Log:Doomsday Clock:Bright Jewel pt2

Doomsday Clock: Bright Jewel pt2

OOC Date: February 12 2025
Location: Bright Jewel System
Participants: Yer'ok'omam, Wil Larolia, Tytos Wrex, Ferr'ai'ovumlu, Bors Thul, Axyl Lucayon, Aitax Rendon, Roan, Karas Darkwing, Cin'cirad, Jon Korbix

The battle for The Bright Jewel has waged for several hours. On the surface of the planet of Ord Mantell, people have stopped gambling in the Casinos, drinking in the bars, or working because every global news outlet is showing satellite footage of the engagement. The night sky is lit up with the barrage of turbolaser batteries that look like shooting stars cris-crossing through the atmosphere and the shadowy visage of massive ships a new lunar instillation ominously positioning on the darkside of the planet. While none of these batteries have actually struck the planets surface, it still appears as fire in the sky, if only because of the overwhelming SIZE of the vessels.

On the bridge of the MC80 Ascendancy, Yer'ok'omam stands amidst the low chatter of the Chiss bridge crew. Beside her is her XO who interconnects comms between the Fleet, from Captain to Captain and each of their support vehicles. "Major Lud'a'li, could you give me a sitrep."

The voice that answers is more of a hiss, croaking through some form of throat damage, "Yes sir. Commander Korbix has engaged with the enemy Victory Class, whose fighter squadrons have moved into position against the Dark Star-" The Ascendancy's Quasar. "-Captain Larolia is still in a trench fight with the Imperial Class Destroyers Nebulon and Quasar support ships." There's a nod from Captain Roko, "The Dark Star has received heavy damage." "Inform Captain D'arti that he should jump back to fleet base." There's a nod and she sets to sending the message.

The Quasar, which had been hiding in the massive shield shadow of the Ascendancy, is being hammered upon by an entire nest of TIE Fighters and shows several points of structural damage. There's a moment where it looks it may erupt into explosive gas, but then it stretches and disappears into a long streak towards hyperspace.

Beep beep, "The Dark Star has engaged hyperdrives. We'll receive message once they've reached Fleet Base." "Assume command of the Dark Stars Fighter Squadrons until battle outset, Major.} She gives a nod and the battle commence.

Wil is in a brutal fight. The Adept Hammer in a seemingly endless loop of Turbolaser fire and repairs from the Nebulon-B attached to his battlegroup. Of course, the Imperials' own Nebulon is resisting his attempts to blow it into scrap. The Albino seems far more frustrated than dashing on his bridge today.

He pushes himself out of his chair and stalks across the Bridge. "We have to bring those repair frigates down. Focus every last ounce of fire on it. Every last -atom-." He starts to pace, agitated, as torpedoes and turbolasers lance out into space.

When the Legacy's cannons fire a solution that causes the Ravenous' shields to shimmer, Jon points toward the main view port as if to say 'see' to his Chief Gunnery Officer, Cheikix. "Nice shot, sir," the Devaronian says, a bit of a smile forming. "Your turn," says Jon, relinquishing controls to the gunner. "More like that."

Jon leaves the gunnery station and walks back toward the Captain's chair.

The YT-2000 and its Rogue Starfighter strike force are tough targets for a Star Destroyer's guns-- but a Star Destroyer has one thing in abundance, and that thing is guns. Weaving between heavy emerald beams, Lucayon's face matches his sternly impassive helm. "Ed, rear deflectors." The quick bark comes out in chirps and a whine, immediately parsed and acted upon by the astromech-- just in time to eat a massive hit, the ship's shield integrity dropping /sharply./

"Divert power to charging them up again-- we need to regroup, but we're not out of this yet." The Shistavanen's droidspeak is surprisingly fluent and capable; and a bonus in this instance, efficient. It could also go viral on y'toubtube for remarkable canid sound bytes.

