Chapter 34 - Fierce Battle in all Fronts (1/2)

Star Killer Planet Orbit

- ”Enemy forces advancing from the rearguard!”- informed an officer- ”casualties raising by the second!”

The pincer attack the First Order had managed to do was extremely effective and the Republic forces were immediately put on the defensive. Admiral Ackbar knew that if he did not manage to stop the enemy's momentum, the fleet would be ruined.

- ”Enemy bombers have been deployed!”- informed the officer once more.

- ”If they want us to be on the defensive, let's give them what they want”- said Ackbar with a decisive tone- ”Tortoise formation!”

- ”Roger that!”- said the officer and immediately the orders were transmitted to all the commanders who immediately followed in suite- ”All commanders Tortoise Formation in point J656, O761!”

The Mon Calamari Star Cruisers were renowned not for their fire capacities but their defensive one. While most star cruisers had to sacrifice shield power in many parts of their fuselage, the Mon Calamari ships made sure every single part and angle was protected by the shield. This characteristic which was the counter to the Star Destroyer from the First Order made many to say that both ships were the re imagine of the ancient story of the most powerful sword against the most powerful shield.

- ”All Star Cruisers ȧssembling in designed point and placing into positions!”

The Star Cruisers ignored the attacks they were receiving form everywhere and moved to the indicated locations as fast as they could while mantaining control of their movements. They moved slowly but in great order. The First Order officers showed surprise and confusion and some of them could not help feeling hypnotized by the grace and controlled coordination of the movements which seemed to imitate a dance. Finally all the Star Cruisers formed a huge ring next to each other and they turned around raising their shields to the max while keeping their offensive weapons.

- ”Formation in place, Admiral”- informed the officer- ”Commanders ready for phase two”

- ”Activate the Pangolin System!”- ordered Ackbar- ”Also... contact Takodana Forces!”

- ”Pangolin System online”- said an officer- ”finalizing in three minutes”

- ”Captain Flame Beard asking sent a transmission”- said other officer

- ”Open it!”

- ”Ackbar!”- shouted the pirate captain while being attacked which made the communication shaky and difficult to understand- ”we are being surrounded! We need a contingency plan or we'll be obliterated!”

- I'm already on it, FlameBeard”- said Ackbar who understood the man's worries- ”Make your star Cruisers gather in the coordinates I'll send you at once!”

- ”Wait... isn't that...?”- said FlameBeard understanding Ackbar's plan- ”you know that will only give us some time before we are destroyed.”

- ”Hehe... well the plan was never to defeat the First Order's fleet...”- said FlameBeard with a frustrated laugh- ”we'll follow your plan Admiral...”

- ”If we survive this, Captain”- said Ackbar trying to cheer the pirate captain- ”I heard you will be allowed to raid and plunder any system allied to the First Order.”

- ”Is that true?”- asked FlameBeard- ”in that case, let's do this!”

The pirate cut the communications and immediately moved his fleet showing good skill making Ackbar smile. He knew that nothing moved a pirate better than the prospect of loot. They were not not trained soldiers, this type of battle was totally against them. Pirates were supposed to to catch their enemies by surprise and use specific advantages against their enemies. A face-to-face battle like this one just lowered their effectiveness and if they saw themselves in a bad spot they would abandon the battle immediately especially since there were not going to be income for their efforts. After three minutes the system had been totally charged.

- ”System online”- said an officer- ”defenses boosted by 300%”

- ”Good!”- said Ackbar with a proud expression- ”have all starfighters and bombers to enter the formation and defend the Star Cruisers from any small vessel!”

The Pangolin System was the latest defensive technology that the best Mon Calamari engineers had created. It used the shield power or two or more Star Cruisers and combine it so that the shield pwer in both star cruisers multiply as long as they stood side to side. The more quantity of ships, the more powerful the defense boost. This also permitted to watch each other's backs but most importantly it permitted to have a powerful 380° defense in a wide area making this formation a total headache for the enemy commanders to break.

- ”I don't think the Senate would give permission for plunder and raids, Admiral”- said the voice of Leia who seemed to be a little upset.

- ”Did you hear that, General Organa?”

