Preservator

''"She's an old ship but she's mean." - Admiral Kilgrath  ''

The Preservator was an Imperial Harrower class Dreadnought and the flagship of the Sith Preservation in the service of the Sith Empire. It saw action throughout the Great Galactic War, Cold War and Galactic War, before it was destroyed during the battle of Ashfall Pass.

Service History
Darth Nexuth, the founder of the Sith Preservation, wanted a flagship to server as a monument to his power and so in 3700 BBY the Preservator was ordered. Construction began in 3698 BBY at the Taerab Starship Manufacturing and was built to the same specifications as the other vessels of its class. After some delays the Preservator was finally launched in 3688 BBY. It would spend the next 3 years on trails, where an issue with the shielding was discovered, causing them to deactivate when the ship turned to right. This was quickly rectified. During this time the Preservator found its first captain - Captain Rance Vikter.

Great Galactic War (3681 BBY - 3653 BBY)
The Preservator saw its first action in the opening stages of the Great Galactic War at the Battle of Korriban as part of massive Imperial Armada tasked with retaking the Sith homeworld. As part of the reserve the Preservator did engage the Republic forces directly but its Supremacy class fighters scored 37 kills with the loss of only 2 ships.

After the capture of Korriban, the Preservator was along with the rest of the Imperial Armada attacked Sluis Van. The battle was won without the dreadnought even firing its main guns. Again the fighting was done with its complement of fighter ships and bombers, which destroyed several ground targets and enemy fighters in and around the shipyards. Only a single fighter was shot down.

Late 3681 BBY the Preservator joined the Blockade of the Rimma Trade Route. But the Republic fleet managed to break the Imperial blockade and regain control of the vital trade route, during Second Battle of the Seswenna sector in 3780 BBY

By 3678 BBY, the Preservator was stationed in orbit around Korriban and Darth Nexuth had grown impatient and displeased by the Preservator's lack of direct combat and pleaded with the Dark Council to allow his vessel to lead an assault against. He would be in luck because the rogue Sith Apprentice Exal Kressh had sent word for the Republic to attack the planet. Heavy fighting erupted both on the planet's surface and in orbit. The Imperial and Republic Navies engaged each over at near point-blank range. The Preservator fought off several attempted bombing runs by Republic bombers. Having got behind a Thranta class corvette, the dreadnought proceeded to rake the the smaller vessel with its massive quad laser cannons and proton torpedoes, with great effect. It would go onto destroy 2 more corvettes and severely damage another. The Preservator's crew suffered 23 dead and 51 wounded, the majority occurred when a damaged fighter crashed and exploded in the port side hanger bay. 28 fighters and 6 bombers were also lost during the battle.

The Preservator was later part of the initial force that launched the invasion of Balmorra. B28 bombers flying from it's hanger struck at key Balmorran military targets, whilst it's guns took part in the bombardment of other positions.

In 8671 BBY the war was ground into a stalemate with the outer rim falling to the Sith Empire and the Republic digging in to defend the core worlds. The Preservator fought in the Third battle of the Seswanna Sector a decisive Imperial victory.

That same year the Galactic Republic scored what is likely their only major victory of the war at the first Battle Bothawui which saw the entire Imperial force annihilated. The Preservator narrowly avoided the same fate due to a hyperdrive malfunction which prevented the ship from joining the battle. But the Dreadnought did take part in the Second Battle of Bothawui, which was the bloodiest battle of the war. The Empire's initial plan was to bombard the planet from orbit due to the massive planetary shield in place it forced a change in tactics. The Republic fought hard and the Preservator game under heavy ground fire and suffered severer damage Many of its guns were knocked out as was its shield generators and upper and starboard hanger were also takeout. Of the 2400 crew members 431 were killed and 911 wounded, including 42 officers. Captain Vitker was amongst the dead. The Second Battle of Bothawui was ultimately a draw and the Empire was forced to withdraw.

