5
GN Master
Reviewer's rating profile
2023-05-28
its a well made battle with a good story.
Briefings and maps are great.
Mission design is excellent.
Mission 3 & 4 were a little strange but fun none the less.
4
COL Rau Aznable
Reviewer's rating profile
2007-09-11
I won't say it was too hard because I was very rusty when I flew it, but it's definitely a challenge for everyone. It's quite realistic in terms of war environment and the ending was a surprise. I hope there's a sequel somewhere.
4
LC Curtis
Reviewer's rating profile
2003-02-09
Nice battle, well thought out.
4
Mage
Reviewer's rating profile
2003-01-19
A very difficult battle to score well on, but a pleasure to fly. Definitely a creative ending...
3
COL Carl Lost
Reviewer's rating profile
2002-07-05
Uuuhm, sometime this battle can get quite frustrating but it is playable and complex - that is good.
4
CM Gandalf
Reviewer's rating profile
2002-06-23
Pretty good as experimental battle/missions go. But when you push the TIE engine to the edge, you'll run into a bug or "undocumented feature" or two. :) It also has the most creative use of setting mission time limit that I've seen, heck, I haven't seen one like it actually.
4
VA Philo
Reviewer's rating profile
2002-06-11
In keeping with the "Author's Notes" tradition: 1) This battle was conceived, designed, and playtested in one week, and I'm afraid it shows. For example, you may as well play it on Hard mode, as there are no optional waves of craft for the various difficulty levels. Having said that, the plot was adapted from a story I wrote, which I spent considerably more time on. 2) There are a few "I wonder if I can get that to work in TIE" technical experiments here. Hopefully they're at least as enjoyable to play as they were to implement.
4
GN Drake
Reviewer's rating profile
2002-06-10
Good battle with a great twist at the end. Great technical awareness in the positioning in the last battle and a lot of good tricks on display here. I was pleasantly surprised with this.
There are currently no open bug reports for this battle.
Battle Total: | 226,506 | AD Ranthier Khaen | |
---|---|---|---|
Mission 1: | 56,532 | COL Zorn Starn | |
Mission 2: | 41,087 | AD Ranthier Khaen | |
Mission 3: | 24,275 | CM Gandalf | |
Mission 4: | 164,806 | GN Golbez Harvey |
(of available records)
1 | 194,126 | COL Zorn Starn | 2002-08-18 |
2 | 160,024 | LC Ardeth Mordor | 2002-11-29 |
3 | 63,640 | CM Vessicant | 2002-12-05 |
4 | 62,730 | Darth Vader | 2003-01-23 |
5 | 60,618 | AD Theodore | 2002-08-13 |
6 | 56,169 | COL Phalk Sturm | 2003-06-02 |
7 | 50,929 | Mage | 2003-01-22 |
8 | 40,142 | CM Fahrer | 2005-04-23 |
9 | 38,250 | COL Moagim Daar | 2005-02-21 |
10 | 37,943 | AD TK-2107 | 2002-12-09 |
This battle has been flown by 112 pilots a total of 128 times.
