Ossus Invasion The Avillion Crusade - Invasion of Ossus

[Darth Caelestis]

Dennon had been a victory for Darth Caelestis and Avillion Royal Fleet, from the depths of Exegol they had risen and struck out at the Republic's flagship 7th fleet driving them from the world with their tails between their legs. From there the large fleet under the Darth was split, some staying put to guard against further invasions, others returning to Avillion to keep the Western reaches of the Sith Empire safe. But the main force that led by Darth Caelestis itself had headed North towards the Ossus, once an ancient home of the hated Jedi Order and a fringe world on the intolerable Free World Alliance.

The fleet had excited hyperspace above the planet a large space battle had quickly erupted the Resurgent Class Star Destroyers, lead by the flagship The Morgana engaging the Free World Alliance forces pitiful fleet, Turbolasers, Ion Cannons, Laser Bolts, Starfighters and Torpedoes streaked high above the surface of Ossus' wastelands. From the bowls of the fleets ships came waves of landing craft, the best and finest of the new Sith Military leading the charge against the planets ground forces. Flanked by fighters and bombers the landing craft plummeted through the hail of flak coming from the surface.

Rocking from side to side as the ship shuddered under the hail of fire, Caelestis looked down at the hologram of the planet portrayed before him sending out a light blue glow across his face. "Divide as planned, first battalion will head towards the Knossa and secure the city and government, second battalion will secure the Eocho Mountains. The Royal Guard and myself will head for the old Temple and Library. Let us remove the stain of the Jedi from this place." The Sith Lord said calmly to the Lord Commander standing next to him in the violently shaking landing craft. "Yes Mi'King." "We are the Fire." Caelestis called and a chorus of soldiers around him shouted the words of House Wessex and now Avillion back at him. The hologram disappeared plunging them all into the grim muted light of the landing crafts inside, the Sith Noble closed his eyes for a moment as he began to suck in the energy of The Force from around him, collated the powerful mythical essence within him.

The flak began to ease up as they broke through the low hanging clouds, the large canyons and monoliths giving the pilots ample cover from the largest defence platforms. A few moments later and the ship came to an abrupt halt, the light repeating blasters on top began to light up the defences before them. Sending a small vibration to match the high pitched whirl of the blaster throughout the ship, before the craft settled down onto the ground with a thud, the doors beneath the cockpit folded down and the blood red armoured Royal Guard poured forth blasters bolts firing in all directions, shouts of We are the Fire ringing from their lips. Caelestis waited a moment before he himself excited the ship flanked by his Pretorian Captain and Lord Commander of the Royal Guard.

Around him chaos was in full swing, dug in Free Worlds Alliance forces being ripped out by the Royal Guard. Starfighters screaming overhead engaged in vicious dogfights, explosions ringing off in the distance causing the ground to vibrate, clouds erupting into vibrant lights shouts of bright colours as combat erupted within them. Darth Caelestis smiled as he pulled the black sword from its scabbard, he could feel the beating heart of the blade begging for blood and death its ancient thirst never quenched. Lightly armoured the Sith Lord marched onwards his two bodyguards just behind him, death and destruction in all directions.

Spoiler: OCC

Please be aware that a cPvP has already been arranged between Darth Caelestis and Alexandria Voran @Valen Pelora. So please do not engage either party. Otherwise this is a normal PvP Invasion. Usual 48 Hour replies and rules apply.

 

[Vinry Forge]

A group of locals moved urgently through the streets, following directions towards a nearby ship that would take them to safety. Elders, women, children, injured, any who could not stay and fight were being shepherded out before things got bad. As the group rounded a corner sighs of relief went up from one and all, the young ones who carried weapons too big for them felt their bodies relax and the dread that had been tormenting them started to slip away. They had been willing to die to protect their loved ones, but maybe that would not be their fate, not today.

That was when the troops emerged from behind the ship, laying in wait, ready to ambush the evacuees. But just as their protectors were building up their resolve, preparing themselves to die, a robed figure stepped up from within the crowd. A hood fell off from her head as she stepped out front from the group, revealing a young woman with golden hair. Having revealed herself, the young woman's very presence started calming those around her.

"Please step aside and let these people through, your fight is not with them." Her words were soft, assertive, and somehow carried easily for all to hear. The soldiers just laughed, and at a gesture from their commander one of them raised his blaster and fired a shot straight at her. She didn't move, didn't even flinch as the bolt shot through her arm and landed harmlessly in the ground behind her. The wind picked up in the moment of silence that followed, as the dirt and smoke that had risen from the shot slowly started to clear away. A piece of cloth, the sleeve of her pierced robe that had been torn away by the shot fly off into the air as the cloud hiding the woman cleared away, leaving her standing there unfazed, emptiness where her left arm should have been.

The woman tilted her head inquisitively, as questioning the soldiers if they were satisfied. As their eyes went up from the stump of her hand to her face, she darted forward. Moving too fast for most to notice, she was within the soldiers before they could react, and pushed out with her right hand. They all flew out, crashing into walls, or the ship, and falling unconscious to the ground.

