Rapora War (Introductory RPG)

[ADarkJedi44]

OOC: Let me be the first one to tell you. General Ioor, you will save your fleet or you'll be spending a few months cleaning refreshers aboard the Guardian.

BTW, I'll edit this into a post when I get time. Don't have time to post right now, but hopefully in an hour or something :-\

[Trejiuvanat]

OOC: He deserves that. Of course that depends if he survives...

 

In every problem lies an opportunity. Pellaeon had told him those exact words when he had been given his first command.Now more than ever he hoped to find an opportunity.

 

The Galactic Alliance had precipitated their attack into the Rapora formation, thus forcing the Rapora to halt away from Bastion. The Chiss fleet, which had been their surprise element had exited hyperspace to far away from the Raporan fleet, and without an angle of attack to do as much damage as Thrawn had projected.

 

Oreton's group now moved below the Alliance and the Raporan fleet hoping to do some damage, but the Raporan fleet readjusted their formation to deny the Imperials and the Chiss a clear shot at their weaker points. Baron Fel and his wing of Missile Boats were keeping the Raporan fighters busy.

 

Behind them close to Bastion, Pellaeon's Star Destroyer fleet hung in expectation as hundreds of corvettes and freighters completed the evacuation of the planet.

 

Oreton knew that the Rapora had gotten a signal off the system, and expected the next waves of Raporan craft, including the Resurrector to exit hyperspace closer to Pellaeon's fleet, while the Chiss-Imperial-Alliance forces still dealt with the first fleet.

 

"Freedom of Thought has destroyed a Kar Lur Cruiser," Onolovav reported. "Alliance forces reduces to thirty percent."

 

Oreton sighed, "Tell her to lend support to the Alliance forces. Have you calculated the most likely entry vectors for the Rapora?"

 

"Yes, as per your orders two interdictors have been moved to the positions. Baron Fel has taken part of his fighter group to clear the intercepting Raporan fighters."

 

"What about the Jedi?" Oreton asked, the two fighter element had attracted a lot of enemy attention, something Oreton had used to draw some of the Raporan fighters closer to the UDA Forces.

 

"They are keeping close to Freedom of Thought, as projected. Both of them are intact."

 

"Baros," another voice came from the comm. "The evacuation is at 38 percent, I am moving my fleet closer to the Interdictors."

 

"You will not stand a chance against the Resurrector, sir." Oreton answered.

 

"The Interdictors will not stand a chance against them either. Two Super Star Destroyers should at least delay them a bit."

 

"Admiral," another voice joined the conversation. "I have a suggestion, as soon as the Resurrector hypers into system the Chiss forces will do a micro-jump and be drawn out by the Interdictors. There is a chance we might to do some minor damage to the Resurrector."

 

"How will you jump if you are trapped in this pandemonium?" Oreton asked.

 

"Our cloaking system also works as a phasing cloak, we are able to pass through matter. Even in hyperspace (OOC: Don't know if they could actually do it in hyperspace, if they couldn't they know can.)."

 

"Don't hyper immediately when Resurrector arrives, allow them to take a shot at us," Pellaeon said. "Baros, you will power up grav wells and we will hyper as soon as we detect a high energy concentration from their fleet and thus reinforce your group in attacking their first fleet."

 

"That of course depends if you can at least temporarily disable or delay the Resurrector," Oreton frowned.

 

"There are only two individuals lucky enough to achieve this," Athien suggested.

 

"The Jedi." Oreton concluded. "Athien, if you cannot do damage to the Resurrector do as much damage to their Vagaari reinforcements and withdraw. There would be no sense to remain here."

 

"We are moving." Pellaeon said. "Evacuation at forty-nine percent."

 

Both transmissions cut off.

 

"Captain?" A Kar Lur cruiser is drifting. "Galactic Alliance Forces have lost another cruiser."

 

"Move us to exchange fire with that Kar Lur Cruiser, have Sentinel and Dormant Warrior move to block their withdrawal." Oreton asked focused again in the battle around him.

 

OOC: There goes. Not sure if I made it any better or just made it worse. I don't know if the Resurrector has a particular weak point, I just hope that the two Jedi and the UDA fleet can do something.

[Stellar_Magic]

The Timeless One smiled as the enemy manuevered against his force. They'd caught him by surprise at first, but now, he knew what they were planning. Slowly he keyed the holocomm, "Resurrector Task Force, change entry jump to be polar insertion, jump in five minutes, General Verah jump your ships along the original entry vector, we want to spring a trap upon them." He smiled, the Vagaari would be slaughtered to be certain, but that was what they were for. Already he could see the planetary defense fleet of ships moving to the exit point, "All forces, disengage and redirect on the following bearing..." The Alliance and UDA caught by surprise began to manuever to follow but it would take a moment before they could rengage. Ahead the Viscount had moved into the Imperial formation to help beef up the force. With a flash the Vagaari entered the system in the middle of the imperial fleet. They were torn apart by a enormous volley of weapons fire. Slowly he sent out specific orders to the rest of his fleet organizing the attack on the massive force as they were distracted by the Vagaari.

 

Then he turned his attention to the Viscount and Super Star Destroyers, they did make a threat to his ships, but he knew they're capabilities, and had a plan to deal with them. Slowly he turned to a commander's hologram, "Commander Verask activate your gravity well projectors, Commander Askra jump on the following bearing."

 

The Kar Lur Cruiser which lay below the Super Star Destroyer rolled slowly to bring its guns to bear on the threat. A brilliant flash of plasma shot through the shields and blazed through the hull and continued on into space as one of the super cannons fired. Large pieces of melted structure tore free of the Super Star Destroyer. Then above the ship a second Kar Lur Cruiser flashed into position from another part of the engagement, its dorsal surface pointed down toward the superstructure of the star destroyer. With a brilliant flash two plasma blasts shot through the upper shields. The first blew off the port half of the command deck and penetrated on rupturing one of the reactors. The second blasted through the main structure and released secondary explosions throughout the hanger. Slowly the monolithic ship began to break up as the reactors cooked off within her hull, one after another.

 

The Timeless One smiled as another Imperial II Star Destroyer fell victim to a volley of plasma bombs from one of his squadrons. The ship detonated sending enormous hunks of debris throughout the area.

 

The second Super Star Destroyer now opened up a enormous volley upon one of the Kar Lur Cruisers, Cycle of Violence. The volley glanced off the ship's shields as a pair of Savla class cruisers barreled past it. The ships dropped lower and shot across the hull of the Super Star Destroyer, their weapons flashing against her shields and evaporating armor plating. From their rear twelve mines dropped toward the Super Star Destroyer. They wheeled in space and opened fire, ripping through the hull plating, cutting across control lines leaving a crater in the ships forward the size of a Victory Star Destroyer. Then a full wing of Raporan ships dropped in behind the attack and launched plasma bombs. The detonations that flashed infinitely brighter then the sun of the system blow apart the ships bow totally removing roughly a quarter of its combat power.

 

A pair of Imperial II Star Destroyers, Sentinel and Dormant Warrior, turned toward the Kar Lur Cruiser, Cycle of Violence, and opened up with their weapons. Suddenly stabbing through their formation, as the Kar Lur's shields failed and ion blasts shot across her hull, a dreadnaught rocketed into the cruiser destroying both vessels. As the Kar Lur Cruiser died another Kar Lur slid between the two Imperial ships and fired its uper cannons into the ships. One blast ripped through the solar ionization reactor of the Dormant Warrior disabling the vessel while another blast ripped through the engine compartment of the Sentinel. As both ships seemed doomed a Guardian Class Star Destroyer drove toward the Kar Lur, it's heavy plasma missile launchers flashing a brilliant stream of deadly projectiles at the enemy, the Kar Lur rolled holding off the initial blows on the port, then dorsal shields, but as the dorsal shields failed three missiles lanced into the ship detonating and breaking it apart at the vessel's centerline.

 

* * *

 

Onboard the Freedom of Thought Commodore winced at the sight of the battered Super Star Destroyer, Virute of Obiediance, "Admiral Oreton, report!"

