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 Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 11:06 am
The supply shops of Bestine were filled with spacers of all different types looking for spare parts, upgrade kits, and dozens of other pieces of equipment for their starships. The sound of gulls was a constant reminder of the great sea all around them, but for Revak the sights and smells reminded him more of home.
The salt that was from the ocean reminded him of the salt encrusted hardpan of Kar'Mala, and the constant murmur and bustle of the crowd reminded him of the markets at Valla'Nur. Still there were differences that brought him back to the realities of his exile, the cold metal beneath his feet, the humid breeze, and the glimmer of ocean water were all far from the norm at his home.
Jenel lead him through the crowd to a shop at the end of the street. It stood beside the local office of the Bureau of Ships and Services. A convient locations for a shop that specialized in weapons technology. It was the retail end of one of the most famous family owned corporations in the galaxy, Taim & Bak.
With a smile Jenel waved to the clerk as she stepped inside. Instead of actual merchandise on the shelves there were stacks of books, schematics, and models of the real equipment. The proprietor smiled at Jenel as she entered, "Been a long time Miss Olo... since you owned that old YT-2400. I heard you've got a new ship when the Julian Pirates took it from you. An Action IX?"
"Thats right, and I was wondering if you could help me increase my survivability in the rim Novak."
"Alright, I suppose you want some Ion Cannons for ship defense... Thats pretty much standard these days." Novak pulled a schematic from one of the shelves, "Lets see... the Action IX, plenty of hardpoints on that sort. Pirates have been using more and more fighters on the rim. So I've been working on some new surprises. Follow me..."
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:14 pm
stellarmagic
The Wombat II-Frigates soared in at the convoy, their high powered weapons system ripping through the freighters with little more then glancing blows from their turbolasers. Squadrons of Predator fighters swarmed across the convoy blasting the freighters and engaging with ease the two insignificant fighters squadrons which had been deployed by the Corona-class Frigate.
The Corona-class Star Frigate slowly tumbled through space, damage and fires raging across its midsection. The vessel had taken a salvo of torpedoes from one of Borill's Stalwarth-class Star Destroyers and was now dead in space. Already one of the Tartans was gone, blown away by the concentrated firepower of the Revenge II-class Star Cruiser, its ancient shield systems and hull design ripped apart from the hundreds of turbolaser rounds that shot into its side. The other Tartan sat in the middle of the formation of freighters desperately trying to fend off the waves of predator fighters that were gourging themselves on the freighters.
Borill smiled as he watched two of his Wombat II-class Star Frigates move in close and tear the ship apart with their four quad heavy Turbolasers.
He walked down the catwalk of the bridge glancing only occasionally at the crew pit. His mind was focused on the battle, and the battle alone. Seeing the last Tartan flare into incandescent gas he turned back to the fighter controllers, "All squadrons, cease your attack. Launch Upsilon group, I want my fighters out protecting those transports." He glanced at his chronometer, "Thirty minutes... maybe a few more before any enemy reinforcements arrive." With a smile he turned back to the comm officer, "Order the Obsidian Knife, Hero of Corellia, and Trafalgar to jump out to Withdraw point Beta, and deactivate the gravity well generators until they're clear."
Outside the three Stalwarth-class Star Destroyers leapt out of sight. All that remained were six Wombat II Star Frigates and the Revenge II-class Star Cruiser. The tumbling hulk of the disabled Corona-class Star Frigate flashed as the transports docked with its hulk. Scattered around the hulk other transports began moving to grapple with the freighters. Then a brilliant white dagger dropped out of hyperspace along with a pair of Tartan-class Star Frigates.
The sensor operator was already calling out the bearings and classes, "Imperial Star Destroyer on a bearing from Taris as well as two Tartans. Two squadrons of XJ models X-wings are in close support."
The fighter controller glanced up from his post, "Transport Upsilon reports that they have completed all boarding operations and is on its way back."