"Get on board," she called out to the evacuees as she straightened, "more will come."

For a moment they were too stunned to act, but then they all rushed forward, and within no time the ship was loaded and in the air. The woman waited till they were airborne, before begining to walk, letting the Force guide her to where she was needed. The Sith might think they could take what they wanted, but this time it would not be so easy. This time the Jedi were here.

@Valen Pelora @Braden Drake

 

[Drow Venn]

Location - Knossa - City Gates

"Alex (@Valen Pelora ), we have enemy inbound. Looks like I was right - they're splitting their forces. Temple is likely one of the targets too. May the Force be with you" Drow said from his position on the city of Knossa's walls. He had with him half of the Deucalian clan that he and Drastus so long ago recruited to help defend the Jedi's interests on Ossus. The other half, he'd left with Alex Voran, a friend and confidante, to help her defend the Temple. As soon as the invasion had started, Drow had predicted the Sith would attack both the capital city and the temple and so, had hurried there as fast as he could with his men to defend it.

In many ways, the Sith had chosen a remarkably bad time to invade as Drow and Drastus had arrived on the planet to oversee a cross-organization training week between the Ossus Temple Security Force (made up of the Deucalians) and the Yavin Temple Security Force (made up of the Gammorreans). The Gammorreans were to teach the Deucalians about Gammorrean martial arts while the Deucalians would have taught them about guerilla warfare. As it were, a handful of the best and brightest the Grojuk clan had to offer stood here, ready to forego their training week and put what they learned into practice with the Deucalians they had just met.

Also standing by Drow was the police chief of Knossa, ready to defend the city with his loyal men. Drow looked at Drastus and nodded reassuringly. Obviously an invasion wasn't ideal but working together, they could win the day.

"Group 1, secure the spaceports and help evacuate any pilgrims you find along the way. Groups 2 and 3, you're here with me, defending the gates. Don't let them in. Take the fighting building by building if you have to but make them pay for every inch." Drow commanded, igniting his lightsaber and readying himself to take on the hordes of Sith and troops that would shortly be attacking the gates. The city's turrets and starfighters were keeping the Sith forces engaged and preventing them from landing in the city but that hardly meant that this battle would be easy.

"You alright? What do you think?" the Ishi Tib asked Drastus. The young man was a capable fighter and, after so much they'd been through together, a friend. Drow knew he could rely on his help but he'd never forgive himself if the boy got hurt. He knew Drastus struggled with the Force and darkness but if this battle didn't earn him a Knighthood, Drow was going to have serious words with the Council.

@Rhogar @Braden Drake @Wit

 

[Crix Aran]

Well so much for Ossus being a world basically forgotten to the bloody Galaxy - seemed that the best defense the Jedi could muster against the Sith these days was to either not be there when they showed up or to cut down their commanders and have the troopers cut and run like the cowards they invariably were.

It cut deep to see the Sith finding Ossus after Crix himself had led missions to ensure that the Jedi presence on Ossus had been kept secret from all but the Jedi themselves and their closest allies. Maybe having the FWA send them a token karking effort of a fleet was enough to have their intelligence compromised?

Sounded about right.

Crix rolled his neck as he cut through the last of the Empire's forces guarding one of their landing points in the city. Specifically the landing point inside the city attempted by an over zealous pilot away from the majority of the landing craft. The remaining troopers had been gunned down by some of the local Deucalian (was he saying that right?) guards. Taking a deep breath, Crix tried not to think about the deaths he had caused or those he would soon be dealing out.

He tapped the Jedi com line even though he was only a few blocks over from Drow and Drastus.

"Securing a Sith transport - just got to wait for the local guards to slice the console so I have their codes." he grinned a little bit despite the circumstances, "Always up for a joyride you know?"

Just had to ensure that none of the Sith managed to stop them from getting into the transport.

@Rhogar @Braden Drake @Wit @Fantasy Liver @Valen Pelora

 

[Drastus Drahr]

War. It had been awhile since Denon. And Drastus had seen many battles before and since. Having been asked by Drow a week prior to aid in a cross-training exercise, he happily accepted. After all, he had forged a bond with the Deucalians there after he fought their Clan leader and spared him. The Sith had come to Ossus, but they had come to lose.

Clad in his Mandalorian armor, his beskad was sheathed over his shoulder while his blaster and saber were holstered on opposite hips. In fact, Drastus had forged a bond with most of the security forces that now defended the planet. He had made a mistake on Denon, he hadn't been close enough to the fighting and because of that, he was nowhere near close enough to help Master Tionson. That would not be the case here.

Due to the negotiations between Master Yvain and a member of the Orar'da'yadr, the Mandalorian Warriors that had survived the fighting on Taris, had been lent to the Jedi. As such, they were eager to go to Ossus and see if their ancient rivals of the Deucalians were as strong as they said. But to them, they could set aside such challenges and tests to deal with the Sith. They remembered Taris, and they refused to let history repeat.

