Deploying alongside Devil squadron, Corvus flew the Falcon out into the space just beyond Eriadu's atmosphere.
Naval doctrine dictated that when one played the role of the defender, you must fight as close to the planet as possible. This idea held some merit, as planets typically were armed with numerous cannons, and missile systems, just like Hoth was in the Empire Strikes Back. Additionally, survival for downed pilots was much more likely when there was a friendly location to crash, or conduct an emergency landing. Furthermore, enemy starfighters could be lured into ambushes, and the terrain could be used for cover. Finally, by forcing the enemy to come to you, the defender could split the attackers forces, creating an opportunity to outmaneuver them.
However, thanks to his spywork as 'Bond,' Corvus was well aware that the Imperial navy this time around was going to respond with an overwhelming number of ships. As such, the left and right flanks to Eriadu had been mined to hell & back, leaving a direct pathway into the killzone. It was his plan to force the enemy down a 'chokepoint' one where they wouldn't be able to leverage their vastly superior numbers unless they tore apart the minefield piece by piece. Should the Imperials choose prudence, they would waste time. Precious time that was only in Corvus' favor. The longer he could stall, the more resources the CIS would be able to bring to bare. All he had to do was endure. And should they take him up on his invitation, he would be more than happy to do battle!
The Republic formation was split into 5 different chevrons consisting of 5 clone led fleets. Behind these elite units were the battlestations, and Eriaduan naval units. There was a risk that the Eriaduans might break if they were used as the vanguard, and only the Starcrusher Corp could be trusted to act as the tip of the spear. In this battle, Captain Clip would be acting as the overall commander, and he would direct the Eriaduans as he saw fit.
Cracking his knuckles, Corvus took a deep breath, his eyes were constantly scanning the radar map, as well as a timer in the corner of his cockpit.
00:10
…
..
.
0:00
When the counter reached zero, he felt it before he saw it. Dozens of massive blue portals opened up at the far edge of the System. Dagger-like ships plunged into realspace every second. It seemed like a never ending amount of giant metal death machines were pouring into existence. The inky void of space was soon occupied with a new backdrop as the Imperials made themselves known.
Darkness overwhelming cloaked the fleet. Although he was hundreds of thousands of miles away, he felt him. Blanketing the system like an invisible storm, the Darkside of the Force embraced the Imperials with a powerful resolve. Frowning to himself, Corvus felt as if this was something similar to battle meditation, but not quite up to snuff. It wasn't Palpatine, that was for sure. Could it be one of the many strange, and esoteric darksider lackeys that followed in Palpatine's coattails?
"Wee-woo wrrr!" R4 squeeled, interrupting Corvus's inner monologue.
Corvus's eye twitched. "...thanks R4."
He knew they would face overwhelming odds, but didn't know the exact number, as this fleet's movements were hush hush. Looking at R4's report, Corvus could only wear a bitter smile.
Double their number in capital ships, the Imperial fleet was reinforced by medium battlecruisers, and dreadnoughts.
Whilst they were still out of range for combat, and the enemy fleet was deciding on their next move, Captain Clip chimed in over the intercom.
"General, their dreadnoughts are configured for anti-fighter combat. I recommend we use our own fighters defensively to pick off their bombers."
Corvus briefly meditated on this thought with his eyes closed. Nothing stood out to him at first, and he stroked his chin as he felt the Imperial fleet move closer and closer. Not only that, but he could feel his mens' tension begin to rise, even Clip was starting to grow impatient with his lack of a response.
'There.' Corvus thought to himself as he felt a calling in the Force.
"Scan quadrant 5D-J4." Corvus muttered.
"...a group of well camouflaged bombers without a single emission or signature are waiting in place! If we hadn't directly, consciously swept that area, then they would have remained-!"
"Undetected, yes. It can be seen that the Empire was well aware of our planned defense, and had sent preparations ahead of time. Whatever stealth technology those bombers possess, they would surely be dangerous in the event of a chaotic battlefield. I shall be the one to destroy this threat." Corvus ordered.
"Whoever is in command of the enemy fleet is devious. The location of those bombers is where the dreadnoughts are most heavily concentrated. If our own starfighters target the bombers, they become open to retribution from the dreadnoughts. If we do not discover the bombers, then they would be free to rip into our capital ships!" Clip swiftly analyzed.
"It shall be my burden to bear. With my own stealth capabilities, it should be relatively simple to nip this problem in the bud. However, I do not agree with your plan to have the starfighters hang back. I wish for you to go with the original plan."
A grim silence fell over the mic for one singular minute.
"The casualties will be astronomical. Your speech wasn't simply rhetoric, was it, sir?" Clip asked in a sharp tone.
