Star Wars: Episode VIII: The New Threat

[Paendragon]

Duu'Raan

"Master Duu'Raan," came through the comlink on the wall. The old Jedi Master reached out with the Force to activate it.

"Yesssss, Commander?"

"Darth Azreal has asked to speak with you," came the reply.

"Put usss through, Commander."

He waited for the connection. The comm beeped, and he spoke. "Master Azreal, thissss is Duu'Raan. You wished to speak with me?"

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

"Now? We get these weapons to as many of the people who are fighting as we can, then we lead them to the hangar. And we do so as quickly as possible," I responded, already moving toward the door.
I handed the Queen one of the hand blasters. She looked at it as though she'd never seen one before.
"Time to leave your innocence behind, Your Highness," I stated.
She nodded, tightly gripping the weapon.
"Don't think," I instructed. "Just aim and shoot."
She nodded again, then followed Makkern and I out the doorway, leaving the girl inside, already wearing her armor, and placing a metal helmet on her head.
I was starting to wonder if letting this girl loose had been the best of ideas. Obviously, she's had some training, but what was she using it for?
Too late now.
A minute or so later, I was back with the battle, the Queen and Makkern close behind, the Queen firing over my shoulder at the enemy, and Makkern lugging the weaponry to where we'd left from.
He dropped the items on the ground in a pile and shouted, "Come and get armed!"
A few were already captured, and some bodies lay lifelessly on the ground by then.
I ignited my lightsaber, stepping forward as two of the guard came at us, responding to the sound of Makkern's voice.
Two on one, but with my saber, I felt more confident. A blaster bolt caught the first before he reached me, sending it down with an injured leg. The other drew its whip and struck out at me.
I twirled the blade in my hand, severing the whip in half, then advanced, stepping in with my left foot, then turning around and attacking backhand, severing the Dracuurian's head off.
As the injured one attempted to stand again, another bolt caught it in the chest and sent it the rest of the way down. i glanced back, seeing the Queen poinitng her blaster in that direction, and nodded.
SHe nodded back, then turned to fire on another enemy.
She and Makkern and a few others were providing good support to those coming in for weaponry.
This the others reacted to, coming closer, thier eyes lighting up. They were realizing we stood a chance, even with out numbers depleting rapidly.
Our opponents hadn't had enough time to truly react yet, and I was realizing that the guards weren't that high in number. Arrogance would spell thier loss here, the issue was, once the soldiers were brought in...?
We needed to move even faster if we were going to make it out of the system without all of us being shot down.
A few more seconds and...
"Behind you!" Makkern's voice, and I turned, lifting my saber in time to parry a strike from one of the leathernecks.
Before I could counterattack, the creature was tossed aside, landing on its right, by some unseen source. Makkern stepped forward and shot the guard dead.
I turned to see Master Binx standing there, his own lightsaber in his hand, but I knew he'd used the Force to move the guard.
"HId your weapons?" I asked.
He nodded, then pointed behind me, where many of those who'd been fighitng when we exited the shed were now collecting weapons from Makkern.
"The hangar?" I asked him.
He nodded, "Now's the time."
"Makkern, lead us to the hangar."

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Darth Azraiel

“Yes master Duu’Rann. My ship is in orbit and awaiting my instructions to land and pick me up. It is cloaked, so don’t be too surprised that you have not detected anything. Once they land I will be leaving for an old Sith homeworld, so hopefully in time I may return and we can continue the discussion that we started 8 years ago. I have not forgotten my dream.
Someday the Sith and Jedi will be able to walk down a street & at least respect each other, if not even be friends. Thank you for your hospitality, and I hope to return soon. I am transmitting coordinates now, & will be on the landing pad awaiting my ship. Good day, Master Duu’Rann, and May the Force be with you.”

 

[Paendragon]

Aela

She trailed behind the Jedi woman toward the hangar, not sure whether her own cargo ship was still there or not. She hoped so. Like any good pirate she had modified it beyond it usual capabilities, including four additional proton torpedo launchers and an engine upgrade. If any of these prisoners knows there way around a weapons turret they should be in good shape for a fight.

She unloaded blaster fire at a guard who came around the corner, taking him down. But, oddly enough, their weren't any more visible. She couldn't help but be filled with a sense of dread. If the guards weren't coming after them...

