Chapter 1 – The Endar Spire

Betrayal. Like a vibroblade, the familiar sting inserted itself into the back of Carth Onasi's mind. Alarms blared, and soldiers rushed across the deck of the Endar Spire, ready to defend against the Sith forces that were dropping out of hyperspace. Enemy fighters were already mobilized, and the carefully planned strike left their engines crippled before defense shields could be raised.

"Bastilla, where are you?" Carth shouted into his personal communicator.

"I'm almost at the bridge."

"They've let up on their barrage. I think they're going to try and board us."

"I've already sensed their approach. They have dark Jedi with them. Tell your men to be ready."

Great, Carth thought to himself. Having Jedi aboard always proved troublesome.

Not very much longer, the entire Republic vessel shook as a Sith interceptor-class ship attached itself to the hull and forced open an entryway for the boarding party. Dark red lightsabers flared and the familiar hum caused a panic up the hallways.

Carth activated the ship wide comm, "This is Carth Onasi. The Sith are threatening to overrun our position. All hands to the bridge!"

He checked his weapons and ordered his soldiers to cover the blast doors.

"If you see the Jedi, give them cover."

"She's here!" A soldier shouted.

"Open up and be ready!"

Bastilla entered with her yellow bladed lightsaber fully extended. Weaving flower-like patterns, her exotic energy weapon redirected most of the incoming blaster fire away from the bridge and the defending soldiers.

"We need to get you to the escape pods. We'll hold them off!"

"Carth, you can't expect me to abandon you all."

"The engines are dead, we aren't going anywhere. By the look of things your Jedi guard has already fallen back. I'll give the signal to abandon ship as soon as you're gone."

"Carth, I…"

"Don't argue. It's my job to make sure you're safe. Go!"

"Very well, but please follow without delay."

Bastilla disappeared down the opposite corridor.

Republic soldiers on the bridge finished off the next wave of Sith forces, but still they kept coming. Frag grenades shredded corridors and left smoking black scorch marks along the walls. Carth kept up the barrage with his upgraded twin blasters. Republic soldiers fell around him, despite his efforts.

Several explosions shook the Republic ship as it neared being utterly destroyed. No one bothered to monitor the severity of the damage. It was clear the Sith intended to wipe them out.

There was a break in the chaos and Carth took stock of his surroundings. Most of the crew were dead, bodies of Sith and Republic soldiers were scattered around the bridge deck. A few brave soldiers had managed to hold on. Carth sent the evacuation signal and left a few token men to defend the bridge and keep the route to the escape pods clear. The rest of his men, including himself, headed to the starboard section of the ship along the same way the young Jedi had departed earlier.

He personally saw off their escape pods, then checked the life support systems for survivors still aboard. Two small blinking lights showed a couple more Republic troop closing in on the bridge. One light identified as Trask Ulgo, a good soldier, but the other was throwing out an error.

Attempting to contact them, he found the communications terminal was malfunctioning. He fiddled with the wires, keeping an eye on the two life forms. The dots progressed steadily, but then Trask suddenly headed off and sealed himself behind a bulkhead. The remaining dot hesitated, then slowly moved to the starboard section of the ship as well. Trask's light went out.

"Dammit!"

With more determination he set about fixing the console. He wouldn't let the last crew member on the Endar Spire die. If he could guide them, they would have a fighting chance.

The console beeped. Success. "This is Carth Onasi, I'm using the life support systems to track you. Be careful. Your heading into a squad of Sith up ahead."

The dot didn't respond, but made for the hallway slowly. The handful of troopers were quickly dispatched. Carth noticed the up and close take downs, the unknown soldier must be using a melee weapon.

"Heads up. The next room has a ranked Sith officer in the squad. You should find someway to take him out quickly."

The dot headed for the security console after scratching around in some canisters. The cries of electrocuted Sith were quick to follow and Carth had to admired the dot's resourcefulness.

Carth opened the door a short while later as the dot approached the escape pod bay.

She stepped inside, kitted in a combat vest and wielding a blue vibroblade.

"Hey, whoa now, I'm with the Republic too. We should get out of here before the Sith blow us into dust. There's only one more pod and we're the last survivors of the Endar Spire."

She nodded, ducked into the escape pod with Carth right behind her. He punched the detachment sequence and they were ejected into space. The viewport showed the Endar Spire's final moments shortly after. The fiery explosion shook the pod as a brilliant explosion engulfed the Republic vessel. The planetary system below quickly dragged the escape pod into re-entry and they saw the city skylines of the blue-green planet between the streaks of red covering the viewport. The ground hurtled alarmingly fast towards them.

"Dampeners are damaged. Brace yourself!"