"Now—we're done," I said, rising from my chair and carefully scooping up the ysalamiri from underneath. "Captain Pellaeon, finish off anyone who resists. If you need me, I'll be in my quarters."
"Yes, sir," the commander of my flagship Super Star Destroyer replied impassively.