Morale was high throughout the blockade, and there was much good humor particularly when depositing their goods on the IBC's Lucrehulk. Why shouldn't one be in good spirits, when one is becoming rich? Even the characteristcally stoic Muuns were laughing with the Brentaalan, Neimoidian and IMC crews, as they went about appraising each fleet's latest "haul." The endeavor eventually became something of a friendly competition; a gentlemen's game to see which fleet would bring in the most (and most expensive) goods. Not to be bested, Brentaal planned an elaborate operation of its own.

When the fleet noted one of many repulsortrains on Acherin, this one reported to carry an entire shipment of freshly-mined crystalline vertex, they waited to strike until the train was alone in the canyons outside of Sood (once pristine badlands that had since become littered with leaflets and literature dropped by the blockade). The CR90 corvette Cormond descended upon the train, its shields agitated by a pair of turbolaser turrets situated on the train's gun carriage, but not for long. A peppering of ion cannon fire from the Cormond quickly rendered the train immobile, and its laser cannons tore through the durasteel gun carriage with a vengeance, blowing it free from the rest of the train and sending it plummeting, in flames, to the ground below.

The Cormond's marines then rappelled onto the otherwise undefended train and went about seizing its cargo; crate upon crate of the rare, valuable mineral and checking each one for transponders or explosives. When the corvette was filled to its entire 3,000 ton capacity, it departed the planet once more and promptly deposited its cargo to the Lucrehulk, where the crew enjoyed a crate of champagne (seized earlier by the IMC) in celebration of a job well done, with no crewmen lost and no civilians killed. By the time the Pentastar Alignment's fleet appeared, however, the Cormond and the rest of the Brentaalan vessels were back in position--and already on alert, from the detection of Imperial ships on the edge of the system some hours prior (and the bizarre smoke signals detonated without explanation over Sood).

The Alignment vessels, which arrived between the right flank of Brentaal's fleet, and the left flank of the IMC's (with the Neimoidian fleet situated roughly on the opposite side of the planet), would notice Brentaal's first reaction was to fall back. The regal green-and-grey corvettes, and the star galleons in their charge (who quickly began deploying their compliments of Cloakshapes), would retreat outside of firing range and regroup for a counter offensive. "Agreed," replied the Captain of the Vuultin to the Neimoidian transmission. "We'll harry their perimeter, and perhaps the IMC can give us some starfighter support." The corvettes began forming for their first attack run. "Tally ho, gentlemen."

"Sir, coordination with communications and observation with the Brentaalan Fleet has revealed an enemy flotilla dropped from hyperspace. Enemy flotilla strength is registered at three Enforcer picket vessels, designed by Sienar and Kuat; one Imperial Star Destroyer, designed by Kuat; two Carrack-class Cruisers, designed by Damorian manufacturing; and one bulk cruiser, design unspecified according to databanks. Threat analysis places the Imperial Star Destroyer as the strongest vessel, but the combined attack power of the Enforcer-picket vessels are closely matched. Overall threat assessment places the InterGalactic Mining Core and her sister fleet (Brentaalan) severely outgunned."

"Sir, we're receiving a transmission from the Neimiodian flotilla; they are requesting that we skirmish with the intruders and await possible relief from the Republic."

"Gentlemen," Valentin approached the Communications console, "I don't need to remind you that this blockade is officially disbanded when the Republic arrives, which means that we aren't counting on their support. Besides, last best guess placed them at a timely distance, and the recent meteor problem on the Corellian Run means they will take longer to get here; we don't have relief coming."

"Sir, the Brentaalan fleet has requested starfighter support to help harry the perimeter and annoy the capital ships."

Pausing, Valentin considered his possibilities, then settled on what he considered the most effective plan. Since the force was so overwhelming one could assuming that their intention was to destroy the blockade and impose Imperial rule over Acherin--something that the local government might very well appreciate. Something that Valentin didn't. This also meant that they could expect an increase orbital remnant, perfect for the skirmishing maneuver brought to their attention by the Neimoidians.