"Wraith Flight, form up; come around the far side of the Quasar and calculate intercept vectors for the rest of the flotilla. Zeroing sensors on the //Ascendancy//." Thankfully for most involved, this transmission is in gruff, matter-of-fact, rumbly Basic. With graceful precision the harried craft weave between turbolaser emplacements and up the far side of the Imperial carrier, coming up in an arc and accelerating in a flash for the friendly capital ships-- many engaged in their own uphill (upgravwell?) battles.

The Victory II-class *Ravenous* has advanced slightly from its line position alongside the larger ISD of the system defense. Captain Rendon's destroyer is weathering concentrated fire from a pair of Calamari cruisers for the past hour, while on the bridge the tall form the captain himself watches the unfolding struggle with narrowed eyes. Trailed by its faithful frigate, the smaller of the Imperial star destroyers present is continuing to send phalanxes of turbolaser fire and volleys of concussion missiles after the rebel support craft. He sees the rebel quasar retreat and notes with a tight sniff, "One down."

The Illumination Fleet has been standing by in a holding pattern since the beginning of this Battle for the Brightest of Jewels. Pacing back and forth across the bridge has been Captain Ferr'ai'ovumlu for the longest. His communications staff has kept him informed of everything that's been going on and the fact that he's pacing antsy-ily proves just how much he does actually care. He doesn't want to show that he cares but it may be happening anyway.

Even his XO is a bit impressed by the semblance of emotion that is showing.

"Keep the coordinates locked in. The moment we get the call, hit it." This soft order is given to those in charge of making sure this MC75 microjumps right into the mix.

Until then? They wait.

Cin'cirad is still on the bridge of the Legacy, looking across the displays and the holoprojection of the battle in front of them. Her mouth pulling a bit off to the side as it flickers for a moment, there was no outward sign of the slight annoyance since she had her helm on. Though as the holo projection flickers again, even flickering out before it comes back on, a Bith crawls out from under the console near the center of the bridge.

<"Is it fixed, Mimi?"> The Bith, Mimliass - also known as Mimi - nods her head and starts running off toward one of the other consoles. She's their Systems Technician and she's running around taking care of spot repairs on the older MC75 Star Cruiser. Tapping she starts pulling up the battle on a smaller screen in front of her, looking over the Squadrons again.

<<"Sylops Lead, Sylops Lead, Legacy Actual. Shift course to Cresh. Shift course to Cresh.">>

<<"Legacy Actual, Sylops Lead. Shifting to Cresh.">>

Back over to the squadron channel, Sylops Lead Irene Harris, otherwise known as Iris, changes to the squadron channel. <<"Shifting to Cresh, looks like we're coming in a bit below the center line.">>

<<"Iris, Bullseye is blind.">>

<<"Oh don't you even, Bullseye.">>

<<"What? I did lose you for a second, why did you have to shift course toward the sun?">>

<<"Send your complaints to the Wing Commander.">>

<<"Uhhh, pass.">>

<<"What? Still don't like how much she has you running?">> A few groans come back to her, Sira had been making them run a lot ever since Sira had to force an aging Lieutenant to move their shebs faster on a mission.

"Maintain speed and begin adjusting course," Captain Dorth announces off to the side. He watches the information relayed to his own monitor and at times casts a thoughtful glance toward the forward viewport. "Continue firing and relay updated orders to our fighters. Transmit updated plans to Ravenous for their use". Dorth goes quiet again to watch the shift begin its course adjustment and the unfolding battle around him.

<<One Neb down, Ascendancy Actual sitrep.>> he calls back. <<Squadrons who're with me, mop up until new orders come through.>> he calls into his comms. Echo-Lead banks hard as he quickly assess the situation. He knows the other squadrons are protecting the Ascendancy and the Quasar. He didn't want to start acting on his own, and right now as he sees the combat zone it was better to be on the defensive for now.

Another front to the storm arrives with three more ships dropping suddenly out of hyperspace: The Dark Pearl Fleet. Two carriers and a Victory-class, which immediately begin deploying hordes and hordes of sleek TIE fighters!