Behind him and the Ishi TIb, the Deucalians, Gammoreans, and Mandalorians would take up their own pre-fighting chanting. He couldn't understand what the Gammoreans nor the Deucalians were saying, at least not fully. But the war chant of his people, he knew as the Dha Werda Verda. And he embraced it. This Darth Caelestis, whoever he was, had chosen to bring war to the people of Ossus, and he would be disappointed to find themselves equally matched. Between their impressive ground forces and the Kowakian Devil Fleet protecting the planet, the Force and the Old Gods smiled on them.

His gaze would shift to Drow, his voice modulated by the speakers of the helm. "Better than alright." his visor would then shift towards the enemy forming ahead. "As to what I think?" he bore the visage of his people, but today, he would represent Jedi and Mando. White plasma would sing to life as he activated his saber. Today was a day to avenge Max, to avenge Talak. "Kyr'am bal Kote!" he'd shout back to the Mandalorians as his saber waved overhead, who would take up his battlecry. And then it would fall, pointing at the enemy. "Par Uley, par cuun tsad, par Jetii!"

@Fantasy Liver @Braden Drake @Valen Pelora @Nefieslab

Spoiler: Mando'a translations

"Death and Glory!" "For Ossus, for our alliance, for the Jedi!"

 

[Bir Vuul]

Wherever Darth Caelestis went, it seemed that the deranged Champion known as Bir Vuul was likely not far behind. Hearing of his successful repulsion of the Republic fleet over Denon, the Kel Dor hurried to rendezvous with the Sith Lord. Artorigas was riding high with his victory and sought to compound his glory with a push back at their natural enemies and Bir had every intention of being there to share in that honor. As the fleet dropped out of hyperspace over Ossus, Vuul stood in the hangar and watched as the pilots and troops began to hurry towards their respective fighters and landing craft. Beyond the shields that separated the crew of The Morgana and the empty void of space, the battle had begun as opposing forces collided in combat. He could feel the panic of the people of the world below as well as the determination of both Sith and Resistance forces alike. Whatever the outcome would be, Bir was thrilled at the chaos that rang out across the scene before him.

As Caelestis and his platoon boarded their transport, Bir hurried along behind whilst he fiddled his fingers ahead of himself. Pilots began to run up the staircases adjacent to their fighters but as the squadron leader prepared to sit himself down in the seat of his Scyk-class starfighter, he would feel the metallic fingers of Bir’s prosthetic close around the back of his neck before being lifted from the cockpit.

“What the hell?!” the man cried out before he was tossed aside, the Kel Dor taking his place and sealing himself inside. As the squadron leader began to pull himself back to his feet, he would witness his fighter lifting off from the hangar floor with the rest of his wing mates, a beaming grin plastered across the face of the Kel Dor as he waved innocently at his ship-jacking victim before it accelerated out into the battle.

”Squadron, form up on me!” Bir ordered through his comms, met with a handful of confused responses as they realised the maniacal tone of the Kel Dor was not that of their flight leader though they quickly understood that a Sith Champion had commandeered their forces and complied. Tearing through the defences as they escorted Artorigas into the atmosphere of Ossus until he neared the temple, Bir would then break off and lead the fighter squadron back towards the capital city. The flight was short due to their speed and as they closed in on Knossa, he would spot a fleeing transport that was undoubtedly packed with civilians looking to escape the conflict.

”Time to commit some war crimes!” the Kel Dor laughed menacingly as he locked on to the ship and unleashed a volley of laser fire that struck the starboard engine. Shaking violently, the transport now billowing black smoke from the gaping hole, it began to descend before slamming violently into the city wall in an eruption of carnage and flame. His squadron would then accelerate until Bir’s own craft was surrounded by his wingmates, the Scyk safely ensconced in the center of their formation as they flew over the cityscape below.

@Braden Drake @Valen Pelora @Wit @Fantasy Liver @Nefieslab @Rhogar​

 

[Ben Haradan]

The Haradan had been hunted by the FWA for years as it dashed between civilized space and the Outer Rim on orders of their new overlord, Darth Asminys. Raids on freighters were common and even a starliner with Coreworld tourists had been forced to pay a ransom to Ben's crew for them to be left alone while travelling from Coruscant to the Outer Rim world of Naboo. The ISC had caused an increase of travel over less-protected hyperlanes that passed worlds without dedicated beacons or sector patrols, making them all easy targets.