"Careful," she called out to the Jedi. "Last time I stopped seeing guards when I was escaping..."

She was cut off by a scream from the rear of the group. By the time she spun around, two prisoners were down, and their attacker was nowhere in sight.

A cold chill, crept up her spine.

"Soldiers," she whispered, just loud enough for the Jedi to hear. "They're here. We've gotta move. Faster."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

Soldeirs...
Not good.
"Move as fast as you can," i shouted ahead. "Those of you with weapons, make a perimeter aroudn the others. Try to keep them from getting to the mass of us."I slowed, meeting up with the Twi'lek and glancing around. nearby, the girl in the armor was pacing alongside us, her weapons, two handblaster, poised in the ready, but not firing. Several movements were catching my eye, but nothing concrete enough to attack.
We needed to get to the hangar.
From where I was then, I could see the workers of our crew ahead and behind us, those behind catching up as I'd slowed to get behind them. Tie-Rae moved quickly up behind them, meeting Aela and I a moment later. At that time, our group numbered just less than a hundred, but I guesed that number would be a hopeful one once we reached the atmosphere, especially with these "soldiers" now knowing of our escape attempt.
I hoped the hangar held enough vessels and we enough pilots to get most of them off the planet surface.
As an afterthought, I shouted ahead again. "Pilots to the center!"
We'll need as many as we can get, I was certain.
A handful of the slaves shifted toward the middle of the pile, while others eased aside to allow them safer cover.
We were closing the distance fairly quickly, but not fast enough.
Fire began to come from several places around us, from hidden attackers more often than not.
I turned, allowig the Force to guide me, and swung, deflecting a bolt.
Here and there, more of our escapee crew fell to enemy fire, while others grabbed up thier weapons and pressed forward, returning fire.
"Keep moving forward," I shouted to the Twi'lek. "We have to get off the surface!"

 

[Paendragon]

"I'm a pilot," Aela growled, "but I'll b more help to you with one of these in my hands." She gestured to the blaster-rifle.

She called out to a group of refugee's. "My ship can hold at least 20 of you, but no more. Divide yourselves accordingly."

Her voice took on and ominous tone. "I mean it when I say 20, mind you! If too many try to squeeze their bantha-sized asses on board, I'll close up the ramp, and leave you here..."

She wasn't sure if she would really do it, and didn't want to find out.

"It's called the Seafarer's Star..."

She squeezed off a few shot toward where she saw enemy blaster-fire coming from, but didn't think she hit anything.

"Remember what I said about the soldiers, Jedi. If you see one, don't hesitate. Because if you do, you're dead...and with you goes our best chance of escape."

The Jedi had to know that if she died, hope would be crushed in must of the escapees. They would have never attempted this if she, or any onther of the prisoners had suggested it. Only the jedi could have gotten this kind of response.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Marius

