The Mandalorian Fleet: Reclamation Invasion

[Apillis]

It was too abrupt for the Republic ships to react to in time, the second the Mandalorian fleet came out of hyperspace, they were practically right in the face of the Republic fleet surrounding Shogun. But as noticed by the Mandalorian fleet long before their arrival in Shogun space, the Republic fleet foolishly scattered themselves thin to cover Shogun expecting the Mandalorians to avoid them as they made for Shogun's surface, and therefore the Republic fleet could somewhat catch them in a net; but the Republic fleet was oh so wrong. Going precisely according to plan, the Mandalorian fleet first struck out against a cluster of Republic ships at the edges of the Republic fleet proper. From the angle they were traveling toward Shogun while striking at those particular ships, the vast majority of the Republic fleet was primarily to the Mandalorian fleet's nine and ten side angles.

The clustered Republic ships could plainly be seen attempting to take evasive action to avoid being caught by the Mandalorian ships' guns at the front of the Mandalorian fleet. Continuing as planned the Mandalorian fleet would near Shogun's atmosphere to release the dropships uninterrupted. Nothing but a barrage of massive laser cannon fire was unleashed from the Mandalorian ships at the front, pounding upon the hulls of the Republic ships finding themselves directly in the pathway of the entire Mandalorian fleet. A poor place to find oneself. But, the Mandalorian fleet would not stop for those measly ships, they kept rolling forward plowing right through those ships heading straight for Shogun. Whatever ships were not destroyed by the Mandalorian ships at the front of the fleet were left for those toward the middle and back of the fleet to have their fun with as the entire fleet continued on its way.

It was clear by this point the rest of the Republic fleet of Shogun begun to shift direction, changing their positions or patrol course toward the Mandalorian fleet as it headed right for Shogun, and annihilate anything in front of them. The flaw of the Republic fleet was already exposed, they are spread too thin. As they approach they will not be coming at the Mandalorian fleet at full force, which is akin to setting themselves up like ducks in a row as only fragments of the Republic fleet will be coming toward them gradually from one side; rather than the entire cohesive force of the Republic fleet of Shogun itself. It is far too late at this point for the Republic fleet to gather itself together, because that will only give the Mandalorian fleet time to reach Shogun and reform their fleet as they release the dropships to Shogun's surface, while preparing for the Republic fleet's attack. The Republic fleet could not attempt to surround the Mandalorian fleet, because it would take too much time especially with them being as spread thin as they already are - it would simply result in spreading themselves out thinner. They are forced to try to wear down the Mandalorian fleet as they come to them, which is precisely what the Mandalorian fleet is well prepared for as it plows forward to invade Shogun - to reclaim what has always been theirs.

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Aboard the tenacity, Shannon stood with her arms crossed under chest, the rest of her body is rigid and upright with her heels together - a posture much like standing at attention were it not for the posture of her arms. Her eyes coolly front as she walked from the bridge the Mandalorian ships pound the Republic ships in front of them to nothing but floating debris in space. The cold gaze of the visor hid the smile she grew on her face when witnessed the first of the Republic ships be ripped apart by Mandalorian guns.

From the corner of her sharp eyes, something any pilot worth their salt has, a sharp gaze - she noticed on the ship scanners the Republic fleet moving precisely as predicted. Shannon's smile grew a little more, but it then faded because it was time to get to work. Victory does not come simply by knowing how to obtain, it comes by also having the drive to make certain it happens. She then looked to Tal'akaan whom, as always, she stood a respectable distance behind to his right, and requested to him, "Permission to launch the starfighter attack and support squadrons, Fleet Admiral."

[Jace]

A wide feral grin was spread across the face of the Togorian Fleet admiral. He had been waiting far too long for this moment, and it was only going to get better. The fleet had performed remarkably, following the battle plan to the degree. Tal'akaan watched as the Republic ships were hammered by laser fire. They were in a bad position but this was only the beginning, that was just the easy part. Luckily for him he didn't have to do anything but watch.

