Centerpoint Station
"Begin the next phase. It's time to bring the weapon online"
Troops moved along at a fevered pace, and scientists among them moving almost as if they were disciplined troops themselves. It was a day both exciting and nerve wracking.
Centerpoint Station was in shape, essentially a large sphere with two large cylinders coming out of each side. The artificial gravity was an old fashioned variety, kept by those cylinders constantly spinning at a high enough speed that centrivical force pushed the inhabitants within down along the curved floor. Gravity. It was strongest at the bottom levels, which were also the outermost levels. And in the very center of those cylinders, one would feel like they were floating. Or being pulled apart, as the case may be.
But in the center sphere, dynamics were different. The sphere did not spin like its two appendages. Nor was it inhabited. Its center held a bright ball of energy that was older than any Corellian alive today, and dozens of gravity-cones of various sizes, lined up to tap into the energy. A few rooms located in the outskirts of that massive sphere held control rooms to activate the various cones. And to reposition the station itself so that its cylinders would point at particular areas of the galaxy.
A yellow light was flashing throughout the station now, and those command and control rooms were filled with Corellian scientists, setting coordinates. The station began to rotate, its massive behemoth moving slowly, as other stations were checking in.
"Gravity Cones, Sectors 1-20, check in on status"
"Sector 1, active, 60%"
"Sector 2, active, 50%"
"Sector 3, active, 85%"
So on and so forth, they checked in, listing the power levels of their designated gravity cones. Slowly, each sector reported in that their cones were fully powered.
Loudspeakers throughout the station began to blare.
"Centerpoint, lockdown procedures are being initated in three minutes. Secure your locations. Repeat, lockdown procedures in three minutes"
Scrambling went faster as throughout the two cylinders, individuals made their way as quickly as possible to secured seating. No one was in the uppermost level of the station, restricted from access several hours ago and scanned for imperfections that could negatively impact the upcoming operation. All fighter craft had been secured as well.
Even the X-soldiers, down in the lower levels, were secured in their places.
Another announcement, blaring everywhere
"Centerpoint lockdown procedures are being initiated. Warning! Lockdown in 10 ...9...8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Lockdown has been initiated."
Each and every level and station of Centerpoint had its entrances sealed, as well as all ventillation systems. A lockdown that lasted too long could suffocate some in certain areas of the station, but most had gone to areas with more air available. No one could go much of anywhere now. Which was important.
"Lockdown initiation complete. Centerpoint coordinates have been established. M-12-G1B has been fixed. Beginning energizing procedure"
the cylinders on either side of the station had been moving at their normal high speed, establishing the G-1 standard gravity. Now though, they began to increase in speed. Round and round they went, increasing the gravity in both cylinders to 3Gs, 3x the force of gravity. Those in the cylinders, mostly trained troops, grasped onto their seats and bore the pressure with as little discomfort as they could manage. Systems to counter those G-forces could affect the operation, and therefore could not be used.
Even as the cylinders were speeding up, a round entrance way slid open in the very center/highest level, allowing free access from the sphere to the cylinders themselves. Lights changed from yellow to red as at the end of the cylinders, the observation windows also slid away, leaving the very core of Centerpoint exposed to space
"Target acquired. Acceleration complete. Energizing complete. Weapon ready for fire."
Inside the control room, a voice over the intercom, silent until now spoke
"Fire"
Buttons pressed, and that central point of energy in the center of Centerpoint's sphere grew brighter, a wave of energy going back and forth between the gravity cones before collecting and shooting out one end of the station, like a ball of fire or a laser, it leapt out and soared into space. The energy dimmed in brightness as it went away from the station, but its strength never diminished as it headed to reach the target. Inside the control room, a large screen lit up, a map of the coordinates, as compared to Centerpoint, tracing the energy beam as it moved.
Duro
The Imperial fleet had a steady war-patrol around Duro, their recent acquisition in the now declared war with the Corellian Confederation. At least a dozen imperial star destroyers guarded this planet that had cost them so much to win.
The head of the fleet, at least temporarily with Admiral Saevia gone, was Vice Admiral Repor. He was making his way to the bridge when he felt a sudden shaking of the ship. Disturbed, he picked up his pace to the bridge.
"Report"
"All appears normal sir. No sign of any activity"
"No one else felt the ship move?"
"We probably just hit some type of bump in the system's gravity. Systems have probably already compen ..."
Even as the lieutenant was finishing speaking, the ship tremored again, harder this time.
"Did something hit us?"
"No sir, negative. There's nothing out there"
"Find out what that was"
The ship tremored again, this time enough to trigger the alarm. And now the ship continued to shake.
"Sir - it seems. I don't know. There appears to be increase gravitational forces affecting the ship. We are getting reports from other vessels in the fleet of similar experiences. Some of our smaller ships are reporting structural damage"
The Vice Admiral shook his head.
"Order the fleet to disperse. I dont want any damage from one vessel affecting another. And move the fleet away from the planet"
"Yes sir. Sir, I am getting a report from the Activ. Sir, they've had a significant hull breach. It seems the ship just collapsed in on itself. Also, vessels don't seem to be able to move sir. In fact, it appears that whatever is pressing against the ship is stronger than our engines allow."
"That's impossible. hyperspace?"
"Too much gravitational interference to even try sir."
"Well figure out something. Where is it coming from?"
"Our sensors are showing it's not from the planet. It looks to be coming from the very middle of the Corellian sector."
"Get a message to Byss, indicating what we are finding, and tell them... tell them that we will be suffering from sever structural damage"
"Yes sir"
"And put all power into engines, moving us away from the fleet"
The command ship's thrusters lit up and slowly, though the vessel protested heavily, it began to move away.
"Order other vessels to move as far apart as they -"
His voice was cut off by a loud sound, tearing of metal, the entire ship shaking uncontrollably, everyone falling from where they stood.
"Admiral!"
The imperial fleet, using all its power to escape the invisible death grip closing around it, could not stand a chance. Gravity is something that is almost undefeatable. As the full power of the Centerpoint weapon reached Duro, the great imperial fleet literally began to crumple like foil, masses of metal imploding in on themselves.
The orbital platforms around Duro faired no better, as millions of the civilian populace -many still loyal to Corellia - died under its great weapon. On the the planet itself, the gravity had only slightly less effect, but massive earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occurred simultaneously, mountains formed and crashed in seconds where it would usually take centuries, waves lifting miles high and crashing hard on the shores.
Not ten minutes had passed.
Byss
Dementat received the message in his throne room, standing as he watched a video of the fleet playing, watching as his ships crumpled before the camera gave out. His eyes grew cold, darkening as fists clenched. Servants nearby cowed back in fear as electric energy seemed to coalesce around the emperor. The servant nearest to Dementat fell to the ground, blood spurting from orifices as he died from sheer proximity.
The emperor was angry. Angrier than he had been in a long long time. And as the power of the dark side coarsed through him, his only thought was on destruction. Destroy Corellia, it's weapon, Saga Judec. And torture whatever being it was that was playing him like a fool.
TBC