As soon as the ship was docked, we moved toward the exit and threw the switch to lower the ramp. We waited inside, listening to whatever sounds might be outside. I could hear the sounds of two men talking, and the steady clank-clank of metal feet striking the hangar floor in unison.
"Droids," I whispered to her. "Several, but not too many for us to handle. Remember your lessons. Let go and let your skills speak for themselves. You're ready for this."
She nodded.
"And, Raven...try not to hurt the humans."
She nodded again.
As the voices of the men came closer, the footsteps ceased.
"We're boarding you. Remain calm, and don't try anything stupid!" One shouted up the ramp.
I glanced to Raven, who stood hidden from view on the opposite side of the rampway, as I was where I stood, and smiled at that.
She smiled back, but weakly, an unpracticed trait, pulling her lightsaber from her belt and waiting quietly as the men moved slowly up the ramp, a couple of the droids following in tow, but most of them waiting in the hangar.
Once they were in sight, I reached out, grabbing one by the arm and pulling him over to me, then swinging at him as the momentum carried him closer, catching him in the jaw and sending him onto his side of the floor.
As his partner turned to face me, startled, Raven kicked out with her right foot, catching him in the shin, sending him bending forward in reflex. SHe swung her unignited saber at his head, catching him in the temple and sending him stumbling toward me, meeting the same swing his partner had and landing in an unconscious heap on top of him.
A few blaster bolts found thier way into the vessel before we were deflecting them back, taking out first the two droids on the ramp, then a few of those on the floor.
As we stepped back under cover of the vessel's outer walls, I counted the droids stationed there. They were an odd collection of aging security droids, soldier droids, and maintence droids, parts replaced here and there with whatever was effective. Nearly thirty altogether. They looked like antiques, some possibly from the days of the old Trade Federation, at least underneath the aging metal and repairs. They seemed to function well enough, however, making it clear that appearances were decieving here.
"Find something to tie them with," I instructed her. She vanished into the read of the ship as I stepped into view of the droids again.
They were spacing themselves, giving me numerous targets, making me intentionally hit. Not as hard as those who owned them would have liked. A few seconds of deflecting their attacks and I'd sent twelve of them to the floor.
"Here, Master," Raven's voice, from behind me.
SHe handed me a piece of wire she'd found and went about tieing one of the men's hands together behind his back with a piece she held.
I did as she did, then we stepped into view again, deflecting bolts back at the droids and sending well more than half of those remaining droids out of commission before tieing the men's feet as well and laying them chest to chest and tieing them together that way.
The droids outside were gaining numbers, reinforcements arriving from somewhere.
"Find the Captain, tell him to seal the ship from inside once we leave, then we'll seek out whoever it is we need to speak with once we know their safe."
SHe nodded, then vanished into the back of the vessel again.
I stepped into the opening again, fending off a few bolts as I counted our opposition again. The reinforcements numbers almost forty this time, and the distant doors they marched through remained open, as though more were going to follow.
When Raven returned, mogo following carefully, I turned to her, both of us hidden in safety.
"Here's the plan. We'll head outside, dragging our prisoners here, and once we're gone, Mogo'll seal the ship and go back into hiding. We won't be spending much time in the hangar. Things are getting too crowded there, so be ready to follow my lead."
SHe nodded, igniting her lightsaber.
"Then let's go," I said, turning and heading down the ramp at a sprint.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

I understood her words, but it was necessary for me to take the risks. They knew Tie-Rae was a Jedi, and by now, they were too deep in things to back out. That alone might get many of them off the planet, if not any further.
I went to reply, but as I did, I heard the sound of Tie-Rae's lightsaber meeting enemy fire and turned to help him in his effort. The soldiers seemed to be in too many places at once, and rarely did they injure thier hit targets. Mostly, bodies fell and lay lifelessly.
The hangar was very close now, less than a hundred yards away. It was then that the enemy proved my last observation wrong.
The Queen fell, one arm gripping her calf.
She stirred almost immediately, and as we came, running while fighting, I nearly stepped on the small girl.
At the last moment, I vaulted mys weight into the air, only to be forced to turn away again, fending off more enemy fire.
"The Queen," Tie-Rae gasped, having found himself a few steps ahead of me, his body more agile and faster than mine. She was several yards behind us by then, and it looked as though we might not be able to survive the attempt to return for her.
Now what? My mind asked, but my body was busy, instincts and skills controlling its movements.
Tie-Rae had stopped, looking back at me as if debating whether or not he should come back to help.
"Go!" I shouted. "Lead the others into the hangar."
He nodded, his ears flopping with the movement, then he was gone, heading behind the others. Makkern had turned back, moving slowly toward us, but being hindered by the constant fire of the enemy.
"GEt to her!" he shouted, but I couldn't move, or think, just turn and swing, deflecting enemy fire, knowing that if my efforts slowed too much, I'd be hit, and the others still there would be doomed.

 

[Paendragon]

Aela

She switched her rifle to rapid-fire, and strafed the places where the blaster bolts came from. She knew even as she did, it was hopeless. The enemy was smart, much more so than the Imperials.

She heard a scream, and turned. The girl... Queen, she reminded herself, was down, clutching at her leg.

Blast! Stupid kid!

Without thinking, she raced for the child, kneeling at her side. "If I get shot for you, girl, i swear I'll come back and haunt you 'til the day you die," she growled.

The girl looked at her, and oddly enough, didn't seem too frightened. "Thank you," she whispered.

Aela found herself smiling, and quashed it. She grunted in reply, and lifted the girl over her shoulders, and rose to her feet.

