Two men brought down the Old Republic. Two men ushered in an age of fear and repression, but also one of stability and order. As is so often the case, Great Men are not Good men. Through force of will and boundless ambition, the course of galactic history was warped and shaped, creating a period of chaos and change.
They acted as a pair of historical arsonists. The old establishments were stagnant and stale, choking the life from innovation and stalling the betterment of all sapient beings. Wiped away in the fires of war and conquest, only through their actions could new hope and new ideas flourish. Only with the death of the old ways could the galaxy reach a new golden age. One need only look at the myriad of benefits to us to see that the actions of these men created such resounding good. And yet, to those who lived through those times, that paid the price for the future, almost all would reject the price as too high.
Thus, it is important to explore the lives of these men. This treatise explores one such near skirmish they were involved in at their most vulnerable. For one brief moment, the two were unprotected but for each other. Two ships alone slipped through hostile space. Had word reached the rebellion in time, a small rebel strike force could have ended the empire in a moment had they attacked this convoy and prevailed. Yet, these two men were not defenseless. Had fate decreed battle, unless the spark of the new republic had sent overwhelming force that historians doubt they could have marshaled in time, the outcome remains in doubt. Historians love to explore the what-if scenarios relating to this engagement and endlessly ponder the outcome. This text does not seek to determine a definitive answer, only explore the combat capabilities at the disposal at the moment of greatest peril.
Order of Battle
Darth Vader, feared for his prowess in space combat, flew his personal TIE Advanced. This craft was rightly feared for its maneuverability and lethality, especially in the hands of an ace pilot. With an Advanced Targeting Computer, this craft was capable of inflicting grievous damage upon a target with precise strikes at key systems, but was too complex and finicky to ever see full implementation. Proton Rockets would have been his missile of choice at this time. Though only effective at extremely close range due to their lack of guidance, in skilled hands they could easily blow apart the symbol of the rebellion, the X-Wing. The pilot was known to be a bit of a Lone Wolf, suddenly becoming extremely effective when away from allied vessels.
Escorted by Lord Vader, Barrow Oicunn was the commander of a VT-49 Decimator known as the Dauntless. A Captain at the time, he was well known as a ruthless and effective commander. Willing to close to extremely close range with his larger vessel, using the bulk of the craft to break up attack runs and to inflict damage with point defense batteries. His vessel was equipped with an experimental Ion Projector. Point defense batteries were enhanced to interfere with enemy systems. The longer an enemy vessel remained in close proximity to this patrol craft, the more damage their electrical systems would suffer until finally the entire vessel would be rendered helpless. Captain Oicunn had perfect confidence in the crew of the Dauntless and showed an iron will at focusing on important tasks, even while collision alerts were blaring, thus allowing him to focus on his own tasks.
Captain Oicunn was known as a Predator and relentlessly drilled his targeting crew and weaponry officers until they were some of the finest in the fleet. Even against snub fighters, these crews excelled at dealing serious damage. The ship also employed a team of slicers and specially trained gunners to cripple and destroy vulnerable enemy systems. This group of highly trained professionals, known as a Saboteur team, would attempt to gain access to the enemy computers at close range and turn their own damage stabilization and repair systems against the ship. In such way, existing damage could become far more hazardous to the enemy vessel.
But it was not Captain Oicunn that would shape history; it was Emperor Palpatine. This former senator controlled the known galaxy and the largest military force in recorded history. He was renowned for his ability to inspire his men. While he was in system, all allied forces seemed to benefit in small ways. It is not known whether this was historical revisionism or some charismatic influence, but contemporary stories attribute his battlefield success with some mystical ability to influence the outcome of events.
The End of The Old RepublicYet, these were still but two vulnerable craft. The VT-49 class was known for its firepower and ability to operate independently, but it was also too large to avoid damage from space superiority fighters. Heavy armor and shields would keep the vessel safe under fire, but the class of ship would likely collapse under concentrated firepower. This is where Oicunn's tactics shined. Instead of attempting to avoid enemy fighters, he would force them to break away from combat by attempting to ram them. In such tight quarters, the ion projectors and point defense batteries would work in concert. As damage was inflicted upon the fighter by the point defense batteries, the ion projectors would temporarily shut down the engines of the ship, potentially trapping the vessel in a cycle.
Take the later Rebellion model E-Wing, such as that flown by Corran Horn. Capable of inflicting terrible damage and regenerate shields on a scale fast enough to impact a battle, it was rightly feared. Had one flown too close to the front of the Dauntless, its engines would have shut down and the ion projectors would have disabled the shield regeneration. The Dauntless could have slowed down and twisted upwards and around, keeping the E-Wing trapped. Too close to effectively engage, the E-Wing would have been helpless as the Ion Projector and point defense batteries ensured that the ship was destroyed. Indeed, the only way to save such a vessel would have been for the allies of the E-Wing to destroy the Dauntless before the near-in weaponry of the craft finished their butchers work.
Example:
Impending DoomIn this example, a theoretical Corran Horn, unsuspecting, crashes into the Dauntless. Ion Projectors activate and a die is rolled. On a HIT or CRIT result, Corran gets an Ion token. However, if the die is a BLANK or EYE, Emperor Palpatine can change the die to one of the positive results. As a result, Oicann can ensure that Corran is ioned. The two ships are touching so no shots are possible.