The Preservator went under extensive repairs for the two years being repaired and refitted. Captain Verna Loom was became the new commanding officer during this time. She would command the dreadnought at the Battle of Alderaan in 3667 BBY. The Preservator took part in the bombardment of the Alderaanian cites. Elements of the Preservator's troop complement took part in the ground assault including the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Preserver Regiment of which there were 5 companies each comprising of 150 men. Despite the early success the battle turned to a defeat for the Sith Empire. The Preservator was used to cover the retreating Imperial forces. 23 Marines were killed and 65 wounded.

In 3665 BBY the Preservator took heavy damage during the Battle of Hoth, 187 crew members were killed and 342 were wounded. 18 fighters and 8 bombers were destroyed. After the battle the ship received a new captain after Loom was promoted and Captain Layton Dritch took over. Dritch's would only command for four months because of a disagreement with Darth Nexuth resulted in his immediate electrocution. Yerlan Fog was appointed Captain.

The Republic once again attacked Korriban in 3660 BBY, in a series of attacks into the Seat of the Empire. The Preservator was again fight above the Sith home world. Due to an unfortunate clerical error all of the Preservator senior officers were on leave in Kaas City, including Captain Fog and the XO a Commander Clints. The command was assumed by a 22 year old Lieutenant Wilfrud Victus. The during the earlier stages of the battle the dreadnought found itself assailed from above and the behind by a the Valor class cruiser Tranquillity and 2 Thranta class corvettes plus several dozen Liberator class starfigters. If not for the timely intervention Agamemnon a Terminus class destroyer under the command of Commodore Brenton Kilgrath (future Admiral and would later serve aboard the Preservator), the dreadnought would surely have been lost. With the support of the Agamemnon the Preservator was able to destroy the corvettes and force the cruiser to withdraw.

The Republic fleet retreated and was pursued by the Imperials and engaged near Ziost. After a 30 day battle the Republic again withdrew. Lieutenant Victus was promoted remained Acting Captain and the Preservator joined the defence of Ashas Ree, which saw the Republic beat back again and flee to Serenno. Darth Malgus, determined to capture or kill Jedi Master Ven Zallow launched an assault on the planet. Despite being weakened and undermanned from the recent had string of battles, the Preservator played a key role in bombarding Republic positions. Serenno fell to the Sith Empire but Zallow escaped.

Down to only 30 operational starfighters and 11 bombers and without chance to refit and rearm, the Preservator was ordered to support the Reconquest of Ord Radama. To the crews relief the ship remained in reserve.

Finally by the end 3659 BBY the Preservator was allowed to return to Dromund Kaas whilst escorting two Gage class transports. But on its journey it came under attack by Republic corvettes. The dreadnought fought off the Republic ships and two separate boarding attempts. These left the Preservator bloodied and battered but it was able to reach the Imperial capital. Over the course of the Rim Campaign the Preservator suffered over 1300 causalities and nearly all of its fighters. Lieutenant Vitcus, who was wounded during the second boarding attempt, died on the shuttle down the Kaas. 3 days before his 23rd birthday.

The Great Galactic War came to an end with the Sacking of Coruscant in 3653 BBY and Darth Nexuth personally commanded Preservator the battle. Under the overall command of Darth Angral the Imperial Navy began brutal and merciless bombardment of the Republic Capital. There was no discretion between military or civilian targets. B28s launched strafing runs,dropping incendiary bombs on to the streets. The Preservator's shuttles dropped marines and infantry into the city, to support the assault on the Senate Building. During the course of the battle the Preservator destroyed several vessels trying to escape. In a matter of hours, Ven Zallow and 6 other members of the Jedi Council were dead as was Chancellor Berooken. With the Republic Capital in Imperial hands the Great Galactic War came to an end after 28 years. The Preservator stayed as part of the occupying forces until the terms of the Treaty of Coruscant were finalised.