 

"I'm still here Athien, we're evacuating the ship, apparently they figured out our strategy."

 

Another voice cut intot he transmission, "Admiral its thick around there, we'll have to drill you a hole to get through."

 

"Thank you Colonel Fel, Commodore, Razor's Edge formation and slam their flank, that should by us enought time."

 

Athien nodded, "All units Razor's Edge, full thrust toward the Rapora force!" She glanced over to the unit commander, "Standby Phase Cloak!" The Rapora Cruisers loomed in the view port, "Volley on my mark, mark!" With a thump every UDA ship loosed a torpedo salvo. A moment later two Kar Lur's were dead and five Savla Class ships were destroyed or dead in space. Eight of the Defra class corvettes joined their larger cousins in destruction. As the losses built Athien felt the tension ease in her chance, now they had a fighting chance.

 

Behind Athien's spear was Garik Ioor's fleet, many of its ships destroyed, those that remained formed a hammer to the Imperial's Anvil. Already the Viscount, the largest remaining fully operation vessel was rolling through the Raporan fleet delivering destruction. But their victory would be short to be sure, already the Rapora were recovering and a pair of superheavy plasma bolts ripped through one of the wings of the Viscount, now it was stuck in the center of the battered enemy fleet, but as it was surrounded the Rapora took greater casualties as Commodore Athien's force drove headlessly toward the Rapora, already their lines were wavering fearing a collision.

 

As the Freedom of Thought was about to collide with one of the Rapora ships it activated its cloak flashing harmlessly through then reappearing on the other side kicking out proton torpedoes from its stern. The Rapora cruiser's side was battered with fire, and its shields collapsed.

 

* * *

 

Jaina smiled as a Raporan fighter flashed into incandescence under her guns. She glanced up through the canopy and wipped sweat from her brow, the last time she'd fought in an engagement of such a scale had been years earlier. Above her space was confused as weapons lanced across the void. Jagged's Clawcraft danced between a pair of Rapora starfighters as one of the Antistarfighter batteries on a Kar Lur cut across space, ripping through the two Raporan fighters with a volley of red bolts firing faster then an E-web could on the ground. Jag barked with laughter as the bolts disappeared, the gunner, droid or warrior, was obviously suprised by catching a friendly with its weapons fire.

 

Below her a squadron of UDA clawcraft chased a Savla class cruiser, firing a series of crimson colored missiles from modules mounted between the wings. As they emptied, the modules detached and spun away. Ahead Jaina saw that a number of the missiles had been intercepted, but one snuck through, completely demolishing its target.

 

Jaina broke hard as Ulan in his Sekotan Skip rocketed by trailing a pair of Raporan fighters. She tighten down on the stutter fire and saw one of the fighters take a series of hits before breaking away. Through the force she could feel the enemies frustration and anger, frowning she triggered a solid bolt that penetrated the shields and ripped apart the engine compartment. A burst of fear lanced through the force and was instantly replaced by fury as the pilot ejected from his fighter.

 

Jag's voice echoed through the com, "Jaina, there's a squad headed for Oreton's ship."

 

"Lets get them," Jaina answered as she broke toward a v formation of foes as Ulan dropped in behind the force, "Don't let them get the escape ships!"

 

"Roger," Jag answered as his clawcraft nailed one of the ships.

 

* * *

 

The Timeless One in his seat frowned, "Order the Resurrector to jump."

 

* * *

 

Luke recoiled from the hiss of the claw slicing through the air as the cloaked Rapora kicked out. He rolled away and blocked a follow up blow from the creature's lightsaber. The Rapora's face was painted with a brillaint red black and white web pattern and a number of gold colored glyph's decorated its arms. Luke felt hismelf wade into the force and reached out with his senses to Mara, feeling her presence gave him a rush of determination. He darted forward slashing and slicing blasting away at the creature's defenses.

 

Mara held off a trio of warriors with her blade as Seryk and Boba, working together dispatched one of their foes. In the midst fo this Darth Malice strode toward Seryk, his hands fingering his lightsaber.

 

Boba rocketed up into the air and tossed aside his blaster rifle. He dropped in a crouch onto the main fuselage of slave one and looked down at the enemies below him. Slowly he leveled his wrist rocket and fired toward Malice. Malice rolled away from the attack and ignited his lightsaber, his sights on Seyk, "You're mine!"

 

Suddenly a line of blaster bolts scorched throught he air and blasted the hem of the cloaked Rapora. He spun away and leap upward to the top of Firespray's cannons. Luke hurled his lightsaber at the Rapora and watched the creature deftly deflect his strike. Then Boba kicked out catching the Rapora in the china nd pitching him to ground with a thud. Only then did Luke see Ben standing silhoutted in the cargo hold with Boba Fett's smoking blaster leveled at the puddle of black which was the cloaked foe.

 

Everyone dived for cover as a volley of plasma blasts rocketed across the plain from an enemy fighter. In that moment Darth Tuvax regained consciousness and the anger that flowed from him seemed to hit Luke like a brick wall. Overhead the Rapora fighter curved up into sky.

 

OOC: There are posts, and then there are posts. Sorry Trej, it seems you underestimated your foe.

[Trejiuvanat]

OOC: After Bastion the Rapora better go and annoy the GFFA for a while.

 

IC:

 

Admiral Oreton frowned at the holographic projection. "Resurrector has arrived," he heard Onolovav whisper.

 

The bridge of Imperious (OOC: Oreton has always been in his Sovereign, the SSDs were of Pellaeon's fleet) was a mess, wounded officers still crewed the many consoles of the bridge, every one of them refusing to be defeated.

 

"What is the status on the evacuation vessels?"

 

"Seventy-two percent, sir. Most of the freighters are out. The corvettes and light frigates are finishing their uploads. The planet is almost deserted."

 

Oreton frowned. Barely over two-thirds, it was not enough, he would not sacrifice them. But he was running out of choices, the projected battle-plan could not be implemented in the beginning, the battlefield had turned into chaos. The Imperial formation had been broken, several Destroyers were disabled or adrift. Grand Admiral Pellaeon's Chimaera had received a direct hit, it's command tower almost pulverized. Pellaeon was reported to be alive, but unconscious and Oreton had ordered Chimaera to abandon the engagement. Commodore Dorja and Captain Yagen's groups had annihilated the Vagaari forces and were moving to lend assitance to the Imperious.

 

Alone the Chiss's UDA Fleet continued to seriously damage the Rapora. The Rapora had finally managed to engage the Viscount and were draining her shields. The Galactic Alliance taskforce had almost entirely been reduced to debris.

 

"Move us to lend aid to the Viscount," Oreton ordered. Immediately a huge beam cut through space ahead of him. For a moment dozens of agonizing voices were heard in the comm, followed by the pyrotechnics of an explosion.

 

Oreton grabbed the armrest of his chair, as the energy wave sent Imperious off their course. Overheated metal debris catapulted by the explosion of the Imperial Destroyers bombarded the hull of the Imperious.

 

"Resurrector has fired. We have lost seven Star Destroyers." Onolovav noted as soon as he stood up. The Admiral detected a knot in his throat. So many dead companions. "Hull integrity is reaching a critical level."

 

"There is the enemy I had wanted to avoid." Oreton murmured to himself. "Issue a recall order for the fighters," Oreton whispered. "Prepare for withdrawal, relay orders to the UDA Fleet and the Galactic Alliance fleet."

 

"Athien, start your withdrawal." Oreton ordered.

 

"We will escort you out," the Chiss Commodore replied and Oreton saw her ships maneuver to escort positions around the Imperial fleet.

 

Less than a dozen Imperial ships and two Alliance vessel started to turn away from the planet. Turning their back to the thousands still trapped on Bastion.

 

The UDA Fleet, almost intact, had succeeded in opening a gap for their withdrawal. A single almost derelict Sovereign class Destroyer, three Imperial Deuces, three Victory-Destroyer, a lonely Alleigance Destroyer, a Dominator Interdictor, and an Immobilizer Interdictor was what remained of the Imperial Fleet.

 

Heavy-hearted turned at the rear viewport to see the dimishing sphere that was Bastion for a last time.