"Communications, signal the Spartan and inform her to come come along the port side of the Daedalus. Helm, course change, full speed ahead, take us to interception range of the enemy flotilla; but keep us within an agreeable retreat ratio. Communications, signal the Trident to move to fringe distance and commence firing on the Imperial Star Destroyer. The Daedalus and the Spartan are to focus our firing solutions on the Carrack vessels--objective is to disable the vessels critically before moving to the Enforcers. Let's get rid of some of the weaker shielded vessels so that we can focus our firepower on the tougher opponent. Inform the Kensington to launch squadrons ten through fourteen to provide support and coordinate with the Brentalaan fleet. Then have the Kensington move to upper orbit. Alright gentlemen, the Trident is going to provide support as the Spartan and the Daedalus attack, the Kensington is our retreat vector, is that understood? Good; helm--engage"

The Spartan would already be within closing distance of the Daedalus and the two vessels would creep out to meet the opposing fleet, their own targeting resolutions fixated on the weaker Carrack vessels. The Trident would focus on the Imperial Star Destroyer, but the great distance between the vessel and the enemy flotilla would be so great that any shots fired would either be minimal in damage, or glance at best. For the Kensington's part, the cruiser simply opened her bay doors and release a flutter of mosquitoes that would form up and move towards the Brentalaan fleet, coordinating their own forces with whatever the planetary government had in mind.

Brentaal's old Star Galleons remained inconspicuously on the Imperial's far left flank, taking occasional, indiscriminate pot shots with their combined ten turbolaser cannons at any vessels that strayed within range, as well as loosing concussion missiles (of which, between them, there were over a hundred) at the respective Enforcers in the distance. Sure to hit hard. Within moments, the IMC's starfighters had circled the Imperials and arrived to reinforce the Galleons and run interference on any TIE's that might be thrown in their direction.

Meanwhile, Neimoidia's two Assassin-class corvettes had closed the distance from the opposite end of the planet, approaching the Imperial formation from the front and above. They used the opportunity to snipe at the dispatched landing craft (with both turbolasers and well placed concussion missiles), particularly at the walker barges which--both large and slow--made easy targets. The Assassins then settled into an attack pattern similar to Brentaal's, circling the formation like vultures and firing into it indiscriminately. Both the Neimoidian and Brentaalan corvettes would also assist each other in shooting at any TIE's that might harry them, the Brentaalan ion cannons proving particularly effective for this purpose.

The Neimoidians, reluctant to commit their largest cruiser to potential harm, kept their MC80 a distant shape on Acherin's horizon, well outside of effective firing range but still firing at odd intervals, their turbolaser lances glancing off the Achilles' shields without serious effect.

Of note, the confusion had the effect of finally dropping the blockade's communications jamming, all at once bombarding the Imperial ships with the combined transmissions of all of Acherin.

Summary
Both Brentaal's and Neimoidia's corvettes begin harrying the Imperial perimeter, firing at the ships within the formation (particularly the Enforcers) indiscriminately, and weakening their shields in anticipation of a concussion missile strike from Brentaal's two Star Galleons, situated inconspicuously on Rice's far left flank and also taking pot shots at anything within range. Also of note, the Assassins open fire on some of the Imperial landing craft, especially the walker barges.

“Inform her she’s granted reprieve, and she’s to pull out,” Valentin ordered. Although as the Imperial line moved closer to the planet, the Brisbane would be pushed back anyway, following orders to remain just within the firing circle—with outside effective firing range similar to the MC80, though closer than the Neimoidians. As the offensive line descended towards the lower-flotilla of the Imperial forces they would unload their respect payloads once targeting solutions had been optimized. The Spartan (Monterey) would release the heaviest load on one of the Carrack cruisers; firing two volleys of her concussion missile launchers (12 concussion missiles) in sync with one volley from her snap missiles (16 rapid acceleration missiles) and one volley from her cluster-tubes (2 cluster torpedos which would release a deadly spray of 30 missiles). The effects would undoubtedly be catastrophic for the smaller cruisers shields. Yet it was the missiles in unison with the 4 turbolasers that were positioned to fire forward that would lend the most severe of the punishment to the Carrack cruiser, with the Spartan holding in reserve the 8 stacked missile launches. Once two volleys had been launched, then the canons would begin to blaze at freewill, and the 8 reserved launchers would be fired at the bulk cruiser. Meanwhile, the Spartan’s three dual heavy turbolaser turrets would assist in attacking the bulk cruiser, opening up with the combined might of six turbolasers.

The E8 Enforcer Daedalus did not have such an impressive array of weaponry, yet was still more than a match for the other Carrack cruiser. With her four dual heavy turbolaser turrets opening up on the other vessel first, followed by a full spread of her eleven missile launchers (a total of 44 missiles). Both vessels were still coming straight at the lower-flotilla line of the Imperial forces, focusing there combined powers on the respective ships.