I think I can retire with peace of mind now

It had occupied is mind for sometime now, but he hadn't come to any decision. The truth was that he didn't want to retire but go back to square one. While an Admiral gains all the respect, it is the sailors who actually accomplish the great feats. The Togorian wondered if he was having a midlife crisis. Though he couldn't count out the fact that he was a Togorian and he was born to fight. As all this ran through his mind, the Mandalorians continued to pummel the Republic Navy.

The Fleet Admiral heard the voice of Commander Bralor, and he turned to regard the woman. He knew she must have had the same grin on her face just as he did. In fact she was probably enjoying this whole battle more than the Admiral. That all would change when the boarding parties began, Tal'akaan craved battle. The Togorian scolded himself silently, he needed to remain calm for now. It wouldn't do his crew any good to see their admiral getting all giddy.

"Permission granted, Commander Bralor"

Soon the sky above Shogun would be theirs, and then the whole planet. He knew that they wouldn't be stopping here, there was still so much more that needed to be done. So many more Republic cowards that needed to die.

[Apillis]

The second Tal'akaan granted her permission, it was then she snapped fully to attention with her right fist upon her chest saluting him. With a strong, confident stride she walked over to the holo-display of the bridge, and open the comm channels to the ship's main hangar, "Fighter bays 4 to 14, release squadrons for ship support. Bays 15 and 16, begin patrol routes around the Tenacity to provide cover. Bays 1 to 3, remain on standby.", she then ended the communique with the Tenacity's main hangar bay. She turned to the Helmsman, ordering to him, "Open channels to the fleet to release fighter squadrons now."

"Yes, ma'am." he complied doing exactly as commanded.

It was only a moment later when a hailstorm of fighter squadrons poured out of their ships in support. The moment the first wave of Republic ships approached releasing their own fighters the two sides clashed with a wall of laser cannon fire and missiles at one another crashing down upon each of their ships hulls. The size of the Mandalorian fleet was still far too grand for the gathering of ships the thinned out Republic fleet could spend as its first wave against them. Though, the gathering of what Republic ships were there to serve as the first wave managed to work together enough to destroy one of the Tor-class carriers before their own demise.

Shannon's narrowed eyes arched a brow in response to this, but for the most part ignored it as Shogun was well within view by this point and would soon be in position to release the dropships for the ground forces to swarm the surface of one of their rightful homeworlds. Not surprising probably more than a few may been born their, it was their right to spill Republic blood who defiled their sacred ground. An ensign in reaction to seeing the carrier destroyed questioned, "What should we do, ma'am?", Shannon's narrowed eyed gaze from under her helm shifted from the holo-display to the ensign, this was obviously his first battle, so she boxed his left ear her left hand. The ensign grabbing his helm a bit rattled and perhaps out of a little bit of pain having his ear boxed from within his helm.

Calmly Shannon simply turned back to the holo-display while uttering with a cold, icy tone, "You're obviously green, so I'm letting you off easy this time... Ask me something stupid like that again and I'll drop you, Ensign. What should we do? Nothing, we continue to Shogun. They're Mandalorians who fought honorably in battle. They're dead. Remember their honor, that is all.", she then open a comm channel to the lead squadron that was covering the Tor-class carrier, "Squadron 47, lead the other squadrons of your position and support the patrol covering the Tor-class carrier ahead of you.", she then side glanced to the scanner and informed the squadron leader of Squadron 47 the reasoning from what she saw on the scanner, "The second Republic wave is trying to come at our elven, the third is moving in on our ten, seems they'll try to strike cohesively. That Tor is going to need a bit more cover."

"Yes, ma'am.", complied the leader of Squadron 47, and did precisely as ordered.