"Additional contacts exiting hyperspace, their bearings are consistent with a jump from Wayland. I've got two Victory IV-class Star Destroyers, two Acclamator III-class Star Frigates, and another two squadrons of XJs. There are a couple predator squadrons in the mix too," The sensor operator was now a little excited.
Borill smiled, "Bravo Elladan Kenet, I didn't expect you to have constructed a second Victory so quickly." He glanced at Commodore Kull, "Begin a Toran Boral maneuver and instruct the our support ships to prepare for a Marg Sabl maneuver."
"Yes sir."
The first flashes of laser fire light up the night as the starfighters began to clash, "Flight control, launch all fighters."
A brilliant flash lit up the night as the Victorys began launching their concussion missiles. Eighty brilliant red and white streaks of plasma and warhead shot toward the frigates. The frigates responded by opening up with their laser cannons blasting away at the large slow missiles as they closed. They took out quite a few, but some where destined to get through. The flash of missile impacts lit up around the frigates, but on most their primary shield's held.As the two Loyalist fleets landed out of hyperspace, the almost immediately met opposition. They were matched by an equally rag-tag group of ships, ranging from Wombat-II frigates, Stalwart-class Detroyers, and Revenge-II class Star Cruisers. Most of the Taris convoy was in ruins, and all that was left was a squadron of XJ-wings, a half-dead Tartan, and a lone Corona-class cruiser under the wrath of several cruisers. Their forces included two Acclamantors, Two Victories, the Ebon Hawk ISD Mk II, four Tartans, a dozen or so squadrons of Predators, and another dozen squads of XJ-Wings. It was about the equivilant of an Imperial sector fleet, which comprised of four ISDs and various support craft. Barely enough to fight the enemy as is, not counting the ships that had just retreated. The commander on duty was Captain Belan, of the Ebon Hawk. "Protect the Taris ships. We don't need to win this fight; just survive until the Commander returns." The officers on the rest of the ships returned approval. "Orders?" the captain of the Corulag, one of the VSDs called. Belan briefly viewed the tactical. He considered their forces, and the twenty minutes they had until the chiss lord arrived with the mandalorians, he was told. "Take your ship and secure that Corona. You should have no problem, as long as they continue to underestimate our ships." He then turned to the other ships. "That Tartan is as good as dead; it won't survive the next minute. The other large ships a largely uncontested, and that'll be our job. We have more fighters than they do, and they haven't resorted to bombers, so we can deploy those and hope they change their strategy. Otherwise, don't be aggresive. Defensive game." No sooner were they dismissed, then the first volleys of turbolaser fire slammed into the hull. It had begun.
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:39 pm
Borill smiled slightly as he watched the enemy vessels begin maneuvering. Already a formation of transports could be seen flying in a v formation toward the Corona. In his command chair Borill glanced over at the flight controller, "Did our commandos leave a surprise as usual?"
"Yes sir," The Flight Controller answered with a smile, "You know the Storm Commandos sir... leave nothing to the enemy."
"Good," Borill glanced at this tactical display, "Alright, we should anticipate more enemy reinforcements from Onderon, they probably won't arrive for a couple more minutes... lets use that time." He keyed his holo comm, "Obsidian Knife and Trafalgar hyperspace to these coordinates."
"Yes sir."
Borill glanced out the viewports as the transports moved to dock with the Corona. It suddenly exploded taking out the formation of transports with it. He smiled, "Commendable work from our commandos."
The two Stalwarth-class Star Destroyers arrived in a stacked formation immediately above and behind the collected enemy formation. Their two wings of 72 fighters shot from their hanger bays and immediately began forming into a boiling cloud of fighters around the ships. The side wing panels on the destroyers began to open and on the enemy ships sensor operators would begin panicing as targeting warning locks began to stack on top of each other.