She broke into a run for the hangar, praying that she wouldn't be caught by any enemy fire, and knowing that in this position, she couldn't return fire, herself.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

AS Aela moved past me, the Queen over her shoulder, my mind eased some. I had an odd feeling concerning the girl, but I couldn't place what it meant. Not yet, anyway.
Makkern met the Twi'lek and turned, heading toward the hangar again himself, attempting to provide coverfire for them.
It wouldn't be enough, but luckily, their movement caused enough distraction to ease the enemy's attempts at me. The fire lessened and focused further ahead, wanting those in the front first.
It made sense, as I would most likely be the last to make it to the hangar. They would have time to make a target of me later, if I gave them that time.
I hurried, using the Force to asist my speed some and catching up to them fairly quickly. I covered the side opposite Makkern, hoping that the two of us would provide enough cover to get them the rest of the way.
Ahead, the first of our group, now numbering less than sixty I was certain, were entering the hangar.

 

[Paendragon]

Aela

Her legs burned as she ran for the hangar, and she cursed herself. The lizardmen worked them hard, but fed them little. As a result, thy were kept just weak enough to pose little real threat, while being strong enough to work. She dropped the blaster rifle to lighten the load, a little, but it didn't help much. She had been there too long...

After a seeming eternity of dodging blaster fire, the welcoming hangar loomed before her. She pressed onward, and gasped audibly when she finally made the hangar. her eyes searched for her ship.

"There!" she yelled, pointing toward the light cruiser, and made for it. "Hold on girl, we're almost out of here..."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

The doors grew closer and closer, my attention constantly being drawn away to deflect bolts coming from seemingly everywhere at once, almost all unseen sources. ANd worst of all, I doubted we'd killed more than a few, if any, of the Dracuurian soldiers.
A couple guards, yes, but not soldiers.
No time to think of that, I told myself, following the Twi'lek into the hangar.
After she'd instructed some to head for her vessel, I shouted: "Scatter, make sure we have a decent balance aboard ships that can hold large enough numbers."
As the others scurried around, seeking a vessel, Makkern hurried over to a control panel, throwing switches seemingly at random until he managed to find the right one. The roof overhead drew back, offering us access to the sky above.
"WHeresa you going?" Binx asked me.
I glanced around, seeing it in the back, barely visible among the trade vessels there.
"I'll fly support," i said.
Binx nodded.
"As will I," a female voice said. I turned to see the girl, still in armor, pointing to a vessel on the opposite side of mine. The vessel was small, large enough to hold, perhaps three plus the pilot, but I doubted any would run to join her on board.
"Look out!" Makkern's voice announced.
I turned to see five soldiers entering the hangar through a side door.
"Get them onbaord and take off!" i ordered, not requesting anything now. The slaves had to run for it, and now.
I hurried over to meet them, hoping to fend off whatever attacks they had in store for us and give the others more time.
"Take off, Aela!" I shouted, wanting the Queen out of there as soon as possible. I advanced, meeting with blasterfire from three of them. The other two weree met by Master Binx, lightsaber ready.
We were deflecting blasterbolts, managing to keep from being hit, but not gaining much ground. All around us, the slaves were disappearing into escape vessels and lifting off.
They would need support, but outnumbered and not gaining ground...
I wondered if I'd get to my vessel in time to help them, or at all, for that matter.
And there are more of them headed here right now, Raine, I told myself.
"We have to go, Tie-Rae," I said. "We have to provide support for the others."
Before I could move, one of the soldiers fell to blasterfire to one side, an expert shot. ANother turned to face thier new threat, only to fall at its hands as well.
Given the advantage, I advanced, deflecting the attacks of one and turning, slicing into the stomach of another once it was in range.
Master Binx took down another in turn, and the last fell to a third well-placed blasterbolt.
I glanced up, seeing the armored girl standing in front of her vessel, handblaster raised.
I nodded to he, and she turned, entering the vessel (one that looked oddly familiar to me) and throwing the switch to close the entrance.
"Let's go," I instruct Binx. He heads for a nearby vessel, a TIE fighter that appeared beaten but functioning.
I used the Force to accent my speed as more soldierrs entered the hangar from the other side.
I jumped into the X-Wing, ignited the engine, and watched them fire up at the vessels as I lifted off.Sweeping below me, the armoered girl's vessel launched a quick attack on the enemy, senidng them for cover, then followed behind me as we broke for the atmosphere.

 

[Paendragon]

Aela

She ran up the loading ramp, and dropped the Qeen none too gently in a chair in th main cargo compartment.

"Strap in," she called out.

Makkern was the second person onboard, and headed immediately toward the Queen.