With the beep indicating the Dark Star had left system, Roko turns her full attention upon the battle spreading out around the viewport of the bridge. Tactical information is fed to both her display as well as by Major Lud'a'li, but she's got eyes and it's seeing nothing good. "Data package just went out from that commship, sir." Sensors engineer tells her, temporarily drawing her attention towards the young Chiss male. A brisk nod, "Helm, bring the Ascendancy around to provide cover for the gunships and fire upon the ISD. Major Darkwing, swing fighters in against the TIE Fighter squadrons. Provide cover for the Captain Larolia's Nebulon."

She doesn't wait for reply.

A fire solution is keyed in on the ISD and the Ascendancy sends a barrage of turbolaser fire across the gap of space in Captain Dorth's direction. It brings the Mon Cal cruiser in direct line of fire and the slap back hits like a speeder train. "Shields are holding, but that was a solid hit." says the Shield Operator. "Hold position on this heading. Major, open channel to Rebellion Fleet."

There's a beep and the XO points in her direction. <"This is Captain Yer'ok'omam. We are sustaining significant damage. I'm calling for a retreat of all rebel forces to regroup at the predetermined coordinates before jumping back to Fleet Base. Hold the line while jumps are imput."> "Inform fighter squad leaders to program their individual jumps to regroup with their home cap ships."

There's another acknowledgement from the XO, but Roko's jaw is set tight, muscles flexing on her cheek and down the side of her neck.

This fight is not going well. It's not going well at all. The new Rogue fighters have taken a beating, he hopes Axyl is alright out there. The albino grits his teeth as the Imperials continue to fire on his Nebulon-B. "Get them out of here. They're too valuable to lose. Everything's too valuable to lose," he almost rasps. His hair is loose from its usual swept back style, dangling down over his eyes.

Roko comes over the comms, and despite the fact that he knows it's the only way everyone still alive makes it out alive, he punches the nearest bulkhead. "You heard her. Prepare us to jump to hyperspace."

As the Adept Hammer moves, doing its best to block the Nebulon from fire as they all prepare to get out of here, Wil just mutters. "I need a drink."

"Master Cheikix, that was not how I taught you. -- Now, fire again, this time use the solution I showed you, please," Jon called from his chair after witnessing the next solution fired out into space. He felt his anger starting to rise but chose to have a touch more composure about it and just demand more of the officer.

"Yes sir," yelled the chief gunnery officer, who began to plug away at the console. "Firing now, Captain."

"Fire, master Cheikix."

This time, almost every cannon shot hit and Jon's composure broke when he lifted a tight fist and lightly shook it. "That is more like it, Lieutenant. -- Repeat!" Repeat being the order to run the same mission again.

With impressive alacrity, the well-armed light freighter and the better-armed Rebel snubfighters cross the battlefield in a graceful swarm, coming in towards the MC80 and the array of allied vessels. "This is Wraith Flight, coming in hot on your target. Sensors in receive mode, paint that frigate." And strike they do-- diminished torpedo stores limit the impact, but rotary and quad lasers fire in myriad configurations along the Nebulon, but as the YT-2000 and her more advanced escorts come out of the frigate's shadow... it's right back into the arcs of an ISD.

Evasive maneuvers aren't enough, and in the scramble to retreat from the massive vessel's savagery, the TIE squadrons swarm in, engines screaming-- lasers chewing shields and hulls in turn. One after another the fighters are picked off, time after time the Down and Out's shields putter out their last resistance to incoming laser fire, the hull screeching protest as R3-D3 rushes off to put out a fire in the starboard conduits. "Well. We definitely got their attention." Every cloud has its silver lining, and that's about all one can say for withering fire.

"Get clear and fall back to rendevous positions--" If any craft made it through that hell, they're as close to fragged as Axyl is, by his reckoning. By the chorus of cries across the comms of late... that might be wishful thinking. "That's all I've got." The Down and Out skirts along the underside of Captain Larolia's MC-75, careening in a scarcely controlled spin towards the cruiser's aft as a hyperspace vector is swiftly calculated off that way. "Sorry Wil: There will come another hour for reckoning."