Cold War (3653 BBY - 3642 BBY)
After the signing of the Treaty of Coruscant the SIth Empire and Galactic Republic entered a standoff and a series of proxy wars. Darth Nexuth had the Preservator removed from the main Imperial battle line. Wishing to consolidate his growing power and that of the Sith Preservation he had his forces construct a temple on Yavin 4 and held the Preservator in orbit as a monument to his strength. He deployed the dreadnought where he saw fit or when directly ordered by the Dark Council. One such occasion the ship was sent to support Imperial forces against the Balmorran resistance. 3650 BBY Air strikes launched from the Preservator's hanger bays struck at multiple encampments.

Galactic War (3642 BBY - 3636 BBY)
By 3642 BBY the Treaty of Coruscant had been broken and a the galaxy was once again plunged into war. The Preservator was immediately sent to reinforce the defence of the Maelstrom Prison after it was attacked by a Republic strike team. Unfortunately it arrived to late to stop the Republic victory which saw the death of Grand Moff Rycus Kilran.

The Preservator joined the Invasion of Taris in 3642 BBY and took part in the brutal bombardment of the Republic positions.The following year the Sith Empire invaded Belsavis. Again the Preservator took part in an orbital bombardment, damaging large portions of the huge prison built on the planet. The battle led to the release of the Dread Masters. Something which would greatly interest Darth Nexuth

During the Battle of Corellia (3641 BBY) a Republic strike team manged to infiltrate the Preservator was infiltrated by members the Republic special forces using captured shuttles, they landed in the port hanger. Despite destroying 39 ships they failed to cause any significant damage and the Republic soldiers were rounded up and forced to step out of the hanger bay by Darth Arcurtad and Preserver Guard.

The Preservator was soon recalled to Dromund Kaas because the Republic had struck a devastating blow and seemingly killed the Sith Emperor Vitiate. The dreadnought engaged the Republic rearguard as it withdrew managing to destroy a Valor class cruiser.

Darth Nexuth in an attempt to increase the power and influence of the SIth Preservation began preparations to build the Preserver Fleet, acquired the highly decorated Admiral Brenton Kilgrath. Kilgrath, temporarily removed from command due to his disagreement in the Empire's use of its dreadnoughts. Admiral Kilgrath appointment immediately reformed the crew of the Preservator, some of whom had become lazy and ill disciplined. He started by removing the then captain, Tomas Nictos and promoted Elislil Motfai to the position.

The Preservator supported the Imperial efforts on Makeb (3638) but due to the conditions on the planet it was unable to send many shuttles with troops to the surface with only a single 2 shuttles landing a platoon each.

After the Dread War of 3638 BBY, Darth Nexuth had begun collecting Dread artefacts. He had soon become paranoid and unstable, turning the Preservator into a mobile fortress. The Architects of the Sith Preservation became distrustful of their leader but still the Preservator continued its service and in 3637 BBY fought at the battles Rishi and Yavin 4 during the Revanite Crisis.

Battle of Ashfall Pass (3637 BBY)
Having finally decided to act the Architects staged a coup against Nexuth, having brainwashed his elite Preserver Guard including its leader Darth Arcurtad, escaped and left two of the Architects dead and the Temple at Yavin 4 destroyed.

Taking responsibility for their erstwhile leaders action the Sith Preservation launched a massive task force know as Operation Veto to begin the hunt for Nexuth, who was soon found at Ashfall Pass on Belsavis. The Cult of Nexuth had placed a shield around a throne which prevented orbital bombardment. With Admiral Kilgrath in command of the naval elements he ordered the 5 dreadnoughts to covered the troop lands. The sudden arrival of a Republic fleet caused a huge battle to erupt in the sky above Ashfall. The heavier ships continued to protect the transport vessels. B28 bombers from the Preservator hangers knocked out the Republic cruiser Formidable and its guns destroyed a Thranta class Corvette.