"You," Aela said, pointing at Makkern. "There." She gestured to the dorsal gunnery compartment, then looked at the Queen. "The next person who comes on board looking like they can fight, send to the dorsal gunnerry. Got it?"

The Queen nodded in response.

Aela ran toward the cockpit, and began emergency startup. She couldn't help wishing Eamon was there... he was the better pilot in there partnership... but the man had been killed when they were captured.

"Damned reptiles..."

She finished the startup, and pulled the ship upward quickly, turning it sharply for the upper atmosphere.

She keyed the innership comm. "How many on board?"

"Including you, 27," came the reply from the girl Queen."

Damn. Only 27... she wondered how many more wouldn't make it off the ground.

"Hold on. From here on it's going to get rough."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

Once in space, maneuverability would be the issue. Enemy vessels were already taking off fro other parts of the planet, rising to meet us in battle as soon as possible. I checked scanners, trying to get a rough count of how many ships hade taken off.
Thirty-five, total, and some were coming to join us from what must have been other encampments. Word had traveled faster and further than we could have hoped.
The question was, could those battle-worthy ships provide the cover the others needed to get out of here?
I doubted it, in all honesty, but only the effort would tell for certain.
"Alright, Jedi," a voice said over the comm-unit. "I hope you have a good plan."
I thought for a moment, eyeing the dozens of vessels being sent up to meet us before realizing what might be best.
I flipped on the comm, opening a channel to the others, hoping we couldn't be overheard, but not sure if we could or not.
"I'm sending coordinates through, two sets," I explained. "Punch in the first and put the second in memory back-up. When i say, head for hyperspace, and once we reach our first destination, be ready to punch the hyperdrive on my cue."
I sent the coordinates to them, then shifted my position so as to support the vessel Aela had taken flight in. From behind us, attacks were already rattling our small squadron.
"Let me know when you're all ready," I stated, "It may very well be more rough once we come out of hyperspace."
"Ready."
"Ready, let's get out of here."
"Ready, waiting for your signal."
Various responses came through the comm, some panicked, some patiently waiting, seeming pleased just to be off the surface, whether they made it further or not.
Hope, I thought.
"Let's get this going, Jedi," the armored girl stated. I looked around, seeing her near the back of the group, already engaging the enemy, firing weapons at whatever vessel came closest to hers. The small vessel moved with impressive speed, avoiding attacks from the enemy with fair ease, but that wasn't good enough. A vessel that size wouldn't be able to hold off many attacks from larger ships, and some of the vessels taking off from the surface were a good deal larger than those we were facing now.
Come on, Aela. As soon as you're ready... I thought, getting restless.

 

[Paendragon]

Aela

She twisted the ship in space, giving the gunners the optimal angle to shoot from, but it wouldn't be enough, she knew. She just needed to get a little further from the planet....

The hyperdrive computer beeped, and she punched the comm. "Ready! Let's get out of here!"

She entered the coordinates, and watched the stars in her viewscreen become starlines.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

"All right, everyone! Punch it!"
The field of vision before me lit up, dotted space becoming lined as we met hyperspace speed. If my memory was correct, we would wind up exactly where I wanted.
But how correct is your memory, Raine, my mind asked. And have things changed since you gained that information?
Most likely they had, but the risk was one I felt necessary. We couldn't lead the enemy directly to Yavin or Coruscant. I checked my scanners as I first met hyperspeed, seeing the enemy vessels that had already gathered to pursue us.
And it better work, I thought. Especially if they know where we're headed.
And I guessed they did. They wouldn't have managed to remain hidden for so long had they not known of the New Republic and the Jedi Order. They may have gained strength anyway, but they would never had remained hidden from our knowledge.
When we finally came out of hyperspace, a time span going by that seemed endless, eventhough it couldn't have been, I'd expected to see empty space, the outskirts of a system not yet inhabited by what I'd brought us here to encounter. Instead, that which I'd brought us here for was already there, lined up before us like an inpenetrable wall.
"Evasive maneuvers!" I shouted into the comm-link, hoping everyone could hear me. The fleet was far too well structured to attempt to pass through, and we were too close not to risk collision if avoidance steps weren't taken immediately.
I pulled up, my X-Wing barreling upward to avoid a possible collosion with the nearest of the vessels there.
As I came around again, reaching near where I'd first come out of hyperspace, several of the other vessels were moving in there as well.
"Where are we?" A voice asked.
"Sith space," I returned.
Silence for a moment, then: "You brought us away from the slavers to face the Sith?"
"Not exactly. The soldiers should be right behind us. They'll come out of hyperspace any second now. Turn your vessels toward the Sith and fire on them on my command," I returned.
"Fire?" More than one voice, and their words overlapped, but the disbelief was the same in all of them.
"Yep, and keep those coordinates handy. Punch them in now, and get ready to jump when I say."
AS I said this, the Dracuurian vessels began to come out of hyperspace behind us, several coming out at a time. I wasn't sure how many there would be, but I knew that, trapped between the two groups, we would have little time to escape once the firing began.
"We're trying to pit the two against one another. So long as the Sith see my X-Wing, we should be able to convince the Sith commanders that the Repulic are attacking."