Now? Now is the Hour of the Hyperdrive. Buttons, levers, equations and charts-- a careful calculation of drift probabilities, traffic liabilities, and the ridiculous gravitational considerations of deep space. It's a war unto itself. Right now? It's the one battle they have to win, before exposure to open space renders it the Shistamandalorian's last. Count it down... the hyperdrive begins to charge with its trademarked Corellian whirr... the all-out climactic strokes of a battle rapidly turning hopeless erupt in light and fury all around him. "Ca'nara ne gotal'u mirjahaal, shi gotal'u haastal..." The Shistavanen growls out resolutely in Mando'a.

On the bridge of the *Ravenous*, the sensor officer reported the arrival of the Dark Pearl with two escorts. A tight smile curled Aitaxâ??s lip "Send my regards to Captain Roan and bid her welcome to the fight." The concentration of rebel capital guns continued to hammer away at the shields of the old Victory II, but as a salvo of concussion missiles together with Alpha and Beta squadrons attack runs saw off a rebel frigate, Aitax kept his back straight and head high. The floor-length quarter-cloak over his left shoulder rippled only slightly with the light rocking of the deck beneath his feet as the Ravenous directed its guns toward the rebel flagship, over the targets of the nearer Calamari cruises that were battering his command. Aloud, he voiced, "When the tale of this battle is written, it shall be said that the Imperial shield of Bright Jewel was //Ravenous//."

Holding position to the aft of the star destroyer, the communications frigate picked up a signal from another imperial ship approaching. Captain Rendon was informed of the approach of another destroyer nearing the battle and his smile sharpened. "Let's hope the rebel cruisers linger longer than they ought. If they're more brave than brilliant, this imminent victory can grow even greater."

<<"Engaging as ordered, all fighters break to rings and engage ordnance - keep an eye out for enemy fighters">>

<<"Lead, they're tied up with the garrison">> The reply noted and Bors banks his fighter into a tight spiral, heavy cannons spitting emerald fire as he keeps on his run a fractional nod when targeting brackets go green.

<<"I have tone.">>

<<"Lock">>

The reports run down the line and The Black Knight taps comms with his chin, <<"Fire at will">> The two full squadrons unleashing brilliant orbs of destruction against the support craft smashing against their target and then peeling off when new orders scroll across the peripherals of his field of view.

<<"Alpha, Beta, on me. Chevrons.">> the twenty four ties breaking and re-angling then, headed for Rebel ships and splitting into four rows of six angling into arrowheads as they make to engage. The Ascendency's fighters suddenly finding a swarm of screaming raptors bursting into their midst with cannons roaring.

Sira looks down as her screens, keeping an eye on the other ships in the fleet. It wouldn't pay to lose track of the fight as a whole, not when she needs to keep an eye on her Squadrons. She watches as the two squadrons attached to Wil's ship are routed by 8 squadrons, a wince that's hidden behind the helmet and mirrored visor. Those watching close might see the tension that builds in her back for a moment.

<<"Strill Lead, Strill Lead, Legacy Actual. Be advised, Bandits. Vector 43 mark 12.">> Sira intones it as calmly as possible, as she sees the furball of a fight developing between the Ascendancy's Squadrons and Dorth's. Not to mention, the Dark Pearl's squadrons going after the Illumination as it microjumps in and turns to head back out the same way. This fight has definitely turned a corner.

<<"Legacy Actual, Strill lead copy.">>

<<"Make sure to give them cover. Very target rich environment.">> Faye says to her squadron.

<<"Roger that, Bingo.">> Comes back to her, along with a few other calls.

<<"Woh!">> Calls out Lamb as she jinks her X-wing to the side. <<"Those shots almost caught me. What are they firing on?">>

<<"Looks like the Ravenous just opened up on the Ascendancy.">> Comes back a voice that has that distinctive Mon Calamari tone to it.