Today was different. Darth Asminys had ordered the Haradan to join the assault on the former Jedi world of Ossus, which was deep in FWA space. For some reason the Sith Lord in charge had decided to splinter its fleet, attacking the FWA planet with less than half of the fleets the newly Sith Empire usually used. It shouldn't matter. The Haradan was there to-

-the moment YZ-775 Medium Transport left hyperspace it landed in a fierce space battle that had been nowhere in the battle plans that had previously been shared with Ben. The Haradan's hyperdrive had a lesser rating, hence their late arrival, but what he saw when he looked out towards the planet from his pilot's chair filled him both with pride as with utter dread. "The Kowakian Devils!" he laughed excitedly. Osseins grew up in space and learned to fly faster than they learned to walk, making them more instinctive pilots than any academy or training could ever produce. Ben instantly knew that against their modified fighters and small freighters most Sith-trained pilots would breathe fumes and choke on the endless void of space. Kriff, this was exciting!

The Haradan veered left to avoid incoming fire under the loud laughter of its excited captain, "Play the tune on all open channels!" he shouted to his comms officer. The invading fleet would communicate between each other through their own encrypted channels, naturally, but evacs and scrambled defensive actions would often use open more accessible ones. Experience told Ben that was probably the case here, too.

Two seconds later the tune was blasted across all open channels to utterly distract defender and they'd know: the Haradan was here.

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Violence. Why could she not escape violence? This was never who she wanted to be. The Jedi are at war and you’re their general. Not a healer, not a diplomat…a warrior…the voice in the back of her mind whispered. Self-doubt crept in when she was alone. Who could she tell when the Order looked to her for guidance? Tedimor and Lena did not know her well enough. Drow and Vahn needed her to be certain of herself. Her students could not bear the burden of her guilt. Perhaps Sevrin, but he spent so little time above the shadows. So, she fought her demons alone.

The war had found Alexandria Voran again. The Temple on Ossus was a closely guarded secret. They should have been safe. No Jedi would reveal the location, and none had been taken that could. How had the Sith found them? A terrible coincidence? If it was, the Darkness would find just how horrible a mistake they had made. The Order protected Ossus but they were not alone. The Ossein Fleets were the stuff of legends…the Kowakian Devils already engaging above. There was no ragtag Free World army on Ossus. No, their fleets were well structured machines of death. The Sith would find no easy victory in the skies above.

Alex was concerned with the ground below. The Order were already marshaling defenses. Drow and Vinry prepared the citizens while Alex commanded the Temple. It was not abandoned as the Sith believed. The Order had spent years preparing for this moment. They were well defended. She was vaguely aware of Crix causing trouble somewhere out on the surface. She prayed for him. Oddly, she felt comfort knowing he was close.

Alex turned from the Temple’s windows, Drow’s voice ringing in her ears. Her coms reached all the Jedi on Ossus. She was their general. She was their warrior. The Sith had come for blood...and they would have it. She clicked the secure Order wide coms on. “They scream we are the fire. They seek to burn us out. We will remind them the flames belong to the Light and the Darkness cannot stand before it.” She walked out the front steps of the Temple. Already the fighting was close. She knew Darth Caelestis was in the field. She breathed in every ounce of the Light, shinning like a beacon against the encroaching darkness. The Grandmaster's old saber sprung to life in her right hand. The pure white blade casting a beautiful glow. “May the Force be with us.” Grandmaster Boan had fought tirelessly for peace. Max had done the same. Where had that gotten them? It was time to try things her way. The kyber in the saber hummed in agreement, it had learned that much from Asminys.

@Braden Drake @Eccles @Tulos @Rhogar @Nefieslab @Fantasy Liver @Wit

 

[Ben Haradan]

The Haradan was reluctant to fire at the Kowakian Devils and they in turn seemed to find reasons to avoid a direct confrontation with the other Ossein vessel as well. There was always another Sith or FWA fighter in between them. This didn't go unnoticed either and soon the Haradan received a message from Sith Fleet Command:

"Haradan. Land near the old Jedi temple. Secure it for the Empire."​

It was almost blasphemy to ground an Ossein vessel as versed in naval combat as the Haradan, but Ben and his crew had heard how the Sith treated its allies. Preef Callo had been unceremoniously killed for an unknown reason and had he been that different from them? Both fought for the Sith but did not ascribe to their ways and neither could wield the Force. No, when it came to orders from the Sith Empire, Ben knew better than to disobey. "Full power to shields," he ordered, "Prepare all boarding parties for combat." The Haradan dove down through the clouds and into the general direction of where the Sith thought the Jedi temple used to be, but while they expected the fighter to be less down there, the number of Ossein ships only increased, "Ben! Shields at 20%!" one of the Haradan's bridge crew warned her captain. Kriff, whatever Sith intel had said it was defintely proved wrong now. "Return fire!" the Ossein almost shouted the order before all the Haradan's guns started blasting towards the nearby enemy vessels. It gave their shield the reprieve they needed and soon the medium freighter got the window the land.

The coordinates the Sith had given him had been off, but only just. Ben wasn't able to see the main entrance or the Jedi that were present (@Valen Pelora), but he did spot another entrance and soon twenty Ossein pirates disembarked from the main ramp and headed over. "Keep your eyes open," ben barked, "Intel says this temple is long abandoned, but-" he drew his pistol from its holster, "-those kriffers didn't know the karking Kowakian Devils were here either."

