Leia sits aboard the Falcon as the ship rockets toward Corellia.The last she heard the Imperials, who were using weapons and craft that were somehow different from the normal Imperial weaponry had successfully ambushed Corellia, devestating some of the orbital manufacturing stations, and landing ground troops on the surface of the planet.
The Imperials had attacked with a tremendous show of force...more than half a dozen Star Destroyers and an untold number of support vessels and troop transports.
The New Republic was sending a fleet of its own, however much of the fleet is still dealing with the Imperials' deception at Zeltros and the arrival of many of the ships needed for an operation of this scale will be delayed. Mon Mothma herself had reached out to Prince Isolder in the Hapes Consortium, however he too will not be able to get his fleet to Corellia in time.
So here she is, going into battle against a large Imperial fleet on the Falcon...with only the newly reformed Rogue Squadron, the Darq Dreams and the Errant Venture, as well as Ordo and his small force of Mandalorians to help reinforce the small New Republic force that has already arrived in the Corellian system.
The odds are against them, but as Han has said time after time...never tell her the odds.
And that is when she gets an idea.
"Threepio, come here for a moment."
"Of course, Mistress Leia. How can I be of service?"
"I need you to record a message and transmit it to a specific set of coordinates. Can you do that?"
"Naturally Mistress Leia. It will be my pleasure." The gold plated droid answered, in a tone that said he was almost insulted by the question, but doing his best not to show it.
"Good, then begin recording now." She says and waits until the droid indicates that he has begun recording the message.
"General Alexander Barrett, we need your help....."
Communications Tech Lowenstein's comm center lights up in a flurry of activity sparked by Leia's recording.
Lowenstein calls out, "General!"
Barrett enters and says, "
Report Lowenstein."
She plays back the recording and Barrett presses a bright blue button on the comm panel and suddenly the sound of an alert fills the base.
Barrett says into a mic, "
MOUNT UP WE ARE AIRBORNE IN 1!"
He looks at Lowenstein and says, "
Upload the message to the claw. Then get on board."
Within a 30 seconds Barrett is on-board closely followed by the unit.
He allows himself a quiet grin amazed that they we're on board quicker than he anticipated.
Hernandez yells, "Crew present and accounted for!"
Barrett replies, "
Go!"
The Eagle Claw takes flight and breaks orbit.
Hernandez says, "Free and clear to navigate!'
Barrett responds, "
Set course for Corellia engage the Hyperdrive-XL unit."
The ship quickly accellerates into hyperspace.
Hernandez says, "We should be there within the next 25 minutes."
Barrett responds, "
All-right. Engage the auto-pilot and get back here I have briefing to give."
Hernandez enters the command center as Barrett begins, "About
3 minutes ago we recieved a communique."
Lowenstein plays Leia's recording and each crew member studies every word.
Once the recording ends Barrett says, "
Now we are a covert unit, but the Alliance is in trouble and we are still a part of it so we will assist. That being said fraternization with other Alliance members is prohibited remember we don't exist."
Barrett lets that sink in and sees no one is disappointed or downhearted but rather everyone has a look of focus and intensity.
Perfect! This is what I've been trainning them for. This unit could workout after all.
He continues, "
All-right Hernandez you will drop myself and the rest of the unit on the planet surface you are going to help with the orbital battle."
Barrett pulls up a 3-D grid of the latest intell photos and says,
"Hernandez you are going to provide a source of great frustration. I want you to hit their supply ships just one or two shots at a time concentrate on the engines with some of the torpedos on board you might even get a ship or two to go. Once you've got their attention and they shoot at you engage your cloak and get out. If it works right they'll not only become concerned about their supplies but they won't know where you'll becoming from next. Make everything as random as you can and if you get lucky they may even fire on themselves."
Hernandez responds, "A peek-a-boo attack."
Barrett says, "
Exactly."
Hernandez smirks and nods. Most of his commanders hated Hernandez's arrogance and over-confidence Barrett though loved it. It helped instill a sense of confidence and back-bone to the group.
Barrett continues, "
The rest of us will land here just about 2 miles away from the main bulk of the fighting. Their communications array is staged here our mission take it over and then have some fun with their messages. Questions?"
He sees no one motioning or even a look of concern.
Barrett says, "
All-right gear it up!"
The crew leaves to get their gear and Barrett says to Lowenstein, "
Send the following message on the same frequency to Leia. Enroute e-t-a less than 15 and then get your gear together."
She nods and sends the message.