The first Star Destroyer fired, its eighty Proton Torpedo tubes punching out three missiles apiece. Two-hundred and forty torpedoes the size of a Tie Fighter's ball cockpit began arching downward toward the Imperial II. Enough firepower to knock down the shields of an old Executor-class Star Dreadnaught. The few point defense guns scattered across the ship opened fire, guning down forty or so missiles, but the rest got through... They hit, flashing across the shields and tearing through the ship's hull, destroying the dorsal shield and blowing apart the tractor beam controls, three of their octagonal batteries became smoking craters from the impact.
Then the second Star Destroyer fired, sending its two-hundred and forty proton torpedoes downward toward the two Victory-IV class Star Destroyers. The shots tore apart the dorsal shields of both ships and inflicted heavy damage to the hull. On one vessel the bridge tower seperated from the hull, leaving the behind a torn jumble of bodies and debris. Neither ship was destroyed, but both were in trouble. The one which had lost its bridge was certainly out of action...
Borill smiled, "Contact Hero of Corellia tell them to switch to a mixed missile load. I want to keep him guessing." Then he turned back to the display, "All deployed ships, execute Ivan Storm."
Immediately every ship in engaged turned straight toward the enemy and lit their drives... If the enemy wanted to fight Borill was about to show them how great a mistake it would be as his Revenge II-class Star Cruiser entered the fray and opened up with its 360 Turbolaser Batteries and 160 Ion Cannons. Bolts of weapons fire began to criss-cross across the space between the ships and the battle was now joined in earnest.
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:48 pm
" Jackpot. " Angel said, gazing upon enough salvage materials, weapons, and other various obejcts in the disabled " flagship " of another random pirate band. So far, this one was the most difficult. It started as an all-out space battle with both ships firing upon each other with fighters on both sides having at it. Since the pirate flagship was no real threat to the Heaven's Fury, Angel decided to focus its fire on the other fighters while the pirate leader still attempted to destroy the Heaven's Fury before the fighters. Soon after, the pirate flagship was all that remained and quickly found its shields blown to Hell and several ion blasts saw it rendered defenseless. A short boarding later, its crew was being blasted into oblivion one by one as the vigilante force advanced into every section of the ship. The captain turned out to be a Sith and Angel herself decided to take care of him, not wanting to risk losing her own men, knowing they would be outmatched. Now that is was all over, she motioned for her crew to start loading everything they could. " It's a shame we're gonna scrap this one. We could use another vessel to serve for a resupply ship, but I find myself agreeing with you. It's not equipped enough to hold its own in a real fight. " " Don't feel bad. If we ever come across something good we might get to take it over. Something closer to up-to-date so we won't have to revamp much to make it on par with our ship. " " Here's hoping. "
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Darkened Angel Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:06 pm
"Boy, get some clothes for our guest while your up there!" Sunum yelled up the stairs to Iust , who had already gone to dress. A few minutes later Iust comes down the stairs dressed in a olive green button down shirt and jeans, he is carrying a white shirt and a pair of jeans folded in his arms. He hands them to Iria and then goes to help Sunum to a seat at the table.
"When you are done changing clothes we should be ready to eat." Sunum tells Iria.
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:19 pm
"Many thanks," Iria politely said, going to the other room to strip off her armor. She then gently and neatly arranged her suit, slipping on the clothing offered to her.
A bit large, but it shall do, she mentally commented with a shy giggle.
With that, she then joined the others at the dinner table.
(( play out the meal, or fast forward? ))
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:25 pm
((Skip it, we've dragged this out long enough))
After dinner, Iust sat back contentedly, a smile creeping on his lips. "Uncle, I must say that I forgot how good of a cook you are."
"Thank you, but much of the praise should go to Iria, she did much of the work. But now it is time for bed, you two have had a long day, and we will have much to discuss in the morning." Sunum replied, turning to Iria he continued "There is a guest room on the second floor, it will be the first door on you right, although I must say you are the first guest we have had for a long time. Iust will you help me clean the table?"
"Sure thing, Uncle." Iust replied, then he and Sunum got to work.
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:41 pm
"I thank you, good sir," Iria said to Sunum. "But I should wish to assist with clearing the table. Otherwise, I'd feel as though I were imposing."