 

As he felt the motion of the hyperjump accelaration, he knew that Bastion would join Bilbringi, Endor and Yavin in the history of the greatest fiascos of the Imperial Fleet.

 

***

 

Ulan grimaced as the cockpit hatch opened above him. In the nearly empty hangar he heard the echo of a metallic sound and saw a helmet bounce on the floor.

 

Ulan caught the helmet in midair and drew it to him.

 

"This was the reason why my forefathers preferred death in battle opposed to the frustration of retreat." The Yuuzhan Vong warrior said.

 

Outside of the magcon field he saw the stars fade into the shapes of hyperspace. Bastion was now behind them.

 

Jaina came to his fighter and outstretched her arms to take the helmet. "I hate this, failure after failure and everytime more people die. Not only soldiers, but the people that could not make it off Bastion. So many deaths."

 

Jagged Fel in his dark grey flying suit joined the two Jedi and held Jaina in his arms. "It will be alright, Jaina." He whispered into her ear. The words needed to be said after such a battle, weakened considerably by the Force-shock of so many deaths in matter of the few minutes.

 

Ulan grunted as he jumped off the cockpit of his fighter. "Dry your tears, and heal your wounds, Jaina Solo. Be prepared, as this war will be cruel and long. Take." The Yuuzhan Vong opened his hand and revealed a small object on his palm.

 

"What is it?" she asked and Fel too looked at it curiously. It looked like a jewel, but shaped in such a beautiful organic way, its color was red-orange and as mesmerizing as a flame. "A gift by Nas Choka when I left Zonama Sekot. It is a Sekotian Flamecoral, the Yuuzhan Vong see in it the neverfaltering flame of a warrior, may it help you find the strength entitled to you Sword of the Jedi.

 

"Thank you, Ulan." She said as she took it in her hand.

 

***

 

The bridge seemed a grave, except for captain Onolovav, Ioor, Jamie Dorja, Arien Yage, Baron Fel, the Jedi, Athien and him, only droids crewed the different consoles. At the past exit point in hyperspace, Oreton had asked to be joined by both of his fellow commanders.

 

"Our losses were significant, even if our production at the secret facilities progresses unhindered it will take us full months to rebuild our fleet. Not too mention the loss of personnel, which will be the most difficult to replace." Onolovav said as he looked over the figures sketched on his datapad.

 

"Where will the Imperial fleet retreat to?" Ioor asked.

 

"I cannot tell you General," Oreton said and underlined his decision. "It is of paramount importance that the existence of our retreats is confined to a handful of persons. Even most of the refugees establishing colonies will not know for certain where they are."

 

"So the Empire is gone?" Athien asked.

 

"For the time-being yes. Our systems were never vastly populated, nor of great importance. With Bastion, Bilbringi and Yaga Minor in enemy hands, I would expect the Rapora to leave most of the other smaller worlds alone." Oreton explained. "If they don't I'm releasing in official channels that the Imperial refugees have settle in Wildspace alone the Corellian Run."

 

"On the other side of the galaxy?" Dorja asked.

 

"Yes, Pellaeon and I had agreed on that. A handful of badly Imperial vessel under your command will be removed there, to give some veracity to the rumors."

 

"Pellaeon, what about him?" Yage wondered.

 

"I have received word that he is in a very bad shape. If he survives he will be tied to a hoverchair for the rest of his life. The doctors, of course aren't even that optimistic. He is barely conscious and has asked to speak to me." Oreton wondered. "A rendezvous with the Chimaera will be my first stop, then I will join Athien and Baron Fel in the Unknown Regions."

 

"What about us?" Jaina asked.

 

"The Jedi, I believe do not take orders from any of the present here. You must do what you believe is correct." Athien answered.

 

"I will return to Denon with General Ioor." Jaina decided.

 

"I will go to Zonama Sekot and talk to my Master and present the events to the Council of Sekot, then I will fight under the UDA's banner."

 

"It is decided then."

[ADarkJedi44]

The hit and run had been a nuisance, nothing more. Had it been a heated battle, it might have been a catatrophe. Yaga Minor was a mere sideshow. Compared to Bastion, the battle of Yaga Minor was pointless. Nevertheless, it was a battle and Darth Fury intended to win it.

The lose of so many fighters had put the TIEs on the offensive. The Raporan fighters and their pilots were far superior to anything the Imperials had, but by sheer numbers the TIEs could become a thread. Venom knew what she had to do and she did it. For her first few days as an apprentince she was performing surprisingly well. It's almost suspicious...

"We are in range of their capitol ships."

"Very well, commence firing."

From a distance the Imperial and Rapora fleets began firing at each other. The Imperials were obviously overmatched, but they had to hold their ground until the planet could be evacuated. Fury left. Their humanitarian concern would be their end. Slowly the fleets moved together....

Finally, the ships of both fleets were nearly aside one another. It was then that the trap was sprung. Dozens upon dozens of mines were launched from ever ship. The Imperials could either fire at the mines or the capitol ships. Both meant their doom.

Realizing the hoplessness of their situation, the Imperial fleet began to manuver to escape...

***

Evahe watched as the holographic image of Garik apeared in front of him.

"General Ioor. I hope the news you bring me is of your latest victories..."

The image hesitated....

 

OOC: BTW, Mad this is the part where you kneel and beg for my mercy

[BadSamaritan]

OOC: Im almost startig to wish I had taken a command position in this RPG, large-scale tatics are my specialty. But Ill live. Malice, on the other hand....

 

IC: Seryk looked about the battlefield, and saw Malice stalking towards him. He tightened the grip on his lightsaber, and turned towards him, rasing the blade into a high gaurd position. He was beginning to get sick of seeing him. he had not fared so well the last time he had faced him, but the last time, the chiss women had interefered. And Seryk did not see her this time. This time, the fight was just him, and Malice.

 

Malice lept into the air, twirling like a top, and brought his blade crashing down on top of Seryks. Seryk let his blade drop low, and Seryk spun on his heels, his foot lashing out for Malices' head. Malice ducked the kick, and rolled to the side, coming back up on his feet, and lunging towards Seryk. Seryk swatted the attack aside, and and brought his blade around in a large arc, and bringing it down towards Malices head. Malice raised his lightsaber over his shoulder, and bparried the attack, and then spun to face Seryk. He stepped back quickly, and studied his opponent once again.

 

Malice knew that this Mandalorian was learning quickly, and was already his equal in combat. he had learned that from their last encounter. And he knew that soon, he would be batter than him. Malice had learned years ago of the capabilities of the anciant Mandalorian race. And here he was, fighting one, with another watching the fight with a strange sort of interest.

 

Suddenly, Seryk struck again, his blade twirling an a figure eight fashion. Malice had never seen that technique used in combat before, so he had no real defence against it. All he could do was try to copy the technique, and parry the mutliple blows that were aimed at him. Then, as quickly as the attack had begun, it ended, and Malice watched as Seryk dropped to one knee, and swung his lightsaber in a tight arc, aiming for malices' now open legs. In a bout of panic, Malice lept into the air, only then to realize his mistake.

 

As soon as malice lept, Seryk launched the rocket from his jetpack. malice watched it as it flew towards him, almost in slow motion. He lashed out with his saber, and caught the missle, causing it to detonate almost in front of him. The blast sent him flying backwards, and he landed on the ground hard. He looked up, and suddenly, he realized the full extent of the trap. He rolled to the side quickly, only to be thrwon into the air again by yet another rocket, this one launched from the other mandalorian.

 

Seryk watched Malice fly into the air again, and he lept into the air, igniting his jetpack. he flew towards malice, and as malice hit the ground again, Seryk fell next to him. Malice struggled to his feet, and struggled to block the first set of Blows that Seryk used, but it was to much. Seryk struck suddenly, and cut the lightsaber in Malices hand in two. Malice stumbled backwards, and Seryk struck again, slashing at Malices head. Malice moved his head to the side, but Seryks blade was to fast. the blade struck his face, and Malice screamed in pain. Malice Fell to the ground, and looked up at Seryk with his one remaining eye.