- ”So did I”- said Maz Kanata and Ackbar could imagine the wide grin in her face- ”It is a delightful surprise... how come you did not tell me anything Leia... I would have been able to motivate my forces better with that information.”

- ”Well... It was I did not know anything either”- said Leia with a voice that showed she was a having a terrible headache.

- ”I apologize for my impulsiveness, General”

- ”Don't be, Admiral”- said Leia with a sigh- ”since it's open war now, I don't see why we should abide by the pacts anymore... more so since it was the First Order who broke it anyways”

- ”Admiral Ackbar... you have my gratitude”- said Maz Kanata who seemed to be celebrating her birthday- ”we need to have a drink together after this battle!”

- ”It will be my pŀėȧsurė”- said Ackbar- ”however, things don't seem very well here”

- ”I know Luke and Han will be succesful”- said Leia with a blind confidence in both men.

- ”I certainly hope so...”

- ”We need to... eh?”- said Leia after receiving a transmission.

(...)

Star Killer Base - Prison area

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phasma remembers practice while looking at Finn from the floor. he was good but he had the tendency to hurry his attacks too much and his flaw was his pride and stubborness.

- ”How...?”- she was aware that Finn was a candidate to be a knight of Ren but she also knew that he had a long way to go before he could reach the necessary level- ”such advance in so short of time!”

She took distance and ȧssumed a different stance. The move she was going to do was extremely difficult rto execute but even full pledged knights of Ren would have a hard time dealing with it. She moved using her maximum speed and she arrived to Finn in less than a second and she could see the confusion in Finn's eyes. He tried to raise his light saber but it was already too late.

- ”Don't get ċȯċky, Traitor!”- she said and she could see the discomfort he had in his eyes and she understood that he still had not accepted the reality of his defection. She knew he had a sense of honor so the badge of traitor wuld easily confuse and annoy him.

He still tried to push her but Phasma knew that the momentum he had displayed previously had been lost. Phasma was too veteran to let the opportunity slip and she recovered her footing and brutally attacked using all her skill. Finn's defenses were broken in an instant and she repeated her victory combo which this time was extremely effective and managed to disarm and send Finn to the floor.

- ”Damn!”- shouted Finn before receiving a terrible hit on the face which broke his nose and made all his body go limp.

- ”Stand up, Finn!”- he shouted at himself- ”Rey is waiting.”

- ”Don't feel bad, FN-2187”- he heard Phasma's voice as if she were in a far place- ”greater warrior than you have fallen by my hands.”

Finn wanted to retaliate but then he noticed he did not have the lightsaber in his hands and was unarmed and at the the mercy of his former leader. He remembered how Luke had made some objects fly but he understood that it was impossible for him, especially in this situation. He felt a heavy weight pinning him to the floor and he saw Phasma stepping on him.

- ”Don't worry”- Phasma said with a tone that made Finn's hair stand- ”we'll make you see the wrong in your ways and you will serve the First Order again with those newfound abilities... it would be a waste to just let that talent go, don't you think?”

Finn started to panic knowing very well the things they would do to him an tried to squirm his way out but Phasma simply was not going to let him go.

- ”Now go to sleep, soldier!”- she said raising her spear- ”we'll talk when...”

Ptcheodate it while placing something inside to stop the bleeding. Even though he was in pain, Finn could not help but admire the dexterity and proficiency of his actions.

- ”She gave a terrible beating, didn't she?”- Han's voice said whiule still working and then Finn started to take out the ċhėst and thɨġh armor which had been deformed and would not protect him anymore.

- ”Where is she?”- asked Finn knowing that she was too dangerous to be left alive. He found her in a corner not moving with a huge hole in her armor. He recognized that hole as one made by Chewee's bowcaster- ”we have to finish her off...”

- ”We have no time, Big Deal!”- said Han forcing Finn to stand up and run- ”reinforcements are coming!”

Finn wanted to tell Han to make sure Phasma was dead but he could already hear the sound of footsteps coming their way and knew it was just a matter of seconds so he grabbed the lightsaber and a blaster before starting to run but then he had a last thought and return to grab Phasma's spear. He started to run afterwards along with Han and Chewee.