GN Abel Malik - 2004-12-04
CPT Adam Szydlowski - 2002-09-09
SL Airamags - 2003-10-21
HA Anahorn Dempsey - 10 times, last on 2021-10-09
COL Angel - 2004-08-27
CM Arcanix - 2003-07-09
LC Ardeth Mordor - 2002-11-29
LC Azazel - 2002-08-25
CM Bizzare - 2002-08-19
LC Chris McCollum - 2003-02-15
LC Curtis - 2003-02-09
Darth Vader - 2003-01-23
GN Dax Corrin - 2002-08-08
COL Dirty Vader - 2005-05-06
GN Elwood the Brave - 3 times, last on 2014-02-03
CM Fahrer - 2005-04-23
AD Gidda - 2003-01-27
CPT Great Griffin - 2005-04-02
COL Gytheran - 2025-03-17
AD Hav Antiel - 2017-08-23
MAJ Hermann - 2005-04-30
CM Infamus - 2003-10-19
MAJ Jaron Kai - 2002-08-25
MAJ KEBLAOMEGA - 2024-06-03
LC Kenath Zoron - 2003-01-10
LCM Kit Juno - 2002-08-17
LC Kodiak Kereban - 2002-12-27
SL Linoge - 2003-01-17
CM Lirak Kalist - 2003-06-05
Mage - 2003-01-22
GN Master - 2023-05-28
COL Moagim Daar - 2005-02-21
LCM Nico Avenger - 2003-10-25
COL Nightmare - 2002-12-29
CPT Ninj Prefect - 2003-06-05
FA Pellaeon - 2002-08-30
HA Pete Mitchell - 2017-07-02
COL Phalk Sturm - 2003-06-02
FA Phoenix Berkana - 2020-09-16
FA Pickled Yoda - 6 times, last on 2020-09-17
HA Plif - 2017-06-13
COL Ricardo - 2002-12-12
MAJ Ryan Chi'Cath - 2003-04-11
LC Savageaz - 2003-09-18
LCM Sev'rance Tann - 2003-10-31
COL Stuart - 2004-12-25
AD Theodore - 2002-08-13
AD TK-2107 - 2002-12-09
LC Turr Phennir - 2003-01-25
LCM Valjean - 2003-07-10
CM Vessicant - 2002-12-05
CPT Voort SaBinring - 2003-11-16
CPT Wap Eal - 2004-11-22
MAJ Wolve Excelsior Berkana - 2022-05-14
COL Wraithdog - 2014-08-05
CM Yun - 2002-08-25
SL Zekk Terrik - 2003-05-24
COL Zorn Starn - 2002-08-18
Title: "Prelude to Andevia" Missions : 4 Game Platform :TIE Author : CMDR/CM Philo/Yod/Wing IV/SSSD Sovereign Author Email : cnwilde@pacbell.net Medal: N/A Required patches ---------------- * none Installation instructions -------------------------- 1] Double click the .EHM file, the EH Battle Launcher will install the battle 2] Check the Misc folder in your TIE95 one for additional material like patches, sounds etc. 3] Press the TIE Fighter button on the EHBL to start the game 4] Create a new pilot and fly the first battle General Background: Due to the disappearance of EF-A94 during its mission to Andevia, the Emperor’s Hammer assembled a task force to search for them. The task force is based aboard the ISD Relentless, which had its decommissioning postponed in order to fulfill this mission. In addition to the regular squadrons stationed aboard the Relentless, Dagger Squadron was reactivated, temporarily filled with some of the most loyal and reliable pilots in the Tie Corps. You are one of the pilots chosen to join Dagger, and will serve as a Flight Leader. Because of the remote location of Andevia, lost pilots and starfighters cannot be quickly replaced. If combat occurs, you are expected to take care of your wingmen. Your mission evaluation will suffer greatly if your flight suffers casualties. Keep this in mind as you issue orders. At the same time, remember that much is unknown about the situation on Andevia. There may be unexpected dangers, or opportunities may arise that can be seized by those who think quickly and can take initiative. Keep your eyes open, and always remember that our primary objective in this system is to find out what happened to EF-A94. Once more is known, other goals may be added. Prologue: As the ISD Relentless exited hyperspace, all seemed quiet. There were no signs of any other spacecraft in the area. The communication channels, usually buzzing with activity this close to an inhabited planet, were silent. None of the hails from the Relentless were answered. The Andevians had apparently not yet developed radio. The lack of obvious technology only made the disappearance of the expeditionary force more mysterious. Vice Admiral Lohr Zadash signaled the rest of the task force that the area was clear, and gave them orders to hyper in as soon as possible. As the Relentless approached orbit, its sensors detected many settlements on the surface of Andevia. The one closest to the site of EF-A94’s camp showed unusual readings. One of the Dark Brotherhood notified VA Zadash that they could sense anger and fear from that area, suggesting that there may be a war of some sort there. Zadash did not hesitate. Although standard procedure would normally include a long- range scan to check for ships in hyperspace range, Zadash knew that the longer the fighting on Andevia continued, the less chance there was that clues to EF-A94’s whereabouts could