 

This cannot be how it ends! This mere Jedi cannot be the one who defeats me! Malice thought to himself. As these thopught ran through his mind, he could almost here the cackling laughter of the timeless one, taunting him. Seryk moved twards him again, preparing his saber for the final blow.

 

OOC: Ok, someone save this fool. He picked the wrong day to mess with the mandalorians!!!

[Trejiuvanat]

OOC: You might ask Darky for a commission in the Alliance Fleet, considering Mad's next mission as latrine wench there will be an opening for command positions.

[Stellar_Magic]

Malice heard laughter, irksome, familiar laughter coming from his commlink, "Do you want me to save you now Malice?" Shren's mocking tone filled the air and was instantly replaced by a horrendous explosion. Slave VI began to fold in upon itself, smoke pouring from its innards as they liquified. Then with a ghout of flame it bulged outward and detonated. Boba Fett was thrown into the air like a rag doll, his seemingly limp form tumbled through the air and slammed into the hardpan. Boba groaned as he hit, obviously alive, and just as obviously hurting.

 

The shockwave pitched Seryk forward, seeing his opportunity Malice thrust his blade upward gouging a pit in the side of the Mandalorian helmet. Seryk rolled back to his feet a blaster in one hand as Malice struck with his lightsaber, suddenly the aged blade in Seryk's hand flickered once and went out as Malice's saber crackled along it. The lightsaber's power pack went out, leaving it nothing more useful then a metal baton.

 

Luke leapt back away from Tuvax as the Rapora leapt to his feet. He twirled his lightaber and suddenly rolled backwards. As Luke turned back toward them he saw a Rapora smash the back end of its rifle into Mara's shoulder. A pulse of brilliant blue electricity rocketed through her nerves, shorting her lightsaber and dropping her to her knees. Smoke wafted up from her shoulder as Ben dived down to grab the lightsaber from the ground but the blade clattered away from hima nd leapt up into Tuvax'soutstretched hand. Then he lit his own blade bringing it level to Ben and Mara's throat, "Surrender Jeedai!"

 

Luke felt his knees go, week his nerves fray and his lightsaber roll from his hand and onto the floor. He knew then that he had been defeated.

 

As he stumbled to his knees Boba lit his backpack and roared off. As he did Seryk heard a comm call in his ear, "There's nothing you can do, we have to leave." Seryk, his own spirits just as defeated as Skywalker keyed his own jetpack and shot away from the engagement, knowing the enormity of the defeat which had just happened to the Skywalkers.

 

* * *

 

High above Tatooine an X-wing winked into existance. In its cockpit Jacen Solo felt a feeling of anguish and despair wash over him. He recognized its source, his uncle and aunt. Now glancing down at the sensors he saw that Tatooine was surrounded by Rapora mines. Grimacing he keyed his holocom, "Jacen Solo to GFFA command, Tatooine has been mined by the Rapora, I'll try and make my way down there, but it will be hard."

 

* * *

 

Shren smiled as she saw the X-wing on her displays, "Well hello." She touched a panel on her comm, "Raporan Mines deactivate, lets let young Solo into our parlor." Smiling to herself she thought, my master will be pleased.

[BadSamaritan]

OOC: Umm, Stellar......

 

Seryk struck suddenly, and cut the lightsaber in Malices hand in two.

[Rattler3]

The Introvertor came out of hyperspace, alarms ringing.

"Shut those alarms off..." A moment and they shut off. "Damage reports?"

 

A pause. Colton glanced over to his damage control operator... dead. "Shit..." He walked over and gently lifted him out of the chair before sitting into it.

Glancing at the displays it did not look good. All of 7 X-wings had made it out of Yaga Minor. 6 of those were from the elite squadron, but that was still of little consequence. 2 concussion missile stores had been blasted away, blowing away 2 huge chunks of hull on there starboard side. 14 more launchers were destroyed, and a few thousand were presumed dead... Structural integrity was at 63%

Floating next to them was the Peace. And it wasn't much better. It's hull was scored from the incredible damage it had taken in... but it was at least in better shape.

The one Carrack they had, the other one having sacrificed itself to take out an enemy ship, was pretty much dead in space. It was a miracle it was even moving. There was pretty much NO outer hull, just bulkheads that had sealed to hold in the atmosphere. Structural integrity was at 23% and it only had 3 Laser Batteries and one Turbo Laser left...

 

The starboard fighter decks were destroyed on the Introvertor, but the port were ok. It was a good thing that only 7 fighters were left... the assault frigate's hangers were gone as well.

"Have our fighters land. Navigation, where are we?"

"Give me a second sir... Navcomp got hit. Bringing back-ups online. At least a minute."

 

Yaga Minor had been a disaster from the start. There initial assault had done some damage, but the Imperials had no real plan of action... it was more to charge in and hope they got them. And then those mines... they were lucky they had hung back.

There Red group of fighters was luckily some of the best pilots. Trained by an Ex-Rogue, they weren't quite as good as the rogue's that took coruscant... but they were damn near it.

 

"Sir, we're at Ghorman." Colton considered there options. The nimble, there carrack, needed repairs badly. However, surviving another hyperspace entry was questionable.

"Very well, effect repairs best we can. Try to see if you can hook up to the holonet and get us some information, a location to go for repairs. Jumping back to the Combine is last ditch."

The door to the bridge hissed open and a fighter pilot walked in.

 

Colton glanced over. "Glad you survived. You did the impossible... shot down 5 of the buggers. Pretty good considering there ships and pilots. Your son?"

Rhysati Ynr shrugged. She had left the Rebellion shortly after resigning to look after Nawara Ven and her children... but when the kids hit 12 Nawara Ven up and left... leaving her to raise there 2 children. She headed out and joined up with the Combine, where now she and her son served in Red Squadron, Rhysati leading it.

"He's fine... But 50% losses..." Colton nodded understandingly.

 

"We need all the help we can get, do you mind helping out repairing." Rhys nodded... "Good. Help out at... Deck 12 if you could." She turned and left, leaving Colton on the bridge.

 

OOC: location i can get repairs/next battle?

[Trejiuvanat]

OOC: Anywhere in Galactic Alliance space, just point your sqadron towards the core and you will find a place, hopefullly.

[Stellar_Magic]

OOC: Double bladed, he'd be down to one blade, remember the Phantom Menace. (We should have posted in the OOC part).

[Mad78]

Tuvax smilled as Skywalker dropped his blade. One of the remaining Rapora attracted it to him and hooked it onto his belt.

Tuvax's eyes fell on Malice crouching on the ground, his hand covering one of his eyes. Dark blood trickeld between his claws.

He turned towards the Rapora warriors "Follow me."

The guards pluged their lightsabers into their plasma rifles, they did not need to attract attention while escorting the prisonners to their ship.

Tuvax led the group out of the hangar into the darkened streets of Mos Eisley.

The Rapora and their prisonners zigzagued between the men too drunk to remember and the people hastly returning to their homes before being mugged by the robbers who roamed the streets at this hour.

Tuvax's comlink beeped as they turned a corner.

"This is Shren. A lone X-Wing has managed to pass the Mine field."

Tuvax smilled, the red tattoos on his face giving him a devilish look.

"Do not engage. Let him land. We will deal with this."

Second catch of the day.

 

***

"I hope you call to announce a victory."

Garik hesitated, this may ruine his entire career but he could not lie to the best friend of his Uncle.

"We lost. The battle and nearly the entire taskforce."

Evahe sighed.

"Garik... I do not know what to do with you. You ware to bring the remaining of the fleet back here. We will talk once you arrive."

The communication ended. Garik sat back in his seat and took his head in his hand. Why him? Why now? Garik looked at the blaster lying on his desk. The percpective of a quick end a end to all the sufferings. Garik chased this thought of his mind. What would his uncle think of him he had to face what was to come and this meant leaving the army, his throat tightened, the army, it had been his family for so many years...

Garik got up and left his cabin. As he climbed up the corridor of the Viscount cruiser avoiding the maintenance teams who were repairing after the latest battle, he thought of how this may be the last time he sees the ship.

