Two Delta-7s were standard Jedi starfighters—lightweight, highly maneuverable, and perfectly suited to the needs of a Jedi. Each carried two medium laser cannons and an R3-series astromech droid. Finally, I'd have a proper beepy bucket on wheels.
Attending the Officers' Meeting had unexpectedly brought me a bonus—though a somewhat dubious one: an entire militia regiment and a Dreadnaught-class heavy cruiser. Impressive on paper, but in reality? A slow, cumbersome hulk with slightly outdated weapons systems—and a crew of nine thousand. Provisions weren't an issue; the Peltas ferrying fuel to Lantilles would return with food. And I didn't plan on chasing that ship anywhere. Let it linger in Va aart orbit, protecting the system. Taking down a ship that resilient would require something far more serious than a single enemy vessel.
By some stroke of luck, I had also managed to round up four fresh graduates from the Justice Department Academy. Green as young grass, perhaps—but experience comes with time. The important thing: they were educated specialists. Not that I was far ahead of them myself.
Given recent events, I had to contact Captain Fokker and issue new orders: he was to fly to Va aart. With his slow ship, the journey would take about two days. The corvette still needed to finish loading; once complete, it would also depart for Donovia. The militia regiment would wait for us at Lantilles—we'd have to return for the rest of the cargo anyway, and to retrieve the "extra" starfighters.
We embarked 120 V-19s—they could work fast when motivated—which, combined with our 120 TIE Interceptors, officially made us an "aircraft carrier." Oh, and two more Jedi starfighters joined the roster. And Ahsoka… she'd better have brushed up by now. Hopefully, her personality didn't get in the way of flying.
In general, Jedi were far more effective than most pilots—not to mention droids—thanks to their reflexes and Force sensitivity. Well, most of them, anyway. Kenobi had once said, "Flying is for droids." We'd see about that.
After completing preparations, we began our ascent from the planet's surface into orbit, where we were to rendezvous with Kinaun's squadron.
Their cheerful chatter was interrupted by the trill of a call. Ahsoka pulled the comlink from her belt.
"Yes, Master?" she answered, glancing around, then gesturing toward the second floor.
No reply came from her interlocutor. The officers exchanged glances.
"Oh, how wonderful!" Ahsoka exclaimed, turning off the comlink. She faced her new companions.
"So," she said, poking a finger at them playfully, "General Vikt asked me to tell you to 'pack your bags' and come aboard our ship."
"Oh," Chris managed to say.
"Does that mean we're serving under you now?" Lichtendal asked.
"Yep!" the satisfied Togruta nodded.
Shaking her head, Sumeragi focused on packing. After a final uniform check, she stepped into the corridor and ran into her classmates. Their quarters were nearby. The impeccably groomed Lichtendal Cerri contrasted sharply with the yawning Christen Mirro and the slightly disheveled Grace O'Connor.
"Sumeragi, what happened? Are we under attack?" Grace asked.
"I don't know any more than you do," Sumeragi admitted.
At the far end of the corridor, a clone—clearly a crew member—appeared.
"Lieutenant," Sumera addressed him, "what's the reason for the alert?"
"Our ship will be taking part in battle as part of Commander Kinaun's squadron, ma'am. We're currently taking fighters on board, then heading for Togoria. Sorry, ma'am, I'm in a hurry."
He saluted and disappeared into a side passage.
"Wow!" Grace exclaimed. "A real battle!"
"Where do you think our new commander is right now?" Chris asked.
"Probably in one of the hangars," Sumeragi replied after a moment's thought.
"Then let's find him—we need to know our assignments, positions, and so on," Chris said, waving his hand.
"I agree," Lichtendal nodded.
The four young officers set off in search. Sumeragi silently hoped they wouldn't get lost. She knew the layout of the Consular-class corvette like the back of her hand, but this ship was much larger—and there was no time for familiarization.
Commander Kinaun appeared on one of the surveillance feeds.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"Yes, we have the coordinates," Ethan confirmed.
"Then let's go!"
The clone operator began the countdown.
Ahsoka turned toward the main viewport—and the spectacle awaiting her was mesmerizing.
Seven large ships, accompanied by ten corvettes and frigates, jumped into hyperspace.
A fierce battle awaited them…