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Published: 2023-11-01 02:30:25 +0000 UTC; Views: 1967; Favourites: 5; Downloads: 0
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Description (Sequel to: Manhunt)

Skirmish in the Unknown Regions


Prologue:

-Unknown Regions, Sector 5, First Order patrolling route-

The Star Destroyers, Impulse and Finalizer, lay in wait, shrouded in a palpable aura of anticipation. They were stealthily ensconced within a nearby asteroid field, their colossal, dagger-like silhouettes blending seamlessly with the surrounding cosmic debris, a testament to their strategic camouflage. Within the belly of these gargantuan leviathans, the crew found themselves in a state of serene tranquility, a rare respite from the usual flurry of activity, devoid of any disturbances or emergencies.

This tranquility, however, was ephemeral.

The ship’s state-of-the-art long-range sensors detected an unexpected presence. A meticulous analysis of the heat, type, and energy signatures revealed an intriguing interloper: an antiquated Resistance Frigate, nonchalantly cruising through the cosmos, flanked by squadrons of X-Wings.

The officers aboard the two Battlecruisers swiftly activated the cloaking mechanisms, concealing their heat and energy signatures from prying eyes. Bathed in the soft luminescence of their consoles, they kept a vigilant watch on the unfolding situation, their minds abuzz with questions about the Resistance’s presence in this region.

Could it be that the Frigate had inadvertently veered off course? Had their Hyperdrive malfunctioned? The Unknown Regions were infamous for their inherent dangers, such as spontaneously appearing black holes, other cosmic hazards, and hostile alien forces, making navigation perilous for those unfamiliar with the established safe routes and Hyperlines meticulously charted by the First Order’s Search-Probes.

Yet, the region also harbored many wonders and enigmas that captivated explorers and adventurers. Ancient ruins of bygone civilizations, exotic planets teeming with diverse life forms, hidden secrets, and potent treasures lay in wait, ready to be unearthed.

The remnants of the First Order, following their defeat at Exegol years prior, had reclaimed this region as their sanctuary. It served as their operational base, a refuge for their allies, and a hideout from their adversaries. It also functioned as a testing ground for their novel weapons and technology, a stepping stone in their quest to gradually regain their erstwhile power.

And now, for the first time since the Battle of Exegol, General Rain Vaaska found herself face-to-face with the Resistance once again.


Chapter 1: The Competition

-First Order Star Destroyers, Finalizer and Impulse-

Suddenly, a spark of friendly rivalry ignited between General Vaaska and the Sith warrior Sabio, crackling over the ship’s holo-com. The sight of a heavily fortified ship, flanked by Resistance fighters, presented an enticing opportunity. It was a chance to not only defend their territory but also to break the monotony of their two-week-long patrol duty.

But for General Vaaska and her fleet, it was more than just a game. It was a chance to exact revenge on the detestable Resistance.

The rules of their contest were straightforward: they would each pilot their personal starfighters, their targets being the Resistance fighters. Their objective was to shoot down as many enemy fighters as possible until the space around them was devoid of any X-Wings presence.

The victor of this high-stakes game would be determined by who managed to down the most X-Wings, earning the honor of delivering the final blow to the Frigate. Sabio, a wielder of the dark force powers, agreed to abstain from using his formidable abilities, ensuring a level playing field.

BBe10-10, a BB unit equipped with advanced sensors and communication systems, was designated as the impartial referee. It was tasked with monitoring the battlefield in real time, its observations projected on large screens scattered throughout the ship. Its sophisticated programming ensured fairness, accurately attributing each downed fighter to either Vaaska or Sabio.

The Finalizer was assigned a crucial role: it would effectively jam the enemy fleet’s long-range communication systems, isolating them and preventing them from calling for reinforcements or sending out a distress signal.

As preparations were underway, a wave of excitement swept through the crew. In the Finalizer’s hangar stood Captain Koros, steadfastly by General Vaaska’s side as she readied her starfighter. Clad in his crimson armor, he understood that this was more than just a game; it was a test of skill and strategy, a silent duel between the General and the Sith Warrior, and a battle for honor and revenge.