He arrived on the bridge. The crew was working on the few remaining monitors. Lots of the bridge bore bandages because of injures caused during the battle.

"Orders captain?" asked an officer

"Set a course for Coruscant."

A few minutes later the fleet jumped.

[ADarkJedi44]

OOC: By the way, we're not in Coruscant. Not like it matters, just telling you...

 

"Sir, General Ioor's ship has arrived. It's launched a shuttle."

"Very well, I'll go meet him"

Evahe got up and moved towards a turbolift. He was not in a good mood, Garik's failures were quite disturbing. The man who had been his favorite general was in danger of being demoted or even removed of command entirely. It wasn't long before he was face to face with Garik.

"General Ioor, I'm glad to see you've arrived safely. I'm going to give you one last chance to prove yourself. While the rest of your ships are being repaired, you will be given another task force. Its flagship will be the new interdictor/star destroyer Admiral Ackbar. You must suceed or the Advisory Council will surely have you-and possibly me-relived of command. If you suceed, perhaps you will be forgiven. Failure is not an option, you must find a force of Raporan ships and destroy then. Do you understand Garik? This is your last chance..."

***

The remnants of the Imperial fleet had fled in disarry and the defense platforms were no match for a well placed strike of plasma bombs. The shipyards were already being eradicated. The remaining citizens of Yaga Minor were all doomed.

Darth Fury smiled with satisfaction. The battle had gone well, even better than he thought it would. The Empire was crushed, now the GFFA would stand alone in defense of the galaxy. It was hopless, the GFFA was no match. The Rapora's Resurrectors would destroy planet after planet. What could stop them?

 

OOC: Alright, Mad go crush some wimpy raiding force...

[Mad78]

Garik sat in his Command chair, waiting. He had taken his small taskforce composed of 5 Nebulon-B, 2 ISDII and the Admiral Ackbar into the Rapora territory and had laid in ambush. The route was the one between Bastion and Csilla. Ressources were exchanged but it seemed like they would have to wait longer before they could cause some damage.

The crew was growing nervous, they did not like being so vulnerable.

"Captain should we not move?" asked a Lieutenant, the man was obviously new and was sweating alot.

"Wait lieutenant. I think we should not have to wait much longer."

Effectively, hardly had the Garik finished his phrase that a small Vaagri strike force exited hyperspace.

"To battle positions! Launch all fighters. The fregates are to break up and pass behind the enemy fleet. The K-Wing bombers shall give them cover as well as their respective fighter squadrons."

The Vaagari started to Maneouver as the Nebulon-Bs moved to surround them. The Convay was lightly defended but still was a challenge. 5 vaagari fregates and a Rapora cruiser.

"Open fire on the cruiser." The turbolasers of the Ackbar roared sending blasts of destructive energy crashing against the shields of the Rapora. The cruisers answered by sneding balls of plasma which crashed onto the shields of one of the ISDs and burned its hull. The Vaagari were less lucky and the K-Wings destroyed a fregate before the fighters could defend them. The Nebulons also zook damage. One of them was cut in half by a plasma blast. The burning hull pouring bodys and debris into space.

Ten minutes later all was finished. They burning remains of the Rapora cruiser finished consuming itself while the GFFA fleet regrouped. they had lost 3 nebulons and one of the ISD would need repairs before being used again in battle but the operation was a succes.

The GFFa fleet jumped to join Nevahe and report.

[ADarkJedi44]

"General Ioor. The battle was quite sucessful, but I'd consider it a sucess. We lost three frigates to their five and had an ISD damaged in exchange for the loss of a Rapora cruiser. Nothing that will change the course of the war but it's a start to reedeming yourself...."

For a moment Evahe was silent and he looked around. He looked at the holographic image of Garik and continued.

"I have an important assignment for you. You must go to the Gorath system-"

"The Gorath system? Where is that?"

"Silence. You must tell no one about this, do you understand? Many lives may hang in the balance...."

"How many lives?"

Evahe paused again.

"Trillons."

Garik did not speak, he merely nodded.

"You will tell no one then?"

Again, a nod.

"Remember this password: Krayt Dragon 591029 Rancor 054380549 Womp Rat Nuna 056."

Once again, Garik nodded and he began entering it into his datapad.

"Ok...here are the cordinates for the Gorath system..."

"What shall I find there?"

"Hope."

[BadSamaritan]

OOC: I though his saber was still broken from our last fight...... ah well.

 

IC: Seryk flew alongside Boba, close to the ground, quickly leaving behind the site of their last battle. It had been a horrid defeat for them, no question about it. They had been forced to abandon the skywalkers, the Slave VI had been destroyed, Boba was injured, and Seryks helmet was heavily damaged. He could feel the slight burn the saber had left on his face as well. And as if to ass insult to injusry, his saber had failed him at the worst possible moment. That, added to the fact that interference had prevented him from finishing off that reporan sith again, had left him in a very sour mood.

 

Boba motioned him down, and Seryk started to fly to the ground. He watched as Boba rocketed ahead, and landed near a small cave. Seryk landed next to him, and noticed that Boba was having a hard time standing up. Seryk was about to ask him if he wqas aliright, when Boba motioned him into the cave. Seryk walked inside, and Boba followed. After a few moments, They came to what looked like a makeshift door. Boba walked up to it, and tapped a few hidden buttons next to the door. The door swept open with a horrid squeak. Boba walked inside, and Seryk followed closely. Boba walked into the room, and a small light activated, slowly followed by a marge lar4ger one.

 

Seryk looked around the room, and noticed the fact the almost everything in here was covered in yeas of dust. There was an ancient workbench off to one side, and by it were a few large crates, one of them lying empty. On the other side of the room was a small cot. Seryk looked over to Bobam, and noticed the fact that he had removed his helmet. Seryk was atounded by the look on the elder mans face. It wasnt the face of the confident, deadly bounty hunter of legend. It was the face of a tired old man, who seemed to have come to a sudden realization. Seryk removed his helmet, wincing painfully as he did so. Boba looked up, and smiled.

 

"A little pain is good for you Seryk. Embrace it. Its the way of the Mandalorians." he said, and Seryk sighed. He had just learned of his history, and he was already being lectured on both halves of it. Then something that Boba had said earlier came to his mind.

 

"You said my grandfather would love to see me now? Does that mean you knew him?" He asked, and Boba nodded his head. Seryk moved closer to Boba, and leaned up against the workbench.

 

"I knew him, yes. When I was much younger. And the galaxy was a lot different," Boba said, his eyes seeming to drift back into the past, helping him bring back memories of a life long since gone. "It was not long after the rise of the Empire that we met. He pulled me out of a bad situation, one that I shouldnt have survived. After that, he helped me finish my training, and we worked together on a few hunts. And he also told me of his family. He told me of his son Dally, your uncle, and his other son, your father. He asked me that If he were to die, for me to watch out for all of you, If I could." He said, and Seryk nodded slowly. After a few moments, Boba sighed, and Continued on.

 

"A few months after we parted ways, I recieved a message form him, saying that he was going on a dangerous mission somehwere on the outer rim, hunting down some general from the clone wars that had decided to take over a small colony world. He said that if he didnt get ahold of me again, it was up to him to take care of his children. Needless to say, he never contected me after that." Boba said solemly. Seryks eyes lowered to the ground, and Boba looked up to him, a seemingly understanding look on his face.

 

"Dont take it to hard Seryk. Your grandfather died as a mandalorian should, in battle. And like a true mandalorian, I avenged him. I found the general, and killed him. After that, I found something that I thought that your father or uncle should have. But after both of them got tied up inthe rebellion, and then the New Republic, I decided it wasnt right. Then you were born. I knew then that I would eventually be able to hand this down to his offspring." Boba said, and me motioned over to a crate, hidden in the shadows. Seryk frowned, and walked over to the crate. He looked it over for a moment, and then slid the top off of it. Inside was a battered, battle-scorched suite of armor, the same colors of his own. Sitting on top of it all was a helmet, in worse condition than his own. Seryk reached down, and picked up the helmet carefully. He looked it over, and nodded slowly. He looked over to Boba, and noticed again that Boba was in pain.