<<"Cut it, keep the heads and eyes moving and the mouth shut. We can talk when we're reviewing the recorders.">> Bingo cuts in soon after, her voice taking on a bit of a harder edge as the fight is turning more violent.

Sira keeps her eyes on the fight between the Squadrons of Dorth's ship and the Ascendancy, in the midst of it seeing the status report as the Ascendancy's shields get battered by Dorth's Star Destroyer.

"Captain, the Dark Pearl is retreat-." Sira hears the Rodian not far away say, the tension obvious in her voice as she cuts off, "Captain Korbix, Captain Yer'ok'omam is calling for a full retreat." She holds her hand over the antennae with the earpiece in it. "Codes checked and confirmed, the retreat order is verified."

Without missing a beat, Sira's back onto the comm with her squadrons, <<"Sylops And Strill Lead, Legacy Actual. Initiate cover and retreat. I say again. Cover and retreat, jump marker Forn. Confirm.">> Soon after, both Squadrons confirm the order back to her.

The Illumination Fleet microjumps right into the fray. Right into the middle of all this madness. And somewhere on the bridge of that Cap Ship, standing in the middle of all this madness, comes the mostly wanting to be emotionless Captain Raio. Commands are given for both offensive and defensive strategies that find a way to amount to absolutely nothing but pain.

Fighters escape from the Capital Ship to fly into battle and explosions take their place as heavy fire comes in from directions that even Captain Raio hadn't planned for.

"... The Mandalorian was correct." is muttered about something that has nothing to do with the battle that's happening in this exact moment. But this brief moment of realization is enough of a hesitation for Captain Raio to hear the call for a retreat.

"You heard her. Retreat." It does not sound like he wants to actually do this but he's finding a way to make himself be okay with it. "Revenge will be ours." is muttered underneath his breath as the Illumination Fleet starts to change tactical course. Retreating it is.

The shields of the Imperial Star Destroyer quiver with the assault laid upon them. The thrum of the energy shields absorbing those blasts sends a barely noticeable vibration through the boots of Captain Dorth Triloga. Reports begin flooding in, but many of them can be safely ignored. Delegation means that the appropriate subsystem terminals will see to their own affairs and report only what is crucial. This leaves Dorth to focus on the tactical decisions.

"Their support craft appear to be withdrawing. Keep their fighters tied up and turn our guns on their lead cruiser," he announces for the bridge crews to hear. Specifically the gunnery station. He sniffs haughtily and settles in to observe the battle as it continues to unfold. The Imperial Star Destroyer powers ahead, attempting to slide smoothly through space alongside the Ascendancy in order to open up with a full broadside on the rebel ship.

A report comes in declaring that one of the frigates in the fleet had reached suitable shield strength after weathering a storm of enemy attention. A curt nod is passed from captain to pit chief, along with a succinct order for further action.

"Captain, the insurgent ships appear to be retreating," a sensor officer announces. "Until every ship has escaped down to the last fighter, continue to fire upon them," Captain Dorth answers.

Upon the bridge of the Dark Pearl, Captain Roan stands tall with hands clasped behind her back. "Bring me that ship, commander," she orders as the distant Ascendancy enters the middle of the view port. 'Aye's resound as the order is passed down, and the Dark Pearl's thrusters surge. "Bring us to point blank range and engage tractor beams as soon as her shields are down. All fighters, break and attack."

Then, alarms sound as a Rebel ship jumps right in front of her, the Illumination! "HARD STARBOARD!" shouts Roan as she grips the railing and the whole vessel attempts to bank, terrifyingly slowly. With the Illumination looming in her viewport, Roan shouts over the din, "All fighters, engage that ship! ENGAGE!!" Behind her vessel, the Quasars begin to bank away as well, their spearhead thwarted by seeming Chiss brilliance.

The cruisers come within a hundred meters of each other as they pass in the dark, turbolasers blasting into the hull of the rebel vessel as fighters swarm it. The Dark Pearl hasn't even had time to realize that the Rebels are retreating.