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The Resistance ship slowly emerged from the darkness of space, surrounded by a swarm of Resistance fighters. The Frigate had been forced to take a detour through the Unknown Regions due to a malfunction in its hyperdrive. The crew had followed a safe route that was provided by an old friend of the captain, who claimed to have explored the region before. The crew hoped to avoid any trouble and reach their destination as soon as possible.

Vaaska and Sabio, each ensconced in their respective starfighters, readied themselves for launch. They were at the helm of two cutting-edge TIE-Fighters - the TIE-Delta IV and the TIE-Shadow. Vaaska’s TIE-Delta IV was a sleek, streamlined craft, its intimidating black exterior accentuated with bold red accents. In contrast, Sabio’s TIE-Shadow bore an slight resemblance to the formidable TIE-Silencer. Both starfighters were armed to the teeth with four heavy laser cannons, enhanced with Kyber crystals for increased firepower, shields, concussion missiles, life support systems, and hyperdrives. Their hulls, partly constructed from the scarce material Beskar, were a unique feature exclusive to these vessels.

The Kyber crystals were rare and powerful gems that could amplify energy and focus it into beams of devastating force. They were also attuned to the Force and could resonate with the emotions and intentions of their users. The First Order had managed to acquire a lot of these big crystals from the icy planet Ilum, which had been converted into the powerful Starkiller-Base superweapon and some the ruins of Jedha, a planet that had been half destroyed by the first Death Star decades ago. They had used them to upgrade their capital ships main weapons and starfighters, giving them an edge over their enemies.

Beskar, a metal indigenous to the planet Mandalore, carries the scars of a world ravaged by relentless wars. Its extreme durability and resistance to blaster fire and even lightsabers have earned it a reputation for being nearly indestructible. This has made it a highly coveted resource, sought after by numerous criminal factions and individuals scattered across the galaxy.

General Vaaska came into possession of a substantial amount of this precious metal during a routine patrol mission. A group of smugglers had trespassed into First Order territory in Sector-6. The encounter, which took place six weeks ago, resulted in the confiscation of a significant stash of Beskar from the intruders.

Recognizing the potential of this rare material, General Vaaska utilized it to reinforce the hulls of her new prototype starfighters. The addition of Beskar significantly enhanced their resilience, transforming them into formidable machines of war.

This was their maiden voyage, the fighters first test in battle.

Their engines roared to life as they launched from their respective hangars into the vast expanse of space. The competition had officially begun.

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-Resistance Frigate, Class-B-

The abrupt emergence of the TIE-Fighters, coupled with the inexplicable jamming of their communications, plunged the Frigate into a state of disarray, swiftly escalating into outright panic. The crew was blindsided; their scanners, which had shown no signs of any presence one moment, were suddenly ablaze with the signatures of the two TIE-Fighters the next.

The captain of the Frigate, a seasoned veteran, swiftly issued orders to his crew to raise the shields and provide cover fire for their escort. The crew, thrown into a frenzy, scrambled to their battle stations, attempting to make sense of the rapidly unfolding situation.

"Where did they come from?” a crew member inquired, his voice laced with apprehension.

“I don’t know, but- They’re firing at us!” another crew member exclaimed, his voice echoing through the ship.

“Stay calm, everyone. We can handle this, those are just two and we are manny. We’ve faced worse before,” the captain reassured his crew, his voice steady amidst the chaos.

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-X-Wing Squadron Yellow-

The X-Wing pilots escorting the Frigate were equally surprised but then calmed, those are just two TIE´s, easy shot they tought. They formed a defensive formation around the Frigate, their lasers ready to fire at the incoming TIE-Fighters. Suprisendly, they were at a disadvantage even with the help of the Frigate´s own guns; those two TIE-Fighters were different, fast, their weapons and shields stronger, more agile, darting in and out like pissed off hornets with ease.