 

"Are you alright?," he asked, concern in his voice. "You took quite a hit back there." he finished, and Boba sighed.

 

"Im old Seryk, far to old to be doing this anymore. I fought against the rebellion, I fought against the resurrected emperor, I fought agaisnt the vong. All my life, I have been fighting. I am just hoping for one last chance to die like a mandalorian, in combat." he said, a hint of sorrow in his voice. Seryk nodded in understanding. He could feel that calling also, the calling of a true warrior. To die in combat.

 

"I can understand that, and I think you will still have more than once chance yet." he said, setting hte helmet back down into the crate. "If these Repora are anything like the rest of the race, the galaxy is in for one hell of a big fight. And we will need all the warriors we can get our hands on." he said, and Boba nodded, and slowly stood up.

 

"Well then Seryk, we had better get moving. If we have a need for warriors, there are quite a few out there, if you know where to look." he said, and he walked over to an ancient communications unit. Seryk tilted his head to his side in confusion, and was about to ask who Boba was referring to, when Boba looked back at him.

 

"But first, we need a ride out of here. With my ship out of the question, how about yours?" he asked, and Seryk grimaced.

 

"Short of a miracle, my ship is done for. The repora did a number on it already. But my co-pilot is on board, and should repsond to a call for help." he said, and Boba nodded. Seryk walked over to the comm unit, and flicked it on. After a few moments, he switched it over the his ships special frequency, and sent out a distress call, hoping that Burt wasnt hooked into the simulator again.

 

OOC: Ill finish this off later, or when it would be a good time for me to intervene.

[Trejiuvanat]

When he first stepped into the room, he believed to be prepared to confront the scene that would play out ahead of him. The dozens of Military Medical Droids, the sour odor of Bacta and the stark white decoration were the same in every single medical clinic in Imperial Space. The tall human in his white suit, and his Ithorian assitant did not seem out of place either.

 

"Ah, Admiral Oreton." The doctor said as he stretched his hand at him. "We have been waiting for you."

 

Oreton wondered for the second who the 'we' implied.

 

"And you are?"

 

Athien in a white ceremonial suit enigmatically smiled at the doctor, who shrugged her negligence off and led them to a special room.

 

On a metallic bed, with bacta patches and special devices attached to his body lay Grand Admiral Pellaeon. The white clothing was not too distant from the uniform entitled to his as Supreme Commander of the Imperial forces. With his eyes closed, his expression was that of a dead person. For a single moment Oreton pictured the death of the patriarch of the Imperial Fleet, a man that had seen so many battles, Pellaeon was mortal. The man that wore the expression of a pleased old man, was as vulnerable to death as he was.

 

Luckily a motion of Pellaeon's hand, interrupted his thinking. Like an anchor it held him to the reality of the moment, Pellaeon was alive.

 

The two eyes opened, at first unfocused they narrowed as he turned his head to Oreton. An attempt at a smile was on Pellaeon's face.

 

"Baros?"

 

Oreton nodded. Pellaeon's gaze then focused on a small cabinet on the opposite side of the bed. Oreton looked at it questioningly, and Pellaeon outstretched a finger.

 

"He wants something in the cabinet," Athien said and opened the cabinet. A few datachips and a single black case were within. She took out the black case and presented it to the ancient Grand Admiral, who stared hard at her. He said nothing, but Oreton knew that Pellaeon had guessed who she was.

 

"Yes, he lives." Oreton confirmed, and there was another smile on the old man's face.

 

"Open it." Pellaeon ordered and Baros Oreton obeyed. Inside were twelve colored square pieces. Six blue ones, three red, and three gold pieces. A Grand Admiral's insignia.

 

"Sir?" Oreton turned to him.

 

"The Empire is in your hands, Baros." Pellaeon responded to an unasked question.

 

"Thank you, sir." Oreton answered and with that the ancient Admiral closed his eyes again.

 

Oreton stood up and Athien kept close to him. The doctor joined him.

 

"He had been waiting for your arrival for days. Every time he woke up he would ask for your presence."

 

"How is he?"

 

"You saw him yourself, he is weak, very weak. He is old as well, and his body has started to fail him. Bacta could recover most of the organs, but there is no real cure against old age. If he survives he would be tied to a hover chair, unless he chooses to have limb replacements."

 

"He would never want to become another Vader. Do as much as your science can do for him, he deserves a better death than pass away tied to so many machines."

 

"Yes, sir."

 

Oreton led Athien out of the room.

 

"You are Supreme Commander of Imperial Forces now, Baros. Will this change your intended projects."

 

"No, the Empire shall thrive in darkness for a while. A few of my fleets will harass the Rapora in the vicinity and defend some world of medium importance. I will still go with you into the Unknown Regions."

 

"Any particular reason?"

 

"Because if I want to see the Empire free of the Rapora threat I must learn how to defeat them the next time we meet."

 

"And how would that be?"

 

"To learn directly from the greatest tactician in the galaxy. Your father."

 

"A war cannot be solely won by sublime goals, undoubtedly you will have Imperious refitted according to UDA Standards?" She asked.

 

"Without doubt, Athien."

 

Within an hour the Sovereign Star Destroyer joined the Freedom of Thought in their deep-space rendezvous point and from there they started their way into the Unknown Regions.

[Stellar_Magic]

Jacen felt eyes upon him as he eased the starfighter through the atmosphere. There below him Jacen saw the curving shape of a Sekotan ship rising swiftly to his altitude. His comm board crackled, "Jacen Solo, your Uncle and his family have been captured by the Rapora."

 

Jacen felt his pulse quicken as he heard the voice an echo from a vision he'd held tightly to during the Vong invasion, "Who are you?"

 

"It doesn't matter, you must know they're expecting you, follow me and I'll explain everything."

 

* * *

 

Luke felt the clawed hands of the Rapora lift him from the floor. He was thrown into the tiny cell with Mara and Ben. The Rapora warrior which had brought them there stepped back as Shren entered the chamber, flanked by Malice and Tuvax, "You gave us quite a chase."

 

Mara smiled, "And we will again, you didn't catch the Mandalorians or Anakin. They'll spring us."

 

Shren's head flashed to Mara as though she'd been slapped, "So the rumors were true. Anakin Skywalker is very much alive."

 

Darth Malice gnashed his teeth in anger and frustration, "What does it matter."

 

"It changes everything, don't you know what this means, the prophecy is coming true," Shren turned to Luke, "At least we have a bargaining chip with him."

 

"Do you really think it will be enough? We should return to Raporan space immediately with our prize," Darth Malice answered. He glanced around the chamber, "No one is worth this much trouble."

 

* * *

 

The Advisory Council sat in full session, only a few of the chairs were empty, and the majority of these was occupied by a hologram. All except one. Luke Skywalkers seat remained painfully empty, and Cal found that his heart slowed every time he saw it. He still hoped that Luke would return, but with each passing day, the odds of it became less likely.

 

Admiral Kre'Fey sighed as he finished giving his report and tossed the datapad to the table top, "There it is, in the last week the Rapora have effectively knocked the Empire out of the War."

 

The melancohly mood of the gather was increased by the silent acceptance of his words. Slowly Admiral Kre'Fey sat back in his seat as an usher slipped in, "Councilors, Admiral Evahe has arrived."

 

Cal sighed, "Send him in."

[ADarkJedi44]

Evahe strood in. He was nervous, he knew how grave the situation was as everyone there did. As Supreme Commander he was expected to have news that would strengthen the resolve of the Galactic Federation of Free Alliance. He could tell only of disasters. He stood by his seat and reported the latest news.

"Members of the Advisory Council I regreat to inform you of the latest tragedy. It appears General Garik Ioor was assassinated."

This brought a flurry of comments. Some of the more intellignet members of the Advisory Council understood what a catastrophe this was. Others did not.

"This is a blessing! Did Garik not lead two task forces to devestation?"

Evahe reacted furiosly and the meeting broke down into a fierce argument. Cal Omas finally stopped the chaos a few moments later.