be retrieved. He ordered three transports full of Hammer’s Fist troops to leave for the surface immediately. They would almost certainly have a huge advantage in weaponry over the people they were trying to subdue, and he had absolute trust in their ability, so he did not worry further about them. Your flight of Dagger Squadron T/As has been assigned to protect the transports. On the way to the briefing room, Zadash takes you aside. "Look, I know you're only temporarily assigned to the Relentless, but we've got some damn fine people here who want to show the Command Staff that our wing has some life left in it. This may be the Relentless's last tour of duty. If we're to be decommissioned, we want this ship to be remembered with honor. Don't let us down." DISCLAIMER THIS LEVEL IS NOT MADE, DISTRIBUTED, OR SUPPORTED BY LUCASARTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY. ELEMENTS TM & © LUCASARTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY.
The Day Before Rear Admiral Alesha Dever sat in her office, reviewing her report to the Emperor’s Hammer before she sent it off to the Recon Office. She knew her wording had to be just right, or she’d land in trouble again. The last time she’d kept quiet about her suspicions of mutiny, she’d been court-martialed and demoted. Even though there had been no evidence implicating her in Admiral Harkov’s defection, many felt that the open rebellion of her subordinate showed that she wasn’t up to the task of being a Fleet Admiral. And, of course, there needed to be a scapegoat. Never mind that the Secret Order and Imperial Intelligence had failed to uncover Harkov’s plot in time; somehow she had been expected to chase Rebels all across the galaxy as well as root out Imperial traitors in her spare time. And then there had been her reprimand following the ill-fated Battle of Endor. Under orders from the Emperor, the better part of the defense fleet sat and watched as the Rebels slowly and inexplicably gained the advantage. She, on the other hand, had tried to act. Naturally, she couldn’t do much without risking the wrath of the Emperor himself, but she had to do something. Since she’d been punished for not taking initiative with Harkov, she’d decided to show some initiative at Endor. A few days before, she had seen a few of her top TIE pilots playing around in the simulators, trying to destroy a frigate in unshielded craft. One or two of them, flying solo, actually succeeded. Afterwards, she’d asked them if they thought they could pull it off in actual combat. Naturally, they said they could. Dever promised to make it worth their while if they did, and told them to attack the Rebel medical frigate on her signal. If the Rebels saw their medical ship destroyed by a few unshielded craft, followed by Mon Calamari cruisers being pulverized by the Death Star’s superlaser, they would be totally demoralized. During the battle, the pilots followed her orders, and were killed either in the battle or the shock wave from the explosion of the Death Star. Although there was no clear evidence linking Dever to the hapless attack on the frigate, the suspicions surrounding her were strong enough to effectively destroy any hope of her advancement for a long time. She’d been re-assigned to the Recon Office shortly afterwards. Idly, Dever put a hand to her chest and fingered the "What Would Thrawn Do?" necklace she wore under her uniform. A friend had given it to her as a gag birthday gift, but it had taken on a more literal meaning to her. She was determined to regain her lost rank and prestige, even if she had to start on Survey Corps expeditionary force teams. She smiled to herself. "I guess I’d better go find some Andevian art, then. Although I’m more concerned with the New Republic fleet that’s just entered the system. It’s either a great opportunity for glory, or the end of my career as a flag officer in the Imperial Navy." Turning back to her report, she glanced over it one last time. "EF-A94 Report: Survey proceeding as scheduled. Dark Jedi Master Kem-Shu Maeda has contacted the tribal shamans, and plans to test them tomorrow. LT DeMarn’s contingency plans for New Republic attack implemented. A bit unorthodox, but strategically sound. Elite Cellium reports that attempts to increase clan tensions among the Andevians have been moderately successful. He has also been allowed to access misleading reports, and has transmitted these reports to unknown persons in New Republic space. A small New Republic fleet has entered the