"Very well, then, missy," Sunum added, directing the two as to where the various dishes and such went.
After that, Iria gave Sunum a polite bow. "And now, I shall take you up on your offer, and retire for the night,"
(( and now, we'll skip to the next morn. ^^ ))
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:55 pm
"Who says you have to trust what we say?" Vaan asked the Twi'lek, as Ashe leveled the charric to match the blaster's focus.
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 10:16 pm
Freya had had it with the Chiss by this point, drawing her own weapon. "I totally suggest you drop whatever that is, and answer the kriffing question," she snarled at Ashe coldly. "Or, I will have Gorry and his friends here rip your arms out of their sockets. And beat you with them."
At once, Kalnar intervened. "Violence will solve nothing," he urged. "It seems with them no longer in the employ of the Empire, they are here for other business," he said.
Gunther also looked over the Chiss pair. "If what Master Kalnar says is the case, prove him right," he suggested. "My sister's methods may be rough, but she has the group's best interests in mind," Looking to Ashe, he said, "Now, if we could disarm our weapons, we can get on with the business at hand?"
Kalnar looked over to his padawan. "Well said, my young padawan. Now, would you kindly tell us your reason for being here? Otherwise, we shall be off,"
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 11:12 pm
It had been a day since Link had arrived at the Monastary. In that time the Monks had set about whatever means they used to draw the Tuskens to their doors.
They had arrived at last and stood outside the door of the Monastary, five of them astride their grunting banthas.
As Link led Strider to the door, a Monk aproached them and offered a mask, similar in construction and appearance to those worn by the tuskens.
"Its an offense in Tusken Culture to show your face." Elder Nat said as his Brain Droid clambered up from behind the still intact Monk. "So if you're going to travel with them, you must remained covered at all times. This Mask bears a superficial resemblance to the traditional Tusken garb, but we have modified it with a communicator. It will translate Tuskan language for your benefit and will translate your words to Tusken. You'll have to speak Basic though. It comes with an air filter and vaporator so it will continually collect water from your breath and from the air while keeping sand out."
Link nodded as he took the mask and examined it. "Tinted Goggles?"
"Yes to a degree. The lenses will adapt to light difference, darkening during the day and brightening at night. They'll remain Opaque to external viewers so you dont offend the Tuskens." Nat then proceeded to the door, where another lower ranked monk operated the door mechanism.
Link slid the hooded mask over his head and pulled his cloak tighter around himself as the massive durasteel door cranked open with a rusty moan.
The Tusken band sat astride ther banthas, Cycler Rifles strapped to their saddles and Gaffi sticks in hand.
[Monk,] The Lead Tusken declared in his gutteral language. [Who is this you bring before me?]
The Brain bot nodded and motioned to Link. [This is Link Darksun, a Jedi. He wishes to help you and your clan kill Rcaulkorortu. Link, this is the best hunter of the H'ckhu'ah clan: Ghk'ik.]
Link bowed formally to the Tusken.
[He looks a little short for a jedi.] Ghk'ik told the monk. [He and his filthy Eopie wont die on us before we find the monster will they?]
[Actually, Jedi Darksun had encountered the beast just the other day, where he narrowly escaped its clutches.]
The Tuscken gave an odd chuckle. [So the great and powerful jedi is a coward. Then he's no use to us. And what is that he's carrying at his belt? It looks like he stole a jawa kitchen knife.]
The rest of the Tuskens laughed at this remark, which failed to draw a response from Link.
[Jedi Darksun, I am sure, is a hardy combatant. He has promised to us to defeat the Krayt, so can you please at least guide him to the beast?]
[If he survives.] Ghk'ik motioned to the nearest Tusken. The Tusken slid off the saddle and twirled his gaffi stick in challenge.
Link sighed.
[Why is it that whenever this one meets new people, this one always has to fight them?]