In the late evening after several hours of concentrated fire and strikes from Republic bombers the Preservator's shields failed and the engines were knocked out. Despite, Admiral giving the crew the order to abandon ship, most stood fast and only the wounded were evacuated. With its guns still active the Preservator opened fire on every enemy ship in sight, destroying a corvette and forced and the cruiser Justice to quite the battle. But eventually the dreadnought succumbed to the eminence damage. A rescue attempt was made by Captain Jerdnik Kilgrath of the Revenge, a Terminus class destroyer, but the Republic fire was too great and the Revenge had to fall back. Of the 2400 crew members, 556 were evacuated the rest died with the Preservator including Admiral Brenton Kilgrath and Captain Motfai. Both of whom were posthumously awarded the Imperial Medal of Honour.

The destruction of the Preservator and the Battle of Ashfall Pass was the single greatest loss in the history Sith Preservation. To honour the fallen the new Master Preserver Darth Jemorri commissioned a new flagship which he named Preservator II.

 

Armament &Complement
Harrower class Dreadnoughts severed as the backbone of the Imperial Navy. Heavily armoured and armed to the teeth a Harrower could dominate just about every ship in the known galaxy. The Preservator was no exception. Armed with turbo lasers, quad lasers, ion cannons, proton torpedoes and concussion missiles the Preservator punished its enemies on multiple battlefields spanning 3 wars and over 50 years.

As well as its many armaments the Preservator was able to carry 7300 troops using the 35 Assault Shuttles to deploy them. Several regiments were stationed permanently aboard the dreadnought throughout its service:

1st Battalion, 1st Marine Preserver Regiment.

2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Preserver Regiment.

1st Battalion 2nd Marine Preserver Regiment

B Troop Preserver Artillery

D Troop Preserver Artillery

Rancor Company of the Preserver Guard Centurion Company would only be present if Nexuth was aboard.

The Preservator was also able to deploy Mark VI Supremacy class starfighters of which there was 95 and for heavier attack there were the 32 B28 Extinction class bombers. There was also a single Fury class Interceptor for Nexuth's private use.  

Captains
Over the course of it's 51 year history had many captains 3 of whom died as a result of battle.

Rance Vikter † - 3688 BBY - 3671 BBY

Verna Loom - 3671 BBY - 3665 BBY

Layton Dritch † - 3665 BBY - 3665 BBY

Yerlan Fog - 3665 BBY - 3660 BBY

(Acting Captain) Wilfrud Victus †  - 3660 BBY - 3659 BBY

Darth Nexuth took over as the de-facto captain for the remaining years of the G.G.W - 3659 BBY - 3653 BBY

Julius Drago - 3652 BBY - 3542 BBY

Tomas Nictos - 3642 BBY - 3639 BBY

Elislil Motfai † - 3639 BBY - 3637 BBY

Admiral Brenton Kilgrath was the first to be given the role of Admiral of the Preserver Fleet and held that role from 3639 BBY until his death at the Battle of Ashfall Pass 3637 BBY. The Preservator served as the flagship of the fleet and at the time of its destruction was the only vessel. The idea of a Preserver Fleet would be fulfilled by Nexuth's successor Jemorri.

Great Galactic War:
Korriban 3681 BBY, Sluis Van 3681 BBY, The Seswenna Sector 3680 BBY, Korriban 3678 BBY, Balmorra Invasion 3672 BBY, The Seswenna Sector 3671 BBY, Bothawui 3671 BBY, Alderaan 3667 BBY, Hoth 3665 BBY, Korriban 3660 BBY, Ziost 3660 BBY, Ashas Ree 3660 BBY, Serenno 3660 BBY, Ord Radama 3660 BBY, Coruscant 3653 BBY.

Balmorra Campaign 3650 BBY

Galactic War:
Maelstrom 3642 BBY, Taris 3642 BBY, Belsavis 3641 BBY, Corellia 3641 BBY, Dromund Kaas 3641 BBY, Makeb 3638 BBY, Revanite Crisis 3638 BBY