Actual DoomNext turn, Oicunn performs a 1 Forward maneuver, which does not clear. This does 1 damage to Corran Horn. The E-Wing must perform a 1-Forward, which crashes into Oicunn. Ion Projectors once more are activated and once more Emperor Palpatine ensures that an Ion Token is inflicted. Worse, because the maneuver is a White 1-Forward, R2D2 is unable to regenerate a shield. The Emperor can ensure that Corran remains locked down endlessly. Unless other rebel fighters can destroy Oicunn, Corran cannot escape the trap.
A single fighter escort may not seem like much but when that ship is piloted by a peerless ace, such support can be invaluable. Were the enemy forces to attempt to concentrate fire on the TIE Advanced escort instead of the Dauntless, Lord Vader can easily focus and evade. If he is outside of range of the Dauntless, he may positively modify both offense and defensive with his Lone Wolf training, which can easily lead to him avoiding even the heaviest of fire. With the Emperor's assistance, it is unlikely that such an attack would be successful. Truly, this Sith Lord was a terrible threat.
Oicunn was commanded to ensure the Emperor's survival. Attempting to flee at the first sight of the enemy would be counter to this goal, as faster fighters would quickly hunt down such a ship, unless it could jump to hyperspace prior to its destruction. The better tactic would be to trust in the shields and armor and rush the oncoming attack. If several enemy ships could be destroyed, the peerless escort can deal with the remaining enemy craft. Only if the Dauntless were severely crippled should the vessel seek distance and escape. Were the patrol craft be in under imminent threat of destruction, its best course would be to take flight and let Darth Vader attempt to destroy any remaining pursuit craft. As long as the emperor yet lives, the battle is not lost.
Alternate History
Records of the time are spotty and the exact configuration of the forces may have been slightly different. Would this have made a difference in the hypothetical outcome of such a force? The Saboteur team may have been elsewhere at the time. Around the same time, an extremely valuable Rebel Captive was being transported. A powerful lure to the rebellion, but would any dare attack the ship carrying such a hero? Would that act as incentive or deterrent?
Some records indicate that the Dauntless itself might have been elsewhere at the time. An unnamed and unknown VT-49 might not feel as solid to Captain Oicunn and he might not have been able to fight it as well in close quarters. Further, such a ship might carry a different set of ordnance to supply to the TIE Advanced escort. Would Vader have been more effective with Cluster Missiles or Homing Missiles?
Vader was well known as an executioner and Opportunist. Instead of focusing his might when apart from his support, he might well have waiting for the right moment to strike, blasting apart enemy ships with a well placed strike. On several recorded occasions it was recorded that he destroyed an X-Wing in a single well placed volley.
Example: The TIE Advanced only has 2 Attack dice. Range 1 allows a third die to be added. Advanced Targeting Computer can add an additional Crit result. Opportunist would allow a 4th full die. With Focus and the Emperor's assistance, the result can easily become HIT HIT HIT CRIT CRIT, an extremely potent result for a ship with 2 attack dice. However, it should be noted that the TIE Advanced does not have the best dial for removing the stress from such an attack. Further, because no other friendly ships can shoot before Vader, it is unlikely that the enemy ship will find itself without focus/evade. Worth exploring, but risky.
The variations are endless. It is difficult to understand Darth Vader's skill as it often outshone so many other notable pilots. Some will point to Lord Vader and comment on his Predatory instincts as why he excelled so much. Other simply chalk it up to him being a Crackshot. Others suggest that perhaps it was his Veteran Instincts that let him flawlessly predict and counter the moves his opponents would make.
Similarly, Captain Oicunn is just as difficult to pin down. Was his Predatory instincts the foundation of his success? Did his mere presence cripple his opponents through sheer Intimidation? Perhaps his fundamental Determination allowed him to ignore personal injury to complete his mission.
Conclusion
The Battle That Never Was passed with both men reaching the safety of a much larger fleet. It would be years before the two men would meet their end under the combined assault of the greatest rebel heroes and largest rebel fleet ever assembled. Untold millions would lose their lives on both sides before the future would finally be forged by the survivors of the crucible of war. Still, even had such a battle taken place, it seems likely that the two men could have protected themselves and been victorious against any standard rebel strike team that might have been mustered on short notice and been in place to intercept them Emperor and his staunchest protector.
One thing is for certain, these two craft represent a threat well outside the meager numbers they possess. This is a threat that cannot be discounted. Lay historians will debate the viability of any ambush the rebels were to lay for these ships. How would such an attack change the outcome of the entire Galactic Civil War?
Further, we must remember that history comes with the burden of underestimating the cost paid for the long term benefits that become so apparent as time wears on. Entire planets ceased to be, but the result would find many new worlds colonized and the standard of living improved for the myriad throngs. These men did great evil. They did so because they wanted to forge an empire and to accrue personal power. They sought to make all bend to their will. And for a time, against all expectation or reason, they succeeded. They did not destroy the aging bureaucracies and stalled social order to improve the lives of several generations later, they did so for their own reasons. How, then, should be judge them?