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Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 6:16 pm
The man called Novak led them into the back of the shop where a motley collection of mechanics and engineers were busily working, welding and adjusting parts. He strolled beside a collection of cylinders which lay scattered around one of large metal tables and smiled, "You know what these are Jenel?"
"They look like Chaff cylinders..."
Revak stopped beside the pile and placed his hand on one of the cylinders, expanding his awareness into the metal device... a slight smile slid across his face, "Ingenious... they're ion flechette mines."
The man glanced at Revak, "Bright friends you've got here Jenel." A grin lit up his face, "You're right, each cylinder has a preset maneuvering computer and targeting system. It thrusts itself into the middle of a formation of starfighters and detonates scattering thousands of flechettes which are ionized by the explosion. It'll disable starfighters in a hundred meter blast radius."
Revak smiled coldly already toying with how the mines could be further improved, perhaps upping the blast radius to a thousand meter radius. His thoughts were interupted by Jenel, "Alright, lets see what exactly you are planning."
"Okay, right to the chase..." Novak spread a schematic out on the table on top of the cylinders, "How about three Class-5 Ion Cannons and two cluster ion flechette mine dispensers."
Jenel smiled, "Sounds good... Are these things legal?"
Novak pulled a datapad from his pocket, "I got all the documents right here."
"Then I think we've got a deal... I'll pay your account just like usual."
Novak grinned, "Always a pleasure."
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Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:59 pm
(Tactically speaking my forces HAVE to win this first fight. Think on it for a moment; would ever ever get their support if we lost? Hell no. All we need is a minor victory that looks more like a miracle than anything. I'm playing on the whole rebellion story; I plan on losing the next several skirmishes. But hey, if you have a problem, just kick me out now. I'll understand)
They were in trouble, and Belan knew it. Hell, they all knew it. One of their Victories had lost its bridge, and it was all the ship could do to keep from spiralling out of control. The other was also in bad shape, but could still fight. The Ebon Hawk was weak too, and the Corona lost. They needed a miracle...
"Sir?"
Belan turned down to his lieutenant. "Yes?"
"We've got a report from the Corulag. Most of the bridge crew is dead, and shields on in the red. Evacuate?"
Belan sighed. They were lucky the ship was still there. Based off knowledge from ships in the old Empire, Kenet had made these first prototypes with second bridges located at midship near the hangars. Their enemy certainly wouldn't expect that, but neither would it be smart to keep them there long. The ship was a lit cigar right now; it was only a matter of time before it burnt out.
"Yes. Evac all non-essential crew, and set them on a course torwards Taris. Hopefully they'll get picked up. The bridge I want to stay. Time to try out that new Rancor Thrust."
It was one of the new strategies Elladan had cooked up while on Wayland. Basically, using these new ships in the event of bridge loss, they were to put all remaining power to the shields and hyperdrive, and set it on a direct course for whatever it was aiming at: right now at one of the Stalwart cruisers.
Essentially, it was a suicide mission. By the time they realized what would happen, the Corulag would ram into the ship and implode, and take it down with it.
Belan opened a secured comm to the doomed ship. The interim captain received. "Yes, Commander?"
The captain sighed, then grunted, saluting grimly. "Do what must be done. May the Force be with you." It was funny saying that; traditionally, only the Rebellion said that when at war. Only recently had the Imperials been using it. Seeing as how the Rebels had done so well, maybe the look would rub off.
As the two fleets exchanged volleys of fire and missles and the Corulag become more and more battered, the ship suddenly arced, and its hyperdrive blasted to life. In a split second, there was a deafening roar, followed by a tremendous explosion. The Corulag had hit its target and turned into a very brief star, as it tore off the entire bridge of the vessel, and the top left corner of the ship, peeling its engines off and nearly cracking the hull in two. Belan could hear his forces cheer over the intercom.
~
Myncok rode in his commandship, the Ortrea just moments away from arriving at the battle. He was ready for war, his yellow Death Watch commano armor already on. Before him, a group of imposing Mandalorians, all in yellow with blue insignia, were observing him.