“Yellow Leader, this is Yellow Two. Do you copy?” a pilot said over his static filled comlink.

“Yellow Two, this is Yellow Leader. I copy. What’s going on?” another pilot responded.

“We have two unidentified TIE-Fighters on our tail. They’re fast and agile. They’re not like any TIEs we’ve seen before.” the first pilot said.

“Copy that, Yellow Two. Stay on them. Don’t let them get away.” the second pilot said.

“Roger that, Yellow Leader. We’ll do our best.” the first pilot said.

The once silence of space was broken by the sharp sound of different coloured laser fire, missles and the echo of explosions.

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-TIE-Delta IV and TIE-Shadow prototypes-

Vaaska, piloting the TIE-Delta IV, made the first move. She targeted the nearest X-Wing and fired a volley of laser blasts. The Kyber crystals in her weapons amplified the energy, turning it into a beam of devastating force. The X-Wing, caught off guard, was unable to evade in time and was hit.

Cheers erupted from the crew aboard the Star Destroyers as the first X-Wing was downed. Vaaska had drawn the first blood. General Vaaska piloted her starfighter with an air of precision and grace that was almost balletic. Her weapons locked onto her targets with unerring accuracy, her lasers and missiles unleashed in a calculated barrage that left no room for error. She danced through the battlefield, evading incoming fire with movements that were as elegant as they were unpredictable. Resistance fighters fell one by one under her relentless assault, their demise quenching her thirst for the revenge.

Not to be outdone, Sabio, in his TIE-Shadow, targeted another X-Wing. His laser blasts, also enhanced by Kyber crystals, hit their mark. Another X-Wing was downed, and the score was even. The Sith Warrior, wore a wicked smile as he relied on his instincts and lightning-quick reflexes. He reveled in the thrill of the chase, the adrenaline coursing through his veins, the sweet taste of victory. Darting playfully through the battlefield, now ablaze with red, blue and green lasers, he wove through enemy fire with an ease that was almost nonchalant. His swift and deadly shots took down Resistance fighters with ruthless efficiency, his actions a symphony of destruction.

Throughout the competition, Vaaska and Sabio’s comms crackled with their banter, their starfighters echoing with their playful taunts. They reveled in every exhilarating moment of the dogfight, their spirits undaunted by the massacre both caused around them.

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-Resistance Frigate, Class-B-

The crew aboard the Resistance Frigate watched in horror as their X-Wing fighters were shot down one by one. The once bustling command center was now filled with a deafening silence, punctuated only by the occasional blare of alarms and the frantic chatter over the comms. The crew members stared at their screens, their faces pale and their hands trembling, as they watched the relentless assault unfold.

The captain, a seasoned veteran, tried to maintain a semblance of calm amidst the chaos. He issued orders, his voice steady but strained, urging his crew to stay focused and do their best to defend their ship. But deep down, he knew they were outmatched. The enemy fighters were unlike anything they had encountered before. Their speed, agility, and firepower were far superior, and their pilots fought with a ferocity that was almost terrifying.

Despite the grim situation, the crew refused to give up. They worked tirelessly, coordinating their defenses and returning fire whenever they could to the two TIE-fighters.


Chapter 2: Judgement is served


Back aboard the cloaked Finalizer, the astromech beeped and whistled as it effortlessly kept score of the ongoing competition. The crew watched in awe as Vaaska and Sabio showcased their exceptional piloting skills, their starfighters gracefully maneuvering amidst the chaos of battle, even betting to each other.

Each successful hit was a point scored, each evaded shot a testament to their skill and agility.

DT-3350, the Special Forces Leader of the DT-Unit, squawked in excitement. He harbored hopes that next time he and his elite pilots would be in their place, participating in such a thrilling competition to the team. The stark white clad Stormtrooper, FN-1234, standing next to him gave DT-3350 a probably wreid look under his helmet, asking incredulously, “Are you on Deathsticks?”