system, but our strength is superior. Should combat be necessary, we will have the advantage." Now came the difficult part. She had to mention the possibility of disloyalty in the expeditionary force, but also had to do so without creating any doubt in her ability to lead. She knew she’d need to expose the traitors almost single-handedly to overcome her apparent failure with Harkov. As she searched for the right phrases, she found herself thinking, There’s no middle ground on this one. I’ll either succeed brilliantly or fail spectacularly. Slowly she crafted her report, until she was finally satisfied with her report. As she encrypted it and sent it off, her WWTD necklace felt unnaturally heavy. * * * * * What sort of a fool do they think I am? Cellium wondered. He’d been a bounty hunter long enough to know when he was being fed false information. Nothing that important would be so easy to slice into. Still, if he was going to get his credits from all sides, he had to play along. Obviously, the Imperials wanted the New Republic to show up at Andevia. So much the better for me, Cellium thought. There’ll be lots more opportunities to pick up credits if there’s a war here. And I’d better play along with the Imps if I’m going to keep all my options open. His contacts in NR space would surely know that this report was bogus; If not, then they’re too stupid to live. Better get their credits while I can. In the meantime, his payments from the NR Vice Admiral Khaler to find and follow Dever would ensure that he’d make enough money to make up for appearing to be duped. Those damn Imps always make schemes five times more complicated than they need to be. Job security for me, I suppose. Best to let them think they haven’t paid me enough to keep me loyal, anyway. Give ‘em what they expect until it’s time for the jackpot. He still hadn’t figured out why the Emperor’s Hammer was interested in Andevia, and that troubled him. The planet had no industrial development to speak of, only average resources, and no clear strategic importance. Toppling the local chieftain, Kinneas, didn’t seem to serve any obvious purpose, either; stormtroopers could easily overwhelm whatever defenses the clans had. Naturally, Dever had not told Cellium the reasons the EH wanted Kinneas overthrown. "You’re not being paid to think", she had said. Yeah, well, you’re not paying me enough NOT to. In the meantime, he had to continue with his assignment of pitting the clans against each other. It was a simple plan, really. Cellium preferred simple plans to complicated machinations. He’d steal a spear with one clan’s markings, kidnap a member of another clan, and combine the two. No problem. He’d done this sort of thing before. The trick was to make sure the body was found in the most shocking place possible. Most likely, that would be the common temple all the clans shared. Getting the body there under the careful watch of the shamans would be difficult, but Cellium was certain he could pull it off. He would strike tonight, so that the body would be there for Kem-Shu Maeda’s meeting with the elders tomorrow morning. Cellium chuckled. Nothing like a corpse to get the conversation going. * * * * * As Kinneas and Grekag sat together in council, they continued to discuss the arrival of EF-A94 and its impact on their tribe. These strangers had come uninvited, and were obviously examining the planet with conqueror’s eyes. Worse yet, the Andevians lacked the might to oppose them, even if the entire tribe were united. As it was, bickerings and murmurings between clans prevented all thought of military resistance to the Imperials. "What should we do, Grekag? What do you see concerning these outsiders?" asked Kinneas. "There are rough times ahead. We are threatened from outside as well as within. Think first about the tribe before you worry about our visitors. Besides, I foresee that others are coming as well. Perhaps our hope lies with them." "Other visitors? Never did my father speak of visitors from another world in any of our history or legends. And now two come at once? My heart is uneasy about this." Grekag looked intently at the young chief. "Your forefathers faced different foes, in their time. They, too, battled powers that could not be vanquished with spears: the winter chill, famines, predators, sicknesses. Any of these could have been the end of our tribe. Yet the snow and ice allow us to store food against famine, and our sicknesses are fewer and milder than those of the tribes in the warmer