SECOND BATTLE OF WHITEWHARF
The Second Battle of Whitewharf was a major space battle in which the Imperial Jade Navy and allies retook the solar system of Whitewharf, which had been assaulted and occupied by Justicars of the Veronis Tribunal approximately two weeks prior.
Although numerically inferior to the defending fleet, the allies made use of the Sun Wukong to tactical effect, scattering the defenders and allowing them to be defeated in detail. The battle resulted in the recapture of the solar system, paving the way for a planetary invasion to recapture the planet of Whitewharf. BACKGROUNDBased on long-standing territorial claims, the Veronis Tribunal launched a surprise attack on the Jade colony of Whitewharf, killing several hundred thousand civilians and forcing a mass evacuation of the planet.
Although the Jade Empire was preoccupied with a succession crisis, a reaction force assembled at the Orchard System. The force contained a dozen capital ships and was commanded by Admiral Victoria Nighthorse, and was supported by the 31st Icebear marine regiment. It was reinforced unexpectedly by Admiral George Chase with the Sun Wukong. The IJN detachment was joined by a quartet of Imperial Nalydian cruisers, Minevan ground assault troops aboard three transports, and 14 warships from the Carnaithian Omniversal Empire. Meanwhile, the Justicars had stationed 49 warships, a trio of orbital defense platforms, and significant ground forces at Whitewharf. Also present were ten vessels from House Jaros, present to discuss a potential contract alliance. INITIAL APPROACHDropping out of FTL at the edge of the system, the IJN arrived with a flood of Goldstar Drones which created facsimile readings of approximately 6,000 additional warships. The allied fleets demanded the unconditional surrender of the defenders, which was refused.
The Justicar fleet was split into multiple battlegroups throughout the system, with a core force over the planet itself. The three orbital platforms and the Jaros ships were also stationed with the core force. Under the impression that their ships were vastly outnumbered, the Justicars were unable to concentrate their forces, although in reality all the allied ships were drawn up in a single thrust against the planet. FIGHTER STRIKEA mixed force of approximately forty small fightercraft left the allied formations, accompanied by drones which inflated their numbers. On approach to the Justicar orbital stations, the real fighters simulated their own destruction, powering off and drifting their approach before reactivating at a pre-arranged time to open fire at close range.
This strike was successful, causing significant damage to the Justicar fleet despite casualties among the fighter force. FIGHTINGThe bulk of the allied fleet advanced rapidly, exchanging long-range fire with the defenders. A mix-up led to the House Jaros contingent failing to take position, and the surviving Justicar ships over Whitewharf were quickly overwhelmed or forced to fall back by the attacking fleet.
|
The Sun Wukong, along with multiple other allied ships, took heavy fire during this approach and its ability to maintain the Goldstar Drone network was compromised, but by this time it was too late for the Justicars to rally and counter-attack. Instead, a trio of Justicar ships stayed behind in an attempt to hold off the allied fleet whilst the remaining vessels withdrew, some of them not having seen any combat. The three Justicar ships were sunk, two of them crashing onto the planet below.
The Jaros contingent subjected itself to heavy fire in order to successfully land its own ground forces on the planet, but was then quickly overwhelmed. Critically damaged, the Jaros battleship accelerated to ram the Sun Wukong, resulting in its own destruction and significant damage to the Sun Wukong which rendered it mission killed.
The Jaros contingent subjected itself to heavy fire in order to successfully land its own ground forces on the planet, but was then quickly overwhelmed. Critically damaged, the Jaros battleship accelerated to ram the Sun Wukong, resulting in its own destruction and significant damage to the Sun Wukong which rendered it mission killed.
AFTERMATH
Although nearly a third of the allied fleet had been damaged or sunk, they forced the defenders to withdraw amid heavy casualties, regaining control of the system for the Jade Empire. This put the IJN in a position to begin launching a planetary invasion with the aim of eliminating the Justicar ground forces there and rescuing any Jade civilians still present.
The IJN took captured seven Justicar ships, as well as thousand of personnel. The House Jaros personnel were, save for several dozen senior officers, transported to a neutral system and handed over to House Jaros representatives, whilst the Justicar prisoners and their vessels were secured and transported to Jade territory.
The IJN took captured seven Justicar ships, as well as thousand of personnel. The House Jaros personnel were, save for several dozen senior officers, transported to a neutral system and handed over to House Jaros representatives, whilst the Justicar prisoners and their vessels were secured and transported to Jade territory.