Kalen's Unending Curse

As Kalen and Corra and the gang hard docked with the Corra VI in orbit above Aliso, the situation on the surface and around the system itself was still tense, and the size scale and scope of the attack they were under Ingram was still developing moment by moment. Terrorist attacks, sabotage, riots, a space ambush, things were bad. 

The ship had been left in orbit on autopilot, with only 2 Ugnaughts (a gunner, and their mechanic) and a few maintenance droids aboard.The Jedi led the group out of the commuter shuttle and through the airlock, he told Corra and D-3PO that they could set themselves up in the Captain cabin, and told the Ugnaughts that they could set themselves up in the lounge and the lower deck. The Ascendant Outreach Corps commander then hurriedly to the bridge and started to get the ship ready to leave orbit. It had been a few months, so he had to quickly refamiliarize himself with the controls, but it was still HIS ship after all.

He heard the sound of 2 sets of rapid scurrying boots approaching the open entryway at the rear of the bridge, and he turned to see 2 of the original crop of Ugnaught contractors he had hired to help man his precious ship, the Corra V.

“Mikdill, Mikbeel, good, the systems under attack, we gotta get the ship ready to move, and quickly. Get the fire control unit and the weapons online. Mikbeel, spool up the engines. I'm going to take us to rendezvous with the Bright Light, see if we can help out in any way.” The 41 year old greying(in more ways then 1) Jedi

The two Ugnaughts nodded in acknowledgement and then scurried away to get about making the ship ready to fly, and if necessary, fight.

“Alright, airlock seated, main power online, back-up power…online, thank you Mikbeel. Deflectors on standby, comms are good, life support in the green. Okay lets get us moving.” Kalen was flicking switched and turning nobs before he grabbed a hold of the yoke.

“Corra VI, to Aliso orbital control, requesting departure clearance, this a priority 1 situation, by order of the Ascendant Navy.” He said into the comms. He was straining credulity a bit, but after all, he was a part of the Ascendant Military hierarchy and knew no one would bat an eyepash at the request.

“Corra VI, you are cleared for departure. Keep your eyes and ears open, its getting hectic all over the system.” Came the reply.

“Confirmed Aliso Control. Corra VI departing for the outer system.” Kalen swung the ship around and increased power to the engines, and within a few seconds they had broken orbit, and were on their way to Trecurus and the Hellas Fleet Yards that were reportedly in a shambolic state since the recent attack.

Not more then 30 seconds later, as Kalen was about to let the autopilot take over for the short half hour sublight cruise when a bright flash of light and a tremendous explosion erupted right against the side of the Corra VIs starboard fore-wing, knocking out power on the vessel, destroying the dual laser cannon that had been mounted on the wing, and blowing a 2 meter by 3 meter hole in the outer hull.

They had just struck a mine. A stealth mine that had been secretly deployed by the unknown attackers before they had departed.

“Oh come on now! You have got to fracking kidding me, sithspit Mother…” Kalen let loose with a string of profanities.

WHEN IT HITS THE FAN

By Kalen Joss

Lieutenant Commander Sarvo Tud, the Twi'lek Executive Officer of the Bright Light had to have his comms officer confirm the message for him a second time. He struggled to fathom how an enemy strike force could have penetrated the heart of the Plagueian military without anyone noticing.

“Transponders from at least 3 capital ships of the First Mobile Fleet have gone dark sir.” The senior Intel officer added as he stared at the system plot.

The bridge got uncomfortably quiet for several seconds. They were half way in-between Trecurus and Congrion, with barely half the crew aboard. It was supposed to be a quick shakedown trip to test out the new sets of RCS thrusters that had been installed a few days before. But what they had been doing didn't matter any more, what they were going to do was the primary concern now.

“All hands to battle stations. Helm bring us about, and make best speed back to Hellas.” Tud slapped his armrest comm and opened the intercom to the hangar bay.

“We have an emergency situation. The Fleet Yards are currently under attack by an unknown fleet, all pilots man your birds. SCRAMBLE. I say again scramble. Head to Hellas, full afterburners. You are authorized to disregard all local flight restrictions and regulations. Move people!” Tud closed the channel. The A-Wings were the fastest ships in the Ascendant Navy, and they'd be able to make it back to Trecurus in about 10 minutes if they kept their throttles pinned to the firewalls. He looked up at the combat plot and did a quick calculation in his head, the Bright Light was quick as far as frigates went, but they'd still be about a half hour behind Angel Squadron.

“Charge weapons, reflectors to full. Shunt all auxiliary power to the engines.” The old veteran shouted as the quiet of a moment before had given way to the din of a combat vessel at battle stations heading into a fight.

((Aliso, North Creek subdivision))

“What? Under attack by who?” Kalen exclaimed into his commlink.

“No one knows sir.” Replied the duty officer who had called him, and presumably every other member of the senior leadership, from the Pinnacle.

“Sithspawn. Understood.” The Jedi cursed as he turned off his comm.

A few seconds later a massive explosion occurred right in the direction that Kalen had been looking. It appeared to come from the water treatment plant a mile away. Then he heard a second explosion and he saw its fireball shoot into the sky on the other side of the city.

“Babe, what's going on? Was that a bomb that just went off” Corra asked as she came out of the house, followed by D-3PO who seemed even more nervous than usual.

“I don't know hun. Our shipyards are under attack right now…I gotta go…” Kalen half turned as he was about to head over to the Star Commuter and head up to the Corra VI which was parked in orbit.

He stopped himself. What was he thinking?He wasn't going to leave his pregnant fiance here alone with the goldenrod droid when there were bombs exploding all over the city.

“Grab the black bag from under our bed and get on the shuttle hun. D, go get the Ugnaughts from the orcha…nevermind you're slower then a geriatric Hutt, just lock the house behind Corra and get on the shuttle too. I'll go get the Ugnaughts.” Kalen headed off in a full sprint towards the peach orchard.