"Enough, enough! You have made your points. Garik did lose two task forces but it was against an enemy we still do not understand. There can be no doubt that he was a very capable commander."

Evahe nodded in agreement.

"However, we do not have time to dwell upon that. The Empire has disappeared and the same can be said for the Chiss. We are alone in this war. We must prefer for an invasion. Supreme Commander Evahe?"

He nodded and stood again. He a little unerved by the sudden brushing aside of what had happened to Garik but he could think about Garik later.

"The Rapora will doubtelessly soon attack us. Invasion will come soon but they will hopefully pause for a moment. Every moment we get is precious. The Third Fleet is being rebuilt and it's remnants are assigned to protecting key shipyards. The First and Second Fleets are also protecting our shipyards. The Fifth Fleet is to protect against a possible Raporan advance from te Unknown Reigions, while the First Fleet will protect against a Raporan Advance from Bilibringi. The Fourth Fleet will be my personal command and will likely be used to counterattack a Raporan advance."

He turned on a holoprojector showing the galaxy.

"Any questions?"

[BadSamaritan]

Burt sat in the sole chair in the lounge that remained comftereable, wondering what was taking everybody so long. granted, the solitude was comforting, with only the local mechaincs coming around to laugh at the remains of the ship. But still, he worried. They had been gone for far to long. As these thoughts crossed his mind, the comm unit started to beep, and he got up to walk over to it.

 

As he reached it, he saw that a messege was coming in on the emergency frequency. Burt frowned at this, it meant something had gone terribly wrong. he flicked the comm unit on, and spoke into the mic.

 

"Burt here. Whats going on?" he asked, worry in his voice. He knew that the Skywalkers could handle themselves just fine, But Seryk had come off as a standard smuggler, brash and foolhardy.

 

"We got jumped by the Repora. And we got beat bad. The Skywalkers got captured, But me and Boba managed to escape. We need a pickup, and then we need to get ahold of re-inforcements to rescue them." Seryk said over the comm, and Burts jaw dropped. Things werent just bad, they were terrible.

 

"Alright, Ill see what I can do, the ship is still out of commision. Ill have to borrow one. Burt out." he said, killing the Mic. he turned to walk out of the ship, and then turned back to the Mic.

 

"Seryk, how will we find you?" he asked, and Seryk laughed.

 

"Just contact me on this frequency when you are on your way, we will figure it out from there." Seryk replied, and Burt simply nodded. Burt then turned, and ran out of the ship, heading towards the lot owners shop. He ran through the door, and saw the owner standing at the counter, aruing with an old droid about something.

 

"I need a ship!" Burt yelled, and the owner looked over to him, a confused look on his face.

 

"I know this. I have mechanics lined up to work on yours. It will still take some time, however." he said, and he truned back to the droid, proceeding to get back ino his arguement. Burt shook his head, and sighed.

 

"No, I need a ship, now! Seryk and the Skywalkers are in trouble." he said, and the sotre owner turned towards him quickly, a concerened look on his face.

 

"In trouble? How so?" he asked, walking towards Burt. Burt took a second to catch his breath, and repeated what Seryk had told him over the comm. The owner nodded his head, and looked to the droid.

 

"Lebo, get on the comm, and call up the group. And ready the ship. We have work to do." he said, and Burt looked at him, confusion on his face. The old man laughed, and shook his head.

 

"Burt, you are looking at the commander of the Tatooine defence force. When the vong invaded, a bunch of retired smugglers and pirates decided that if the war came here, we would fight to defend this planet. We have enough old spacers retired here to make an impressive little fighting force, once all the available ships are ready to go." he said, and Burt simply nodded his head in understanding. The droid looked over to Burt and the old man, and tilted his head to the side.

 

"Shall I ready the fighters also? If young master Burt is with Seryk, than I assume he is a pilot." the droid asked, and the old man nodded. The droid turned, and walked out the door, and started walking towards and old, decrepid looking building. The old man followed, and Motioned for Burt to join him. As they walked, Burt turned to the old man.

 

"What fighters?" he asked, and the old man smiled.

 

"Oh, nothing much. Just a pair of retired starfighters. We.... aqquired them from the GFFA shortly after the war agains tthe vong ended. We have modified them since hen, of course." he said, and Burt smiled. He had heard that a number of GFFA starfighters had vanished shortly after the war had ended. Most pointed their fingers to pilots taking them home, but some figured that pirates and smugglers were back to their old tricks again. As they reached the building, the droid tapped a few buttons on a keypad, and the door opened. A light came on inside the buidling, and As burt got closer to the building, his eyes lit up at what he saw.

 

Inside the building was a beautiful old YT-2400, its glossy finish reflecting the light almost painfully. Burt could see the quad laser cannons on the top and bottom on the hull, and also spotted a pair of hiddedn missle launchers on the front. But what really caought his eye were the two fighters sitting behind it. He had figured that the old man had a pair of X- or A-wings, picked up second hadn from some smuggling group. But instead, they were two sand colored E-wings. But something was different about them. Then he noticed it. The top mounted laser cannon was missing, and in its place was a light ion-cannon. And also, the other two laser cannons had been replaced with dual laser cannons.

 

"You like the ship?" the old man asked, and Burt nodded. The ship looked like it had been cared for for years now. He could tell the the old man loved this ship, probably mroe than life itself. He then noticed the woman sitting in the cockpit of the vessel. She looked over to them, and nodded.

 

"The ship is powering up, commander. Will you be fly your ship, or one fo the fighters?" she asked, and the old man seemed to think for a moment.

 

"You take one of the fighters, Guri. Ill take the Outrider II" He said, and the woman nodded. The old man looked over to the droid, who was over along one wall, talking into a comm unit quickly. The droid then truned to the old man, and nodded.

 

"Master Rendar, several ships have responded, and are preparing for launch. Several more are already in the air." the droid said, and the old man smiled. He looked to Burt, and nodded.

 

"Well, lets get this over with. The skywalkers arent going to wait forever." he said, and Burt nodded in agreement. He walked over to one of the fighters, and climbe dup into the cockpit. he took a few seconds to familiarize himself with all of the controls, and then began to close teh canopy. As he did so, he heard a light twittering from behind him. It took him a moment to realise it was the R7 unit pluggeding itself in. Burt looked down to his command screen, and saw text flash onto it. R7-V9 unit online, all systems normal blinked three times, and Burt nodded.

 

"Do you have a name yet?" he asked, and a negative reponce came over the screen. Burt frowned, he hadnt heard the droid make a sound.

 

"Do you ever beep?" he asked, amusement in his voice. All R type units beeped, almost to the point of driving their owners mad. The R7 simply shook its head, and another negative came across the screen.

 

"Alright then, how about we call you Whisper then?" he asked, and the droid was still wor a moment, and then let out a painfull squeel. Burt winced, and laughed. He guessed that the droid liked its new name.

 

"Burt, this is Rendar, do you copy?" Rendar asked over the comm, and burt at first nodded, then realised that Dash couldnt see him. He put on his helmet, and adjusted the small mic.

 

"I copy. Whats our callsigns?" he asked, and he could hear Rendar chuckle.

 

"Thats easy. You and Guri are Dunes one and two, respectivly. I am Dune lead. Dont worry about the rest of the ships that are coming wqith us. If you need help, just call out for it, understood?" he asked, and Guri and Burt both responded at once. Burt looked up, and watched as the roof of the building slipped to the side, and the the Outrider II rose out into the sky, and blased off. Guri followed suite, and Burt left the hanger last. Burt looked around the sky, and was astounded by the number of ships now in the air. Close to a dozen wer flying around, waiting for orders.

 

"Alright everyone, fan out from the city, and call out anything you see that looks odd. And I mean anything. you got that?" Rendar ordered, and a flurry or responces came over the comm unit.

 

"Dune one and two, you are with me." Rendar said, and Burt throttled up to follow Guri and Rendar north of the city. They were heading towards Seryk and his companion, but they did not know where they skywalkers were, hence the reason all the other ships were fanning out in a rag-ag search pattern.