A minute later Ben and his nineteen pirates entered the temple from the rear and although they had brought flashlights, expecting cobweb-filled halls and dank rooms, they didn't need it. Instead the power grid seemed active and the halls were swept, filling Ben with the expected sense of dread. Did he just get used by the Sith to die at the hands of the other Force-wielding warriors? "Stay alert. Shoot at everything that moves."

This wasn't good. This wasn't good at all.

 

[Bir Vuul]

As the squadron of fighters banked to the right and back across the cityscape, firing on defenders and towers alike to send debris cascading down into the streets below, Bir’s signature cackle could be heard through the communicators of each of his wing mates. Whilst these pilots had been trained to be effective and precise in eliminating targets selected for them by their commanders, they were now being led by a mad man who’s only driving ambitions was chaos and carnage. Were they satisfied with the arrangement? Likely not but none of them had the courage or gall to say anything. That is, until one of Darth Caelestis’ Admiral’s contacted the Mad Champion directly.

”Pilot! Your orders were clear! Why have you broken off from your flight path?!” His tone was one of irritated rage so when Bir’s snicker came back in response, the Kel Dor could only imagine such feelings were amplified. It did not take long for an exasperated sigh to come through the channel. ”Damn it, Bir! Is that you?!”

Silence.

....Yes,” Bir replied, still snickering as the fighter twisted and turned through the city skyline.

”If you’re already down there, why don’t you put your maniacal tendencies towards something useful and divert course for the old Temple? Leave me and my men to the battle and get out of my hair?!”

Instead of offering the Admiral a response, Bir looked to the wingmen at his side through his view port and offered them a casual salute before breaking off and upward, then jetting in the direction of the temple.

As he descended through the clouds and the temple came into view, Bir could see that he was not alone in this assignment as a group of pirates began to infiltrate the construct from a landing pad. The fighting around the building was thick; just as thick as it had been over the city. Instead of opting to engage the enemy, Bir allowed the Force to guide his hand as he pushed the fighter towards the temple landing pad. Setting his ship down in behind the pirate craft, the Kel Dor rushed to unclip his safety restraints and pulled up the rear of the group with his saber in hand.

Bir had expected an abandoned and decrepit hall but instead was greeted by the sight of a fully active and staffed Jedi construct, earning a high pitched chuckle.

"Well this isn't good! No! No! Not good at all!"

 

[Alexandria Voran]

The skies above the Temple darkened. Ossus feeling each lost life. The planet would weep before the day was done. War brought no happy endings, only resolutions. Alex stood before the Temple steps, a maelstrom of the Force. Her white blade spinning elegantly in her hands. She called to Caelestis. Face me you coward. The Light burst from Alex…the Sith Lord must feel it. He belonged to her. She would risk no lives but her own. Why could she not draw him out?

Alex spun, the Force rippling from her hand to send a handful of Sith Troopers tumbling. Her saber continued to battle bolts into the sky. Death clawed at her senses, but she took no lives. Jedi were not killers. She would show the galaxy that even when their home was threatened, the Order fought with the Light. The Morellian Councilor turned to survey the battlefield. Her forces guarding the Temple held firmly. The Sith had expected an abandoned relic. They were not ready for what they found. Her gaze tipped skyward. She felt Ossus’ pain. The Force ached as lives were lost. Heartache filled her chest. Alex reached for the sky.

Her mind spun upward into the clouds, the storm waiting for her. Her left hand clenched as she pulled down. Thundered rolled, lightning cracked, and the rain began to fall. Alex called the winds. They ripped in front of the Temple, carrying troopers and red bladed Acolytes away from the Temple. The Storm sought the Sith…Ossus defending itself. Her mind searched wide again…hunting the Sith Lord. He had to come for Alex.

Suddenly, her coms sprang to life. It was the Ossein Fleets shouting in victory. “The Sith Lord is down…we repeat Darth Caelestis is in custody.” Shock momentarily paralyzed the Jedi Councilor. She flicked her com on, signaling for Temple Guard to surround her. “This is Councilor Voran, please confirm.” The coms were dead for a moment. “We repeat Darth Caelestis and his Royal Guard were encountered marching on the Jedi Temple, they were surrounded and neutralized. Caelestis is in custody.” Alex smiled. “Understood.” Ossus defending itself. There would be no victory for the Sith today. Her coms crackled to life again. This time the Temple guard. “Master Voran! Sith have entered from the rear landing pad, they’re in the Temple.” Her face hardened. “I’m coming.” The small group of five Temple Guards formed up around her. Alex rushed back up the steps. Her mind sought Crix, Drow and Vin. “Temple.” (@Drow Venn @Wit @Nefieslab)

She took the steps two at a time, busting into the main hall. Her eyes immediately fell on small group standing very out of place in the Temple Hall. (@Tulos @Eccles) She struck without hesitation as the Temple Guard rushed forward. The wind ripped past her, slamming into the group and seeking to toss them back out the way they came. It was torrent of the wind itself, not the Force but the Storm. It rode harmlessly above the Guards. “Get out.” They would not desecrate their home.