 

[Orlanth]

Jedi Master D'Rack Fran'tok

"Echo seven to Echo one, enemy Tie on your six!"

"Roger that seven, I can't shake him! Request assistance." The pilot voiced over communications, as he banked left to avoid laser fire.

"10-4!" The Advanced Tie Fighter, Echo seven targeted the enemy Tie. The tone of missile lock ringing through the cockpit as the pilot fired the missile.

The missile hit the enemy Tie, and it blow into 3 parts, each going in opposite directions. "Echo one, I got him! Target destroyed."

"Group Echo and Gamma, cover the Avenger’s right flank, Zeta and Beta Group on the left flank. Target of main choice, Star Destroy Messiah." A voice commanded over the comms.

"Echo one to Echo group, form on me!"

"Gamma one to Gamma group, form on me!"

"Zeta two, taking lead of Zeta group. Form on me!"

"Beta one to Beta group, form on me"

***

The Avenger, along with two other Star Destroyers headed towards the Messiah. "Master D'Rack, we're in range to pen fire on your command."

"Open fire on the shield generators, then the bridge! Bring that ship down!"

"Aye, aye!" The captain turned to the gun station. "Open fire!"

The Avenger open fire, green lasers firing from all over the ship. The Messiah was not going to make it out of this fight!

"May-day, may-day, Star Destroy Overlord enegines destroyed, Coruscant's gravity is pulling us in! All hands abandon ship!"

Master, we lost another Star Destroyer, the Overlord. We've lost almost half of our Star Destroyers, we can not keep this up!"

"I know commander!" D'Rack looked over to the caption. "Captain, give the Death Star orders to move into range. We're going to need all the help we can get..." D'Rack was sweating. "And whets the damage report on the Messiah!"

***

"Gamma four to all groups, enemy Ties coming in from the far right. Looks like 3 groups!"

"Roger that Gamma four, this is Echo one, moving into engage!"

The two groups, in formation turned and headed towards the enemies, out numbered, but not out-classed. " Gamma six, they got lock on me!"

"Break off! Spin around to my left, six!"

"Roger two." The Tie shock bad as it got hit. "I'm hit, shields are gone, weapons damaged. I can't get a lock!"

"Six, you're no good back there, return to dock."

"Roger that one, returning to dock."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Caiben Raille

"Coruscant is under attack?"
I glanced to Balle, concerned.
"Yes, we'll do what we can to help, but we'll have to land and find more effective transports," Balle replied,speaking into the personal communications unit.
"Attack?" I asked, as he switched off the unit.
"They're requesting permission from Master Fran'tok as we speak. If approved, we'll be escorted to the surface by a few of our own pilots, then we'll meet with the Master to see of what service we can be," he explained.
"The attackers..." Respito began, speaking from his chair at the back of the cabin, where he was cuffed to the chair.
"Imperials. Brian Anderson to be exact," Balle answered. "No signs yet of your attackers."
Respito was both disappointed and relieved by his appearance.
"If they could get us aboard his vessel..." I mused.
"Patience, my padawan," Balle insisted. "We must wait and see what is requested of us."
We moved in toward where the battle was waging on, then slowed and waited for our response.

 

[Paendragon]

Darth Moridin

"My Lord," came the voice over the comm.

Darth Moridin's eye's snapped open, his meditations now ended. "This had better be good, Captain."

"We're under attack, My Lord. Rebels!"

Moridin snarled, and rose to his feet, exiting the meditation chamber to the bridge. "Report."