 

Burt followd Guri and Rendar at a slight distance, quickly becoming familiar with the controls of the fighter. He just hoped that they would find Seryk and the skywalkers before it was to late.

 

OOC: Ok, getting set up for one last big battle before we get off of this rock.

[Stellar_Magic]

Jacen slid his X-wing behind the Sekotan Skip as its pilot expertly slid through the desolate canyon walls, ahead a large cave loomed. Without pausing or slowing in the least the skip shot into the darkness and Jacen felt fear begin to creep in as he followed into the darkness. Ahead he saw in the dim light the skip slow, then stop before descending to the craggy surface of the cave. Jacen managed to bring his fighter to hover and land beside the organic vessel. As his fighter touched down Jacen hurridly powered down and popped the cockpit hatch.

 

The other pilot was already outside his craft, his hands crossed in front of him, and a slight smile slidding across his face, "Your piloting skills are much like those of your father."

 

"Jaina is better," Jacen answered clambering out of the cockpit.

 

The man nodded, "I haven't seen her fly, though news of her accomplishments has spread quite far, as have your own."

 

Jacen shrugged, "I just did what I felt was right."

 

The man's face seemed to darken slightly from the words, "Yes, for some that works I suppose." He smiled slightly, "It's been awhile since I piloted through this cave, and last time it was in a pod racer, fortunately nothing's changed since then."

 

Jacen studied the cloaked man, "So who are you?"

 

The man sighed and sat on one of the rocky outcroppings which littered the cavern, "Millenia ago, a Sith made a prophecy, one which was handed down by word of mouth for thousands of years, even the Jedi learned of it, but none of them knew its full nature. Just over fifty years ago the Jedi Council thought the prophecy was coming true, they found me, a boy born fatherless with a sheer strength in the force that was beyond all comparison. A boy called Anakin Skywalker."

 

Jacen felt his nerves tighten, "It's impossible."

 

"Luke thought the same thing when I told him, he didn't say it persay, but he did think it." Anakin slowly sighed, "The force is full of mysteries and enigmas, and as you have found, it has a will of its own, but it is a will divided like the polar ends of all sentient psyche, logic and reason against emotion and passion. The so called light and dark sides of the force, and each can work against the other, creating and destroying, guiding and nurturing, as each feels best." He paused, "And each can create a being in its own image, or as an image of the force as a whole." Anakin slowly seemed to tire, "There is more I must tell you, more that must be explained, but there is no time. The Rapora have captured your uncle, my son, and are preparing to leave the system with them." He stood and closed his eyes, "In two minutes three craft will fly over this region, join up with them, I'll lead you to the Rapora, we have no choice but to attempt a rescue."

 

"I'll be ready," Jacen answered as his brain struggled to grasp the enormity of what had been said, suddenly the universe and the force seemed to have been tipped upside down.

[Mad78]

Garik looked at the tunnel of light which was Hyperspace. He was dead, officially at least, Evahe had looked after everything. His personnal speeder had been bombedand destroyed to give the impression of a terrorist attack. The short range plasma bomb used in the attack had destroyed any proof.

While the Security forces arrived Garik had jumped into Hyperspace using an old Lambda shuttle. All Evahe had given him was some Hyperspace coordinates and a code:

Krayt Dragon 591029 Rancor 054380549 Womp Rat Nuna 056

He had not told what was over there only tat it was Hope, a thing Garik had thought had disappeared after seeing the Rapora Cruisers whipping out the GFFA ships in waves of mines and plasma.

The Shuttle arrived into the Gorath system.

Garik scanned the com frequencies.

Suddenly two black shapped ships exited hyperspace on each side of the shuttle. The where about the lengh of Corvette and were painted night black.

The bridge was at the back of the ship. In a position where they could easily look over the front to the ship. The ship was armed with no less than 4 turbolaser batteries, two were positioned on top in a postion to cover the bridge and the two other directly underneath the top ones.

The two top batteries of each ship rotated and aimed the shuttle.

"You have ten seconds to transmit the identification code. Any change of course will mean imediate destruction." said a voice in the communication panel of the shuttle. Garik switched on the mic.

"Krayt Dragon 591029 Rancor 054380549 Womp Rat Nuna 056"

The turbolasers of the to black ships rotated back into their standbye positions and each of the ships moved into a position to escort the shuttle.

"Welcome to the Gorath system. You may land on Gorath 3. The Commander shall be awaiting you." The communication was cut.

Garik piloted the Shuttle to the 3 planet. It seemed like the planet was surrounded by a giant storm all that ould be seen was the intermitent flashes of lightning. A large Skyhook was orbiting the planet, connecting it to the ground was a long tube which must have been a lift.

Identification lights turned on indicating a Hangar.

Garik landed the shuttle in it. A welcoming commitee was awaiting him, 4 soldiers in blue uniform. At their head was an officer. As Garik descended the ramp The soliders and the officer saluted, Garik returned the salut and then looked at the 4 soldiers, thy were each armed with 1 Bryar pistol but the protective patch on their shoulders suggested they ere used to uusing heavier weaponary. Garik turned towards the officer.

"I am General Garik Ioor."

"Commander Lor Mazoc, I command this facility. Please follow me we shall talk while we walk."

Garik followed the Commander out of the hangar and into the corridors of the Skyhook.

"May i enquire what this facility was created for."

The Commander smilled.

"You will have to see that by your own eyes sir."

[ADarkJedi44]

Suddenly, Evahe's comlink beeped. He walked away from the meeting for a moment.

"Supreme Commander Litok here."

A pause for a few moments as he listened.

"Can you confirm this?"

He listened again.

"Very well then, I'll inform the Advisory Council immediatly."

He returned and stood by his seat, looking rather pale.

"Members of the Advisory Council, I regret to inform you of more bad news. It appears...It appears that the mysterious vanishings have begun again. As you know, many have vanished mysteriously in the past but it had appeared to stop. Now it has begun anew, with hundreds of crewmen vanishing. From every fleet, every task force, men are disappearing. If it continues it may be a servere problem. As of the moment we have no idea as to who is the cause or how to stop them...We can only watch as the vanishings reach alarming rates..."

***

"We have been expecting you," said the base's commander.

"Supreme Commander Evahe has told us the day would come when our work would be used. The day when all of the galaxy would benifit from what we have done here."

Garik merely looked at him questioningly.

"I will begin by explaining how this facility was established. After Vegere destroyed Alpha Red it was decided that new, secret facilites had to be established. Therefore we were established here, in the secret Gorath system. Few new of our existance, Evahe was only told when he became Supreme Commander. Not even Cal Omas knows."

The base commander looked around and smiled.

"Now, it is time. Our project is nearly finished. All the galaxy will tremble as we release it's awsome power."

He paused again.

"Come General Garik and see."

He surged forward with Garik quickly behind him.

 

OOC: Mad, don't reveal it just yet...

[Mad78]

The Commander lead Garik through the different corridors of the Skyhook, each one filled with technicians and different personnel on their daily routine. They finally arrived in front of a large blast door. It was obviously designed to resist an important assault. Two guards were standing infront. They saluted as the two officers approached, Garik couldn't help noticing the two heavy laser batteries concealed on each side of the door. If necessary they could pop out and hose down anything approching.

The Commander approached a control panel on the door. An electronic eye came out and scanned his retinea. The blast doors unlocked an opened to reveal a lift.

"After you General."

Garik stepped in, after the Lor had followed him the blast doors closed and the lift started moving. Repulsors turned on to compensate the speed at which the cabin speed towards the surface.

A few minutes later the cabin stopped in front of another set of blast doors.

"Alpha 0629 Beta Mynock 2"

The doors slid open.

"Not yet there General." said the Lor with a smile "We have to take a turborail to the other side of the planet first."

On these words a door opened revealing a train. The two officers got into the vehicule. After the doors had closed the vehicule sped up. Ten minutes later it stopped in front of a door.

"What you are about to see General, Is one of the greatest secrets of the military force of the republic." The commander put his hand on a scanner and the doors slid open. In front of what he saw Garik's jaw dropped open.

"Beautiful isn't it" said Lor "And its nearly finished."