Shannon then fell back to her previous posture of her attention-like stance, though with her left arm crossed under her chest, while her right elbow rest in the palm of her left hand. Her right hand tapping at the chin of her helmet as she contemplated the situation watching the Republic fleet shift about as they proceed to move forward in attempt to strike at the Mandalorian fleet. The loss of one ship was expected, and she expects to lose a few more, she did not expect them to come out of this unscathed regardless of what she or anyone came up with for a battle plan.

Looking to how near Shogun is and the incoming Republic fleet, it was almost time to release the dropships, she then ordered to the Helmsman, "Open channels to all ships of the fleet to prep dropships for launch. We're almost close enough to Shogun."

"Yes, ma'am.", he complied once again to her doing as ordered.

Her gaze fell back onto the holo-display observing and waiting for the Republic fleet's next move. But, before then she had one other thing to do, which she opened up the comm channel to the main hangar bay, "Bays 1 to 3, prep for launch.", she then changed the comm channel to being for bay 1, and ordered the head squadron commander, "I held back your squadrons for a far more specific task."

"Ma'am?", the head squadron commander replied a little bewildered.

"Hang back with the Tenacity for awhile", she explained, "But, once we release the dropships, when you see Republic supply and hospital ships start coming to support their ground forces below. Reduce them to debris."

The head squadron commander chuckled taking a liking to the task give them and replied, "By your order, ma'am.", to which she simply end the communication, and returned to closely observing the holo-display eyeing the Republic fleet's movements.

[Apillis]

((Okie doke... getting back to this after having procrastinated horribly at it for way too long. ))

The grand Mandalorian ships approaching their intended destination, following precisely according to plan they already begun to take formation to release the dropships to the surface below. The Republic fleet begun to close in on them, yet still only in small smatterings allowing the Mandalorians to crush the Republic ships in a barrage of laser cannon fire as they came. While the hulls of a few Mandalorian ships cracked and shattered into a fiery blaze from the small groupings of Republic ships rushing a single target, the rest of the Mandalorian fleet still held strong.

While the majority of the starfighter squadrons supported the ships receiving the brunt of the Republic fleet's attempted onslaught. The handful that Commander Shannon Bralor ordered for a specific seek and destroy mission had already gone about its business. Supply and hospital ships begun trying to slip to avoid the Mandalorian fleet as they flew for Shogun's surface, but before they could ever reach the Shogun's atmosphere, they found themselves swarmed by a handful of Tracinya squadrons ripping their shields and hulls to knock out their stability so they have no control when entering Shogun's atmosphere, letting the re-entry rip apart and destroy the ships for them.

The time had approached soon enough, while the Republic fleet was just finally starting to organize into a proper assault formation to strike at the Mandalorians. Sadly, however, the Mandalorian fleet was still undaunted, well-prepared and the time to release the dropships had come...

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"All ships are in formation, dropships ready for launch, ma'am.", announced the helmsman of the Tenacity.

"Announce the order to release them.", Shannon commanded authoritatively without a seconds hesitation, and nor did the helmsman hestitate in announcing the order to the Mandalorian fleet as well. Her eyes narrowed behind the stoic gaze of her Mandalorian helm's visor as she glared at the holo-display seeing the Republic fleet finally taking formation, but their doing so is taking time.

The bay doors of the Mandalorian fleet carriers, capital, and battle ships all opened near simultaneously. In a hailstorm of a machinery the dropships poured out of the immense vessels that carried them to their destination. Shannon turned her head looking out the grand view screen of the bridge to watch the dropships fall like blazing meteors - no, like fire and brimstone down to the Shogun to unleash a final judgment of rage for the insult dealt to the Mandalorians and their ancestors before them from the Republic's taking away their scared soil. The sight was truly awe-inspiring to her Mandalorian born eyes welling up with pride - a historic occasion that had to be witnessed.

A long moment had past before Shannon had said anything or given any additional orders as she stared out the view screen watching the countless numbers of dropships fall to the surface, "Your next orders, ma'--?", questioned the ensign but was suddenly interrupted.