lands. The famines affect the animals as well, and keep the meffona packs from becoming too large for us to defend against. Fur from the meffona keeps us warm in winter, and their hornpowder eases the fainting fever. And it is the victims of the fainting fever being returned to Mother Andevia that improve the next season’s harvest. For us, it has always been better to have many enemies rather than one." Kinneas nodded, but was still not completely comforted. "May I be guided by the same wisdom that guided the chiefs before me. But there is still the strife between the clans. These outsiders will either bring our people together or tear us apart. I need your foresight and wisdom, Grekag. How can I make our tribe one, as it was for my father and grandfather?" "Your question is a hard one. And it is the wrong one. You cannot force the clans to unite, and such unity would bring deeper weakness in the end. Instead, you must make yourself a leader the clans will want to follow. Show the clans the dangers they face, and help them to believe that you can lead them through the danger. Open their eyes and ease their minds, and they will unite around you." "We will know more of the dangers after you meet with the Dark Jedi tomorrow," said Kinneas. "Until then, I will make sure there are no new reasons for the clans to fight amongst themselves." "I wish you luck, Kinneas. And I suspect the meeting with the Jedi tomorrow shall teach us much. He, too, may learn something of us he did not expect. Farewell." * * * * * Kem-Shu Maeda was also looking forward to the meeting with the shamans. It would be his first chance to turn an entire tribe to the Dark Side. It was clear to him that the so-called chief, Kinneas, had no real power over his tribe yet; the true might was with the shamans. If they could be subjugated, the rest would follow. The first step, as with all pupils, was to instill fear. The shamans he had met so far had a remarkable lack of fear. It was not that they had overcome fear through bravery, it was that fear no longer touched them at all. It would be an interesting challenge for Kem-Shu to reacquaint these people with fear and anger. Cellium’s handiwork would be a start, but not enough. The rest of the lesson would have to be taught through the Force. Kem-shu relished the opportunity that was to come. Indeed, opportunites such as this one were few and far between. Emperor Palpatine, in his quest for complete knowledge and power in the Force, had subsumed or destroyed nearly all manifestations of the Force. Yet here, on this remote and primitive planet, was a part of the Force that Palpatine had missed. And Kem-Shu had a chance to add to the Dark Brotherhood’s mastery of the Force. Or perhaps not. It was never too wise to share everything you knew with the Dark Brotherhood. Then again, few could hide anything from the Dark Council if they wished to discover it. Kem-Shu felt he was nearly powerful enough to do so, if the time were right. But the current situation made it extremely foolish to oppose Grand Master Firefox. The New Republic, though still unstable, was waxing in power. And with it, the Jedi Academy, meaning that once again the Dark Jedi would be faced with Force-using opponents. Now was not the time to splinter the Dark Brotherhood. Indeed, with the recent rebellions of Zoraan and the Other, the Council would be especially vigilant for signs of dissent. No, despite this great opportunity, Kem-Shu sensed that any attempt to gain power now would not be successful. A pity that this chance must go to waste. As Kem-shu continued his preparations for the meeting, a thought struck him. There must be a way that he could keep his advantage without forcing his hand too soon. He knew that the Emperor’s Hammer Command Staff had their doubts about the loyalty and competence of Admiral Dever. In fact, one of the reasons he had been chosen for this mission had been to keep an eye on her. He also had felt the dissatisfaction and worry of the EF-A94 crew, and knew of the New Republic fleet entering the system. If the entire expeditionary force were to disappear, there would be no shortage of suspects seemingly more plausible than him. Even Cellium would be blamed before he would. Kem-shu’s preparations changed. Instead of planning for his meeting tomorrow, he began making plans for afterwards. If the meeting with the shamans went well, he would need to be ready to act quickly. * * * * * Aboard the Calamari Cruiser Hoth’s Memory the crew went about its