CHAPTER TEN
"I would like you to repeat that again, except this time, explain why a giant freighter crashed onto the beach outside my personal resort."
Kyle Katarn crossed his arms, staring down at the plump man who served as governor of Hoth's Provenance, the capital city of Kaal and alleged birthplace of the legendary Jedi Lord Hoth.
"As I said, we were on a course for Dalandae until something- or someone- pulled the ship out of hyperspace and sabotaged its systems, putting us on a crash course for Kaal." The Jedi Master shrugged. "I don't see how it's difficult to understand."
Governor Vakam huffed, walking around his desk and staring out the large window that showed the Scion of Tammuz's wreckage out on the beach.
"If you were anymore reckless in your 'improvised' landing, you could've killed my son!"
"Hey, don't blame us for our piloting skills!" Arek snapped. He pointed a thumb at HK-47, who stood near the door leading to the hallway outside of the governor's office. "Blame the crazy, psychotic droid who took the controls!"
"Objection: If you wanted to die, you could have just told me," HK protested.
Kyle waved a hand to silence the two of them. To the governor, he said, "Again, I deeply apologize for disrupting the peace of your resort and for nearly killing your son. Next time we crash-land on a planet, we'll make sure to watch for pedestrians."
He couldn't tell if Vakam noticed the small ounce of sarcasm in his voice, but the plump man slumped his shoulders down in apparent relief.
"All right," the governor said. "I'll have my assistant fix you with a tourist freighter bound for the Terminus system. You can pick a ship up there and make your way back to Dalandae."
Kyle nodded. "Sounds good to me. Thank you for your help, governor, and I once again apologize-"
Before he could finish, the governor's office door flew open, hitting HK-47 in the head, and a young human male ran into the office, his arms almost flailing.
"Sir!" he cried. "Spaceport control has just detected a huge fleet entering the system!"
Vakam's eyebrows narrowed in confusion. "An Alliance fleet? Imperial?"
The young man shook his head, his entire body shuddering in panic. "Neither, sir. I think it would be best if you saw for yourself."
The governor hurriedly followed him, with Kyle and the others close behind. They went down a long, almost winding hallway that led to the receptionist's area and rushed through the doors to the street outside.
They immediately froze. Hanging overhead, covering up nearly the entire sky like a threatening storm cloud, were at least a hundred thousand- perhaps even more- large ships of a unique, frightening design Kyle was not familiar with. Insect-like appendages hung off the larger ships, each one ending with a smaller ship that replicated the design, and at least a dozen starfighter-looking crafts attached to each of the latter's legs.
If this was a mere, simple fleet, Kyle hated to see what the entire navy looked like.
Governor Vakam turned to him, his eyes so wide in terror, they looked like they were about to fall out of their sockets. "Master Katarn," he murmred, "please tell me you have a plan..."
Kyle looked at him and frowned. "I wish I could tell you, governor. But honestly..."
He stared back at the looming fleet. "This seems to be a situation even I can't handle."
* * *
From the bridge of his flagship, General Starka observed the planet Kaal with baleful eyes. Out of all of the worlds essential to the Reunification, Kaal was one of the few of which Starka viewed as the least important. While worlds such as Denon and Kinyen had their values, whether it be technological or agricultural resources, Kaal was a lesser world in comparison, serving more usefully as a luxury world rather than one with resources.
And yet, here they were. The Emperor had deployed the entire First Fleet at Kaal, poised to easily wretch it from the Galactic Alliance's hands.
No matter, Starka thought. At least this battle will be good practice.
To an officer on-deck, who was awaiting his orders, the general said, "Tell all ships that they have my permission to attack."
The officer nodded. "Shall we bring your ship into orbit now, sir?"
"Not yet," Starka said quietly, his eyes focused on the fleet. "I would like to see how the others fair without my presence."
The officer nodded again. "As you command, sir."
As soon as he had left, another officer approached Starka from behind. "Sir, enemy forces will be arriving soon via two different hyperspace routes."
"And those are...?"
"The Corellian Trade Spin and an uncharted one from Abraxas."
"Ah, yes. I was prepared for those on Abraxas to have detected us." The general's eyes briefly moved away from the fleet. "However, I was not expecting for them to respond so quickly."
"Well, I'm sure they've been preparing for this very moment. Especially after the incidents on the three primary worlds..."
"Yes, quite right." Starka returned his attention to the viewport. "See to it that they are dealt with sufficiently."
"As you command, sir."
As the officer returned to his station, Starka smiled to himself. Perhaps this battle would be more exciting after all....
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