However, the disparity in strength was despairing. The B1 Battle Droids were endless; they knew no fear, felt no fatigue, and merely executed attack orders mechanically. The Destroyer Droids' shields were difficult for the guards' standard blasters to penetrate, and the defensive line was being compressed bit by bit.
"Your Majesty! The east corridor has fallen! The Captain of the Guard, he—he died in battle!" A guard, covered in dust and smoke, stumbled in to report, his arm pierced by a blaster bolt.
Nickrish's heart sank. The east corridor was a vital passage to the throne room and the inner living quarters. She gritted her teeth: "Abandon the outer defenses, retreat completely to the inner court! Use the narrow passages for close-quarters combat!"
She knew this was merely delaying the inevitable. Her gaze involuntarily turned to the overcast sky outside the window, and for the first time, she regretted the long-standing isolationist policy. If, if the Hapes Consortium had engaged with the outside world sooner and developed its military, perhaps it wouldn't be at the mercy of others today.
Just as Taa Chume City was embroiled in bitter fighting, reinforcements from other star systems in the Hapan Cluster—the Hapan Royal Fleet—finally completed their hyperspace journey and appeared at the edge of Hapes.
This fleet was considerable in size, with over a hundred warships, but its design style was completely different from the mainstream of the Galaxy. The most prominent among them were the Nova-class battlecruisers and the Hapes Consortium's most powerful warship, the Dragon-class.
(Note: These are indeed existing Hapan warships in the Star Wars Universe, and they have design flaws.)
"Taa Chume City is under attack, and the orbit is controlled by the Trade Federation. All warships, battle stations! Form an assault formation; we must tear open a path to support the ground!" Commander Rasha ordered decisively. She was a loyal supporter of Queen Nickrish and an experienced veteran. Although their equipment was inferior to the Trade Federation, their morale was high.
The Hapan Royal Fleet charged towards the Trade Federation's blockade like desperate cavalry. Turbo laser beams and missiles crisscrossed the star-filled void, instantly illuminating the dark Universe.
"General, a Hapan fleet has been detected at the edge of the system, attacking our outer defenses!" a B1 Commander reported.
"Hmph, a dying struggle. Detach two-thirds of the warships to intercept them. Don't let them disrupt our ground cleanup."
The Trade Federation's detached fleet immediately turned to engage the Hapan Royal Fleet. The battle quickly became one-sided. The Hapan warships' shields rapidly overloaded under the concentrated firepower of the numerous Trade Federation vulture droids. A Nova-class battlecruiser attempted to ram a Lucrehulk-class, succeeding in the end, but all its crew...
Commander Rasha maintained her composure while commanding from the Glorious, but cold sweat beaded on her brow.
"Order all ships not to engage directly, but to harass them with maneuverability! Buy time for the ground forces!" She knew the fleet had no chance in a direct confrontation and could only resort to this tragic delaying tactic, even if it meant their complete annihilation.
The ground battle lasted for a full day and night. The Hapan defenders paid a heavy price. Although they caused some trouble for the Trade Federation by using familiar terrain, the overall defensive line continued to shrink, eventually being compressed into the core area of the royal palace.
General Dourde decided the time was right. He did not order a general assault but instead dispatched an envoy led by a Tactical Droid (T-series) to the palace, requesting an audience with Queen Nickrish.
In the grand hall of the palace, Queen Nickrish sat on her throne. Despite her weary expression, she maintained her queenly dignity. She looked at the metal-headed envoy, who spoke with a synthesized voice, and suppressed the urge to order its destruction.
"Queen Nickrish," the Tactical Droid's cold mechanical voice rang out, "resistance is futile. To reduce unnecessary casualties, please order a cessation of all hostile activities and sign this power transfer agreement."
A B1 Battle Droid stepped forward, holding a datapad displaying a pre-drafted document. Its content was nothing more than Queen Nickrish voluntarily and temporarily transferring the supreme authority of the Hapes Consortium to Princess Taa Chume, who requested the Trade Federation to maintain order until the situation stabilized.
Nickrish looked coldly at the Tactical Droid, without a hint of submission. "Trade Federation lapdogs, do you think that with your metal contraptions, you can conquer a free people? Hapan people will never bow to invaders!"
The Tactical Droid spread its hands, feigning regret. "How stubborn. It seems we need to make you face reality." It gestured, and two B1 Battle Droids escorted in a disheveled Taa Chume, her hands bound.
"Mother..." Taa Chume looked up, her face a mix of fear, shame, and a hint of lingering ambition.
The Tactical Droid pointed at Taa Chume. "See, this is someone who knows how to adapt to the times. If you do not cooperate, I do not mind letting Her Highness, the First Princess, temporarily take over the government under'special circumstances.' Of course, this might require some less-than-peaceful means."
This was a naked threat. If Queen Nickrish did not cooperate, the Trade Federation would likely orchestrate an 'accident' to allow Taa Chume to legitimately ascend, at which point the Hapes Consortium would completely become a Puppet of the Trade Federation.
Nickrish looked at her disappointing eldest daughter, a flicker of pain in her eyes, but more so, determination. She slowly stood up, tidied her attire, maintaining the last vestiges of a Queen's dignity.
"Power comes from Legacy, not from the guns of invaders. You can occupy my palace, you can imprison my body, but you cannot conquer my will." She spoke each word distinctly, then fiercely knocked the datapad offered by the Tactical Droid to the ground.
"Since that is the case, then do not blame us for being impolite. Seize her!" The Tactical Droid commanded the nearby B1s.
The B1 Battle Droids swarmed forward. The remaining Royal Guards attempted a final resistance but were quickly subdued by the overwhelming numerical advantage. Queen Nickrish did not resist, allowing the robotic arms to seize her. Her gaze passed over the Tactical Droid, looking out at the smoke-filled city, her eyes filled only with regret, for she had lost her power.
Just as Dourde's plan was nearing completion, Kote, far away on Vadir, had already learned of everything, as the Second Princess's collaborator was still feeding her information.
"Duke Kote, what should we do? My people are being ravaged by the Trade Federation." Second Princess Sesia was extremely anxious.
Kote told her to calm down first.
"Don't worry, Sesayia, our fleet is already mustering. We will soon reach the Hapan Cluster. The Trade Federation is nothing to fear before Mandalore." Kote had made thorough preparations this time, not merely relying on vagary frigates and herculean-class transport ships.
This time, nearly a hundred battlecruisers had been stockpiled. Ten minotaur-class battlecruisers would be deployed to directly assault them with Yamato Cannon strikes.
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