"They came out of nowhere, My Lord. So far, just these." He gestured toward the viewscreen, where a motley assortment of ships fired at them. "But we've picked up an armada on our long range scanners. We're evenly matched, My Lord."

"Launch fighters, bring all forward guns to bear, Captain."

"Yes, My Lord."

Moridin watched as some of the enemy craft opened fire, but his attention was directed behind them. In moments, ships dropped out of hyperspace right in there path. They were strange ships... sleek in appearance, and dark in color.

"Contact the Pellaeon, tell her to move furthur aft," Moridin ordered, "but not too far. I want us to be able to cover each other. Tell the rest of the fleet to prepare to engage."

"Yes, My Lord," the Captain answered.

Moridin watched as his orders were carried out. How did the rebels know he was here? He would find out...

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Cloud City, Bespin

He panted heavily, his skin still burning in places where the tiny lasers had managed past his guard. he was realizing that he truly did have much to learn. But was the end result worth the pain and the humiliation? Or the horrible wait? So much power, just out of his reach, it seemed.
Patience, Naven he told himself. Sooner or later, the power will be yours...
"You have done well, my apprentice," Darth Figgas stated, not turning to him, "But still, you have taken hits...from mere training bots..."
Darth Blaze eyed his master from behind, THe urge to draw his saber and cut the man down itched beneath his skin, but he pushed it back, subdued it somehow.
Though how he wasn't certain. Never is his life had he been so angry, so in need to hurt. So....
Oh, yes, so alive.
He would make it two steps before the Sith Lord would turn and cut him down, he was certain, and that was if the man chose to be patient about it.
"Still, you have progressed well," the man continued. "Soon, I may need you to go on an errand, to find an old friend. Would you be able to succeed if I did so?"
"Yes, Master," was his response.
"Good," Figgas stated.
Silence between them for a moment, then Naven asked. "WHat would this man's name be?"
"Her name would be Vish, Nastasia Vish. Her bloodline are friends to the Sith of olde..."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

"Short range fighters," I announced. "Be cautious, but remember that they won't move far from their hangars."
It wasn't entirely true. The TIEs were more than capable of going long range, but I doubted they would, not in pursuit of our small band of would-be fighters.
I pressed forward, turning to face to get behind one of the TIEs that was nearest to Aela's vessel.
"Don't try to attack," I instructed. "Just flow through. They won't fire upon one another. Get between the larger ships and get behind the fleet."
I followed tightly behind the TIE, not getting a lock, then fired a few quick laser rounds and cut away, following the others between the vessels.

 

[Orlanth]

Jedi Master D'Rack Fran'tok

The Death Star was in the bettle now. Though, on the edge of the battle, to avoid being a main target. But at the same time, being able to be some help.

The first Death Star was like a Tie Fighter to a Star Destroyer, when compared to the 2nd Death Star. The 3rd Death Star was at least 3 ti mes the size of the 2nd, this time , the Death Star had no Super-Laser, nor Hyperspace drive.

No Super-Laser because D'Rack didn't want a weapon of mass destruction. Just a large space station. Though the 3rd Death Star is large enough to house D'Rack's entire force! Coruscant wasn't needed.

I Hyperspace drive for the Death Star was thought of. But to ge t such a large mass to jump to Hyperspace would take sucxh amo unt of energy, that was al most impossable to get.
As it is, a Star Destroyer takes the energy of a small sun to jump to hyperspace.

Besides, D'Rack never had plans to move the Death Star away from Coruscant .

"Master, Caiben and Raille is asking for orders..." The comm-officer looked at D' Rack, who was focused on the battle.

"Sir, Super Destroyer jumping out of hyperspace in sector 4072!" Yelled at D'Rack, with a shocked tone. "It appears to b e on Anderson's side!"

"We're in trouble now, they out number us! We must call for help..." The captian askedf with a penicky voice.

"No, we have the Death Star, and a Jedi order. They do not... I don't sense any force users on those ships." D'Rack replys in a carm voice. "Tell Caiben Raille and his apprentice to sneak on board their Super Star Destroyer, and Destroy it."