The dogfight continued unabated, with both Vaaska and Sabio matching each other shot for shot. It was a thrilling spectacle - two skilled pilots pushing their limits in a high-stakes game of skill and strategy.

Finally, the last X-Wing fell, its wreckage disappearing into the void of space. They had both fought valiantly, but there could only be one winner.

Ten-Ten chriped loudly as it announced the results on the screens. The crew held their breath in anticipation…

The results of the competition were incredibly close, but in the end, Darth Sabio emerged as the winner with just one hit more than General Vaaska. His playful, swift and instinctive shots gave him the edge over General Vaaska’s more precise and calculated military approach.

“Congratulations,” Vaaska said, genuinely impressed. Not only had he beaten her fairly, but he had also done so despite being less experienced.

“Thanks!” Sabio responded, his voice calm but exhilarated. He was surprised he could beat someone more experienced without the Force, his piloting skills were still fresh.

“Claim your prize then,” General Vaaska chuckled, her voice echoing through the comlink as she veered off to return to the Finalizer.

“Oh, I will, General,” the Sith Warrior retorted, a grin spreading beneath his crimson half-mask. He promptly commanded the Impulse to maneuver alongside the Frigate and unleash its formidable arsenal onto the enemy.

Aboard the Star Destroyer, the crew relayed his orders with swift professionalism. The ship was instantly bathed in a pulsating red light as alarms blared, their steady rhythm a call to arms for the crew members. They rushed to their stations, their movements a well-rehearsed dance of efficiency and precision. As the capital ship squared off against the Frigate, the ensuing battle was a testament to the raw power and strategic prowess of the First Order.

-----------------------

With the X-Wings escort decimated and the sudden appearance of the colossal First Order Star Destroyer decloaking to reveal its intimidating broadside, the situation for the significantly smaller Resistance Frigate took a deadly turn.

The Impulse, now fully visible in all its terrifying glory, unleashed a barrage of green, enhanced heavy turbolaser fire and ventral cannons onto the Frigate. The Sith Warrior himself joined the fray, skillfully dodging enemy fire while retaliating with precise shots at the Frigate’s smaller turrets.

With their communications effectively jammed, the Captain found himself in a dire situation, unable to call for reinforcements or send out a distress signal. The once serene silence of space was now filled with the deafening roar of battle, the fate of the Resistance Frigate hanging in the balance.

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-Resistance Frigate, Class-B-

The captain of the Frigate, a battle-hardened fella with a face etched with scars, swiftly rallied his crew for the impending battle against the Star Destroyer. However, with their communications crippled by the Finalizer’s superior technology and their escort decimated, their options were severely limited. Their only glimmer of hope was to make a jump into hyperspace, but they were hindered by their lack of coordinates and their scant knowledge of the Unknown Regions, save for this one route. The ship’s shields were under severe strain, teetering dangerously as they struggled to absorb the relentless onslaught of incoming fire.

The crew of the Frigate could only watch in abject horror as their ship was subjected to a merciless bombardment, their attempts at retaliation proving futile against the overwhelming firepower of the Impulse.

“Status report!” the captain shouted over the noise.

“Shields at 28% and dropping fast! Engines damaged! Hyperdrive offline! Weapons ineffective!” a crew member reported frantically.

“Damn it! We have to get out of here! How did the First Order survive?” the captain wondered aloud. He had believed that the remnants of the Empire had been vanquished completly on Exegol years ago. Now he was being proven wrong.

“I don’t know sir, but we have to fight back!" a crew member answered.

“We can’t let them destroy us!” another crew member declared defiantly, his voice echoing through the chaos.

“You’re right!” the captain responded, his voice filled with determination.

Inside the Frigate, alarms blared and lights flashed as systems overloaded and failed. Crew members scrambled to put out fires and repair critical systems, but it was a losing battle from the start. The ship shuddered with each hit, sparks flying as consoles exploded.