business. During their breaks, they gathered in small groups, speculating about the reason why they had suddenly changed course to Andevia. As Captain Samis Loran passed one of these groups, they tried to get some answers from him. "Captain, why are we here?" "It’s the will of the Force, at least in my case. You may be just an accident." "Very funny, sir. I bet Yoda told you that one. What I meant was, why did Admiral Khaler take this detour to Andevia? A sudden urge to seek out new life and new civilizations?" "I doubt it, Lieutenant. But I wouldn’t waste too much time worrying about it. If Admiral Khaler thought the whole crew needed to know, he’d tell you. Since he hasn’t, I suppose you can still perform your duties without knowing. And I suggest you get back to them immediately." "But, sir, I’m off duty at the moment. Why don’t you join us for a drink, and you can tell us all about the beginnings of the Rebellion." "Sorry, Lieutenant, but unfortunately I’m still on duty. Another time, perhaps." As Captain Loran strode off, he returned to his own wondering about Khaler’s purpose for coming to Andevia. It’s hard to imagine any reason so secret that he can’t even tell his Executive Officer. It’s most likely some intelligence mission, what with Colonel Olaru on board. What do we need with a "Science Consultant" spy, anyway? Especially around this primitive planet. As he approached his post on the bridge, he smiled wryly. If Skywalker were here, I’m sure he’d be having a bad feeling about this. With that, he quickly immersed himself in his duties, and had no more time for speculation. He stood before Admiral Khaler, and saluted smartly. "Sir, I’m here to relieve you. Go get some rest, Admiral." "Thank you, Captain. I leave Hoth’s Memory to you. Fitting, since you and I are the only ones aboard who were there." "Yes, sir. And I’m not about to let you forget how I risked my neck escorting your transport past those Star Destroyers. You still owe me for that one," Loran said with a grin. "True, but I’ve come a long way from those days when I was a fresh recruit to the Rebellion. You could have, too, if you had ever given up your infatuation with your little fighter." "I’ve been flying too long to give it up now. And besides, it helps keep the new jocks humble, getting out-flown by an old fossil like me." Khaler laughed. "All right, then. But I wouldn’t recommend any barrel rolls in the craft you’re currently in charge of." * * * * * Khaler left the bridge, but he was in no mood to rest. He was expecting another transmission from Cellium, and was anxious to have the location of Admiral Dever confirmed. He had finally caught up with her, and he was ready to settle the score. He knew the New Republic would never prosecute her for the atrocity she had attempted at Endor, due to lack of evidence. But Khaler had evidence enough, for himself at least, with his hunches and nagging doubts. As he walked to his quarters, he replayed the Battle of Endor in his mind, as he had done so many times before. He was back in his X-Wing, trying to evade the TIE Interceptors on his six while keeping a TIE Fighter in his sights. After a few tense seconds of skillful (or was it lucky?) flying, he had managed to score his first kill of the battle, while taking only minor hits on his rear shields. As he attempted to outmaneuver his faster, more agile pursuers, his R2 astromech droid signaled that he had intercepted a radio message to the Interceptors attacking him. At least those poor Bothans did something right, he thought. Not that it’ll make much difference if we can’t get that shield down. His R2 unit played back the message, just as his three pursuers broke off. Khaler heard a female voice: "Hotshots, it’s time." He turned his fighter around in time to see the three T/Is headed for the medical frigate. Wedge Antilles had seen them, too, and went after them. As they started attacking the frigate, they were met by the Millennium Falcon. The Imperial pilots were quickly overwhelmed and shot down between the heavily-armed Corellian transport and all the other Rebel fighters nearby. As the battle progressed, Khaler had no time to think further about that incident. Afterwards, it continued to gnaw at his mind. Sure, Imp pilots sometimes did stupid things, and they did show a marked tendency to run into things, but he couldn’t believe they would try something that suicidal without orders. After reviewing the records of the battle, it wasn’t difficult to figure out who had given the order; there