Corvus sucked in a deep breath. Being second guessed during a critical time such as this was not something any leader wanted to experience. That being said, Corvus wasn't an arrogant bastard who was deaf to advice. Clip was a seasoned veteran, one who was trained in the art of war, and experienced many conflicts. However, Corvus had one thing the clone did not. The Force.
Ever since he had left Kamino, Corvus had been studying the ancient Jedi naval book within the confines of Pause. There were some things in those tattered pages that were lost to time, some maneuvers required a precise understanding of the nature of the heart. Something only a Force Sensitive could understand. Although Corvus had a good report with Clip, the fleet commander had seldom witnessed his mystical shenanigans. Therefore, he could hardly fault the clone for what clearly looked like a madman's gambit.
"I understand your concerns, Clip-"
"With all due respect, sir, do you? What you propose will see the lads sacrificing themselves for little gain. Please see reason, have them defend the capital ships." Clip maintained his ever-present professional tone, yet it was straining at the edges.
The plan that had Clip on edge was to bait the enemy in by appearing arrogant, and cocksure. To force their hand and draw the Imperials down the middle into the chokepoint. Although it would be nice for them to waste their time disabling the mines, Corvus didn't like leaving the initiative to the enemy. Besides, covering the entire region around Eriadu with mines was impossible. Given how intelligent the enemy commander appeared-what with the hidden stealth bombers that were literally only revealed due to Space Magic-then it stood to reason that they could discover a hole in the net somewhere in their flanks, and reorient their fleet to exploit this weak point! Such a maneuver could create a cascading failure, and it was a risk Corvus was unwilling to take. Hence, the overcommittal of his starfighters.
"You know the risks if we remain silent, Captain. I am sympathetic to the men, but if they flank us, their numbers advantage will truly be too difficult to overcome." Corvus replied in a sympathetic tone.
"Very well, I'll give the order." Clip glumly stated, then cut the call.
Corvus sighed. War was not fought by one man, nor could he dictate the wills of those who followed him. Morale was a real thing, and even the most loyal troopers might balk at a suicidal charge. He couldn't hate on Clip for looking out for his boys. War was hell, and disagreements between officers was normal. Furthermore, he wasn't exactly a top class military commander himself, and was well aware of his shortcomings. But the Force had warned him about the potential of an exposed flank, and it wasn't something he was willing to risk.
Flipping on his comms, Corvus started a private call with Yon.
"Master! I can't wait to kill the traitors. Am I free to engage?" Yon excitedly said.
Corvus rubbed the bridge of his nose, the kid wouldn't be forgiving the clones anytime soon.
"The ARC-170'S are due to engage the enemy within minutes. I want you to enter stealth, and arrive to coordinates AZ-J8, ahead of the first skirmishes. I wouldn't want you to unknowingly be caught in the crossfire once Imperial turbolasers come into range." Corvus ignored his students' excitement, and ordered in a calm voice.
"Yes Master Corvus!" Yon grinned, his positive vibes were said with an infectious tone.
Corvus couldn't help but reply with a smile of his own. Not everyone on the battlefield had to be serious, dour, or withdrawn. Sometimes it was nice to have energetic guys like Yon around to take away from the fatigue of combat. He wondered what kind of ball of sunshine this kid would've been if he hadn't been thrust into war at the age of 12?
"Heh, very good. Recite to me your mission details." Corvus said with some levity, yet remained firm with his words, lest the teen treated this like a game.
"I'm to wait in position for the battle to commence, and then pilot my ship into an enemy hangar. Then I drop the tractorbeam, and release the bomb inside. Once I fly away, I activate it, then go to one of the mines on the perimeter, and repeat the process three more times." Yon responded in a dull tone, as if he were a kid reading a book report in monotone.
"And then?" Corvus pressed.
"And then I am to retreat through the minefield and await further orders." Yon rolled his eyes, and droned on. "But Master, four ships aren't enough! I can do more!" Yon then began to protest.
"The enemy commander possesses some intelligence. I suspect that they will learn of your acts of sabotage, and deploy countermeasures."
"They can't be that smart." Yon mumbled.
"In fact, I'm limiting you to three ships. And no matter what, you are not to target that immense cloud of darkness. The Dark Adept the Empire sent this time around is much too powerful. Do not become arrogant enough to think that you can damage or destroy their ship. This is a direct order to you, my Padawan." Corvus sternly lectured the short, black haired boy with all the weight that a father could muster.
"Yes Master." Yon sighed in a tone that was extremely reminiscent of Corvus's own sighs.
Corner of the mouth twitching, Corvus stared at the hologram of his apprentice, then saw the map of the current fleet compositions. The Republic forces were just about to head out, and Yon needed to get a move on.
"Alright Yon, this is it. I have great faith in you. Retain radio silence, and begin your mission."
"I'll do you proud, Master." Yon cheekily saluted, and then cut the call.
"Damned brat…may the Force be with you."