"Just shut up and watch...", Shannon interjected her voice even wavered a dash out of an emotional pull beneath her breast, "Do you have any idea what this moment means?", the ensign still young was uncertain how to reply given Shannon boxed his ear once for asking what she though was a foolish question, he did not want to discover what her reaction would be if he answered one of her questions wrongly. But without him saying a word, neither did Shannon as she simply continued to watch the dropships fall to the surface in a glorious fire surrounding their hulls.

Finally prying her eyes from the sight, she looked to the holo-display seeing the Republic fleet still trying to form for a worthwhile assault. Her brow furrowed a little in reaction, and ordered, "The Republic fleet is procrastinating for their assault... they move too slow. So, let's give our ground force allies a helping hand. Order all ships to take aim at the surface below, and bombard the Republic... soften them up a bit.", by now understanding when Shannon gives such orders the helmsman is well aware it is to him, and immediately complied in announcing the order to the fleet.

The very second a masses of great laser cannon fire rained down upon the surface to the Republic structures, the Republic fleet begun to act. Shannon's lips curled into a grin under her helm upon seeing this as she ordered to the helmsman, "Announce to the fleet to continue the bombardment until the last dropship has launched. Second order, announce to the fleet prep boarding parties. I want them ready before the Republic fleet reaches us.", with only but a simple nod the helmsman once again complied.

[Apillis]

It went just as planned, the second the very last dropship was released soaring to the surface of Shogun, the bombardment ceased. As the reorganized Republic fleet crept forward to strike at the Mandalorian fleet with what it had left; the Mandalorian fleet in turn rolled forward to at last confront the Republic fleet head on. It is just as the Mandalorian fleet had wanted all along, to openly break the Republic fleet in two - this was meant to be an all out humiliation of the Republic fleet - to send a message to the Republic itself.

The two fleets amassed of grand space fairing vessels of crude metal floated through space closing the distance between them. Starfighters from either side blasted between the closing gap between the two sides swarming the ships on either side while numerous others engaged in dogfights in the no-mans-land between the two opposing fleets. Starfighters bursting into flames as they were struck by plasma fire, torpedoes, and missiles alike. From the distance of the two approaching fleets the starfighters meeting their end looked like fireflies glowing intensely bright for only a moment but never to glow again.

The grand ships of the two fleets lurched through the swarms of starfighters, and the second the two were within range of one another - that is when the barrages of massive plasma fire from their great laser cannons were unleashed upon each other. Hailstorms of torpedoes and missiles soared through space crashing and exploding upon impact on the hulls of the starfighters and great ships of the fleets as the battle between the two sides enthralled. But the Republic fleet as a whole slowed in their approach to a halt taken aback by the Mandalorian fleet continuing to approach closer and closer, eventually to the point the Mandalorian fleet threaded with the Republic fleet - the two opposing fleets ships so close it almost too dangerous to fire upon one another with heavy firepower.

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"Your jetpack, ma'am", said the Ensign as he handed Shannon her jetpack, retrieved from the cockpit of her personal starfighter - fulling an order given to him earlier.

Not even uttering a word to the Ensign she took the jetpack and immediately heaved its weight onto her back, and begun strapping and buckling it on to her slender physique. Shannon looked to the clock briefly before looking to the helmsman and ordering him, "In exactly 30 minutes, announce to all ships of the fleet to launch boarding parties to fulfill their intended purpose."

"Yes, ma'am.", complied the helmsman as he set his own watch to keep a close eye on the time.

With her jetpack on, she approached the Fleet Admiral informing him it was now time to take their fight to the Republic in a far more direct manner. When she stood no more than a couple meters from him, she snapped to attention as she uttered, "Preparations are complete, Fleet Admiral Tal'akaan. Boarding parties are ready. It is time to spill Republic blood within their own hulls."