"I hope this'll work, or Coruscant will be back under Imperal control." D'Rack thought to himself . "Tra go to the Star Destroyer Predator II and tak e command of guarding the Death Star."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Jedi Master Balle Lister

"Master Lister," a voice came over the intercom. I pressed the reply switch and returned with a "Yes?"
"Master Fran'tok has instructed that you infiltrate the recently arrived Super Star Destroyer and attempt to take control. Your prisoners will be given military escort to the surface and taken into custody until a later time."
"Very well," I replied, switching off the comm. I turned to Caiben, who was smiling widely. He would see some action now, and that always made him smile.One day, I thought. You will make a great ally. Or a great enemy.
Which one had yet to be decided.
"We'll take the small shuttle in the back," I said.
"That little more than an escape pod," the pilot returned.
"It has laser capabilities, yes?"
THe pilot nodded.
"Good," I returned. "We shouldn't be viewed as much of a threat. They'll never expect us to board them."
"Good luck," the pilot said, turning his attention as the escoprt came to lead them to dock.
"The Force is with us," Caiben returned.
We headed to the back. Onc ethere, we crowded into the tiny vessel, cramping but managing.
"You think this'll work?" Caiben asked me.
"We're about to find out," i replied, guiding the vessel out into space and toward the Super Star Destroyer, which was already under a small flurry of attacks from Coruscant pilots.

 

[Paendragon]

Darth Moridin

The fighters launched, immediately going after the smaller ships, while the larger Destroyers arrayed themselves against the strange enemy capital ships.

Unlike most Sith, Moridin did not feel the need to continuouslybark orders at his men. He picked them for their skills, and let them do their jobs. Besides, they knew the price of failure.

He mentally calculated the enemy fleet. it would be a fair fight, he knew. He would have preferred it otherwise, but there it was.

His crew was experienced, and there weren't many ships in the galaxy that could match the Executor II. Besides, he was Sith, and that gave him an advantage. He slipped into a meditation, and reached across space toward the largest enemy ship. he couldn't destroy it... the Force didn't work that way... but he could cause enough confusion to turn the tide of the battle his way.

But before he could, everything changed.

"Captain!" a panicked voice from the ships tactical station called out.

"What is it!" the Captain snapped.

"More ships incoming!"

"How many?" the Captain asked.

There was a slight pause, "Two... two dozen, sir... two dozen Capital ships..."

"That's impossible," the Captain snapped. "Recheck your readings."

"I did, sir, twice! Here they come!"

Moridin used the Force to pull up a viewscreen, and snarled. Two dozen Destroyer-class ships, all of them with that same sleek design of the other capital ships, dropped out of hyperspace. All of them headed for his fleet. They were outnumbered more than two to one.

"Omicron," Moridin said, his low voice booming across the bridge.

Men snapped to action at the order, and ships moved into position. The huge Turbolasers unloaded at the enemy fleet with all they had. But it would not be enough.

Omicron was the code for ordered retreat.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Raine

We were passed them then, small short-range fighters of different types chasing after us, TIEs mixed in with other ships I didn't bother to identify.
Around me, other vessels, some ours but a few enemy fighters, exploded in bursts of firepower from one another.
"Make the jump! Now!"
I watched as several of the vessels vanished in a forward moving streak, then hit the hyperdrive and watched as space became hyperspace and the battle was suddenly far away.
A short time passed, then the vessel came out of hyperspace and I settled in with the others, the vessel already gathered together in black space, no planets or life to be seen.
"WHy are we here?"
"Because here is nowhere," I replied. "If they could hear our conversation, they would come here and find nothing, instead of us leading them to some Republic system they could demolish and consume like those we've just left."
"Now what?" The Queen's voice, sounding strong, yet frightened at once.
"That's for each of us to decide. This threat, these creatures that we've just escaped, are a force that will eventually, and I think very soon, move into Republic space, not to mention those worlds lying just outside of it. They're a threat to us all. We need to make certain knowledge of thier approach is spread through the galaxy. My suggestion, return to your homeworlds, if they haven't been overtaken already. if they have, then go to either Coruscant or Yavin V. The Jedi Councils will have answers to at least some fo the questions that await us."
"Most of our homes have been destroyed," the Queen responded.
"I know that. And I feel for your loss, but that's behind us. Your Highness, I want you and Makkern and the Twi-lek girl to come to Yavin with me and speak with the Council there," I stated. "The rest of you, make your choices, but we can't stay here long, in case they've sent vessels just to track us."
I sat silently, waiting for thier responses.