@Rhogar

 

[Drow Venn]

The Sith captain screamed as Drow nimbly moved past his defenses and pierced him through the heart with his yellow-bladed saber. The Sith troops had led a brutal assault on the city's front gates but the Jedi Master and his allies had managed to repel them with close quarters fighting and teamwork.

"Don't let them regroup with the others!" Drow shouted, stepping over the pile of Sith corpses who had tried their hand at besting a Jedi Master in combat. Drow sprinted forward to the steps leading up to the ramparts, motioning for his allies to follow suit. A brave Sith soldier tried stopping the Ishi Tib but a Force Push into the wall quickly silenced those ambitions.

Drow and the city police, Gammorrean guardsmen and Deucalians stood on the ramparts raining hellfire down upon the retreating Sith battalion with their blasters. Drow would have been content to stay there and ensure that they could not regroup with other Sith troops on the planet but Alex's voice penetrated the thick haze of battle and reached Drow's mind. The Jedi Master closed his eyes resolutely.

"Chief, make sure they stay routed. Drastus, with me. We're needed at the Temple" Drow said to the city's police chief before grabbing Drastus to go with him. Commandeering a police speeder, Drow would racer over to the Temple, using his skills as a pilot to avoid obstacles.

@Rhogar @Valen Pelora

 

[Crix Aran]

Well he had made a big deal out of securing the Sith transport - it would be a shame if he didn't use it. Nodding to the guards he had with him, Crix responded to Alex's call on the coms as the ship flew through the air with himself secured within it. Seemed the old girl could move at a fair old clip because he was coming on on the Temple sharpish.

"On my way, Alex." he grinned, "Don't win the war without me, yeah?"

Checking his equipment once again, Crix felt the ship shudder slightly but the engines not cutting off. Dew to the Sith and pirate ship already on the landing pad, the Sith shuttle didn't fully land on the landing pad. Instead it landed it's back half to allow the ramp to open up onto the landing pad.

As far as the Sith on the landing pad were concerned, it would look like they had reinforcements arriving. Instead, Crix would step out onto the landing pad before the ship headed on off to complete the boarding operation he had been planning before hand. With his lightsaber held tightly in his right hand, he smiled brightly.

The Sith might have mostly moved into the halls already but any troops they had left on the landing pad behind them would happily let them know that a Jedi had arrived behind them, back at their ships.

@Rhogar @Fantasy Liver @Valen Pelora
@Tulos @Eccles

 

[Drastus Drahr]

Drast would kick over the corpse of the last "elite" guardsmen that had tried to kill the Padawan. Every slash, every strike... it was for Ajan Kloss, the fallen of the Order, the innocent ot the galaxy who had died due to the insanity of the Sith. Each slain foe was offered up as sacrifice from the Padawan to the god he worshipped. And each corpse was for a fallen. But certain foes would need to sate certain Jedi. Raze, Stolas, they would need to pay the blood price for Talak, for Max.

But these would do for now. All around him, the collective groups of warriors that had been at the Temple were breaking the enemies resolve, their will. The gate was doing more than holding, it was pushing back. He could feel the enemy breaking with each stroke and each life lost.

Drow had begun to move for the ramparts and the Padawan moved with him. As the trooper struck the wall, just to be sure, Drast would drive his saber into their chest, giving them a release from their Sith leaders. From the ramparts, Drast would pull his blaster and take shots at the troopers beyond his reach before his attention was pulled by the Ish Tib. Then he was pulled.

Then they were in a speeder. One not so different from the one he had piloted on Denon. There was the swiftest moment of unease for the Corellian before they were moving. Voices were clamoring over the radio. The Sith had been captured.. there was no way. A Darth captured.

Taking the comm, he would chime up. "This is Drastus.. has his flagship been captured? Has his fleet?" Surely the Ossiens were good. But that good? He was in near shock. Setting the comm down, his gaze shifted to Drow. "Ready to see this to the end?" Hed ask as the speeder came to an abrupt stop at the Temple.

Jumping out of the speeder, he could feel the force before them, surely it was Master Voran. Drast would then take the steps two at a time as he raced to support the Jedi Councillor. Reaching her side, he would stop, the white glow of his saber joining hers. "Surrender and they may go easier on you at your trial." He had no doubt that Drow would take her other flank.

@Valen Pelora @Fantasy Liver @Nefieslab @Tulos @Eccles

 

[Vinry Forge]

Vin had just helped guide a group of civilians to a bunker when she felt the call, the pull through the Force that she knew to come from Alex. Making sure that her work here was done, she made all haste for the Temple.

Encountering some resistance along the way, the Jedi Master did her best to take the Sith soldiers out without killing them, and in one instance brought a door down to trap a squadron inside a building. Soon enough she was at the Temple, and ran in to grab hold of a padawan running off with some urgency. She was able to calm him down enough to learn that Sith had been sighted near the rear landing pad. But he carried more news, that the Sith Lord leading the attack had been captured. That was good news indeed.