"Explain again why we are doing this?" The center Mandalorian asked. Evidently, he was head of the Council.
"I already told you," Mynock retorted with barely checked politeness. "This may be our only chance to expand again. This chiss and his Loyalists are weakening the Empire, and he plans on building a clone army. Helping him helps us."
"You know he plans on starting a clone army?" one of the others asked.
"Not exactly, but comeon. He lives on Wayland. He's Grand Admiral Thrawn's cousin. Do the math. It's obvious what he's doing."
He knew they were glaring, but there was no way he could tell behind their dark visors. They staid quiet for a moment, silently communicating, before the leader spoke again. "How do you plan on doing this? Our fleet's in position."
"Simple," Mynock began. "We gain the trust of this loyalist, help him for a while, and get him to clone Mandalorians. We sow the seeds of rebellion, plant a few key assasins, and we disable them from the inside. We can take virtually everything they have in a matter of moments."
"You've thought this out a great deal."
"Sir, I've been on Dxun. We have to deal with Terrenteks, bomas, maalraas, and zakkegs. We live in a jungle world so formidable, tit crushes all but the strongest attempts at modernization. I know what I'm doing."
"And the cloning? You know exactly? He mentioned this?"
"No, he didn't, but he's got to be planning it. He's hopelessly outnumbered, outmanned, and outgunned. If we just-"
"I refuse to risk our people for the ambitions of one Chiss! I don't care if he might win!" The leader roared. "Demons and fire man, you'll kill us all!"
Mynock snorted. "I won't. If I had no faith in this, I wouldn't be telling you to support them. When have I yet failed?"
They glared at him, like knives through butter. "If you do this, you place the lives of are entire race on the line. You fail, and we all die by your dishonor."
Mynock gulped. He was no traitor. He didn't consider himself a member of the chiss' forces. He was with the Mandalorians, once and always. "Proceed."
They nodded. "We sent every ship we could spare for such a last minute skirmish... if you lose the battle we will not support them, no matter what you say."
Mynock sighed, nodding. "Understood, Mandalore."
"Good, dismissed."
~
In the whole, stretched thin and sporadic Mandalorian Empire, there were about a hundred or so capital-class ships on par with Imperial Star Destroyers. Most of these hung around the major bases of Dxun, Mandalore, Tholatin, and Gyndine. The few rest of the little more than hundred ships lied on forgotten fringe worlds and in the hands of illicet exploiters. The base at Mandalore was able to send ten of the 40 warships they had; feesibly more than enough, assuming there were no enemy reinforcements. The Mandalore fleet also came with fighters, mostly M12-L Kimogila fighters armed to the teeth, and M3-A Sycks that had comparable facilities to a TIE Interceptor.
THis fleet arrived on the backtail of the ships waiting for the Dxun fleet, and immeditaely fired upon them, focusing on the engines and shields.
Meanwhile, the Dxun fleet arrived, including the Acclamantor and no more than three Kedalbe-class cruisers and a few Crusader-class corvettes. They had barely enough forces now to match the fleet, but they couldn't drag the fight on. They were bound to lose in the long run, so their best shot was disabling the ships as quickly as possible and fleeing.
(Better?)
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Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:28 pm
((You're GOD MODDING... IDIOT! Explain to me how the hell you got 130 Warships from the Mandalorian Deathwatch in a matter 20 Minutes! If you continue on this course you will probably be ejected from the RP! Why the hell would anyone send that many ships of a Star Destroyer class ship to defend 24 Freighters! The entire mandalorian nation galaxy wide probably has less then a quarter that number-Probably))
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Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 11:09 pm
((EK, you better have a good excuse. A lack of research on ship presence or backstory is going to kill your credibility. If you create that many ships, it best not be spontaneous like that. Quit playing like the Empire; you don't have its resources. And you're not thrawn, either. just a man with his journal, so pulling off the total victory using minute forces trick won't work here either. Be smart, and learn from Thrawn: Learn to accept defeat when it stares at you right in the face.))
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