Having gotten the command to start going after the Tie Fighter squadrons. He double clicks his comm acknowledging the commands that were given. <<Squadrons already guarding the Ascendancy, tight the hell up. SHe's our ride home anyting coming take it down.>> he says to those three squadrons. <<Alright, the rest of us, take out every eyeball you see. We will be the last ones to go jump out, set coords in your navi-comms once it's that time to leave. Attack!>> he calls out.

Echo Squadron and the two other squadrons with him spread out and begins engaging the enemy Ties. Explosions erupt around them as Echo Squadron takes the lead, scattering TIEs and allowing the other squadrons to pick them off. X, A, E-Wings break into wing-men assignments going after targets, some getting lightly damaged or heavily damaged but none destroyed. Sent back to the Ascendancy so they didn't lose anyone. Commander Darkwing give out orders as the squadron he commands dive into the thick of the fighting splashing the enemy Ties.

It had not gone as planned, but it did not go as bad as it could have. This is the silver lining for Yer'ok'omam as the Ascendancy positions itself before the retreating Rebel Fleet. "Sir, we're taking sustained heavy fire from the Imperial Class Destroyer." The shields continue to hold, but only barely. "Correct course point five degrees and return fire. Major-" A half turn towards her XO, "-Status of Rebellion Fleet assets?" The hissing, soft spoken, Chiss states, "Captain Larolia is away. Captain Ferr'ai'ovumlu is behind him. Squadrons from the Dark Star are engaging their hyper drives shortly. Black, Echo, and Boar squadrons are still engaged. Captain Korbix is still engaged, but his Ship is coming around." "Helm, position the Ascendancy as a screen for the retreat. All power to shields once our course is set."

It does very little to stop the barrage. Two of the remaining three Capital Ships, and all of their support vessels, fire upon the Ascendancy and punch directly through the remaining shields. There's a shudder under the first hit from the Aitax, but as Dorth turns all of his remaining assets to bare, the bridge shudders violently. "Damage to hull with minor breach on level nine and four. Emergency seals engaged." Says systems control, "We're holding course, sir."

Roko straightens herself from where she'd been shaken in her stance before her holo-displays. "Instruct Major Darkwing to pull his squadrons back and prepare for hyper jump, XO." Another confirmation, another rocking shudder of the entire vessel when more fire descends upon the Ascendancy.

"Hold our position until the last Rebel Ship has left system." Dabbing at a small abrasion on her forehead with the inside of her left cuff. To their credit, nobody 'speaks' their concerns, even though there certainly must be some. Roko, however, keeps her thoughts internal with her glowing red eyes set upon the monitors.

Wil has not moved since he punched the bulkhead. He stares into space, watching the Turbolaser fire fly through the void. He can feel the hyperdrive warm up under his feet, the whole ship humming with it. "Sir," the helmsman, a Twi'lek man says. "Course is set. Hyperdrive is ready."

Wil turns, stalking towards his chair, bristling with frustration. He sits with a grunt, gripping the arms of his seat. "Sound the alert. Hold on, and engage."

From the outside, the Adept Hammer comes to a halt, engines seeming to pulse. The Nebulon-B streaks off into space, living to fix another day. A moment later, the Mon Calamari capital ship streaks off into the void. The first of the Rebellion fleet to flee Ord Mantell.

"Heard, Commander. Helm, adjust course heading and bring us about, engines at max."

"Aye sir."

"Keep firing, gunnery."

"Firing sir!"

Jon rose up from his seat and stepped toward the viewing port to watch as the battle slowly panned from sight. "Navigation do you have our heading?"

"Pre-programmed, Captain. Awaiting your orders."

"Helm, when Commander Rook has all her pilots in, begin the jump."