She could already feel other Jedi near the landing pad, but she knew to not underestimate the Sith, no matter what the odds. So she started making her way over as well, ready to help in any way possible.

 

[Bir Vuul]

Bir watched in elation as Jedi and temple guards began to converge on their position, already vastly outnumbering him and his pirate allies. But for this brief moment it wasn’t the mad Sith champion that was exhilarated at the sight of this glaring defeat but rather the chained and shackled Padawan, the prisoner of war, sealed away in his cell at the back of his own mind. Finally, it seemed as though he would be set free from this hell. That the malicious and insane persona he had been forced aside for would finally face retribution. Even if it meant his death was at hand, at least the torture of watching innocents die at his own hands was finally over.

The moment was fleeting. The Padawan soon was forced back into the depths of his consciousness as the wild and malignant Sith identity forced itself back in control, a sinister and evil chuckle echoing across the hall whilst the winds of Master Voran tore across the temple exterior. Caelestis may have been captured and the battle may have been lost, but Bir was ever unpredictable. Even as the Sith shuttle landed behind them only to reveal yet another Jedi, the Kel Dor never gave any indication of easing his posture. More Jedi gathered at the Councillor’s side, barking orders of surrender. Perhaps even some that he may well have known in his past life? Doubtful.

”Friends of yours, hmm?” Bir asked inwardly to his counterpart, the first time they had ever truly discussed something as separate entities.

”Surrender or fight, it makes no difference. In the end, you will be defeated and this masquerade you’ve been playing comes to an end,”

”You’ve seen what I’ve done! You’ve seen! You know the darkness is ever controlling! Arty! My friend Arty may have failed! But Bir Vuul! Bir Vuul does not! He does not!”

”You are not Bir Vuul… You’re a monster, created from my own pain,”

”We are two sides of the same coin, my friend! Only you are tarnished and scorned! Only you are weak and enslaved! And only I have the limitless power of the Sith!”

”Recognize where you stand… Here, in this place… I am the one who controls you,”

Two separate entities dueled in the Kel Dor’s shattered and broken mind. One of light, one of dark. Yet on Osuss, the light always prevails. While those around him would not hear the dialogue in his thoughts, they would see the leather cheek along the edges of his rebreather begin to quiver as the chained Padawan allowed the energies of Osuss imbue him with a power he had never known. Nor that of the Sith counterpart. His legs would waver before the strength fell from them entirely, dropping him to his knees on the floor. His neck would begin to twitch side to side whilst his eyes rolled back, shielded from view by his goggles, before finally collapsing to the ground entirely. Yet it was not darkness that enveloped him but rather a blinding light as he fell unconscious.

@Eccles @Valen Pelora @Wit @Nefieslab @Rhogar @Fantasy Liver​

 

[Ben Haradan]

Spoiler: Jedi Posts I think are directed at me

She took the steps two at a time, busting into the main hall. Her eyes immediately fell on small group standing very out of place in the Temple Hall. (@Tulos @Eccles) She struck without hesitation as the Temple Guard rushed forward. The wind ripped past her, slamming into the group and seeking to toss them back out the way they came. It was torrent of the wind itself, not the Force but the Storm. It rode harmlessly above the Guards. “Get out.” They would not desecrate their home.

The Sith might have mostly moved into the halls already but any troops they had left on the landing pad behind them would happily let them know that a Jedi had arrived behind them, back at their ships.

Jumping out of the speeder, he could feel the force before them, surely it was Master Voran. Drast would then take the steps two at a time as he raced to support the Jedi Councillor. Reaching her side, he would stop, the white glow of his saber joining hers. "Surrender and they may go easier on you at your trial." He had no doubt that Drow would take her other flank.

Ben and the crew of the Haradan were walking through what they had come to realize wasn't an abandoned ancient Jedi temple at all. All twenty of them were wary of danger and as such saw the Jedi (@Valen Pelora) before she rushed forwards. "Shoot her!" Ben cried, but as he did the air seemed to rush passed him, stifling his words and forcing him to close his mouth in fear of the sudden surge of air blowing up his already full lungs. Next thing he knew he collided with the man behind him and most of the twenty pirates fell backwards either on the floor or against the wall. It let on and carried words with it.

Get out. Surrender and they may go easier on you at your trial.

Ben felt the eyes of his crewmen burn into his skull. Had they joined the fleet of Darth Asminys, the one with the awful Force powers, to then die at the hands of others wielding that same awful power? Slowly, against the torrent of unrelenting wind, the Ossein captain started raising his blaster. "Kriff-" he barely managed to utter a word and not get his mouth full of the heavy winds, "-the-" the barrel now pointed towards that first Jedi's lower legs (@Valen Pelora). "-Forcers!" he shouted it full of conviction, but the volume in which it carried across the room was stiffled and only half of his crew seemed capable to hear it.