Despite their best efforts, the crew of the Resistance Frigate could not withstand the onslaught. The Impulse’s superior firepower, shielding, and the element of surprise had given them an insurmountable advantage. With a final shudder, the Frigate’s lights flickered one last time before dying out. It was replaced with a massive explosion chain that ripped through the ship, falling into pieces, leaving only silence and drifting debris in its wake.

Both Star Destroyer´s crew and troops erupted into cheers. They had exacted some revenge. The Resistance had been defeated, their presence in the Unknown Regions eradicated.

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-First Order Star Destroyer, Finalizer-

“DT-3350,” Vaaska’s voice crackled over the comlink, her tone authoritative. She was already back on the bridge of her ship, Captain Koros and her Astromech at her side. “Assemble your team and ensure no evidence remains. We cannot risk alerting the Resistance to our survival. Salvage any valuable information that could provide insight into the Resistance’s plans and outposts.”

The elite pilot, DT-3350, responded with an excited, “Yes, Ma’am!” His companion, the same trooper who had remained steadfastly by his side, merely shook his head and walked off, muttering to himself.

Vaaska called in another Team to repurpose the debris of the Frigate, melting down the metal to create resources for their use.

"I have a meeting with Officer Tequilla to attend," the General notified Captain Koros, pulling out her already activated datapad from her coat. "Take command." The crimson clad trooper saluted and watched her leave, yet he stole a glimpse on the holographic image the datapad hold. It displayed a blueprint of something elongated -almost missle like.

Captain Koros watched as General Vaaska left the bridge, her figure disappearing through the sliding doors. He turned his attention back to the large viewport, his gaze fixed on the distant debris field. The remnants of the Resistance Frigate were still smoldering, a grim reminder of the battle that had taken place.

“Officer Tequilla,” he muttered to himself, his mind already processing the tasks ahead. He wondered what plans the General and Officer Tequilla were concocting. A new weapon?

DT-3350 quickly rallied his squad of four other DT-Units and they boarded their TIE/sf-Fighters. Launching from the Finalizer’s hangar bay, they set a course for the debris field.

“Alright boys, let’s finish this job!” DT-3350 declared enthusiastically over the comlink.

Their mission was clear: uncover any information about the Resistance and ensure that no survivors lived to tell the tale of their encounter with the last remnants of the First Order.


Epilogue:

-Hidden Resistance Outpost, Echo Base, Outer Rim-

A week had elapsed at the Resistance base, marked by an eerie silence that hung heavily in the air. The Frigate, which had always been a constant presence, had fallen ominously silent. There were no call-ins, no emergency signals, nothing but a deafening silence that weighed heavily on their chests, crushing their hopes and spirits. The absence of the ship and its crew left a gaping void in their hearts, a wound that time would never heal.

The new leaders of the Resistance, acutely aware of the gravity of the situation, knew they had to act. They assembled a team comprising their finest pilots and navigators for a mission of paramount importance.

Their task was formidable. They were to locate the lost Frigate and retrieve the invaluable information it was carrying. Their only guide was the last known coordinates of the Frigate, a faint beacon of hope in the vast, uncharted expanse of space.

With a potent mix of determination and apprehension, they embarked on their mission. Their journey took them through star systems and asteroid fields, each jump into Hyperspace bringing them a step closer to their destination; the dreaded and unpredictable Unknown Regions.

However, when they finally arrived at the location, they were met with a disheartening sight. Nothing but a field of asteroids and very small space debris filled the void where the Frigate should have been.

Undeterred, the team spent hours scouring the treacherous and unknown area. They meticulously searched every inch of the sector, hoping against hope to find some trace of the Frigate or its escort. But their efforts proved futile, it was as the Frigate never passed through. The lost Frigate remained lost, its fate a terrible mystery. The valuable information it carried was lost with it.

They returned to the base, their hearts heavy with the knowledge that they would never know what happened to the Frigate. Its fate, and the fate of its crew, would remain a mystery.

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Next Sequel: A Droids Adventure
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