Jon clasped his hands at his lower back and waited patiently. When word arrived that all assets were aboard, Jon picked up the receiver and spoke over open comms. <<"Well fought, Imperials. -- Our war is far from over. May others be inspired by our conflict and find the courage to fight, too. It takes but one spark to light the fires of hope. Be vigilant; we will return. Until then..">> Jon hung the receiver up and gave the gesture to the helm.

The Legacy had the green light to jump, and the vessel disappeared from real space leaving a light blue contrail toward infinity.

The shields of the Ravenous finally collapse under the sustained fire of multiple cruisers, and the mild swaying of the deck takes a more jagged rumble as turbolasers slash into thick armor plating. One by one, Aitax watches the smaller rebel ships slip away into hyperspace, screened by the bulbous alien cruisers. He orders fire concentrated on the largest of the rebel cruisers, idly tracking the progress of Sir Bors against the rebel starfighter squadrons. At last- nearing the sixth hour of battle, the last of his summoned reserves streaks into the system: another angular Victory II star destroyer. "The rebels chose their hour well," he mused under his breath. "Only another hour and we'd have had them." The open channel broadcast from one of the rebel cruisers- the *Legacy*, he noted, shared a parting message before streaking off into space. A tight smile returned to Aitax's face. His squared shoulders and proud chest rise with a drawn breath before Captain Rendon looks to the comm oficer and instructs, "Send my congratulations to Captains Triloga and Roan. I'll inform High Command of our victory, and I expect full reports of damages and spent ordnance within the hour."

<<"Alpha, Ravenous, the rebels are in full route, pursuing.">> The Black Knight twists his fighter throttle up to the small mark he has had added in addition to work done on his engines, the aurabesh denoting '11' as Alpha Lead and the squadrons from the Victory cruiser veritably smash into the fighters screening the withdrawal.

<<"Two, on my wing, three and four behind. Beta Lead - chalk-ball and pursue.">>

The order immediate as the chevron formations begin to break into wings, except for the dozen in Beta that split apart not unlike when a loosed handful of dust is hurled at the ground. Flying in all directions to begin looping round on the defenders who are attempting to contest with Alpha when the lead squad blows through in a jousting charge.

And then, like that - they were falling back and rather than pursue further - Lord Thul turns back - even offering a 'wing waggle' of salute to the opposing fighters.

<<"Oh kriff.">> Said Dahl Hatiah, otherwise known as House to the squadron. Not at all because then her name is Dahl House Hatiah... Okay, that's exactly why. She was staring out at the slew of fighters coming in on the Illumination.

<<"Break up and cover the Illumination.">> Calls Bingo over the Squadron channel, overlooking Dahl's comment on their channel. It was a lot of fighters. She pulls her X-wing hard over and takes it into the mix, firing to stop the fighters from getting a clean lock on the MC75. <<"Leads, you have thirty seconds then full military power burn to the Legacy.">>

Meanwhile, back aboard the MC75, <<"Egg,">> Sira says into the intercomm, <<"Prepare for the squadrons to to initiat combat landings. I repeat, if that deck isn't clear - MAKE IT. After they're home, prepare for a patrol to launch fifteen minutes after skids down.">> She looks down the list of the pilot, <<"Shirts, Uta, Bullseye, and Babs.">> She wasn't going to make Bullseye run... but he also is going to be missing rack time. She waits for the confirmation then on to the next.

<<"Lieutenant Kerrur,">> She contacts their Shistavanen Starfighter Mechanics lead next, <<"Most ships coming in at half load or less. I want two X-wings and two Y-wings refueled and re-armed as soon as they touch deck.">> She wasn't about to give Bullseye one of the B-wings either. He could suck it up!

As that order was given she checked her screens to see the Squadrons returning. The deck crew would probably be repairing some divots in the deck tonight. Only a minute later, <"Karz, hit it!"> Pinpricks of light growing brighter and elongating until the ship is immersed in the blue swirl of hyperspace.