He pulled the trigger and one bolt went for the Jedi's legs. Seven of his crew now moved to aim their weapons, too.

@Tulos @Valen Pelora @Wit @Rhogar @Nefieslab @Fantasy Liver

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex felt the resounding call of the Force as the Jedi converged on the Temple. Crix, Vin, Drow, and others all answering her call. The Light pulling them to protect their ancient home. Even young Padawan Drahr heard the shout for aid. They would not allow the Sith to desecrate this home. Ossus’ winds struck home, carrying the small group of Sith backwards. She counted only one red sabered Force user among their number. The winds buffeted the group, driving them back, and slowing their movements. Alex’s focus was trained on the trespassers. She saw the blasters beings raised. The shot rang out towards her legs and Alex her saber down to deflect the bolt into the ceiling. The wind continued to push the Sith back.

She could feel the others coming from the landing pad. The invaders were trapped. Any blaster bolts from the remaining Sith forces were easily handled by the Temple Guard. Those same guard moved in to put the Sith to sleep. Her own eyes stayed focused on the man who had shot her. Once she deflected the bolt, the winds died down as she hammered him with the Force. It crude and not elegant but effective. She sought to drive him into the teeth of Jedi coming from the landing pad. This battle was over, even if the Sith would not admit defeat. Alex continued to walk forward.

The Kel Dor Sith was simply unconscious on the ground. In the commotion of battle, she had failed to see him fall. He felt impossible in her senses. She felt not the Darkness but the Light. Alex threw that thought away. The Morellian Councilor could not begin to fathom how that was possible. She certainly was not equipped to deal with it now. “Secure him.” A question to be answered later.

@Eccles @Tulos @Fantasy Liver @Rhogar @Nefieslab @Wit

 

[Ben Haradan]

His shot was deflected like it was nothing, further enraging the pirate captain over the unfairness of a galaxy where Ossein drew the shortest straw. He wanted to shoot again, to kill the Jedi, but the torrent of wind made it harder to aim and then a voice popped up in his ear, "Ben, use the rebreather"

With his left hand he grabbed the rebreather and re-attached it to his helmet. He immediately regained his ability to breathe and the crew huddled together to better brace against the unrelenting wind. The Force was a terrifying power if this was something so casually wielded. "Ben, we cannot defeat them" - "We're not equipped for this" - "this is an active temple" - "we'll be outnumbered" The voices of his crew rang over their comms line and Ben knew he couldn't force them to fight a battle none of them thought they could win.

"Drop you weapons," he finally replied, showing both his crew and the Jedi that he let go of his own pistol as a sign that he was ready to surrender. His crew followed his example and soon their weapons were caught up by the winds and flew towards the Jedi standing some distance behind them.

If at this point the winds died down, he'd remove the rebreather again and step forward to face the Jedi he had tried to shoot (@Valen Pelora). "I am Captain Ben Haradan, lieutenant to the Sith Lord Darth Asminys-" he spat, but it wasn't clear if he meant it as an insult to the Jedi, Darth Asminys or simply to the predicament he felt himself in. "-my crew are Ossein. Sworn to no one but the Ossein ways of the Jazaq Yassa. I know Saul of the Kowakian Devil Fleet would welcome and trust them." After all, the Ossein people were forgiving and knew all too well that as spacefaring nomads they were sometimes forced into situations they'd rather not be in. It was the same for the crew of the Haradan, but Ben knew that the Jedi would want a captive, as they had when they captured Darth Asminys himself on Byblos. He just hoped that they'd agree to take just him.

Their flights suits were not imperial uniforms. To the Ossein a weathered flightsuit with patches of different worlds told a story of their travels and identity as nomads. They did all have that Imperial Fleet patch, however, and after removing his helmet, Ben made a show of tearing it from his uniform and tossing it to the ground.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Crix Aran]

Well it looked like Alex had things well in hand here by the looks of things - a Kel Dor Sith collapsed to the ground in a mental cloud of the Force, like a puppet with it's strings suddenly cut. He was, perhaps rightfully, concerned for the safety of the Kel Dor in someways but he was also not going to lie and say he wished the enemy well. Instead he focused on an older man and a collection of sailors or pirates.

Ossein sailors by his reckoning.

"Master!" he called out as he side-stepped a discarded pistol that had come flying in his direction, "I know some of the ways of the Ossein peoples."

He approached from behind the sailors, eyeing them without malice but with a healthy dose of suspicion at this point. Still... he had spoken to the people and he was a Jedi - he would much rather use his words and his relationship with people than his lightsaber.

"Master Voran - let's bring them back to their people. Let them judge their own, it's not our place to do so."

If they attacked? Crix had no issue with cutting them down in self-defence but with them surrendering like this he could see no way to justify the Jedi acting as judge and jury over them. The crew were Ossein so the Ossein people should decide what to do with them and their decision honoured regardless of how the Jedi thought about the punishments.

@Valen Pelora @Eccles