[Legacy Of The Force] - 03(114)
A moment after the first volley, one of the Galney Battle Dragons started to flash with damage. The lights in the Command Salon flickered again, and then the vessel vanished from the holodisplay. Apparently, the Anakin had caught the target with her shields still balanced forward.
“Well done,” Jacen said. He turned to Espara. “Would you give the Queen Mother’s Battle Dragons clearance to open fire, as soon as they’re within range?”
“Of course, Colonel.”
As Espara spoke into her comlink, Jacen took the opportunity to glance over Orlopp’s shoulder and confirm that Sing was still in her cell. Her door had been welded shut, she had not been given the antidote to Allana’s paralyzing drug, and a constant stream of sleep-inducing coma gas was being piped into her cell, but Jacen had to be sure. She had already demonstrated that she understood the value of timing an attack, so if she was going to attempt an escape, it would be soon.
“Sir?” Orlopp asked.
“Just checking.” Jacen glanced at the image of his cabin and found Allana still playing on the floor. “You can’t be too careful.”
“No, sir, you can’t.” Orlopp’s tone was routine, but he was pouring concern into the Force. “I’m keeping a very close eye on the situation, Colonel… you don’t have to worry about that.”“
“Good,” Jacen said, realizing that he was drawing concern from more people in the cabin than just Orlopp.
“Thank you.”
He returned his gaze to the holodisplay. Several Galney Battle Dragons were flashing with damage, and there were holes in the formation where two more had already been destroyed. It was far more damage than the Anakin could do with three long-range turbolaser batteries.
Jacen turned to Espara. “I didn’t know the Queen Mother’s Battle Dragons had been equipped with long-range turbolasers.”
Espara granted him a rare smile. “I’m sorry, Colonel. Admiral Pellaeon was kind enough to share the technology after the Queen Mother assigned two fleets to the Galactic Alliance. The Royal High Commander instructed me to reveal the upgrade only on a need-to-know basis.”
“I see.” Jacen was irritated, but not surprised. Even among allies, secrets were not shared easily. “And how widespread is this technology in the Consortium?”
“It’s not. So far, the only Battle Dragons carrying the new turbolasers are in our task force.” Espara turned back to the holodisplay, where several more of the usurpers’ vessels were blinking. “Perhaps that will change after the Queen Mother sees how effective they are.”
“Don’t count on it.” Jacen nodded toward the holodisplay. The rear elements of Galney’s reinforcement fleet were splitting off to meet the Anakin and her task force.
“Now that the element of surprise is gone, the new turbolasers will lose effectiveness fast.”
Galney’s ships were already pouring clouds of starfighters into space, trying to set up a defensive screen so the leading elements of the traitor fleet could continue the attack on Tenel Ka. Jaceri’s task force began to decelerate and spread out, preparing to launch its own starfighters and take advantage of their long-range turbolasers to soften up the enemy before fully engaging.
“Colonel Solo, we can’t stop to fight,” Espara said. She pointed at Tenel Ka’s small flotilla. “The Queen Mother will be pinned against the planetary shields.”
“I see that, Major.” Jacen knew better than to suggest Tenel Ka could retreat planetside; there were too many enemy vessels nearby. If she had the planetary shields lowered, they would simply follow her through and take out the generator stations. “Are you suggesting a breakthrough attempt?”
Espara nodded. “We have no choice. If we slow down to fight here, by the time we reach the Queen Mother, she’ll be in an escape pod trying to dodge Miy’tils.”
Espara was right, and Jacen knew it. Even with half the Galney fleet hanging back to fight his task force, the Queen Mother’s flotilla would still be outnumbered nearly three to one. What Espara did not know was that any breakthrough attempt would also put at risk the life of the Consortium’s Chume’da, Allana-and Jacen felt certain Tenel Ka would not want that any more than he did.
Espara frowned. “Colonel Solo, you are wasting valuable…”
Jacen silenced her with a raised hand. “Thinking is not a waste of time.” He activated the intercom microphone again. “Commander Twizzl, how many Battle Dragons would be required to have a reasonable chance of breaking through that screen? And bear in mind they’ll need to have enough strength left to continue pursuit.”