weren’t that many female Imperial admirals. Anger and outrage filled him, and he determined that he would make her pay. Such cowardly and despicable tactics were criminal. Khaler entered his quarters and locked the door behind him. After a few minutes, Cellium’s transmission came in, detailing the location of the EF-A94 camp, and the deployment of its defensive forces. Cellium also mentioned that Kem-Shu Maeda was there, which would likely complicate matters. Khaler sent a transmission authorizing a transfer of credits to one of Cellium’s accounts, and ended the transmission. After a moment’s thought, he called Colonel Ris Olaru to his quarters. She was officially the Science Consultant aboard Hoth’s Memory, but she was also a New Republic Intelligence agent. Khaler motioned for Olaru to sit down. "So, Colonel, are you ready to test that Force detector of yours? I think we’ve got a marvelous opportunity here on Andevia to finally how well it works." "What do you mean, sir?" "Not only are the Andevian shamans believed to be Force users, but I have received reports that there is a Dark Jedi Master on the planet right now. It’s not often we’ll get a chance to scan for someone that powerful in the Dark Side. But we must act immediately; I’ll only know his exact position until tomorrow." "A Jedi Master? Perfect! I can have the equipment up and running in two hours. I’m impressed with your knowledge of the conditions on Andevia. Is this why you changed course so abruptly for this system?" "That’s one of the reasons. The other is that there is an Emperor’s Hammer scout force on the planet, led by Alesha Dever. I don’t imagine the natives are too happy about them being there. If we can force the Imperial troops to leave, we may convince Andevia to at least be sympathetic to the Republic. It sure beats having them annexed by the Hammer." Olaru’s face showed concern. "Do we have the strength to take on the entire scout force? It seems to me we’d be outnumbered." "Don’t worry. I still remember quite a few hit and fade tactics. Besides, I’ve got a pretty good idea of what forces they have, and how they’re deployed. Strategically, we have the advantage." "Well, I suppose I’d better go get the Force detectors ready, then. I’ll let you know when they are on line." Olaru stood up to leave. "Thank you, Colonel. I’ll expect to hear from you in two hours’ time." As she left Khaler’s quarters, Olaru couldn’t help feeling apprehensive about the impending conflict. Does Khaler really know what he’s doing? He certainly doesn’t have authorization for this. I’d better inform Central Intel about this. * * * * * As Lieutenant DeMarn watched the approaching Republic cruiser on her scanner, she felt anticipation more than fear. Bring them on. Let’s see how my deployments work. Having served as a Command Attache in the Republic Navy, she was familiar with what their expectations were for Imperial deployment. She had taken great pains to array the defensive forces so that they appeared to be standard formations, but could be moved on a moment’s notice to change apparent weakness into strength, and turn an opponent’s preconceptions against himself. The forces would be slightly more vulnerable as they changed positions, but the pretended disarray was actually designed to lure the attacker deeper into the trap. The only true weakness was the total precision required for the maneuvers. The defense forces had drilled long and hard to perfect the troop movements, and were seasoned enough troops that panic in the face of impending battle would not rattle them. However, general morale had been low lately, and she had heard rumors of soldiers thinking of deserting. If a squadron did decide to desert, her strategic plan would be in real trouble. It’s not as though you can practice what to do if your neighbors desert. Not without destroying morale, anyway. And there was always the risk of a spy informing the enemy what the real deployment would be, destroying the advantage of surprise which offset the risks of temporary disorder. As she waited for the Republic attack to begin, she struggled to convince herself that she didn’t need to worry about rumors. Besides, there wasn’t anything she could do about it now. The cruiser would be in range of the planet just before noon tomorrow. Perhaps it was only because it was her first battle against the New Republic since she had defected to the Emperor’s Hammer, but she had a feeling that the imminent battle was only a prelude to something bigger.