[h2][b]Falul 'Taham - The [i]Immaculate Aegis[/i][/b][/h2]

[hr]

Falul did not reply to McKay directly, but he did spare just a moment to think on his suggestion. The [i]Aegis[/i] did have ample communications infrastructure for the task, as it was designed to be able to coordinate entire planetary invasions, though he was still naturally distrustful of these machines. However, their enemy was numerous and powerful, and this was not a battle they were guaranteed to win by any means. They would need to exploit any advantages they could gain. 

Falul opened the communications interface to his ship’s AI, which, in this case, would also be contacting Isaac. Though, he had little doubt that the AI was keeping up with what was happening. “If you believe you can controls these machines, AI, then do it.” He agreed. The machines of this local fleet had performed poorly in the battle thusfar, and they seemed to have little tactical ability. In all of his experiences fighting with, and against, Human forces of his own universe, he could admit that they were well-coordinated. 

Meanwhile, in the battle itself, the lead Assimilator’s shields fell even more quickly than Falul had expected, directly because of the [i]Blathriin-Va’s[/i] contributions. Falul had been aware of the basics of the ship’s design, based on the information they had shared to one another. He was aware that it was built with advanced technology, and that it had weapons intended to be effective against energy shielding. However, that knowledge had not communicated exactly [i]how[/i] effective it would be. It was able to breach the chield of the Assimilator, even before the [i]Aegis’[/i] energy projector was finished charging. Acting quickly, Falul ordered the primary weapon be re-targeted to the central structure of the now-unshielded ship. The Assimilator was built with far better armor than the Venators surrounding it, but the energy projector was a weapon that could glass planets. Without its shields protecting it, the beam carved straight through the ship. Its structure held together better than the Venators and was not completely torn apart by secondary explosions, but it was crippled and vulnerable. Already, turbolasers from the Separatist fleet were barraging the hull, and the [i]Aegis[/i] had launched a volley of plasma torpedoes to finish it off. 

“Withhold your nuclear device, Colonel.” Falul said quickly, switching his active communications channel to both the [i]Daedalus[/i] and [i]Blathriin-Va[/i]. “We can destroy this one quickly enough ourselves. If the [i]Blathriin-Va[/i] can pierce their shields so quickly, then my new orders are for your two ships to work in tandem. Target the other Assimilators. The [i]Blathriin-Va[/i] shall pierce their shields, and the [i]Daedalus[/i] shall quickly transport a nuclear device aboard to destroy them. The rest of our fleet shall support you, defend your ships, and focus fire when possible to attempt to overwhelm the shields of any Assimilator you are not currently targeting. If we can destroy their greatest threats quickly enough, then we may turn the battle to our advantage.”

Falul moved to the holographic display of the ongoing battle and began using the holograms to begin plotting out ship positions and maneuvers, not only of his own vessel, but of the Separatist fleet as well. The [i]Aegis[/i] was deep within their formation, so the Imperials had, thusfar, had difficulty focusing on specific portions of his ship’s shields from a distance. His lack of communication with the droid fleet had prevented him from applying any complex strategies or maneuvers with them, but now that Isaac was in control of the droids, Falul could have those maneuvers executed precisely. He could move his own ship more aggressively, which would be needed if he wanted to preserve as many allied ships as possible. The Imperial fleet had already destroyed several Separatist ships, and if they could not turn the tide quickly enough, then there would be no allies left for them to save.

Soon enough, Falul presented his battle plan to Isaac. “Bring the ships under your command into this formation. Prioritize the ships with the strongest remaining shields in front.” He ordered. For this situation, Falul was using his best defensive tactics. The remainder of the fleet would move into a tighter formation, surrounding the [i]Aegis[/i] on all sides. Vessels with the strongest remaining shields would start in the front, then, as they took damage, would start to maneuver around and behind the [i]Aegis[/i] for cover to lift pressure from them and allow them to recover their own shields. The [i]Aegis[/i] would take its turn absorbing the damage, before another set of ships took their places at the front. The precisely coordinated formation, constantly maneuvering and re-positioning in and among themselves, was intended to get the most out of every bit of shield strength they had. Covenant shields were fast-charging, and with a fleet entirely of Covenant ships, these maneuvers could make it quite difficult for the enemy to place enough focus on any individual section of shielding to break through to the hull. Falul recognized that the shields of the Separatist ships would not charge as quickly, and so the strategy would not remain effective for as long, but it would still buy the most time and preserve the most allied ships. 

“Captain Yiithren, the Imperials will identify your ship as a priority target.” Falul warned. “Use my vessel for protection. Expose yourself only when needed to deplete the enemy shields. Do not concern yourself with applying any follow-up damage to the hull. Just keep your ship intact.”