Returning to her previous task, she calls again to Kerrur. <<"Get Tach to preflight the ships after they're refueled, I'll let them at least stretch their legs for a couple minutes.">> 

Sira let out a bit of a chuckle as she looks down the list of things she still needed to handle. <"Zoomie,"> Sira looks back over toward the Rodian who's pulling double duty, Pove is currently detained with some sort of Chadra Fan virus that was fairly transimissable. <"On arrival, send a coded transmission to confirm our safe passage. Contact our SAR ship and tell them to meet us at the randezvous unless you get any calls from the Adept Hammer or Illumination to assist in their recovery operations.">

Finally looking up from her station and away from the others, she looks instead to Jon and stifles a sigh of relief. <"Captain,"> Sira returning to her XO roll, <"Both Squadrons made it to lightspeed. Damage Control is standing down,"> she glances down for a moment, <"A few bumps and bruises. Some of the gunnery crews are reporting barrel overheating that damaged the fire control circuits."> No wonder they seemed to struggle to hit anything- <"and CAP will be out in thirty minutes.">

Captain Raio is light-blue knuckling on the bridge. As much damage as the Illumination has taken and the fact that there is a very real possibility of death in this moment, the fact that both it takes half of his bridge crew to make him realize that the smart tactical play in this moment is to actually retreat. It takes him a little longer to give the order to follow the others than it normally would.

It helps that Roko gave another order over the comms. One more moment of hesitation before Captain Raio waves a hand to allow his Helmsman to do exactly what was ordered over the communication.

Raio steps back to fall into his seat, refusing to verbally call for a retreat because the taste in his mouth would be of what truly happened this battle. The taste of FAILURE.

And yeah, hyperspace jump set to: GTFOH System.

Suddenly, the Illumination, the Ascendancy, and the rest are just...gone, vanishing one by one into hyperspace. Where once tragedy loomed before them, now there was only starlight.

Roan and the bridge crew of the Dark Pearl are slightly bewildered until one of the comms officers reports, "Rebels disengaging! The whole fleet is in retreat."

The bridge shares modest cheers, still recovering from the violent evasive maneuvers, but Roan looks grim as she softly thumps her fist on the railing. "You keep giving me the slip, Yer'ok'omam... But you won't get away forever."

"There escape was inevitable," Captain Dorth announces to the bridge. He offers a slight shake of his head at the remaining Ascendancy acting as a screen for its compatriots. The fleet continues to fire upon the retreating cruiser and while doing so, Dorth comments to the bridge crew with a barely disguised smile, "but we made sure they felt it. Well done everyone. I want status reports from the rest of the fleet, along with a list of logistical requests from our fighter squadrons that lost ships and personnel". He lifts a hand to briefly remove his cap and wipe the sweat from his balding head. The cap is quickly replaced and he lets out a slow, quiet breath.

"For the Empire!" he announces to the bridge and its crew takes up the cheer.

The battle may be over, but their work isn't dead. The bridge continues to be abuzz with activity as transmissions are beamed from one ship to another, different portions of the ship are put on alert or stand-down and some of the TIE squadrons begin the journey back to their respective ships. Some others remain out in space, patrolling and making their presence known.

"Sir! Captain Rendon has advise he will inform High Command of our victory!"

Captain Triloga frowns, but he does not response. Instead he broods inwardly as a good officer does. Through the viewport he watches the Ravenous and the scowl only deepens further.

Echo Squadron is in the thick of it, the dogfight, the furball, the mission and the job they had to do. There was no hesitation, keeping the pressure on the enemy TIE squadrons, Black and Boar squadrons were also fighting, doing their jobs both squadrons intereweving between one another as they chased and banked, jinked, dove. Upon hearing the orders for them to start jumping <<Alright you all heard that, break, but cover one another as you break. Now GO!>> Karas says.

<<Echo we cover them until they've jumped and we jump out as the Ascendancy jumps>> his squadron understood the assignement and everyone began to follow their assignments. Karas rolls his fighter lining up taking down another TIE but he had to roll away from an incoming torp but Karas sees teh others exiting and once they did he and Echo followed out.