Star Wars_ X-Wing 01_ Rogue Squadron - Michael A. Stackpole [94]
“I am General Laryn Kre’fey and I am now going to brief you on the mission that will open the way to Coruscant for our valiant forces. If you will look to your datapads, you will see the basics on the installation we are to hit. You do not need to know where it is right now, but suffice it to say possession of this base is the key to the Imperial Core.”
Wedge did his best to follow the briefing. The world—codename Blackmoon—was normal and habitable, not unlike Endor save that it had no native lifeforms akin to the Ewoks. Initial survey teams, sent out under the Old Republic, had rated the world poor in mineral or otherwise exploitable wealth. A small base had been created there because the system proved useful as a plotting point for runs to the Corporate sector and beyond, but being a crossroads in space was insufficient to spur much growth and commerce. Other than some experimental attempts at development—all of which failed when exotic research no longer earned generous investment tax credits under the Empire, the world was left largely alone.
“The Empire did expand the base and provide force shield projectors but only so the Rebellion would not find it an inviting target for transition into a sanctuary so close to the Core.” General Kre’fey gestured with an open hand. “The base also supports four heavy ion cannons and has two squadrons of TIE fighters available to it.”
Wedge frowned. The defenses struck him as odd—too much for an out-of-the-way world, but too little for a world that would put them perilously close to Coruscant. Vladet, a sector headquarters, had only had four TIEs on the ground, two ion cannons, and a set of shields, but not enough power to bring both cannons and shields on-line at the same time. Wedge didn’t get the feeling that Blackmoon was some sort of Imperial trap, but he did think it was tough enough that the Imps on the ground might be able to summon help from other worlds nearby and hold on until it arrived.
The Bothan General went on and described his proposed mode of attack. It consisted of using the Emancipator—one of two Imperial Star Destroyers that had been captured at Endor and repaired by the Alliance—to batter down the shields. General Salm’s Defender Wing would then go in to pound the Imperial facilities and defenses, with Rogue Squadron keeping the TIEs away from the bombers. Once ground resistance had been weakened, troop transports would land Alliance troops and complete the conquest of the world.
General Kre’fey concluded, “I expect to be operational in two weeks, with conquest completed within fifteen standard days from now.”
General Salm looked past Wedge to Admiral Ackbar. “This plan is already approved?”
Ackbar, who had a silver Mon Calamari Admiral—Ragab of the Emancipator—on his other side, wore a pained expression on his face. “Yes, General Salm, this plan …”
Kre’fey interrupted him. “Forgive me, Admiral Ackbar, but I believe I can answer that question myself.” The Bothan brushed the white fur on his face with his left hand, bringing the fur down to a point at his chin. “Yes, General, the Provisional Council has approved this plan. Would you be objecting to their exercise of wisdom in this matter?”
“I would never do that, General Kre’fey, but two weeks to prepare for an assault is a very short time.”
“If your pilots are not up to it, General, there are other Y-wing squadrons in the fleet.”
“My people will be ready.”
No love lost between those two. Wedge raised his hand. “If I might, I do have some questions about the operation.”
The Bothan opened his hands indulgently. “Please, proceed, Commander.”
“The deflector shields—your report shows them vulnerable to bombardment when they are projected far enough to cover nonessential satellite facilities on