Star Wars_ Darksaber - Kevin J. Anderson [68]
He saw Red Team coming on in a straight line, a single gunship in front, then the huge Star Cruiser, followed by two more gunships. “He’s aiming between the two frigates,” Wedge said. “All right, everybody, red alert! Battle stations! All weapons, low power. Just enough for them to detect all the hits we score.”
“All weapons low power, sir,” the gunnery sergeant reported. “Hit counters are activated.”
Wedge’s eyes twinkled as he watched the ships approach. He held up one hand. “Full power to lateral shields on both frigates,” he said. “Drop all other shields. We know where they’re going to shoot.”
The gunship came right on target, streaking between the Assault Frigate and the Yavaris, repeatedly firing simulated shots.
“Shields holding,” the defensive officer said.
Then the Galactic Voyager came through, its low-power weapons blazing. Wedge chopped down with his hand. “Close the net,” he said.
The tactical officer shouted orders into the encrypted communication system, and the six Corellian Corvettes at the flanks—supposedly out of firing range—suddenly looped up and around, encircling the two seemingly vulnerable frigates. The Corvettes scattered like static moths, flurrying into position and firing on the Mon Calamari Star Cruiser from top and bottom.
The Yavaris and the Dodonna both fired upon the Galactic Voyager, catching it in the crossfire it had expected—but Ackbar had not anticipated the attack from above and below. Wedge ordered the Yavaris to strike Red Team’s front gunship, crippling it.
The simulation computer reduced the gunship’s capabilities and told its captain they were dead in space.
General Madine watched as the hit counters tallied the enormous number of strikes on Red Team’s ships. Madine scratched his beard, turning to Ackbar. “He lured you, and you fell for the trap.”
“Shields failing, Admiral,” the helmsman said in alarm.
“Computer reports that both gunships to our rear have been removed from the game,” the tactical officer said.
Admiral Ackbar flushed a blotchy reddish color. “Increase speed,” he said. “Let’s get away from here so we don’t suffer any more hits.”
“Too late, Admiral,” the helmsman said. “Our shields have failed.”
Madine turned to watch the hit counter’s numbers spiraling upward like a cascade reaction. “Hull plates have been breached. Admiral, I’m sorry to report that the Galactic Voyager has been destroyed.”
Ackbar’s shoulders slumped. “A defeat.”
The tactical officer stood up to report. “We did finally disable their Assault Frigate and one of their attacking Corvettes, but the computer lists Red Team as ‘out of commission’—the Galactic Voyager and two gunships down, our front gunship crippled.”
Ackbar sighed. “The price of overconfidence,” he said. “I was not thinking. Open a channel to Blue Team.” Madine watched as the Calamarian stood straight and spoke to Wedge Antilles. “This is the Red Team commander. Congratulations on your victory.”
“You were too predictable, Admiral,” Wedge said.
Ackbar chuckled, but it was a forced laugh. “I will try to be more … erratic with my future commands, General Antilles.”
He checked his sensors and saw that Leia’s diplomatic ship had arrived from Coruscant, exactly on time. Ackbar, as commander of the New Republic fleet, opened a channel to all ships engaged in wargaming exercises.
“Chief of State Leia Organa Solo’s ship has reached the system. Have the fleet form up and escort her to Nal Hutta,” he said. “After that we will return for a rematch.”
Ackbar closed the channel. “On to business. General Madine, I believe you have work to do down on the surface?”
Madine nodded and took the turbolift below decks, where he would prep his commando team for their covert mission to the Hutt planet.
CHAPTER 23
Chief of State Leia Organa Solo