The Saratoga was out of firing range and out of combat, though she was also in communication with the fighters that were planet side assisting in the ‘apprehension’ of ‘sizeable goods with which to repay the loan of occupation that the InterGalactic Mining Core has generously assumed’. Of note, the InterGalactic Mining Core was taking no actions in stopping the transports from making it planetside, instead leaving that task for the much better positioned Neimoidian MC80. Or perhaps they were simply waiting for the Imperial formation to make it closer to the planet (where the Brisbane would be in effective firing range).

One of the Pickets, the Myrmidon would be hit with comparably less punishment than its two sister vessels, both of which glared white as their shields labored under the impact of the missile volley, then hot crimson as the projectiles exploded against their hulls, searing through durasteel, circuitry, and humanity, as the Spartan and Olympic became enveloped, momentarily, in flame. It was the Olympic that fared the worst, as one of its massive power generators was hit several times too many, and exploded spectacularly. At the very least, the ship would be crippled and operating on notably diminished power.

It was then that the Neimoidians had a sudden change of heart. Watching the battle unfold, and the near incapacitation of the Olympic, they saw not only destruction but also opportunity. The MC80 abruptly fired up its tremendous engines and steamed directly toward (and only slightly starboard of) the Imperial formation. As it drew nearer, it would devote the entirety of its turbolasers (48 of them, in all) at the Achilles, and the entirety of its ion cannons (20 batteries), at the unfortunate Olympic. Its intent was not to destroy either vessel, necessarily, but rather to disable the beleagured Picket Cruiser and damage the Achilles on the way (specifically, the Achilles' own bank of ion cannons).

Meanwhile, all of the corvettes continued their strafing runs relatively unmolested. They were too fast and too distant for the Imperial ships to realistically hit―without breaking their own formation, that is―and the TIE's mere laser cannons would have only a limited effect on their shields. Nonetheless, the Neimoidians and Brentaalans immediately answered the Imperial starfighters with their own; the MC80, now in the fight, had deployed its 24 B-wings and 12 X-wings, while Brentaal's 36 Cloakshape fighters deployed from the Star Galleons and joined the fray. All 72 of them would run interference for the corvettes (Assassins and CR90's alike), most likely making scrap of the TIE's, with their inferior shielding, weapons, speed, and maneuverability.

Summary
Brentaal's missile volley (over 100 strong), largely ignored by the Imperials, hits the Alignment's three Enforcer-class Pickets to devastating effect, especially the Spartan and Olympic, and especially the Olympic, which is nearly incapacitated. The Neimoidian MC80 joins the fight, firing its turbolasers on the Achilles and its ion cannons on the Olympic, and deploying its fighters to protect the corvettes. Brentaal likewise deploys its own fighters, also to protect the corvettes. All corvettes continue to strafe the Alignment's perimeter, largely unaffected by the Imperial vessels, which are too slow to effectively target them.

However, should the laser-cannons prove not to be on the ship (which instead would opt for an offensive capability of Ion Cannons) then the damage would be even heavier, and the ships would both undoubtedly be crippled. Nonetheless, the Carracks were either out of the fight, or else incapable of any real offensive attack.

Valentin smiled, directing his glance to the blue display. Green triangles were encompassing Red triangles, and in the mix of the foray was the two Green triangles that were the E8 and Monterey respectively. “Redirect fire, let’s bring the Enforcer alongside the Bulk Cruiser, Monterey to carry out sustained fire, prepare the last two volleys.”

Now that the element of surprise was over, the next two volleys of concussion missiles would be easier to intercept, but it was no matter. The E8 Enforcer would veer to the left away from the Carrack, positioning herself alongside the Bulk Cruiser where her massive dual heavy turbolaser guns would begin their punishment of the enemy shield system, followed by the laser canons on the left side opening up (5 in total).

The Monterey would release the last two volleys (12 missiles) at the Bulk Cruiser before her powerful dual heavy turbolasers in sync with her quad laser cannons and four heavy turbolasers opened up on the Bulk Cruiser.

Both vessels used their anti-starfighter weapons now, destroying the intercepting TIEs as they made their runs at the concussion missiles. Of note, the Enforcer had begun to sustain damage, although not significant. The Monterey’s powerful shields were holding strong—though now that the Imperial flotilla seemed focused on the InterGalactic Mining Core, this last segment of the blitzkrieg would be short lived.

As the MC80 made their debut within combat, the Brisbane would slow from her retreat and engage her powerful engines. Waiting until the Imperial Star Destroy had focused it’s guns on the equally powerful MC80 before the Brisbane would open up with her own guns, closing the distance to make an attempted Besand Manoeuvre on the distracted ISD.